hakunamatata
Mommy to Ariana & Robert
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2011
- Messages
- 22,702
- Reaction score
- 0
Here's my much overdue birth story!
Ariana Grace was quite comfortable... with her bum pointing down and her legs up by her head. She was still folded in a very cozy baby sandwich around 34 weeks, which meant that I'd have to have a c-section if she didn't flip. My favorite midwife, Suzanne, told me that normally they would try a version to turn the baby in the right direction, but my amniotic fluid was too low, and it was too risky. I was handed over from midwife to doctor care since surgery was imminent. I wasn't overly upset by the switch even though I had gotten attached to Suzanne. But I hadn't been guaranteed that she would deliver my baby anyway; I was at the mercy of the schedule and who happened to be on call. I asked my new doctor, Dr. J., what if I still wanted to attempt a vaginal birth despite the fact that the baby was breech? She said that this hospital wouldn't even attempt vaginal delivery for a breech baby because it was that risky. Baby could get stuck or strangled by the umbilical cord. My heart wasn't set on a vaginal birth, but I did want to know what my options were. And I wasn't about to switch hospitals; this hospital had the best reputation in our area.
I continued to see the doctors on a weekly basis for ultrasounds. I was considered high risk because of the low amniotic fluid. My fluids held steady and even increased a little. Baby stayed breech. I liked collecting so many ultrasound pics of my baby girl.
Two nights before my scheduled c-section, I felt some watery wetness between my legs. I knew that water breaking was typically a large gush, and this was more of a trickle, but I called the doctor at 2am to be sure. Dr. J. called me back about 20 minutes later, and after I described the discharge and my symptoms, she didn't think it was my water breaking.
The night before my cs, I couldn't eat or drink after midnight lest I turn into a bad Gremlin. The spinal I'd receive didn't require an empty stomach, but it was a precaution in case I needed general anesthesia for some reason. I drank water until 11:59 pm and fell asleep shortly thereafter. When I woke up, I was so thirsty. DH and I left for the hospital with our various bags and arrived at 8 am. I checked in at the desk, which was a short process because I had preregistered. Then we waited in the lobby. At this point I was parched as if I had been in the desert for a few days. Other than that, I was pretty comfortable sitting in a recliner. After about 20 minutes, my name was called. We entered the WETU (Women's Evaluation and Treatment Unit), and I was led to a room where a nurse gave me a gown to change into. I changed, and when she came back, she asked me questions, and a few other people entered the room. I met Dr. Pat and her intern, and Dr. Pat listened to the baby's heartbeat and did a quick ultrasound to make sure everything was okay. The nurse put the IV in my hand, which was a pretty good pinch and made my hand ache, but it was wonderful because I didn't feel dehydrated anymore. I met a student nurse at one point who went to my DH's alma mater. She was really nice and kept me company while we were waiting. I also met the anesthesiologist and her assistant. Then Dr. H, who would be performing the cs, came in and introduced herself. After a brief chat, she left, and the nurse shaved my lower abdomen where the incision would be made. I was escorted to the OR - it was go time! I had to say goodbye to DH for about 20 minutes while they prepped me for surgery. I was so overcome by the enormity of what was happening that I started to cry, and I was shaking because it was absolutely freezing. One of the nurses got me a warm blanket and tissues, and she took my glasses. She joked, "Why are you crying? We haven't done anything to you yet!"
