It took a while for me to emotionally reconcile the idea of a scheduled c-section. Despite my strong disposition toward natural childbirth, I felt so relieved, and even excited, about the prospect of scheduling the surgery. I did eventually feel very at peace about the decision and continued to see the Lord's plan unfold as events progressed.
It was a bit surreal driving to the hospital on Tuesday morning, especially since less than 24 hours earlier I had anticipated being pregnant until at least the end of the week. Matthew had anticipated another week as well and the news we were having a baby the next day certainly threw him off his groove a bit. We both felt so peaceful about it all though, and checking into the hospital was almost like checking into a hotel for a weekend retreat. We got there a bit after 8:00 and I was preped and ready to go by quarter to 10:00. Getting the spinal was only mildly uncomfortable and after that the only thing I felt was a bit awkward. With Hyrum I was exhausted and more drugged up, so I didn't really know what was happening. This time I was completely alert and totally aware of everything going on. The nurses and attendants were all very nice and everything went smoothly. Mercy did get a little stuck with about half of her out, but the moment her head dislodged from under my ribs I could breath again and out she came at 10:55 AM. They cleaned her up, sewed me back together, and in about half an hour we were together in post-op.
It was a bit surreal driving to the hospital on Tuesday morning, especially since less than 24 hours earlier I had anticipated being pregnant until at least the end of the week. Matthew had anticipated another week as well and the news we were having a baby the next day certainly threw him off his groove a bit. We both felt so peaceful about it all though, and checking into the hospital was almost like checking into a hotel for a weekend retreat. We got there a bit after 8:00 and I was preped and ready to go by quarter to 10:00. Getting the spinal was only mildly uncomfortable and after that the only thing I felt was a bit awkward. With Hyrum I was exhausted and more drugged up, so I didn't really know what was happening. This time I was completely alert and totally aware of everything going on. The nurses and attendants were all very nice and everything went smoothly. Mercy did get a little stuck with about half of her out, but the moment her head dislodged from under my ribs I could breath again and out she came at 10:55 AM. They cleaned her up, sewed me back together, and in about half an hour we were together in post-op.
She had a lot of mucus in her lungs that she had a hard time getting out, and was doing the gagging reflux thing. They suctioned her out though and she nursed reasonably well from the very beginning. After about an hour they moved us into our room in the mother/baby ward. I was feeling great (comparatively) and was permitted to eat by dinner time.
Grandma Naomi and the boys came to visit later in the afternoon. Hyrum and Abraham were very excited to see baby sister and were both completely enthralled by her.
The first night went well, but mid-morning on the second day she started choking and holding her breath, so they took her back to suction her lungs again. While she was in the nursery, they did her newborn labs and found her blood sugar low. She was admitted to the NICU and I spent the rest of my hospital stay going back and forth between our rooms. As long as I took my medicines on time, I felt remarkably well and had no recovery issues. I was discharged on Friday, which just meant moving my stuff to Mercy's room and remembering to take my pain killers on my own.
The next several days were spent biding our time, waiting for my milk to come in and hoping she didn't have any more "incidents". I spent the hours flipping through tv channels, surfing around on the insanely slow internet, and dozing in the recliner with Mercy in my arms. It wasn't the worst 5 days of my life. Matthew came to visit for an hour or two most days, and Naomi and the boys came twice. On Sunday afternoon everyone came for dinner and stayed several hours. The hardest part of it all was missing my boys. Time passed uneventfully though, the nurses and staff were all very accommodating and helpful, and on Wednesday morning we were cleared to go home.
I continue to feel fantastic, and haven't even needed the pain pills since we got home. Mercy eats great, and sleeps about as well as one would expect a newborn to sleep. Because of the way she was positioned, her neck muscles on one side are tight and pull her head to the left. There are some stretches we have to do several times a day, but even that is improving noticeably. She is beautiful and we all love her very much. I am in awe and full of gratitude as I look at my boys and tiny little girl and realize that I am now a mother of three.
The next several days were spent biding our time, waiting for my milk to come in and hoping she didn't have any more "incidents". I spent the hours flipping through tv channels, surfing around on the insanely slow internet, and dozing in the recliner with Mercy in my arms. It wasn't the worst 5 days of my life. Matthew came to visit for an hour or two most days, and Naomi and the boys came twice. On Sunday afternoon everyone came for dinner and stayed several hours. The hardest part of it all was missing my boys. Time passed uneventfully though, the nurses and staff were all very accommodating and helpful, and on Wednesday morning we were cleared to go home.
I continue to feel fantastic, and haven't even needed the pain pills since we got home. Mercy eats great, and sleeps about as well as one would expect a newborn to sleep. Because of the way she was positioned, her neck muscles on one side are tight and pull her head to the left. There are some stretches we have to do several times a day, but even that is improving noticeably. She is beautiful and we all love her very much. I am in awe and full of gratitude as I look at my boys and tiny little girl and realize that I am now a mother of three.
4 comments:
Sounds great! I am thinking about asking them to just knock me out and wake me up when the baby is out this time. Your family looks so beautiful and happy.
That is wonderful! I am so happy for you all.
Love!!
I somewhat understand your emotions with the c section. I say somewhat because I have not had one of my own. But especially after number three birth, but before as well, I have been pretty opinionated about all the c sections these days. So I too would feel somewhat saddened. However, I think of your situation, a breech baby. To think that there was a time that you would not have been able to deliver, and possibly even taken your life. For that I am grateful that you could have a nice scheduled c section with a good and safe experience. I am glad you are healing well.
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