Ninagrrl
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Well, the night before ended late before I was satisfied on my preparedness and after only 2 hours of sleep I was wide awake. I stayed up but still managed to leave late! It didn't end up nattering because things happened according to schedule. The staff in the OR commented on how "chill" I was but, honestly, I was a live wire and had to remind myself to breathe deep to keep my heart rate normal.
I had talked to my anesthesiologist about my previous c-section and how the spinal made me more nervous than the risk in the surgery and he assured me that in 20 years he had only had one high spinal ever. It didn't do much to calm my nerves but made him more aware of my possible level of anxiety so he was very attentive and talked me through everything. I wasn't paralyzed from the neck down this time and had sensation without feeling sharpness. I did experience some nausea but it wasn't unbearable this time.
When the OB went to pull Calli out, I noticed a lot of tugging and pressure and they told me she had spread her arms and legs out as if she didn't want to leave!!! They got her out just fine and I then tuned out the doctors and paid attention to my daughter. She's not really short at 19 inches long but she is very compact and a chunky little thing. She has the chubiest little cherub face, round belly and chunky little thighs. She weighs 7lbs 14oz. Her hair has the same red tone as her brothers but darker then his was when he was born. After the section, the doctor informed me that not only did she have a 2 vessel cord but there was a knot in it. This was the reason for her failing her NSTs as well as her dip in her heart rate. I was told that it was probably a good thing that we decided to schedule a section because natural birth would have likely tightened the knot and put her at risk.
Recovery was slow but pain was easily managed and after vitals were taken they brought Calli in to feed. I have large flat nipples so we ended up using a shield which worked but she was so lethargic that she kept falling asleep. Her blood sugar was really low so they tried formula but it still didn't rise and she had a slightly elevated temp so after trying to get her to feed a second time, we ended up putting her on IV fluids. She is doing well and is a lot more alert but they are currently keeping her in the NICU for a scan of her head and kidneys due to smaller side of average measurements on both. She is peeing great so her kidneys are functioning and she is acting like a healthy baby now that her sugars are up. She is likely fine but due to my health, complications of pregnancy and my son being special needs they are also running a neurogenetic panel on her to make sure.
Honestly, the pain between my first section and this one is night and day. First one my pain was always a 9 or 10 and any movement was excruciating. This time the max level has been 3-4 on scale of 1-10. I'm already starting to walk and will be having Cath removed in a few hours. They keep telling me how great I'm doing which has me in a bit of shock on how devastating my first experience was. I am happy and confident that my recovery will go smooth. Not even 24 hours and they are surprised at how much the swelling has gone down. Also for the first time in 4 years I am off my diabetes meds and my sugars are in good range and I'm eating twice the carb count as I was before.
So in love with my baby girl doesn't begin to describe how I feel. I used to think I would never have children because of my health and now I have not one, but two miracle babies and my family is complete.
Will post pictures in following post and keep you updated on Calli's test results.
I had talked to my anesthesiologist about my previous c-section and how the spinal made me more nervous than the risk in the surgery and he assured me that in 20 years he had only had one high spinal ever. It didn't do much to calm my nerves but made him more aware of my possible level of anxiety so he was very attentive and talked me through everything. I wasn't paralyzed from the neck down this time and had sensation without feeling sharpness. I did experience some nausea but it wasn't unbearable this time.
When the OB went to pull Calli out, I noticed a lot of tugging and pressure and they told me she had spread her arms and legs out as if she didn't want to leave!!! They got her out just fine and I then tuned out the doctors and paid attention to my daughter. She's not really short at 19 inches long but she is very compact and a chunky little thing. She has the chubiest little cherub face, round belly and chunky little thighs. She weighs 7lbs 14oz. Her hair has the same red tone as her brothers but darker then his was when he was born. After the section, the doctor informed me that not only did she have a 2 vessel cord but there was a knot in it. This was the reason for her failing her NSTs as well as her dip in her heart rate. I was told that it was probably a good thing that we decided to schedule a section because natural birth would have likely tightened the knot and put her at risk.
Recovery was slow but pain was easily managed and after vitals were taken they brought Calli in to feed. I have large flat nipples so we ended up using a shield which worked but she was so lethargic that she kept falling asleep. Her blood sugar was really low so they tried formula but it still didn't rise and she had a slightly elevated temp so after trying to get her to feed a second time, we ended up putting her on IV fluids. She is doing well and is a lot more alert but they are currently keeping her in the NICU for a scan of her head and kidneys due to smaller side of average measurements on both. She is peeing great so her kidneys are functioning and she is acting like a healthy baby now that her sugars are up. She is likely fine but due to my health, complications of pregnancy and my son being special needs they are also running a neurogenetic panel on her to make sure.
Honestly, the pain between my first section and this one is night and day. First one my pain was always a 9 or 10 and any movement was excruciating. This time the max level has been 3-4 on scale of 1-10. I'm already starting to walk and will be having Cath removed in a few hours. They keep telling me how great I'm doing which has me in a bit of shock on how devastating my first experience was. I am happy and confident that my recovery will go smooth. Not even 24 hours and they are surprised at how much the swelling has gone down. Also for the first time in 4 years I am off my diabetes meds and my sugars are in good range and I'm eating twice the carb count as I was before.
So in love with my baby girl doesn't begin to describe how I feel. I used to think I would never have children because of my health and now I have not one, but two miracle babies and my family is complete.
Will post pictures in following post and keep you updated on Calli's test results.
xx
well done x