It helped liven the mood a bit. I moved the blanket to my lap and leaned forward as the anesthesiologist prepped my back for the spinal; when she attempted it the first time, I lurched forward because I had no warning and it startled me. Jokey nurse helped me bracing my shoulders so that I wouldn't move. The second attempt was successful. The initial entry of the needle wasn't bad, but it did feel a little weird and uncomfortable as she moved the needle in further; it felt like she was twisting it quite a bit to find the right spot and depth. But overall the process was pretty quick. They helped me lie on the table, and after the anesthetic took effect, they poked and prodded me to make sure I was numb. I couldn't feel a thing, but I was suddenly overwhelmed with nausea. I almost sat straight up because I thought I would vomit, but they gave me some type of antiemetic which helped a little. I still felt nauseous so they gave me more; finally I felt 100% better. They also inserted the catheter, which was fine because again I didn't feel a thing. DH entered in his scrubs and mask, which was also a relief. He sat near my head on my right side as they hung a curtain in front of me so I wouldn't have to see the surgery. Dr. H. told me that I'd feel pressure and tugging but no pain. She began the procedure, and it went quite smoothly; just as she said, I felt pressure and tugging but no pain. After about 10 minutes, I cried when I heard the most beautiful sound in the world, my daughter's cry at 10:11 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Dr. Pat lifted my baby up for me to see, then she and the nurses cut the cord, cleaned her up quickly, weighed and measured her (6 lbs, 5 oz, 19.75 inches long), and got her swaddled in a blanket and put a hat on her. DH held her then handed her to me. Link to pictures at the end of birth story! After a little while they took Ariana while they stitched me up. My memory is a bit fuzzy at this point because I had lost quite a bit of blood, but at a certain point 45 minutes later they were done. DH had left the OR, and the nurses moved me from the operating table to some kind of cart and wheeled me the PACU (post anesthesia care unit) where DH joined me. The nurse was a bit brusque and kept asking me if I had this shot or that shot. I told her in my post-surgery haze to check my chart 
I was in the PACU for a while because she had trouble stopping the bleeding; eventually she inserted some kind of pills up my vagina which stopped the bleeding. Fortunately I didn't need a blood transfusion. At some point, the original nurse came in with Ani. 
The nurse helped me breastfeed Ani. It was a little tricky getting her to latch. Over the next 24 hours, I would seek the advice and help of various nurses; I remember that Kelly, the third shift nurse, was quite helpful.
This part is definitely hazy but somehow I ended up in my bedroom, and DH texted our parents to let them know that everything went well, and that they could come visit in a few hours. My mom and dad and DH's mom arrived, and shortly thereafter my friend Amy arrived. Apparently I was talking quite loudly due to the effects of the medication I don't remember much else. That evening, the nurses came in to remove the catheter and help me walk to the bathroom. I felt so wobbly but fortunately I didn't tumble over. The nurse came in every so often to check my blood pressure and had me move my legs and checked to make sure I didn't have any blood clots. I slept for approximately 2 hour intervals; when I woke, I fed and changed Ani. We had a lot of skin-to-skin contact. We both got the hang of breastfeeding.
The next day, my incision was a bit sore but mostly felt like a bad sunburn. I moved gingerly and took a shower, and even went for a short walk around the hospital which the nurses had recommended. We walked by the nursery and looked at all the other babies - so cute, but obviously not as cute as mine! I ate a lot of fruit and drank a lot of water and tried to walk a few times per day. One night, we let Kelly take Ani to the nursery so we could catch up on sleep; I was in tears because I was so overtired, and DH and I both resembled zombies. I felt guilty about her being away, but Kelly told me I should take advantage of the opportunity while I was in the hospital. Over the course of our 3 and a half day stay, we let the nurse bring Ani to the nursery for a quick break a few more times so we could sleep. Ani had various tests and visits from the pediatrician. Dr. K., during our hospital stay. All her tests were fine, but Dr. K gave me a bit of a scare because he was concerned about her squished head. It was a bit flat to to being wedged right under my diaphragm, and he said if it didn't iron itself out, she might need surgery. Fortunately, her head shifted into a more normal shape over the next few days 
By Friday, we were more than ready to go home. The discharge process seemed to take forever since I was so impatient to go home, but finally we were leaving the hospital with our beautiful daughter. It seemed so sunny and bright outside, and the world seemed overly huge and open after being cooped up indoors for over 3 days. DH drove home, and I sat in the backseat with our princess, who was covered with my fuzzy pink blanket, the same blanket I sleep with every night and hold close to my heart, the blanket I will never part with.
Overall it was an extremely positive experience, and I would gladly have a second planned cs, though I am considering the possibility of a vbac for baby #2.
