Erik Estrada: My Birth Coach

It was a late night in September, 1988. I was having back pain since early that afternoon, and it was impossible to sleep. I was 22 years old, and pregnant with my first child. I really didn't know whether I was in the beginning stages of labor, but I definitely knew that I had never experienced this sort of back pain in my life. I had kept all my pre-natal visits, and I had another one scheduled that week, but I had not taken any of the pre-natal birth coaching classes that was suggested by my doctor months ago. I was going to "wing it," but I was a little frightened of the unknown to tell you the truth. My husband at the time however had no trouble sleeping that night. I was up, feeling restless and alone with only Erik Estrada there to ease some of my fears. 

 

My due date was the next day. I had gotten calls all that morning and afternoon from my mom and relatives that assured me that I would not give birth on the day the doctor said I was due. I was told: "It just never happens!" Even my doctor had told me that it rarely did. My doctor had just had a baby herself and was on maternity leave. The last two weeks I was seen by different doctors taking her place while she was gone. They all told me the same thing, to not worry, and that my regular doctor would be starting work again right on my due date—but again, I probably wouldn't give birth on that day any way. Yeah, that is what you think.. 

 

 

I knew better. I just "knew" Lizzy was going to be born on Sept. 2. I proceeded to pack her baby bag, and my hospital bag was all ready by that early evening. I took shower after shower, and tried to sleep, but I couldn't. Back then we had just moved into our place from my parent's home that July, and we didn't have cable T.V.  I had three choices of television programs to choose from that night. It was either watching an old western, some talk show, or an episode of CHiPS. I chose the CHiPS show. 

 

I'll never forget that episode-it was the Halloween one. 10 minutes into the show, I knew I could not change the channel! The sitcom was about this pregnant woman—it caught by attention so I stayed glued to the T.V.  I don't remember much about the plot to tell you the truth, but somehow this pregnant woman is stranded somewhere, and "Pooch" (Erik Estrada) was coaching her on her breathing technique for child birth. Suddenly a light when on in my head: "Gee, I should really be paying attention to this!" So, as Erik coached this woman---little did he know he coaching me too, as I sat in my living room couch. "Ponch" taught me how to breathe and push. And I will tell you that later at the hospital, I even impressed my nurses and doctor. They thought I had taken classes! I just closed my eyes and pictured Ponch's breathing instructions. Oh, it might seem funny now, but it's true! 

 

Thank you Ponch! I swear, if I hadn't already chosen "Elizabeth" as my daughter's name, I would have named her Erika. I'm not kidding. 

 

Yes, my daughter was born ON her due date. My son, Andrew was also born on his due date. But, my 3rd child couldn't wait that long—he popped out 2 days early. His due date fell on his Godmother's' birthday. She was a delivery nurse and wasn't scheduled to work on her birthday. Nicholas somehow knew this and decided to be born right when his Godmother started her shift at the hospital—yes she delivered him! Erik was there too….still in the back of my head I could still hear his voice coaching me on…