We were asked to come back at 7:30am for more monitoring. The 7:30 session showed that the contractions were much more regular but remained weak. The doctor came to visit us at 8 am and did another exam. She found that even with all the contractions, I was only dilated 2 cm and this was AFTER the used her fingers to stretch me – something I didn’t take lightly and let the rest of L&D know!
The doctor decided it was time for the final installment of the hormone treatment. This was a much stronger dose; it burned much more and caused MUCH stronger contractions.
About 20 min. into the treatment, Stephen and I were alone in the room when the baby’s heart rate dropped dangerously low and stayed there. I told Stephen to get someone immediately. As he was trying to get some attention, the heart rate dropped to the low 50s (target range is 120-180). The midwife immediately got me up on my hands and knees, injected me with adrenaline and began massaging my uterus to get a reaction out of the baby.
The adrenaline kicked in within seconds. My body started shaking, I started crying (a mostly physical reaction, I was concentrating too hard on what I was supposed to be doing to have an emotional reaction). Peanut’s heart rate gained, but we knew that this was something to be watched.
After an hour and a half on the monitor and greatly increasing contractions, I just couldn’t sit still any longer. I had Stephen ask if I could get up and moved – I heard the moving around would help alleviate and cope with the pain. The midwife told me that at this time, it’s not a good idea, but that she would have the doctor take a look at the monitor and we’d get a game plan going.
The doctor reviewed the results and determined that with every contraction Peanut’s heart rate was dropping. This was not a good thing. She said that it was not time for a c-section.
I didn’t hesitate – all I care about is a healthy baby!
She said “we’ll get started now then, that way we can work into it and not make it an emergency c-section”. Sounded good to me! In came the gurney, the surgery smock, the catheter (yay) and some worried looks from the fellow midwives.
They rolled me off to the OR for my epidural, Stephen was sent back to the room with the rest of my things and some urgent phone calls to make.
As I was in with the anesthesiologist getting the epidural, the midwife stayed with me to monitor Peanuts heart rate. Again, it dropped – and she forcefully encouraged the anesthesiologist to get a move on. We’ve run out of time – we couldn’t wait for an epidural. It was determined that I needed to have a spinal block ON the operating table. So they rushed me to the OR where Stephen met us after they finished the spinal block.
The room was TINY! And there were SO many people rushing around. The drape was barely up before they began making the incision. Stephen held my left hand and stroked my hair. The anesthesiologist continually asked me questions to make sure all was going well. A bit of pressure, lots of pushing of my body back and forth and suddenly I felt a warm heavy mass on my abdomen.
“HERE HE IS” a grey little gremlin was hefted over the drape and there was my baby!!! He started crying, they rushed him off to clean him up and examine him. I cried with joy – minimal labor pains, a healthy cry, what more could a woman ask for?
Zachary (Zac) Adrian Watson was born at 11:51am, Feb. 25, 2010. 7 lbs. 5 oz. 21.7 in.
Zac came back to me just a few minutes later. They put him into Stephen’s arms and then placed him on the table to the left of my head. All I could see was a small patch of reddish hair, one steely blue eye and the damn cutest nose I’ve EVER seen!
Slowly the spinal block had crept its way up my body and was starting to affect my hands – they were beginning to feel tingly. So I asked them to place Zac back with Stephen. And the boys went back to L&D where Zac got his first check up.
Now I wasn’t present for this part, but I hear that his reflexes were tested, vitals taken, measurements measured, etc. At the end of the exam, the midwife said “Perfect!”…well, of course! I made him (with a little help from Stephen).
While Zac was getting poked and prodded, so was I. They were cleaning me up and stitching me back together. The delivery took about 3 min. from the time that I laid down to the minute that Zac’s cord was cut. Ah yes, the cord! It turns out that the problem we were having is that Zac’s umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck two times. So every time I had a contraction, it was acting like a noose. I’m glad we spared no time in making the c-section decision.
Cleaning and suturing me took about 20 minutes. I was then wheeled into recovery where I stayed for about an hour and a half!
DAMMIT! An Hour and a half?! My baby is waiting for me. LET’s GO! What’s going to happen? It’s not like I’m leaving the hospital!!! Well, because the Spinal Block was so efficient, I had to stay in recovery until feeling had returned to all parts above my waist. So there I waited. I watched several people be wheeled in for various other surgeries, and others still being wheeled out after unknown amounts of time. I just kept hoping that my turn was next. Every half hour the nurses checked my reaction and finally at about 3 p.m. I was returned to L&D where I was finally reunited with my baby.
Wow, what a moment. I’ve never felt so utterly overwhelmed and consumed with rapture. He was beautiful, he was perfect and he was all mine. Words cannot put into account the rock hard, crushing emotion that fills every crack. Tears enough cannot be shed to purge the pain that such joy brings (yes, I am crying now as I type this).
About three hours later, we were returned to the Maternity wing. Really? Three hours? I could have sworn it was 20 minutes. Thank goodness the photos have digital time stamps on them.
Once back on the ward, more photos were taken, Grammy and Gramps got their turns at first holds, and then we were left to our own devices (with the assistance of the excellent care from staff) for our first night as new parents.
Stephen was able to stay with me during the entire hospital stay. He even got his own hospital bed and meals. I don’t know what I would have done without him there. I have a really hard time asking for help. Chances are very good that I would have hurt myself trying to take care of Zac all on my own those first few nights. I would have never wanted to bother the midwives with my needs and would have wanted to take care of everything myself. Stephen is probably the biggest reason for my speedy recovery. He did the diaper changes, he did the burping, he did the soothing and all the while never let me forget how much he loved me and now our new son.
Our first night with Zac was excellent! He was such a quiet and content little one. We had our first poopy diaper, our subsequent attempts at breast feeding and LOTS of staring and admiring and snuggling. I didn’t get more than 20 min. of sleep that night. All I could do was watch him to make sure he was still breathing as he slept.
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