Ariana Grace was quite comfortable... with her bum pointing down and her legs up by her head. She was still folded in a very cozy baby sandwich around 34 weeks, which meant that I'd have to have a c-section if she didn't flip. My favorite midwife, Suzanne, told me that normally they would try a version to turn the baby in the right direction, but my amniotic fluid was too low, and it was too risky. I was handed over from midwife to doctor care since surgery was imminent. I wasn't overly upset by the switch even though I had gotten attached to Suzanne. But I hadn't been guaranteed that she would deliver my baby anyway; I was at the mercy of the schedule and who happened to be on call. I asked my new doctor, Dr. J., what if I still wanted to attempt a vaginal birth despite the fact that the baby was breech? She said that this hospital wouldn't even attempt vaginal delivery for a breech baby because it was that risky. Baby could get stuck or strangled by the umbilical cord. My heart wasn't set on a vaginal birth, but I did want to know what my options were. And I wasn't about to switch hospitals; this hospital had the best reputation in our area.
I continued to see the doctors on a weekly basis for ultrasounds. I was considered high risk because of the low amniotic fluid. My fluids held steady and even increased a little. Baby stayed breech. I liked collecting so many ultrasound pics of my baby girl.
Two nights before my scheduled c-section, I felt some watery wetness between my legs. I knew that water breaking was typically a large gush, and this was more of a trickle, but I called the doctor at 2am to be sure. Dr. J. called me back about 20 minutes later, and after I described the discharge and my symptoms, she didn't think it was my water breaking.
The night before my cs, I couldn't eat or drink after midnight lest I turn into a bad Gremlin. The spinal I'd receive didn't require an empty stomach, but it was a precaution in case I needed general anesthesia for some reason. I drank water until 11:59 pm and fell asleep shortly thereafter. When I woke up, I was so thirsty. DH and I left for the hospital with our various bags and arrived at 8 am. I checked in at the desk, which was a short process because I had preregistered. Then we waited in the lobby. At this point I was parched as if I had been in the desert for a few days. Other than that, I was pretty comfortable sitting in a recliner. After about 20 minutes, my name was called. We entered the WETU (Women's Evaluation and Treatment Unit), and I was led to a room where a nurse gave me a gown to change into. I changed, and when she came back, she asked me questions, and a few other people entered the room. I met Dr. Pat and her intern, and Dr. Pat listened to the baby's heartbeat and did a quick ultrasound to make sure everything was okay. The nurse put the IV in my hand, which was a pretty good pinch and made my hand ache, but it was wonderful because I didn't feel dehydrated anymore. I met a student nurse at one point who went to my DH's alma mater. She was really nice and kept me company while we were waiting. I also met the anesthesiologist and her assistant. Then Dr. H, who would be performing the cs, came in and introduced herself. After a brief chat, she left, and the nurse shaved my lower abdomen where the incision would be made. I was escorted to the OR - it was go time! I had to say goodbye to DH for about 20 minutes while they prepped me for surgery. I was so overcome by the enormity of what was happening that I started to cry, and I was shaking because it was absolutely freezing. One of the nurses got me a warm blanket and tissues, and she took my glasses. She joked, "Why are you crying? We haven't done anything to you yet!"
