I was induced at 38 weeks due to developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy. I went in December 6th in the evening to have a Foley catheter inserted to help with dilation. I then went home for the night to "relax" and let it do its thing. I was then to wait for the call from the hospital the morning of December 7th to have the baby. I of course barely slept a wink with the stress of it all and contractions coming on with no pain relief. They called around 9am, to head on in. Well we at the time had alot of snow fall and drifting. But the roads were clear and we took our time. We picked my mom up on the way as we wanted her to join in on the experience. We were there by 11am. They sent us to my birthing room. It was nice! Very private with a bathroom, nice view, comfy chairs, etc. They had me change, pull out the Foley (OUCH!!) then get in bed. They put in the IV, took blood, started the many drips of drugs (insulin, saline, one of the -tocins). They checked me and I was still only a centimetre, thats what I was at the last check up on the 2nd. So the process began... just kept preoccupied with people visiting and such. The people in the waiting area were... Chris, my mom, my dad, my sister, her 2 daughters and husband, my mother in law, sis in law.... I think thats it. I was allowed 2 visitors at a time throughout the day and night. I was at 5 centimtres at 4pm, and they broke my water. That was a weird sensation, warm though . So on we went... I cant remember exactly at what time they did the epidural. I just remember the contractions were very close and constant and painful. The nurse annoyed me so... saying we will give you the epidural, when youre ready? And each time, I said yes NOW!! So they started to prep me. I was allowed to have 1 person with me when they did it. Chris was nowhere to be found, so my mom stayed. It was painful, sitting on the edge of the bed, leaning on a table, gripping onto my moms shirt, while I had to sit through contractions. But I did very well. They missed the 1st time, whatever that means... Then got it the 2nd try. Within no time I felt relief. I could still feel the pressure, so the gave me another drug. I was completely numb from my knees to just below my boobs. I could still feel pressure if a part of my numb body was touched. So the hours went on, had cat naps and was entertained by visitors. By 9pm, I was 7 centimetres. I was happy I was making progress. They had me move positions to try and make me comfortable. I had gotten really bad heartburn, from not eating and laying on my back so long. So they helped me on my side. It didnt feel better at all, and all of a sudden I felt like I was gonna get sick. They got the spit tray under my chin just in time. I brought up next to nothing...but it tasted so gross! I felt much better once I was done. I felt so embarassed, but worse has happened Im sure! So I got on my back again and we continued on. I just kept breathing and working through contractions. They began to come right on top of each other, and the pressure was terrible. So they gave me another drug to take away the pressure. I felt such relief after that. So... more time went on. Kept getting in naps and keeping company with loved ones. Everyone was getting so tired, but they were being so strong for us. I was checked again at midnight, and I was 9.5 centimetres! I was so happy!! So we figured it would come at any time now. So they continued to check me at every hour, but I had no progress past the 9.5. They said I had a rim? That was preventing baby to come down more. They were then getting a faint heartbeat on baby, so they attached an alligator clip to its head to get a pulse. I felt so bad for it! But it beat good and strong, and sounded like a ping pong ball being bouced back and forth. They then checked me again at 3am, and still no progress. So the doctor made the decision to do a c-section. I agreed, but was upset. Wed gone this long, and it was to end that way... I started to get the chills and shakes really bad at that point. I think it was a mix of the drugs and nerves. So in no time, they wheeled me to the operating room. Chris had to wait in the hall while they prepped me. Being alone in there was very scary! My body was so numb, they had a hard time shifting me to the other table. They then shot me full of more drugs that had me completely numb and immobile. It was such a weird sensation! I could feel my right leg kept sliding off the table. And they had to lift it back up, I called it a "log". So they ended up strapping my legs to the table. They were all very good and reassuring everything would be ok. Chris was then let back in the roon. I found I was more calm and the shakes would stop when he held my hand. He was so brave through it all. So the procedure began. I could feel pressure of them cutting and yanking the baby out. I could also feel gushes of liquid between my legs. Then all of a sudden it was out and I could hear crying. It sounded like a cat meowing! They whisked the baby away to the room next door. I was yelling "what is it"?!? And when they said GIRL I started bawling. I couldnt believe she was out and it was a girl. We already had her name picked out and I said, "thats Breeanna May"! All our dreams came true at that point. They cleaned her up and bundled her up and handed her to Chris. She was so beautiful! Full head of hair, pink skin, and her eyes were even open. I didnt have a care in the world at that point. She was #1 and we finally had the family we deserved. I dont rememeber any of the clean up or anything. I was in another world once she came into view. So once they were done, they whisked us away to recovery. They cleaned her up, as well as me. She was born at 4:03 am on Monday December 8th. She weighed 7 pounds 3.4 ounces. She was 18.5 inches long and her head was 32.5cm. She was perfect! Chris got to put on her first diaper, he was so proud. They bundled her up and brought her to me. They then wheeled us off to our room. We were in a ward room for upto 4 people, but in the beginning, there was just 2 of us. I couldnt wait to eat! They finally brought me food at 8am. It tasted so good! I didnt sleep much that day... As we had droves of visitors and I was so happy. I was only on the insulin drip till that evening. My sugars came down on there own and hers were fine. My IV and catheter came out the following morning. It was so nice to be able to get up and move around. And that first pee was amazing! I then got to shower as well and it felt so good. We were in hospital until the Thursday. Those days there were a blur. I was so glad to get out of there and go home. I cried when I first stepped outside. Fresh air and noise! It felt like Id been in prison... I am happy with the way things turned out. All that mattered was I was ok as well as my baby. I cant explain what it feels like to be a mother and to hold my daughter in my arms. Its just surreal... After having her, something clicked. I no longer worry about the small stuff. I am just content on being a mother, wife, sister, daughter... And life is wonderful :)
Erika May McInnis
Written on: December 22nd 2008
Our Princess :)
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