Today was the big day I have been awaiting for the past 5 weeks.
My day started early ... 6am I had to get the 2nd dose of the antibiotics. Luckily I could still sleep a bit after that. Around 7:30 they came to do my vitals and at 8:00 a Labor and Delivery nurse came by. She set me up on the monitor just to hear baby girl's heart beat. I was already in the lovely hospital gown from the night before when my IV was started. So pretty much I was good to go.
Brad came around 8:30. Tyler was at home with the Yee's. I was definitely anxious and guessing Brad was also although we didn't speak of it. They had me wear socks and those leg things that pumped on my calves, which I thought was weird. I also had to drink this gross tasting anti acid medicine. I was very thirsty since I was cut off from both food and liquids since midnight the night before, but man I could have done withOUT that crap.
A little before 9:30 we were off to the Operating Room. The room wasn't that big and had white/silver walls. It was quite cold. Brad had to stay outside until I was fully prepped. In the meantime, he put on scrubs and sat in a wheelchair, lol.
They didn't waste any time once I got there. The next thing I knew I was up on the operating table getting my spinal tap thing. (forgot the technical term for it and i don't believe it is epidural). They did a local first, which actually hurt. And then the real stuff. That real stuff worked really quick. In a few minutes my legs were tingly, they were putting in a catheter, giving my a shave, and a curtain up so I could no longer see.
Before I knew it, I was numb pretty much from waist down, not including my arms which I could still feel and move. Then for no reason what so ever, I ended up throwing up. Brad was soon by my side and we were off.
I couldn't feel any pain, but could feel tugging, pulling and pressing. I could also smell this burning smell, which Brad tells me after the fact that he thinks it was them burning my flesh to keep it from bleeding. EEWW! Anyway .... after what seemed like forever she was born!
The first thing that I came to my mind was ... "Breathe". I wanted to make sure she could breathe on her own. When I head that little cry it was one of the best feelings in the world.
Emily Misaki Rex
October 17, 2010 @ 09:58am
5 lbs and 13 ozs and 18.5 inches
Apgar scores 9 9
Immediately after she was taken out, they quickly wrapped her up to show her to me for not more then a few seconds and then whisked her away to the NICU. Brad had gone with Emily and now it was just me for the remainder of the surgery. I heard them counting out loud (apparently counting to make sure they hadn't lost any of the surgical tools). I smelled more burning and heard them talk out load as they pieced me back together. After what seemed like forever and a day ... I finally heard the staples and at around 10:30am it was all over. The the sheet came down, I was moved onto a roll away bed and taken to the recovery room.
In the recovery room, I was freezing. Shivering from head to toe. They put on tons of blankets even this one that blew hot air out, but honestly nothing seemed to help. I was there with the nurses at first and eventually Brad came back with updates on Emily. She was doing really well. Breathing outside air on her own and pretty much crying throughout the 15 minute long assessment.
They attached this ball thingee to a lead into my scar that is suppose to have a local to help keep the area numb. (I hope it works) After my temperature was a little back to semi normal I was able to go to the NICU in my bed where we were just in time to watch her first official bath. She was pink and crying and it made me smile. My baby girl. We did it. 5 and a half weeks at the hospital and she was practically the size of most full term babies. I was so unbelievable happy.
I must have gotten back in room around noon. I still couldn't really feel my legs and or feet and upon touch it felt super swollen even though it didn't look it. I finally got some ice chips and water. I called my mom and Tammy, both didn't answer the phone. I ended up waking up Kristy, who wasn't even at home. Dang, where was everyone when I had BIG news! LOL
Throughout the rest of the afternoon, I rested and called my family and closest friends to let them know the BIG news. I was on a strict clear liquid diet until further notice, so ended up have chicken soup, popsicles and jello for lunch.
I was in a bit of pain and was taking the Morphine through my IV about every hour or so. I wasn't able to get oral medication until a certain time because along with the spinal tap I was given something that needed to wear out. As I waited, I decided to pump to try and get my milk flow started. They recommend 15 minutes every 3 hours. My first attempt was at 3:30pm.
The one thing I wanted to do most was get back to the NICU. In order to do that, I needed to be able to stand on my own. The idea of it sounded easy, but boy was it hard! It hurt like mad, but I sucked it up ... moving very slowly I eased my way out of bed. Thank goodness for the adjustable bed. I was able to get a head start from a semi sitting position. Trying to use any muscle but my abs ... I did it. I stood for a few seconds before trying to take a step. I was off balance and almost fell. My nurse caught me and helped me get into a wheel chair.
She wheeled me NICU and I was able to hold Emily for a good hour or some (5:00 - 6:15pm). She was beautiful. The NICU nurse helped me take pictures and we just sat there and cuddled. I tried to figure out who she looked more like ... but at this point I can't really tell. Doesn't matter anyway ... she was PERFECT.
Sadly I had to let her get some rest and I returned to my room. Dinner was the lovely clear liquid diet again. I pumped 2 more times that night. 7:30pm and 10:30pm.
No comments:
Post a Comment