Sean was a scheduled c-section. I thought his birth story would go something like this:
Wake up. Get showered and dressed. Go to the hospital. Have the surgery. Go to recovery. Go to my room. Love on my baby. Go home.
And for the most part it did. I didn't think I would have any exciting details to share but birth is never quite what you expect it to be. So here is the detailed version.
The night before the surgery I was frantically nesting, trying to get everything perfectly tidy and organized around the house because I knew I wouldn't have the energy or ability to do it for a few weeks afterward. I felt all the feelings I had felt right before I went into my c-section at the hospital with Austin-- anxious, scared, nervous, excited, relieved. I just sat down on my bed and cried. I was also really concerned about Austin. I was scared about mothering two children. Mark gave me a beautiful blessing. I hadn't told him any of my feelings, but Heavenly Father knew what I was feeling and gave Mark the words to comfort me-- I could do this. I could love both boys and help them love each other. After the blessing I finished cleaning up, dried my tears, and went to bed.
I couldn't eat or drink anything past midnight. So I didn't-- mostly. I'll admit that I had a couple sips of water the next morning to wet my mouth. I was so thirsty! I took a shower, got dressed, and had my mom french braid my hair to keep it off my face during the surgery. I love it when she braids my hair. Austin was on a walk with Nana (Mark's mom) so I was able to have some quiet time with my mom while she did my hair. It was really lovely.
After Austin got back I gave him a big hug. We took a quick family picture and Mark and I left for the hospital. It was a beautiful morning. It was warm and the sun was shining. I felt peaceful. I felt ready.
We got all checked into the hospital. Mark read to me some of our book (The Princess Bride) and then I took a nap while waiting for the doctor to arrive after they had prepped me for surgery. (Note-- the IV they gave me was great! It didn't hurt at all, unlike the one I got with Austin!) They asked me some questions about anesthesia and one lady came in asking about me donating my placenta. I had never heard of such a thing! But Mark had heard of it and encouraged me to do it. So I did. Hopefully it helps someone out :) But back to the anesthesia. I told them I had always reacted badly to any form of anesthesia and that I had never gone under any sort without vomiting afterward. One of the anesthesia people gave me a big smile and said something like "Well our goal will be to get you through it without vomiting!" I smiled back and said, "Good luck" while thinking "You'll need it."
So the doctor finally arrived and they wheeled me back to the OR. Everyone was pretty cheerful. After they had me all numbed up they brought Mark in for the surgery. I had a wonderful nurse attending me again while Mark held my other hand. It was so strange to think of Dr. Valorous cutting into me right there while we were all talking together. Dr. V. said to me, "My goodness, young lady! It's a good thing you didn't labor. Your scare tissue is very thin."
As a side note I had gone back and forth for months about whether to have a VBAC or to schedule the c-section. I had decided to go for the VBAC but just didn't feel good about it. I felt really confused and uneasy. In the end, after much thought and prayer, I decided to go with the scheduled c-section. After that decision I felt very peaceful, and when Dr. V. mentioned my scar tissue I knew why. I really feel like Heavenly Father was guiding me down the safest path for me and my family.
Anyway, things were progressing normally throughout the procedure. I was peaceful but super anxious and excited to hear my sweet baby cry! Then I heard the suctioning sound that indicates they are sucking out the fluids from the uterus. It also means they had already taken the baby out. I couldn't wait to hear him cry! As soon as I heard him tears just started streaming down my face. I felt so full of love for him! I was so relieved and so happy and so excited. I couldn't wait to see him! I turned my head to the right so I could look at him when they brought him over. He was so handsome! He had all this dark hair and he was BIG!
When Austin was born I watched the whole time while they cleaned him off and I saw Mark cut the cord and everything. It was awesome. Unfortunately this time I only looked at Sean for a few seconds before I started to have this awful pain in my right shoulder. It was referred pain. I just had a lot of fluid and gas built up under my diaphragm. No big problem. I had it with Austin too but I didn't feel too much discomfort until a few hours after the surgery. But it HURT this time instantly!
It hurt so badly I mentioned it to the doctors. They gave me some more pain medication but the pain was so bad I started to feel incredibly nauseated and hot. The nausea was a combination of pain and a bad reaction to the narcotics and anesthesia. I started retching on the table as they were sewing me up. Dr. V. had to ask me to try and be more still. Trying to vomit when you have NOTHING in your stomach, when you can't feel anything from your chest down, and when you are lying flat on your back is an absolutely miserable experience. It probably only lasted a few minutes but it felt like eternity to me. I was almost hyperventilating. The nurse held my head and kept calmly telling me to take deep breaths. I tried to do that but I really had to think about it! I even said "I can't do this anymore!" (Like I had a choice. The baby was out and they were sewing me up.) With a few adjustments to the medication and an added dose of anti-nausea medication I eventually stopped heaving. They finished up the surgery and I got to hold my sweet little baby. It was instant love. Oh my heart just melted when they put him into my arms. He was perfect.
