Birth-by-Facebook

I experienced the birth of my friends Joe and Andrea's first child this morning via Facebook, which was an unusual and thrilling experience. I page-refreshed often to keep up. Updates were offered as Andrea’s “Status Update” on her Facebook Profile page. For a while, I wondered how she could be at the hospital, birthing, yet find the time to report casually on her cervix. But it was soon revealed that her sisters had hacked into her account and were providing updates on her behalf.

From yesterday:

• Andrea is 4cm and on pitocin. 1:28pm
• Andrea is 5cm and holding, but comfortable with an epidural. 5:48pm
• Andrea is at 6cm but moving slowly (and sure to regret giving her sisters her FB password :) ). 7:42pm
• Andrea is at 6-7cm and getting some rest. 11:42pm

And then today:

• Andrea is at 8-9cm and hanging in there, unfortunately so is the baby!! 1:07am
• Andrea is at 10 and waiting to push! 3:23am
• Andrea is the proud mom of a beautiful baby boy!! GAVIN arrived at 6:33 this morning 8 lbs 14 oz and 22 inches long! Mom and baby are healthy and happy! 11:25am

The due-date was Independence Day but, as I pointed out to Joe when we spoke this morning, apparently his baby hates America because it arrived a day later. Congratulations, Joe and Andrea!