Patricia's Birth Story (long)

[greenkitty98]

So, I know I don't post as often as a lot of people, but I wanted to share P's birth story. It is c&p from my post last year with a couple of picture collages at the end.

Patricia Ann was born 4/6/2012 at 12:14 pm. She was 8 lbs 14 oz and 22” long

At my 40 week appointment (I was at 40w2d), there were concerns that I was developing pre-eclampsia. (My bp had really gone up since the previous week, and my swelling was really bad in addition to protein beginning to show in my urine.) We discussed my
options (induction was out due to the previous c-section), and decided to get a c-section on the schedule for that Friday, but if baby decided to come before then, I could still have a TOL for a VBAC. The surgery was scheduled for 4/6 at 11:40 am.

On the morning of the 6th, we dropped DS off at a friend's house a little after 8 am, got breakfast for DH, and headed over to the
hospital. We spent a couple of hours in a triage room waiting for the surgery. During that time, I talked to the anesthesiologist and my
doctor about what to expect this time. My IV experience was much better than for my induction with DS. The nurse was able to get it in on the first try, and I only had a little mark where the IV was inserted instead of having my whole arm be black and blue like last time. I got a couple of bags of fluid and drank the nasty tasting medicine to neutralize my stomach acid in case of aspiration. 

When we were finally ready, the nurse anesthesiologist and my nurse that was getting me prepped walked back to the OR with me while DH waited in the triage room to be called back to join me. It was a really weird feeling to be walking myself into the OR and climbing on the operating table by myself. They got the spinal placed (it hurt a lot more without active labor to distract me) and all
the monitors (for pulse, BP, heart rate, etc.) placed, and then they had to wipe down my stomach with a solution that needed to dry for 3 minutes. It gave me a new appreciation for what a time out feels like for a toddler, since everyone in the OR was just standing around waiting for those 3 minutes. The nurse placed a mirror for me so I was able to see Patricia when she was pulled out, and then DH was brought in and the surgery started. It took longer to get Patricia out than DS, because of the scar tissue from the previous c-section. It also sounded like they had a little trouble pulling her out, because she was big and stuck in there sunny side up. 

I had warned the nurse that I got really nauseous when DS was born, so she was all ready to put the Zofran in my IV as soon as I said I was sick (which was immediately after Patricia was pulled out...same as with DS). I could tell she was much bigger than DS and her skin looked blue, but she screamed as soon as she came out, so I wasn't worried. Patricia was whisked off to the room off of the OR after being suctioned a little, and DH followed her to get some pictures. We heard Patricia screaming from the OR almost the entire
time she was back getting cleaned off, weighed, and measured.

Unfortunately for me, the Zofran did not calm the nauseous feeling, and I ended up throwing up. Once again, DH had to keep the baby back away from me so I wouldn't get sick on her. Then I started feeling like I was having trouble breathing and it triggered a panic attack. DH ended up sending Patricia to the nursery with the nurses, and he stayed with me in the OR talking and trying to help the nurse keep me calm. I got an oxygen mask and was trying to listen to the nurse and take deep breaths even though it didn't feel like I could do so. Thankfully, after the doctor was done closing up and the spinal was pulled, I felt better pretty quickly. 

I got moved back to the triage room where I had been prepped for my hour recovery. (They were waiting for someone to leave so I could have their room because it was really busy there.) After we were settled in the "recovery" room, a nurse brought Patricia
to our room for me to nurse. She had received a bottle of formula in the nursery, because her blood sugar was low. However, she apparently didn't like it and spit a lot of it up on me as soon as she was in my arms. That made some room in her tummy, so she nursed right away after that (well, once we changed my gown that had spit up everywhere). 

After we were moved to our room we called our friend who had DS to find out when she was going to be able to bring DS over to see his little sister. Once he got there, he was excited to see/hold his sister and cuddle with mommy on the bed. (I wasn't allowed
up yet.) I was really happy that he seemed to be okay with sharing mommy. 

Overall, although I am sad that I didn't get to have my VBAC, I am very happy to have two happy, healthy children. (And that I was able to leave the hospital less than 48 hours after Patricia was born, because it was nice to be home together as a family.)

And here are some pics from the hospital and a few from the last couple of weeks.

[The Foozzler]

Happy birthday Patricia! I can definitely see the love between them. So sweet!

[kandrze1]

Happy Birthday Patricia! Love all the pictures.

[helicase]

Thanks for sharing your story. Happy birthday, Patricia!

[thedahliharpa]

Happy Birthday Patricia! Your kids are so sweet. I love the pic with you and the two of them in the hospital.

[bean47]

Happy birthday Patricia! Great pictures!

[meggabs]

Beautiful pics! She has gorgeous eyes!

[Beener]

Aww thanks for sharing! I LOVE that picture of your son kissing her forehead. So sweet!

[greenkitty98]

Thanks everyone! I treasure the times they give each other hugs/kisses or make each other laugh.

[melis74]

Thank you for sharing your story! She is beautiful and I love how sweet they are together!