Today started off like any other day, however it didn’t last for long... My alarm went off at 6:40 just like every other work day, I got up and got in the shower and was thinking about what to get for breakfast. While in the shower I felt something weird “down there.” I looked down and noticed there was blood at my feet and a good amount of it. I was near the end of my shower so I hurried up and got out of there. I got dressed and warned D that I was calling the doctor and we would probably be going in. Dr. P was on-call and the answering service put me right through to him. He said to go on in and get checked out. I was scared but didn’t think much was wrong. I just thought maybe it was bloody show but part of me knew that was too much blood for that. Before we left, D took a shower and I checked the baby’s heartbeat with the doppler. Even though I figured everything was OK, I had to make sure. We left the house, taking my hospital bag just in case we ended up staying but didn’t grab the baby’s because we really didn’t think we were. Something told me to grab my camera though and I’m very glad I did!
We arrived at the hospital around 7:20 and were put into the observation room. Dr. A was there at the hospital (thank God!) since her shift was ending. She came in and checked me and saw lots of blood and some clotting. I just remember her pulling out q-tip after q-tip filled with blood. My membranes were not ruptured and I had not dilated any more than I was at the office a couple days before (1-2 cm). She mentioned abruption and I remember looking at D with this “oh no” look on my face. I knew what it meant… stat c-section. She went out to talk to Dr. T and a little bit later they confirmed what I thought, we would be going back for a c/s as soon as possible. Thankfully the baby looked great on the monitor and was moving all around in my belly.
After it was decided that we would be going back for a c-section, we started talking about epidural/anesthesia. On our way t the hospital I wanted to grab something to eat in case I was going to end up staying and not be allowed to eat later. Well, because I had something to eat they did not want to give me a spinal or epidural, they wanted to have general anesthesia. This made me cry.. It meant that D would not be allowed back to watch the delivery and to see and hear Ava when she first came out and that I would be knocked out for the entire procedure and not be able to hear or see her either. I knew there were also increased risks to the baby with general. Dr. T knew I was upset but assured me that she would get Ava out as soon as possible and that she would do everything she could to get her here safely.
We started getting ready to go to the OR. There were several attempts to start an IV on me. First by C (nurse) who said she had “five years experience” blah, blah but ended up not getting it and later causing a huge bruise that would last a couple weeks. The lab tech came to collect lab orders and tried as well. She got one but it was hurting me so they tried again. Finally on the 3rd try I had an IV that didn’t hurt and that was placed correctly. I think this took to majority of time to get figured out before we could go back for the surgery.
In the time between finding out I was going to have a c-section and actually going back, we signed consents, answers tons of questions, talked about the risks, called family to let them know what was going on and just tried to wrap our heads around the situation. I was scared. A c-section was the last thing I thought about when I day-dreamed about how the delivery was going to go. I wanted to try to go med-free and visioned myself walking the halls to help get labor going, breathing through contractions, counting down as I pushed, and having D be involved in the entire process.. But we weren’t going to get to do any of that. I know the only thing that mattered was Ava getting here safely and I was so thankful that we went to the hospital that morning and that I wasn’t at work when this happened.
Before we knew it, it was time to go back and get started. I think it was around 9:20 or so when they came to get me. It was time to say bye to D, we kissed and said “I Love You.” I can’t imagine what he was thinking. There went his wife and unborn child getting wheeled into an OR to have major surgery. Once in the OR, I scooted over to the table from my bed. They started hanging drapes and prepping me. The worst part of everything was being cold, shivering, naked from the belly and down, arms strapped down and then having the catheter inserted. I remember tears rolling down my face, not able to wipe them away of course because my arms were tied down. Everyone was reassuring me that it would be OK but I was scared and nervous and just wanted my baby to be OK. The last thing I remember was Dr J putting the mask on my face and telling me to take deep breaths. The room got blurry and I was on my way out.
Ava was born at 9:54 am! Apgars were 8 and 9. She weighed in at 6 lbs 10.7 oz and was 19.75” long. The first thing I remember is being wheeled out of the room and hearing D say “she’s beautiful!” I was so groggy and confused and most of all was in pain. They had to take me to the 2nd floor to recover from general anesthesia. I just remember repeatedly asking the nurse when I could go upstairs. I wanted to see my baby. I asked her if everything was OK and if the baby had hair. She didn’t know anything but eventually Dr T came down and told me everything went great and Ava had a ton of hair “down past her shoulders!“ I couldn’t wait to see her. I asked the nurse if I could go back and she said I could as soon as I felt OK, I said I felt fine and wanted to go back!
I was wheeled up and as we went past the nursery the nurse held Ava up for me to see. It was such a crazy moment! I couldn’t wait to hold her and meet her face to face. I was wheeled back to my room and everything was plugged in and situated. They brought Ava back and laid her in bed with me. I was in love! The feelings you feel are amazing when meeting your baby for the first time. I couldn’t stop rubbing her hair and just couldn’t believe she was here. Healthy and here!
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