Like A Honeycomb : The Birth of Lucia Stellamaris Part 2

...Or That Time We Had a Baby By Costco

I looked at Cosmo and said, "we are not going to make it to the hospital"...

That's when things started to get exciting. The ferry FINALLY left the dock, right when we were calling to get an ambulance on the boat. Too late for that, but we were able to arrange for them to meet us on the mainland. This was my first time being in active labor in a vehicle. It was...unpleasant. Additionally, the sitting position speeds up my labors, so I was worried about that. Contractions kept coming closer and closer. Cosmo was off letting the ferry workers know the situation, so they could prioritize our exit. They were more than happy to oblige, since they like to avoid babies being born on the vessel.

When we got off the boat there were three ambulances there with a plethora of concerned looking paramedics. They put me on a stretcher, told me to lie on my left side (ouch), and buckled me in. I told all my information to a nice lady and was elevated up into the nearest ambulance. Cosmo parked the van. I met the two paramedics who were assigned to us. #1 was young (about my age - upper 20's), #2 was younger. Both of them were dudes. Like, more than just the fact that they were guys, dude in their demeanor. They told Cosmo firmly that he was not allowed to ride in the back with me, because of ambulance regulation (!).

#1 paramedic dude assured me that he'd done this before.

"Oh", I said, "so you have kids?"
"No", he said, "I've transported women in labor".

As a child I always wished that I could ride in an ambulance.

We were frustrated at the seemingly pointless rule, but in favor of getting to the hospital ASAP, we didn't put up a fuss. Cosmo hopped into the front seat and we were off. Things had spiraled into completely unknown territory. I was not in control, I was not comfortable, I was in a strange environment, and I had two paramedics trying to make small talk with me. Although I didn't have control, I did have a choice. I could fight the situation and suffer, or I could turn to prayer and probably also suffer. I turned to prayer.

The three shepherd children of Fatima

"Oh my Jesus, I offer this for love of Thee, for the conversion of sinners, and in reparation for the sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary."

I lay there in an uncomfortable position, grasping the hand of a ~~paramedic dude~~ child of God, and I offered up my pain. I offered it up for my friend who has difficult pregnancies. I offered it up. Suddenly all I could see was this:

The pain completely left me. I felt Christ suffering for me. I asked to take on other people's pain and my own suffering went away. All I could see was Christ on the cross. I was so calm and at peace that the paramedics didn't believe me when I told them that my baby was crowning.

Me: The baby is crowning.

Paramedic #1: Okay, just hold off until we get to the hospital.

Me: Um, that won't be possible. This is my third baby and she is coming out now.
Paramedic #1 (to Paramedic #2): They always say that.
Me: No, really, I feel her head coming out.
Paramedic #1: Okay, I guess we should check her. ... PULL OVER! Baby is being born!

Paramedic #2 caught her, because he's never done that before and needed the experience.

And she was born, on 4th avenue, across the street from Costco.

7 pounds, 15 oz.

Cosmo broke the rules, ignored their protests, and hopped back to meet his daughter. I was glad that we took the ambulance, because she needed some suctioning, and we didn't have a bulb syringe in the van. She sneezed, cried, and sneezed a few more times. Then we were back on our way to the hospital. I noticed those paramedics were physically shaking for the rest of the ride to the hospital.

The midwife was very glad to see us. She found everyone to be healthy and brought us to our postpartum room.

I am happy to report that the lactation nurses were helpful. If nothing else, they gave me the confidence that I was doing everything right. They all felt that I knew what I was doing and that baby was a pro at sucking. The food was also excellent. I was able to order tons of delicious food whenever I wanted. I did miss my family. Cosmo left the next day to return to our kids and I was by myself until we were discharged the following evening. I couldn't really relax. I didn't sleep more than an hour those first 48 hours. So, the verdict is that hospitals are not as bad as I thought...but I don't think we'd want to plan another hospital birth. Actually, Cosmo said that he wants to start studying childbirth, because after 3 quick labors, it's good to be prepared.

Our Lady of La Leche, pray for us!

We named her Lucia Stellamaris. Cosmo read A LOT of C.S. Lewis during this pregnancy, and he liked the name Lucy (from chronicles of Narnia). I talked him into Lucia, because I wanted a nod to Sister Lucia of Fatima (this year is the 100th anniversary of the apparition and miracle). I also have loved St. Lucy since childhood, probably mostly because I had a Kirsten doll. We call her Lucie for short.

We chose Stellamaris for many reasons. It means "Star of the Sea". My Nonna (grandma) is named "Stella", so it honors her. Also, it's one of the oldest Marian titles for Our Lady Star of the Sea. My name means "Morning at sea", Rosemary means "dew of the sea", so I love that we girls all have a sea connection.

You can purchase this gorgeous print here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/sleightholmfolk

Now she is 2 months old and just the sweetest, most smiley baby ever. Her baptism is in a couple weeks, on the Feast of the Transfiguration. Perfect for a baby named "light".