Our original due date was January 1st, 2011, but we ended up having an emergency induction at 38 weeks. It all started when woke up Saturday morning (12/18) with a tightening in my chest- it literally felt like someone was squeezing as hard as they could. It was an awful feeling, but I also thought that maybe it was really bad heartburn or that I ate something that didn't sit well... since it was unlike anything I'd ever felt before, I didn't really know what to make of it. Bubba had to work that morning but he convinced me to call my doctor who told me to get to the ER. Luckily, my dad was in town visiting from San Diego (he'd arrived Thursday night because he said he wanted to get a chance to see me in my "pregnant glory"... oh dad!), so while Bubba went to work, Dad drove me to the hospital. I did take a shower before we left- I wasn't quite sure what was going to happen, but I certainly didn't want to show up to the hospital feeling gross... looking back now, I realize that I was really out of it and can't believe showering actually crossed my mind at that point! (Anyone who knows me well, understands how out of character that move was!)
As it turns out, calling my doctor was the smartest thing we could have done. By the time we got to the ER, my blood pressure was through the roof. I have always had a really low BP- usually around 105/60 and it was at 150/100! The tightening in my chest was my liver and kidneys being affected, so I was immediately put on super high dosages of magnesium (which feels awful!) and steroids. I just remember the triage nurse who was running my blood and lab work coming in and saying, "Well, you're really sick... but the good news is, you're going to have a baby for Christmas!" At that point, I was scared out of my mind and even though I was excited, all I could do was cry! Bubba was there within half an hour and kept me together as we prepared for the day ahead, but he later admitted that he was terrified as well.
I was diagnosed with severe pre-clampsia and was moved to the labor and delivery room where induced about an hour later- around 1pm. The nurses told me, because of all the medications I was on for my BP and everything else, to be prepared for a long labor (24 hours +), but boy were they wrong (thankfully!) The petocin kicked in right away (I was screaming at Bubba to call for my epidural by 2:30pm), and by 6pm, I was already 8cm dialated. The nurse told us we would probably have about two more hours of labor and then two hours of pushing, so we sent my dad home to walk the dog, thinking that everything would happen around 10pm. At 6:45pm, my doctor came in to check me (wearing jeans and a sweater) and, much to our delighted surprise, said that we were ready to go!
Our doctor literally changed into scrubs in my bathroom and as we got ready to start pushing, Bubba said a prayer- asking God for a healthy baby (and mom). Then, to myself, I said my own prayer, begging Him to make this easy on me and let it all be over with as quickly as possible. I promised everything under the stars and the moon that if he could just help me this once, I would never ask for anything again... or at least a little while. Well, ten minutes and three really hard pushes later, my baby was on my chest and I was thanking God for the fastest prayer ever answered!
Everything after that is kind of a blur- I was still doped up on so much medication and for anything 48 hours, but I do remember an overwhelming sense of happiness unlike anything I'd ever felt before :) Being a mom is something that I have wanted since I was 16 years old and even though I've dreamt about it for so long, it's so much more than I could have ever expected! We were finally discharged from the hospital four days later and while the drive home was so nerve-wracking (I almost couldn't believe they just let me take him with me in the car!), having him with us home has been the most incredible experience of my life and I'm so excited to know that this is only the beginning! It was, all in all, a pretty overwhelming 72 hours, but even though the circumstances of his arrival weren't exactly ideal- I'm quickly learning, babies have a tendency to do what they need and want... I'm just overjoyed to be here for the ride :)
I'm so happy for you! He is perfect! He also has a perfect Birthday (I also was born on December 18th =) Wish We lived close enough to visit =) Good luck & I know you already are such a good mommy!
ReplyDeleteAlways remember that... babies do what they want and need, and we are just here for the ride. Liam sets the tone for the whole day and decides what we will do. I can only make suggestions.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you did great, I am glad that you sound positive about this experience... we can plan a birth all we want, but in the end it comes down to what works at the time. Go with the flow and make the best choice in any given moment. That is all we can do.
Welcome to the Mommy Club. It is full of laughter, tears, hugs, giggles, surprises of all kinds and more joy and love than you could even imagine a heart can hold inside of it.
Be kind to yourself these first few months, sleep when you can, don't worry about a schedule of any kind, and if you wake up and it is dark out, DON'T look at a clock, just do what needs doing.
Kiss that sweet little guy for me. And I am always here if you want to talk. Love you!!!!!!!!!
I am so grateful and overwhelmed with happiness to be an Uncle. I will do everything in my power to make raising Preston a great and exciting experience. I Love all three of you.. oops... I love you to Nolan. I am always here when need be.
ReplyDeleteHe is sooo cute! I want to kiss and snuggle him...come see me! Glad you and baby are feeling better now! You are a natural mommy :) so proud of you C!!!!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Michelle