Now I know why they call it labor

Kidding, I always knew, but now I KNOW know, if you know what I mean.

Baby is good, Momma is good. But it’s been a ride. Baby still inside. 

Anyone reading this is beloved to us — you’re either family, longtime close friends, part of our cherished community in some other sacred way. So yesterday Li Han promised her family that she would share the whole journey, and that it may get gory. Before she fell asleep just now, she asked me to update you and when I asked what to share, she said, 

“they’ll want to know it all.”

So if you’re sqeamish, just pass over this one. I deleted a couple of videos because there was too much blood and humanity in them for comfortable sharing, and I hope she won’t mind. 

Main things:

1. We’re so blessed to have amazing medical people among you who have been on the wing, helping us make decisions along the way. Thank you. We also have a great medical team here at the hospital.
2. Li Han has been so grateful for all of your communications and gifts of encouragement. Your texts and emails have been comfort and succour.
3. Unmedicated, Li Han labored with contractions from about 1 AM last night til about an hour ago and got to 8 centimetres dilated. However, the combo of ”decels,” or indication of baby distress during contractions, along with what looks to have been ineffable pain, means that Li Han and her team chose to introduce an epidural about an hour ago.
4. The medical team have prepared a “labor tray” so they’re planning for a natural delivery but the midwives have several times told us to not rule out cesarean. However, the nurse just came in and said that the baby looks really good and she thinks it’s very unlikely at this point.
5. I’m going to skip the hours of drama — most of you have given birth or are married to people who have — and just post some pictures. Li Han is healthy and not in pain anymore and the baby looks good!
6. With luck, it’s likely that we will have a baby by the end of August 26th — a birthday present for birthday twins grandmother Rosalind and Uncle Jin Han!