Crawling out from under a rock...
Jul 8, 2015 21:07:13 GMT -5
Post by megd893 on Jul 8, 2015 21:07:13 GMT -5
Hello!!
I'm sorry this has taken so long to get done! healz413 & wittyandwaiting - this one's for you!
So we're literally two weeks in today. My little boy is two weeks old... good Lord how is that even possible? I'm sure all parents here can relate to this, but time is already going too fast.
Fair warning, this post is VERY long...
Ideal delivery? Most would say no. But my son and I were safe and healthy and that to me was ideal. None of the rest of it mattered.
As soon as they let me get up and walk (11pm that night), I was up and walking. Needed to move ASAP to begin the healing process. The boy did not take to breastfeeding and the nurses I had – while AMAZING – weren’t adept at teaching. I ended up hand expressing a lot, and K would syringe feed. This really hindered us going forward, but at the time was wonderful because he was getting what he needed.
Fast forward through the intense gas pain (lots of air/gas build up in your abdomen from the section), LOTS of walks up and down the ward, and some seriously awesome nurses – we were discharged 48 hours after surgery. 17 staples were taken out one day later and they said incision looks great.
We both took two weeks “vacation” and have both been into the office since his birth. I’ve struggled a lot with not being able to get him to latch, and we went and took a class to help ourselves out. K really supported me with trying to get it to work. However, my stress and his combined with my extreme disappointment every time it didn’t go well, made it not ideal.
I have been exclusively pumping for my little man, and he’s gaining like a champ. 9 days post birth, he was up to 9lbs 14oz and gaining twice what he was supposed to each day I don’t know how we managed it, but we have an angel baby. He only fusses when he’s hungry or really soiled, and sleeps 2-3 hours at a time.
We’ve managed somewhat of a schedule – K takes 10pmish to around 3am, and then he’s mine from thereon forward. It’ll make it easier for her to get up in the am for work next week. We’ve been out every day since he came home, and he’s already changed so much. I find myself staring at him for hours… I made ears, and elbows and those big brown doe eyes and that long silky brown hair. He’s incredible. We’re a family…
I know this was insanely long winded, so I apologize for that. If you’ve made it to the end, I give you big internet hugs. My son is wonderful, and my wife is awesome. We’re doing it folks.
I'm sorry this has taken so long to get done! healz413 & wittyandwaiting - this one's for you!
So we're literally two weeks in today. My little boy is two weeks old... good Lord how is that even possible? I'm sure all parents here can relate to this, but time is already going too fast.
Fair warning, this post is VERY long...
{Birth Story here}
I had an appointment Tuesday morning for Cervidil insertion at the hospital. Was given the meds at 8:30 and was discharged to go home and wait at 11am. They basically said to wait it out, and if nothing had happened that they wanted to see me 24 hours later, they'd remove it and we'd reassess.
I went home and got some work-work done while K went into the office. My Ma came and hang out with me which was really nice and around 2pm my back started to really ache. K came home around 2:30, and I was in the shower, on all fours with hot water on my back. It felt glorious. Came down and started walking and bouncing on my ball. I couldn't sit still and began timing both the back and uterine contractions. I didn't know if my back labour 'counted' when I was counting my contractions so I called the hospital, and was promptly told I had a ways to go. At this point contractions were 30ish seconds long and about 7 minutes apart.
Just after 3pm, I got back in the shower for my back. As I was in the shower, I was timing my contractions. I hollered at K when I realized they were now 35-45 seconds long and about a minute apart. I told her we had to go back, something wasn't right. One of the side effects of the Cervidil can be these rolling contractions, so even if it wasn't labour, I wanted them to have a look.