So, so much for getting through the procedure without vomiting. I've never reacted quite that badly. The nausea persisted throughout the remainder of the day and into the next morning. They were continually giving me medication to abate the feeling. Every time I tried to drink the smallest amount of fluid it came right back up. I had to keep my IV in for several extra hours. Eventually it came out and I even got to go home on the second day. (C-sections usually have to stay an extra day but my doctor let me go early :)
And that is the story. The recovery has been amazing. I was doing at 2 weeks postpartum things I couldn't do at 4 or 5 weeks with Austin. I have actually loved every moment of being with Sean since his birth. Nursing has been a breeze and even the sleepless nights haven't been a trial. I started my anti-depressant when I was about 30 weeks pregnant and have just been so happy since his birth.
My mom and my mother-in-law came for two weeks. They did everything for me so I could heal up and focus on Sean. They fixed all the meals, did all the laundry, cleaned the house, took care of Austin, took care of the baby so Mark and I could sleep, and were just a cheerful presence in our home. They lifted all our spirits immeasurably. They left us with a full fridge, full pantry, and full hearts. I am SO thankful they were here. I can't believe what awesome mothers I have.
Being a mother to two little boys has been an absolute joy. I love my children more each day and I feel truly blessed to be their mom!
Introducing:
As a side note I had gone back and forth for months about whether to have a VBAC or to schedule the c-section. I had decided to go for the VBAC but just didn't feel good about it. I felt really confused and uneasy. In the end, after much thought and prayer, I decided to go with the scheduled c-section. After that decision I felt very peaceful, and when Dr. V. mentioned my scar tissue I knew why. I really feel like Heavenly Father was guiding me down the safest path for me and my family.
Anyway, things were progressing normally throughout the procedure. I was peaceful but super anxious and excited to hear my sweet baby cry! Then I heard the suctioning sound that indicates they are sucking out the fluids from the uterus. It also means they had already taken the baby out. I couldn't wait to hear him cry! As soon as I heard him tears just started streaming down my face. I felt so full of love for him! I was so relieved and so happy and so excited. I couldn't wait to see him! I turned my head to the right so I could look at him when they brought him over. He was so handsome! He had all this dark hair and he was BIG!
When Austin was born I watched the whole time while they cleaned him off and I saw Mark cut the cord and everything. It was awesome. Unfortunately this time I only looked at Sean for a few seconds before I started to have this awful pain in my right shoulder. It was referred pain. I just had a lot of fluid and gas built up under my diaphragm. No big problem. I had it with Austin too but I didn't feel too much discomfort until a few hours after the surgery. But it HURT this time instantly!
It hurt so badly I mentioned it to the doctors. They gave me some more pain medication but the pain was so bad I started to feel incredibly nauseated and hot. The nausea was a combination of pain and a bad reaction to the narcotics and anesthesia. I started retching on the table as they were sewing me up. Dr. V. had to ask me to try and be more still. Trying to vomit when you have NOTHING in your stomach, when you can't feel anything from your chest down, and when you are lying flat on your back is an absolutely miserable experience. It probably only lasted a few minutes but it felt like eternity to me. I was almost hyperventilating. The nurse held my head and kept calmly telling me to take deep breaths. I tried to do that but I really had to think about it! I even said "I can't do this anymore!" (Like I had a choice. The baby was out and they were sewing me up.) With a few adjustments to the medication and an added dose of anti-nausea medication I eventually stopped heaving. They finished up the surgery and I got to hold my sweet little baby. It was instant love. Oh my heart just melted when they put him into my arms. He was perfect.
So, so much for getting through the procedure without vomiting. I've never reacted quite that badly. The nausea persisted throughout the remainder of the day and into the next morning. They were continually giving me medication to abate the feeling. Every time I tried to drink the smallest amount of fluid it came right back up. I had to keep my IV in for several extra hours. Eventually it came out and I even got to go home on the second day. (C-sections usually have to stay an extra day but my doctor let me go early :)
And that is the story. The recovery has been amazing. I was doing at 2 weeks postpartum things I couldn't do at 4 or 5 weeks with Austin. I have actually loved every moment of being with Sean since his birth. Nursing has been a breeze and even the sleepless nights haven't been a trial. I started my anti-depressant when I was about 30 weeks pregnant and have just been so happy since his birth.
My mom and my mother-in-law came for two weeks. They did everything for me so I could heal up and focus on Sean. They fixed all the meals, did all the laundry, cleaned the house, took care of Austin, took care of the baby so Mark and I could sleep, and were just a cheerful presence in our home. They lifted all our spirits immeasurably. They left us with a full fridge, full pantry, and full hearts. I am SO thankful they were here. I can't believe what awesome mothers I have.
Being a mother to two little boys has been an absolute joy. I love my children more each day and I feel truly blessed to be their mom!
Introducing:
SEAN MARK BAILEY
January 2014
8 pounds 4 ounces
21 inches
