Thursday, June 10, 2010

Mommy’s Piggy Tales…When I was born



Gramma got married when she was 17.  When she was 19, they found out they were going to have a baby…ME!  Gramma was very excited!

One Saturday in October, Gramma started to have some light cramps in her back.  It was still 4 weeks until her baby was due, but she wondered if maybe this was labor.  Granpa worked nights at the time, so he was home.  She woke him up and asked him to come sit in the bathroom while she took a shower.  After her shower she was still having the cramps, they didn’t hurt, but they were definitely coming every 10 minutes.  Gramma called the Dr and he told her to go into the hospital to be checked.

When they got to the hospital, Gramma was sent to the labor ward and Granpa was sent to the waiting room.  Back then, Dad’s weren’t allowed to stay with the Mom while a baby was being born.  Gramma stayed by herself in a little room for a long time.  She expected them to send her home, but they didn’t.

Around 5 pm she had a very sharp pain.  It hurt so badly that she screamed.  All the nurses and the Dr ran in the room.  A few minutes later she had another really sharp pain and I slid right out into the waiting Dr’s hands. I weighed 6lbs 6 oz and was 18 inches long.  Gramma says I was perfectly proportioned and looked just like an 18 inch baby doll.  I was smaller than any of you were when you were born (even Marissa).

Since this was a REALLY long time ago, the hospital rules were very different than they are today.  Gramma had to stay in the hospital for a whole week and they only let her see me for half an hour once every four hours.  The rest of the time they kept me in the nursery with all the other babies.  They only let Granpa visit Gramma for 2 hours twice a day, I’m not sure if they let him hold me at all.


I don’t know of any pictures of me before I was 5 months old.  Gramma and Granpa didn’t have a camera.  Gramma says that Granpa has some pictures, but I have never seen them.

12 comments:

Eos Mom said...

What a great story! Times were quite different then. My dad was only allowed at the birth of my youngest sister--for the other three of us, he was in the waiting room.

MommaHarms said...

I love that you are writing to your kids! Things sure were different. I would have been bored out of my mind in the hospital under those conditions, and no wonder moms didn't breastfeed as much back then!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

What a cute way to tell your story. It is also wonderful that you have heard the details...I am realize I never have and have only what some would say "handful" stories..oh, well, I am enjoying it just the same.
Thanks for stopping by and nice to meet another one my age doing the project. Yes I have six, ranging in ages 26 to 4,
Enjoyed,
Janette

Ginny Marie said...

I'm so glad you joined Mommy's Piggy Tales! Things were very different back then. I'm sure glad that my husband was able to be with me for both my children's births! I couldn't have done it without him!

Pepper said...

Love the voice you chose for your story, it's a wonderful idea!

So it must have been a quick delivery since you just slid right out.

I couldn't imagine being separated from your baby and your hubby for that whole week. Wow.

thecoolmom said...

It is amazing how much things have changed. My dad was stuck in the waiting room too, but with my firstborn, my dh was not only with me through the delivery, but stayed and slept in my room until I left the hospital. I stayed less than 24 hours. I can't imagine staying a whole week!

Unknown said...

What a great story! Boy times have sure changed at the hospital haven't they? For the better I think! I love the idea of this Meme, I will look forward to your stories too!

Unknown said...

Wow, I knew that things were different, but I'm pretty sure I would have decked any nurse that tried to take the boy away from me, particualarly if I could only have him for 30 minutes every four hours!! Thanks for sharing.
amber :)

Janna said...

Oh I hope you can find some baby pics. That would be exciting.

What a tiny thing you were. I'm so glad they let the mommas have their babies in their rooms now. I would have been heart broken not to have her with me.

A week in the hospital could definitely have it's advantages and disadvantages.

I like the way you wrote it as a letter or talking to your children.

Kristina said...

OOOH! I love that you told your story in a way which your kids would understand!

I like that!

"sliding right out" what a concept!

I look forward to reading the rest of your posts!

K.M.L said...

Great post and I love that you are writing to your kids. Can't wait to read more!

Kimberly said...

I can't IMAGINE not being allowed to spend time with my newborn. I hadn't even thought about those kinds of details!

I like your story a lot.