Arrived at L&D at 4:30 was put in a triage bed and told they were calling my doc to come have a look. We hung out until 7:30pm when, as I was standing bent over the bed breathing through a contraction, my water broke all over the hospital floor! It was like a movie! Nurse pops her head in, hollers "bed 6 just ruptured" and proceeds to throw a towel between my feet and say "aim for the towel" before walking away. All in a day’s work I guess lol
I was sent to a separate room, told I was 1cm and that I had a long night ahead. They gave me a morphine/gravol shot in the ass to help me relax, and so we waited. Family was in and out visiting, but nothing really going on. At 11pm, the meds had worn off and I was looking for my nurse to see if I could get in the tub (they said it was fine). They checked on the boy and realized his heart rate was dipping from 140 to 60bpm and became concerned. I was admitted immediately. At this point, I told them I had no intention of doing this med free and to call the anesthesiologist. Let’s just remember this was 11pm.
They moved me to a different room, and by the time I arrived and switched beds, they started to monitor how much I was bleeding, and the boys’ heart rate. They became more concerned with him, and then gave me an oxygen mask to try and help him out. At this point, in the room was K, my mom and K’s sister. Not what I would have said was ideal, but ended up being perfect. K was having severe anxiety seeing 2 docs, 2 nurses, an OB and an anesthetist all trying to figure out what was going on with me, while seeing me with a mask on and wires everywhere. My Ma was my rock in the room helping me through my contractions and K’s sister kept her sane, and calm. She also was massaging my legs through contractions to try and distract me. So sweet.
I laboured until I was 5cm at 3am when the anesthesiologist FINALLY showed up. At this point, I was asked if I wanted a block (and we’d do a section now – due to his size and his heart rate), or an epidural (get some rest, and see how I felt when I woke up). I didn’t want to sell myself short, so I opted for the latter. The doc’s shining personality was a SUPER treat 4 hours after I called for him, but he did what he needed and an hour later, I fell asleep.
6am, I was up and was 6cm. Met with the OB on call, my doc and nurse and chatted a bit. I was more relaxed and his heart rate was improving. All seemed great. I dozed again. When I woke up, I was feeling contractions on my left. They’d given me a “more please” button, and I used it… a lot. They finally realized – after a few tests – my epidural was working TOO much on my right (up to my collarbone) and not enough on my left (just above my belly button). They wanted me to lay on my left to try and even the meds out, but when I did that, the boy’s heart rate went down into the 60’s again. So, no laying on the left. At this point, my doc said they may have to knock me out to do a section if the epi wasn’t working. THAT, upset me. My nurse was wonderful and helped to try and even out the meds – eventually, it worked.
At 8am, with no progress, we decided to give it a few more hours to see how I did and then re-evaluate. The plan was to reassess 12-12:15pm.
Around 10am, I was feeling my contractions again, STRONG. I asked for help to sit up… and realized my back was wet… epidural line broke on my back. Super. Cue (rockstar lady doc) anesthesiologist to come and fix it, while at the same time telling me “no way would I knock you out! Do you know how many options I have to pump into your epi before I have to do that??”… Rockstar.
No food, but lots of ginger ale and ice chips later, it was 12:15pm and I was still… 6cm. With my water having broken almost 17 hours prior, they wanted to make sure he was still okay. With no progress in hours it was time for a chat. I had no hesitations. Get him out. Book an OR, and get him out BEFORE he stresses and the lack of amniotic is an issue for him. There is no need for that.
One hour later and I’m being wheeled into the OR without K. “Come give Meagan a kiss and we’ll come get you in 10 minutes” they said to her, before sending my very anxious wife into a waiting room. Did I mention these nurses and docs were amazing? Put me on the table, pumped the drugs, cleaned my belly and hung the curtain. K was brought in after they’d began cutting and was sat beside my head. I felt lots, with discomfort and pressure, but not a lot of pain. Every time I felt pain, RockDoc pumped me with something and I felt better
7 minutes from starting, I felt a pop and release of pressure and knew his head was out. They announced meconium present and called for peds. They finished delivering my boy, held him up for K and me to see and rushed him to be cleaned and checked. Luckily, he hadn’t aspirated any and so he was weighed (8lbs10oz) and wrapped like a burrito before being handed to K. I cried… and kissed him. They put him on my chest while they stitched me up (which was worse than being cut open btw).