It helped liven the mood a bit. I moved the blanket to my lap and leaned forward as the anesthesiologist prepped my back for the spinal; when she attempted it the first time, I lurched forward because I had no warning and it startled me. Jokey nurse helped me bracing my shoulders so that I wouldn't move. The second attempt was successful. The initial entry of the needle wasn't bad, but it did feel a little weird and uncomfortable as she moved the needle in further; it felt like she was twisting it quite a bit to find the right spot and depth. But overall the process was pretty quick. They helped me lie on the table, and after the anesthetic took effect, they poked and prodded me to make sure I was numb. I couldn't feel a thing, but I was suddenly overwhelmed with nausea. I almost sat straight up because I thought I would vomit, but they gave me some type of antiemetic which helped a little. I still felt nauseous so they gave me more; finally I felt 100% better. They also inserted the catheter, which was fine because again I didn't feel a thing. DH entered in his scrubs and mask, which was also a relief. He sat near my head on my right side as they hung a curtain in front of me so I wouldn't have to see the surgery. Dr. H. told me that I'd feel pressure and tugging but no pain. She began the procedure, and it went quite smoothly; just as she said, I felt pressure and tugging but no pain. After about 10 minutes, I cried when I heard the most beautiful sound in the world, my daughter's cry at 10:11 am on Tuesday, June 5, 2012. Dr. Pat lifted my baby up for me to see, then she and the nurses cut the cord, cleaned her up quickly, weighed and measured her (6 lbs, 5 oz, 19.75 inches long), and got her swaddled in a blanket and put a hat on her. DH held her then handed her to me. Link to pictures at the end of birth story! After a little while they took Ariana while they stitched me up. My memory is a bit fuzzy at this point because I had lost quite a bit of blood, but at a certain point 45 minutes later they were done. DH had left the OR, and the nurses moved me from the operating table to some kind of cart and wheeled me the PACU (post anesthesia care unit) where DH joined me. The nurse was a bit brusque and kept asking me if I had this shot or that shot. I told her in my post-surgery haze to check my chart I was in the PACU for a while because she had trouble stopping the bleeding; eventually she inserted some kind of pills up my vagina which stopped the bleeding. Fortunately I didn't need a blood transfusion. At some point, the original nurse came in with Ani. The nurse helped me breastfeed Ani. It was a little tricky getting her to latch. Over the next 24 hours, I would seek the advice and help of various nurses; I remember that Kelly, the third shift nurse, was quite helpful.This part is definitely hazy but somehow I ended up in my bedroom, and DH texted our parents to let them know that everything went well, and that they could come visit in a few hours. My mom and dad and DH's mom arrived, and shortly thereafter my friend Amy arrived. Apparently I was talking quite loudly due to the effects of the medication
I don't remember much else. That evening, the nurses came in to remove the catheter and help me walk to the bathroom. I felt so wobbly but fortunately I didn't tumble over. The nurse came in every so often to check my blood pressure and had me move my legs and checked to make sure I didn't have any blood clots. I slept for approximately 2 hour intervals; when I woke, I fed and changed Ani. We had a lot of skin-to-skin contact. We both got the hang of breastfeeding. The next day, my incision was a bit sore but mostly felt like a bad sunburn. I moved gingerly and took a shower, and even went for a short walk around the hospital which the nurses had recommended. We walked by the nursery and looked at all the other babies - so cute, but obviously not as cute as mine!
I ate a lot of fruit and drank a lot of water and tried to walk a few times per day. One night, we let Kelly take Ani to the nursery so we could catch up on sleep; I was in tears because I was so overtired, and DH and I both resembled zombies. I felt guilty about her being away, but Kelly told me I should take advantage of the opportunity while I was in the hospital. Over the course of our 3 and a half day stay, we let the nurse bring Ani to the nursery for a quick break a few more times so we could sleep. Ani had various tests and visits from the pediatrician. Dr. K., during our hospital stay. All her tests were fine, but Dr. K gave me a bit of a scare because he was concerned about her squished head. It was a bit flat to to being wedged right under my diaphragm, and he said if it didn't iron itself out, she might need surgery. Fortunately, her head shifted into a more normal shape over the next few days By Friday, we were more than ready to go home. The discharge process seemed to take forever since I was so impatient to go home, but finally we were leaving the hospital with our beautiful daughter. It seemed so sunny and bright outside, and the world seemed overly huge and open after being cooped up indoors for over 3 days. DH drove home, and I sat in the backseat with our princess, who was covered with my fuzzy pink blanket, the same blanket I sleep with every night and hold close to my heart, the blanket I will never part with.
Overall it was an extremely positive experience, and I would gladly have a second planned cs, though I am considering the possibility of a vbac for baby #2.
Album pictures are here!
