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.

Worry Induced Insomnia

Nothing like a lot of worry to top off the pregnancy insomnia...my amniocentesis is scheduled for 9 AM tomorrow morning and, pending what they find, Cole will be brought out Tuesday morning. I've researched amniocenteses and I am not usually one to be afraid of needles, but this is a bit concerning to me. What if the baby moves as they are withdrawing the fluid and he ends up being punctured? What if it causes an infection in my amniotic sac? What if I jerk during the process and they have to do it again? I realize I'm being paranoid...but these things keep playing through my mind. Luckily Keith will be there with me. He is my rock when I need him...thank goodness I have him!

Countdown to Cole....

Countdown: 8 days to amniocentesis and tentative 9 days to cesarean section. Very nervous about amniocentesis. Will Cole be ready? Sarah and Dr. Furr seem to think he will be based on current placenta calcification and head size indicating maturity. He practices breathing even when calm...very determined baby boy! I wonder if he will look like Emma and will he have as much hair? Will Emma take to him? I am anxious about getting pneumonia again...I really hope it does not happen again. Another worry is losing my breast milk after a few months like last time. I have hope it will all work out and look forward to meeting Cole!


Amniocentesis Information

First Days Tornado

Shortly after having the c-section the pain medicine kicked in and the hour in the recovery room flew by as I was floating millions of miles above the hospital. They eventually wheeled me into my room and sleep was banging down my door. The nurse felt that this was the appropriate time to give me Skyridge Hospital 101 but all I wanted was sleep. She eventually left and that is when the medicine really kicked in. According to my husband I did awaken throughout the night to feed Emma, but I have no recollection of it. He was amazing during the five days we spent in the hospital since I was on a movement restriction. 

Unable to move around too much was extremely difficult for me after a few days because I am always a bundle of energy (even after a c-section). Having a very large family, including friends of the family, meant that we had constant visitors despite what the infant classes advised. Luckily, I had an amazing nurse Janet who could read me like a book (not that it is very difficult) and she was quick to make people leave temporarily while she "checked my vitals". I considered her my right hand man while I was in the hospital. Step 1 to maintaining your sanity while in the hospital: Having a hospital staff member vested in you.

Beginning the Chaos

Two and a half months ago Emma was brought into the world. After twenty-four hours of labor, she was delivered via c-section. Becoming a parent is a unique experience to each individual. As humans, this is a moment of self redefinition. Before we viewed the world in terms of ourselves, very ego centric. As soon as that child emerges we now define ourselves in terms of that beautiful baby. We are now parents to that child: mother/father. We must begin taking care of something other than ourselves. This blog is to document the wonderful chaos that ensues becoming a parent and redefining myself. 

October 22, 2010: Emma

On a side note, redefinition does not necessarily entail losing the me prior to childbirth. Instead, this is an enhancement to the person I was before.