My world has gone from crawling in slow motion to living in fast foward these days. Everything has happened so fast that I haven't even given a proper blogger announcement to our latest addition to our family. I don't have a blog name for him yet, but I can tell you he is a boy!
Born December 23rd at 4:11am. Weighing 7lbs and 14oz, 21.5 inches long he came into the world with a healthy shout.
I awoke at 12:30 that morning with one of my typical painful contractions. I didn't think much of it other than that I should use the washroom while I was awake. That was when I began to suspect that my membranes were breaking... I went to discuss it with hubby and became more sure of it being "the real thing" shortly thereafter as things were coming hard and fast. We called grandpa who came to stay the night with Chirpee, notified my doula and within an hour arrived at the hospital is full labour pains.
After getting to the OB floor I was "checked" and 8cm and 80% effaced. My MD decided I was progressing so fast he'd avoid the issue of pain meds with me and everyone ignored my requests for fentynl (probably wouldn't have provided much if any relief). Thirty minutes later I was "ready" to push. There are really no words to describe labour other than horrifying, indescribable and something best to not dwell on. So we'll just sum up the event that I'm very thankful unto the Lord that I had a doula (I really don't know that it would have been a VBAC birth otherwise). And that my husband was an incredible help to me during the whole affair. There was about two hours of pushing in which I began to despair that I was repeating my experience with Chirpee that led to his C-section, but my doula has some very helpful ideas that ultimately led to one idea that opened up my pelvis, gave me some much needed pain reduction and gave me much more effective pushes. Twenty minues later, viola! If I didn't have such a strong husband applying pressure in the right places, I assure you I wouldn't have been able to have helped push this munchkin into the world.
That being said: my doctor's comment upon stitching me up, "I've never seen anything like this before...". One of those comments that aren't the most reassuring. A trip to the OR with some spinal anesthesia and the use of retractors and another physician saw me properly sutured and now I'm having trouble sitting.
I am happy that I was able to deliver naturally, but discouraged at my extensive tearing that prompted a large blood loss, subsequent anemia and a prolonged recovery time. I'm feeling much better, but know that it will take awhile for the anemia to resolve.
My mom has come to help for two weeks and for that I am also blessed! Chirpee seems to love his brother and I hope his affection continues once all the excitement dies down and it is just the three us for long winter days...
The winner of the contest: Kimberley! Bear with me as I will be slow with my reward, but I promise to be faithful - you'll get it!
5 comments:
Wow! I'm glad I'm not the only one that was horrified by my giving birth experience! Sounds like we both had quite the time! Glad you've got help now. :)
Wow! I won. Crazy. Congrats on your second son, and it sounds like you had quite the time of it!! Keep on healing!
Ugh, that just sounds so unpleasant, all that pushing and ordeal. But YOU DID IT! Congratulations! And he is such a darling little boy too. You worked hard, but what a great reward! Take it slow and easy for a while (sometimes we just need someone to give us permission!). Enjoy the new baby stage - minus the nights of course - and cherish the bonding time with your little family.
He'll be worth every second of it - in fact, he already is! I'm glad your mom will be around for a while - that overwhelmed feeling won't last indefinitely! Having your mom to help out - that was something I wished for after Butler was born - especially during the first two weeks.
I am so happy that you were able to have a VBAC and good for you doing it without pain killlers! What an answer to prayer that your doula was able to suggest a position that most likely saved you from a second c-section.
Post a Comment