My Amazing Wife, Baby Josie, Hospital Heroes and a Flooded Basement

My Amazing Wife, Baby Josie, Hospital Heroes and a Flooded Basement : Episode 21 

Welcome back to another episode of The Gray Hair & Daycare Podcast, where hosts Frank Cerio and Carlo Russo, with a combined age of 111 and an IQ somewhere in the same ballpark, dive into the madness of dadness. In this heartwarming episode, Frank shares the incredible journey of welcoming his newborn daughter, baby Josie, into the world.  

An Indescribable and Life-Changing Experience

Frank begins by expressing the overwhelming emotions and the profound life change that the arrival of baby Josie has brought. He admits struggling to find the right words to describe the experience, ultimately concluding that it is truly indescribable and life-altering. This tiny six-pound package has instantly become the most important thing in his existence, a sentiment echoed by Carlo. The fragility of new life and the immense joy it brings are central themes of this part of the conversation. Frank also shares the positive news of Josie's healthy weight gain since her birth on March 5th. He emphasizes the role of faith in navigating the anxieties and embracing the incredible joy of parenthood.  

An "Oscar Acceptance Speech" for Mom and Medical Heroes

Before diving into the details of the birth, Frank humorously declares this episode his "acceptance speech," acknowledging the many people who made this possible. He showers immense praise and gratitude upon his wife, Kelly, for her strength, courage, and resilience throughout the entire process. Both Frank and Carlo marvel at the incredible strength of women during childbirth, acknowledging that men cannot compare to what they endure. Frank also gives a heartfelt shout-out to the exceptional doctors and nurses at St. Joe's and Associates for Women's Medicine: Dr. Patrice Paolucci, Dr. Kathleen Rogers, Dr. Sarah Scoch, and nurses Kenzie and Courtney Burke. He recounts how their skill, talent, caring, and compassion made him feel secure and allowed him to focus on supporting Kelly. Carlo echoes this sentiment, highlighting the top-notch medical facilities and professionals in Syracuse.  

The Journey of Labor and Delivery

Frank then takes listeners through the detailed timeline of Josie's arrival, starting on Monday evening when they checked into St. Joe's. He describes the cervical softening process initiated by Dr. Paolucci and the lack of initial progression. By Tuesday morning, a balloon was used to help with dilation, followed by a beneficial soak in the jacuzzi tub. As contractions intensified, Kelly opted for IV pain medication, providing her with some much-needed rest. By Wednesday morning, she was ready for the epidural, a process Frank admits was a little scary. He also recounts the challenges they faced with Kelly's veins when trying to insert IVs.  

Despite concerns about not feeling contractions with the epidural, Kelly could still feel the pressure and was able to practice pushing with nurse Kenzie. The pushing stage involved different positions, with Frank providing physical support. Frank vividly describes the moment baby Josie arrived, the immediate joy, and the surreal experience of cutting the umbilical cord. He shares a funny anecdote about the doctor checking on him, thinking he might faint. Josie latched quickly for feeding, and her initial measurements were six pounds, one ounce and 19 and a half inches long. Frank fondly recalls how Josie seemed bigger than her percentile suggested.  

Navigating Postpartum Challenges

After a couple of hours in the labor and delivery room, things took a challenging turn. As the epidural wore off, Kelly fainted in the bathroom. Doctors became concerned about blood loss and discovered that the upper part of Kelly's uterus wasn't contracting properly. This led to an excruciating examination and the insertion of a Jada balloon to apply suction and pressure to stop the bleeding. Kelly was given fentanyl for the pain and started on IV fluids and antibiotics due to a fever. They remained in the labor and delivery room until late Wednesday night before finally being moved to the mother and baby room.  

A Sigh of Relief and Looking Ahead

Frank describes finally getting some much-needed sleep on Wednesday night while baby Josie began cluster feeding. By Thursday morning, Kelly's condition had stabilized, and Josie passed her pediatric and hearing exams. Frank expresses his relief and gratitude for the positive turn of events.  

Final Thoughts

This episode of The Gray Hair & Daycare Podcast offers a raw and honest account of the incredible journey of childbirth. Frank's heartfelt appreciation for his wife, the medical team, and the miracle of new life is truly touching. Join Frank and Carlo next time for more adventures in the world of gray hair and daycare!