We were taken to recovery and given half hour just the three of us where we BOTH did skin to skin and where I was able to hand express some colostrum for him that K then fed him with a syringe.
I had an appointment Tuesday morning for Cervidil insertion at the hospital. Was given the meds at 8:30 and was discharged to go home and wait at 11am. They basically said to wait it out, and if nothing had happened that they wanted to see me 24 hours later, they'd remove it and we'd reassess.
I went home and got some work-work done while K went into the office. My Ma came and hang out with me which was really nice and around 2pm my back started to really ache. K came home around 2:30, and I was in the shower, on all fours with hot water on my back. It felt glorious. Came down and started walking and bouncing on my ball. I couldn't sit still and began timing both the back and uterine contractions. I didn't know if my back labour 'counted' when I was counting my contractions so I called the hospital, and was promptly told I had a ways to go. At this point contractions were 30ish seconds long and about 7 minutes apart.
Just after 3pm, I got back in the shower for my back. As I was in the shower, I was timing my contractions. I hollered at K when I realized they were now 35-45 seconds long and about a minute apart. I told her we had to go back, something wasn't right. One of the side effects of the Cervidil can be these rolling contractions, so even if it wasn't labour, I wanted them to have a look.
Arrived at L&D at 4:30 was put in a triage bed and told they were calling my doc to come have a look. We hung out until 7:30pm when, as I was standing bent over the bed breathing through a contraction, my water broke all over the hospital floor! It was like a movie! Nurse pops her head in, hollers "bed 6 just ruptured" and proceeds to throw a towel between my feet and say "aim for the towel" before walking away. All in a day’s work I guess lol
I was sent to a separate room, told I was 1cm and that I had a long night ahead. They gave me a morphine/gravol shot in the ass to help me relax, and so we waited. Family was in and out visiting, but nothing really going on. At 11pm, the meds had worn off and I was looking for my nurse to see if I could get in the tub (they said it was fine). They checked on the boy and realized his heart rate was dipping from 140 to 60bpm and became concerned. I was admitted immediately. At this point, I told them I had no intention of doing this med free and to call the anesthesiologist. Let’s just remember this was 11pm.
They moved me to a different room, and by the time I arrived and switched beds, they started to monitor how much I was bleeding, and the boys’ heart rate. They became more concerned with him, and then gave me an oxygen mask to try and help him out. At this point, in the room was K, my mom and K’s sister. Not what I would have said was ideal, but ended up being perfect. K was having severe anxiety seeing 2 docs, 2 nurses, an OB and an anesthetist all trying to figure out what was going on with me, while seeing me with a mask on and wires everywhere. My Ma was my rock in the room helping me through my contractions and K’s sister kept her sane, and calm. She also was massaging my legs through contractions to try and distract me. So sweet.
I laboured until I was 5cm at 3am when the anesthesiologist FINALLY showed up. At this point, I was asked if I wanted a block (and we’d do a section now – due to his size and his heart rate), or an epidural (get some rest, and see how I felt when I woke up). I didn’t want to sell myself short, so I opted for the latter. The doc’s shining personality was a SUPER treat 4 hours after I called for him, but he did what he needed and an hour later, I fell asleep.
6am, I was up and was 6cm. Met with the OB on call, my doc and nurse and chatted a bit. I was more relaxed and his heart rate was improving. All seemed great. I dozed again. When I woke up, I was feeling contractions on my left. They’d given me a “more please” button, and I used it… a lot. They finally realized – after a few tests – my epidural was working TOO much on my right (up to my collarbone) and not enough on my left (just above my belly button). They wanted me to lay on my left to try and even the meds out, but when I did that, the boy’s heart rate went down into the 60’s again. So, no laying on the left. At this point, my doc said they may have to knock me out to do a section if the epi wasn’t working. THAT, upset me. My nurse was wonderful and helped to try and even out the meds – eventually, it worked.
