I never even thought this pain was related to sickle cell but all my lab work came back verifying I was having a crisis and my blood pressure and heart rate were so high they told me that if continuous morphine did not work I'd be delivering my baby the next day. I did not sleep, I literally couldn't move because of the pain, my husband had automatically brought our bags, but I figured we wouldn't need them and with fluids and pain medication I would be feeling better.
Even though I knew things could boil to a point where I'd be forced to have him early, I was trying so hard to hold on to him and make it to 36 weeks regardless of the pain I felt. I had practically been on a self-imposed bed rest and on good days would try to visit friends, but I deteriorated so quickly.
By Thursday Dec 8th I was feeling okay and the doctor came in to check on me and said I seemed to be doing okay and with a few days of rest, pain meds and fluids I should be okay for a while. As soon as he walked out the door the pain manifested in my neck and arms and I was screaming in pain. I can barely tell you all everything, I remember the nurses running and prepping me for surgery and moving me to a different bed.
I told my husband I loved him and remember him saying he didn't want to raise our son by himself. Knowing the risks associated with a c-section and a possible spleenectomy I didn't know what to tell him. I can't describe the pain. I signed forms half aware and was in the OR before I knew it. I was put under general anesthesiologist because they fully planned on removing my spleen at the same time. I remember fighting the anesthesiologist as he put the mask on my face and woke up screaming for them to put me back to sleep the pain was so bad. I also learned I had lost quite a bit of blood and was transfused for a second time in a month.
They told me my son was doing incredible and was 4lbs 14oz 17 1/2 inches long. I was moved to recovery which absolutely sucked. I had the best nurses but they warned me I'd hate them as they had to press on my uterus and my incisions (transverse and bikini) every 15 minutes. My throat hurt so badly from breathing tubes they had used during surgery and I refused to move and wanted no ice because I was afraid of choking and coughing which would make me hurt 10xs more.
After 2 hours had passed they wheeled my bed to NICU to see my son. It's sad because I don't remember much. He was just a bundle of cloth. I couldn't hold him until that night after being stabilized.
He is doing fantastic to have been born at 33 weeks. He is on room air, he feeds, he latches for breastfeeding even though he is also being supplemented with formula. Because he is a preemie he tires easily while eating but his doctors are certain he will be home soon.
For the sake of not writing a novel on here I will tell the rest on my blog but wanted to update those who care. I pray all your babies (inside and outside) thrive.
Re: Emergency C-Section (long) (PIP)
<a href="http://s1127.photobucket.com/albums/l629/trocknco/Quentin/?action=view
Congratulations on your adorable little guy! He looks so healthy.
Layla 01.08.12
Chloe and Vivian 07.23.13
My Gang. Halloween 2013
First, thanks ladies. I also want to say I am at the suckey end of the pregnancy scale so I do not want to scare anyone with my story.
And Sascha3, pregnancy triggered every single problem I have had. I have never in my life experienced anything even remotely close to the problems before pregnancy. During the surgery, they decided to leave my spleen intact (which is why I had two cuts) and my blood doctor believes my spleen will go back to its normal size. Only time will tell!
And yes I am definitely using this against him later on in life<a href="http://s1127.photobucket.com/albums/l629/trocknco/Quentin/?action=view
Wow...just wow. Read your blog, what an ordeal! I'm glad you and your LO are still here and I hope you recover quickly and your LO gets to come home soon.
I had mine at almost 34 wks and he only had to stay in NICU for 8 days and that was mostly because he had to be on antibiotics because my placenta culture came back positive for infection. I'm now dealing with that same infection invading my incision area and I have to wear a wound vac.
Anyway, I hope you heal very quickly and will be able to have your LO at home with you soon. Sending you (((HUGS))) and prayers. I know you are probably dealing with a lot of emotions because of everything. Everything I have gone through has definitely put me in a bit of a depression lately.
Feel free to email me britnhouston @ hotmailDOTcom if you need someone to talk to.