The Moment that Changed Everything

I've gone on and on about my cub but have yet to share the story of his arrival. Here it goes...

Saturday, October 22, 2011
I'm almost 39 weeks pregnant and Halloween was right around the corner. Although I had been placed on bed rest due to the slight elevation in my blood pressure, I was determined to go to a pumpkin patch.  I really wanted to pick a pumpkin, carve it, then roast pumpkin seeds. My sister Nikki and I did it the previous year and I am all about traditions. I called the mother and arranged for her and the sisters to come with the husband and me to a pumpkin patch. I did some research and was excited to go to this farm that had hayrides, a corn maze, and a petting zoo. I was sure that my niece and nephew would love the experience.I was right; the whole family had a blast.

Last Picture Taken Before I Delivered

I made sure to take it easy the entire time but when we got home I had a slight headache. I took a Tylenol but two hours later I still had no relief. The husband and I got in the car and headed to the women's center at Wellstar Hospital. We quickly learned that my blood pressure was spiking to some unfriendly numbers. Let me interject and say that I had an amazingly smooth pregnancy up to my 37th week. I didn't experience any sickness or nausea. My iron, cholesterol, protein, and sugar levels were all amazing. I gained the exact amount of weight advised by my doctors and my energy levels were great. This new blood pressure issue was a shock to both me and my doctors. My doctor decided to keep me overnight for observation. There were no signs of preclampsia so the thought was that I may be experiencing pregnancy induced hypertension.

Sunday, October 23, 2011
My doctor came in to discuss his concerns about my blood pressure. The numbers were high enough to give concern but not in seizure range where I should be screaming inside. Essentially, since I was officially 39 weeks, he felt the best thing to do was deliver the baby. There was only one small yet big problem; my cervix was absolutely unprepared for labor and delivery. Here I was 39 weeks and my cervix was completely closed and thick. The recommendation was for me to undergo a treatment of Cervidil which would soften my cervix and assist it with preparation for labor. If the Cervidil did what it was supposed to then they would induce me. This Cervidil would need to be inserted (I won't detail where I'm sure you get it) and remain for 12 hours. Afterwards they would check me and possibly do a second treatment. I opted in for the treatment. For anyone possibly considering this treatment make sure that your nurse is gentle and compassionate. The Cervidil makes your cervix very tender and when they come to check on your progress if they are not gentle it will not be a fun day for you. I had some beast of a woman as my nurse and sad to say because of her this was the worst part of my labor and delivery. Well, that details Sunday.

Monday, October 24, 2011
The Cervidil worked!!! My cervix was softened enough for me to be induced. I was officially hooked up to an IV and we began the process of waiting for that magic number, 10. Initially I was progressing well and the doctors were very shocked and excited that everything was going to plan. Those contractions finally got the better of me and once I reached four centimeters I opted for the epidural. I wish I knew my anesthesiologist's name because that shot was one of the easiest and best shots I have ever received. Everything was great until a little after 8 p.m. I started to feel contractions again. No one believed me initially. They thought I was feeling the pressure of the baby, which apparently the epidural does not get rid of. Well once they took me seriously and realized "whoa she really is feeling the contractions again" they inserted an internal monitor and realized that my contractions were abnormally strong and my cervix was reverting. What do you mean reverting; I didn't know it could do that. Needless to say  my doctors said no more and I was prepped for surgery. My son was born at 9:19 p.m. He weighed 7 pounds 4 ounces and was 20 inches long. When I saw him I immediately thought to myself, before passing out due to the meds, wow he looks just like my husband.

If you have to have a cesarean I want to leave you with these few things:

1. The room where they conduct the surgery is freakishly cold.
2. I'm not sure if this is customary across the board but they may strap your arms down similar to Jesus on the cross.
3. They will advise you that once they begin to pull out the baby you will feel a lot of pressure but you must remember to breathe. This is easier said than done because that pressure feels like someone is standing on your throat. Imagine breathing while someone is standing on your throat.

With all this being said I would do it all again if it means that the end result is my little cub.