At 8am, with no progress, we decided to give it a few more hours to see how I did and then re-evaluate. The plan was to reassess 12-12:15pm.
Around 10am, I was feeling my contractions again, STRONG. I asked for help to sit up… and realized my back was wet… epidural line broke on my back. Super. Cue (rockstar lady doc) anesthesiologist to come and fix it, while at the same time telling me “no way would I knock you out! Do you know how many options I have to pump into your epi before I have to do that??”… Rockstar.
No food, but lots of ginger ale and ice chips later, it was 12:15pm and I was still… 6cm. With my water having broken almost 17 hours prior, they wanted to make sure he was still okay. With no progress in hours it was time for a chat. I had no hesitations. Get him out. Book an OR, and get him out BEFORE he stresses and the lack of amniotic is an issue for him. There is no need for that.
One hour later and I’m being wheeled into the OR without K. “Come give Meagan a kiss and we’ll come get you in 10 minutes” they said to her, before sending my very anxious wife into a waiting room. Did I mention these nurses and docs were amazing? Put me on the table, pumped the drugs, cleaned my belly and hung the curtain. K was brought in after they’d began cutting and was sat beside my head. I felt lots, with discomfort and pressure, but not a lot of pain. Every time I felt pain, RockDoc pumped me with something and I felt better
7 minutes from starting, I felt a pop and release of pressure and knew his head was out. They announced meconium present and called for peds. They finished delivering my boy, held him up for K and me to see and rushed him to be cleaned and checked. Luckily, he hadn’t aspirated any and so he was weighed (8lbs10oz) and wrapped like a burrito before being handed to K. I cried… and kissed him. They put him on my chest while they stitched me up (which was worse than being cut open btw).
We were taken to recovery and given half hour just the three of us where we BOTH did skin to skin and where I was able to hand express some colostrum for him that K then fed him with a syringe.
Ideal delivery? Most would say no. But my son and I were safe and healthy and that to me was ideal. None of the rest of it mattered.
As soon as they let me get up and walk (11pm that night), I was up and walking. Needed to move ASAP to begin the healing process. The boy did not take to breastfeeding and the nurses I had – while AMAZING – weren’t adept at teaching. I ended up hand expressing a lot, and K would syringe feed. This really hindered us going forward, but at the time was wonderful because he was getting what he needed.
Fast forward through the intense gas pain (lots of air/gas build up in your abdomen from the section), LOTS of walks up and down the ward, and some seriously awesome nurses – we were discharged 48 hours after surgery. 17 staples were taken out one day later and they said incision looks great.
We both took two weeks “vacation” and have both been into the office since his birth. I’ve struggled a lot with not being able to get him to latch, and we went and took a class to help ourselves out. K really supported me with trying to get it to work. However, my stress and his combined with my extreme disappointment every time it didn’t go well, made it not ideal.
I have been exclusively pumping for my little man, and he’s gaining like a champ. 9 days post birth, he was up to 9lbs 14oz and gaining twice what he was supposed to each day I don’t know how we managed it, but we have an angel baby. He only fusses when he’s hungry or really soiled, and sleeps 2-3 hours at a time.
We’ve managed somewhat of a schedule – K takes 10pmish to around 3am, and then he’s mine from thereon forward. It’ll make it easier for her to get up in the am for work next week. We’ve been out every day since he came home, and he’s already changed so much. I find myself staring at him for hours… I made ears, and elbows and those big brown doe eyes and that long silky brown hair. He’s incredible. We’re a family…
I know this was insanely long winded, so I apologize for that. If you’ve made it to the end, I give you big internet hugs. My son is wonderful, and my wife is awesome. We’re doing it folks.
