The Big Day Oct 18th, 2011

We arrived at the hospital and checked in. They kept me in the triage room for 2 hours monitoring the baby and my contractions. Apparently the amniocentesis the day before, paired with my nervousness, was exciting the baby already. The anesthesiologist and my ob-gyn came in to prepare me for the operation and get my signatures on forms I was too anxious to actually recall what I signed off on.  I still tried to maintain a level of humor and joked with my ob. As I was walked to the operating room and the nurse prepared to open the door to the restricted area, another nurse stopped her and said to hold off due to a potential emergency c section. Emergency c sections take priority over scheduled c sections, after all. I went back to the triage rooms, not that I minded, and before I could get too comfortable the nurse came back to get me. The other baby delivered fine after all. (Thank goodness!)

I walked into the operating room and the anesthesiologist asked me to sit on the middle of an operating table and lean as far forward as I could. I nurse came in, I don't remember her name but I would like to think of her as an Angel, so I will just call her Angel. Well, Angel put her hands on my shoulder blades and told me that I could lean against her chest, because she understood that I probably felt like I was about to fall off of the table: which I did. I leaned on her nervous, and during the spinal block she walked me through it step by step. I am not one for surprises when it comes to my personal bubble (body) so this was very helpful. First I would feel a pinch from the needle, then a burn, a little pressure, and another burn that would slowly dissipate. The doctor then indicated my bottom and legs would get really warm, and that was part of the process. They laid me back and had me bring my legs onto the table before the spinal block took effect. I have to say, the anesthesiologist and Angel walked me through everything and throughout the cesarean section would talk to me and check in on me to make sure I was okay. I had a c section with Emma, but this time it was different. I wasn't shaking from the medicine this time, and I wasn't as worn from being in labor for over 24 hours. During recovery I was aware of the joking the nurses and my ob had with one another, along with the anesthesiologist, and the comfortable environment they had created for me, I actually joined in the joking! Granted, I wanted to be careful not to make my doctor laugh, I didn't want a scalpel to slip after all!

When Cole was brought out I couldn't help but cry. I was so happy that he was here and healthy. Afterward, the nurses and doctors continued to check on me in recovery and although they tried to help me with my nausea, I did vomit about 4 times. Me and my sensitive stomach. Overall, the level of compassion and professionalism, with a personal touch, each person that was involved displayed helped lower the fear I had of undergoing a major surgery, and focus on the birth of my beautiful son: Cole Thompson Turner, 5 lb. 12 oz, 18 1/2 in. Welcome to the world, my love.