This page was last updated on: February 15, 2009
Carolena was committed to eating just one more big meal before braving any manner of hospital food (eggplant parmesan, light salad [two servings], and most importantly, BOTH cake AND pie!).
By 7:00 p.m., however, the contractions had increased in intensity, and Carolena no longer laughed at her mother (who kept saying, "You have to go to the hospital! NOW!"). Her mother was correct (of course, she had been saying the same thing, just as emphatically, all week long!). We piled into the car and her family followed behind in their car and as Douglas drove he also breathed with Carolena in the distinctive Lamaze "Hee-hee-hooo" while timing the contractions (they were now regular at 5-minute intervals) and they made it to the hospital by 8:00 p.m. where Carolena was thoroughly investigated and researched (she was solidly at 3cm dilation and was told by the nurse: "You ain't goin' nowhere!").They were shown to their private birthing room at Penrose Community Hospital, all the while practicing their "hee-hee-hoos," and by the time Carolena was in bed, she was confident enough to proclaim: "This isn't going to be any problem! I can handle the pain!""You can always use drugs if you want to, you know," her mother assured her, and Carolena reassured her that she would keep that fact in mind. Carolena planned on delivering naturally without drugs, to ensure a healthy baby, and Douglas stood by her every step of the way (though he did feel several temptations as the labor progressed and intensified). Douglas' son, 14-year-old Harrison, fell asleep on the day bed in the birthing room, and Carolena's brother Michael sat musing, while her Aunt Ginzi entertained them all with stories, while her mother helped out wherever she could.During practice, Douglas nearly passed out during the breathing exercises, but now during the actual event he felt stronger than ever, and Carolena's focus was perfect (although she had to remind her family several times not to chatter during contractions, as this disturbed her concentration). She focused on Douglas' face or stared at a carving of a teddy bear on a wooden cupboard. By the time 11:00 rolled around, she still felt strong, and found the pain manageable.
