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Hawaii Babies
lelekay
member
Henry's birth story
lelekay
member
I'm going to try to get this written down before I forget!
As many of you know, three weeks before my due date, we discovered that our little boy was breech. I was not too pleased about this, especially when my doctor told me that basically my two options were to either schedule a c-section in the 39th week, or try an external version. Well, we did try the version, as I still had my heart set on delivering naturally. We tried the version in the 37th week, with no success, and much, much pain. It was awful! Ultimately, I glad we tried it, though. I like to try all my possible options. Which is why we also tried a more natural route. My doctor also recommended acupuncture, in combination with moxibustion (a Chinese herb that is burned near my little toes that is proven to turn breech babies). We gave that a shot, too, going to one acupuncture session, then also using the moxibustion every night at home for a week. No such luck! I also dabbled in laying in positions favorable for turning, shining lights and playing music to entice him to move. Again, no such luck.
I still wasn't too keen on the c-section, but I was warming to it. I didn't really want to go into labor first, then end up with a c-section. If I was going to do it, I wanted to schedule it. So we scheduled it for July 22nd, 3 days before my due date.
The night before neither Dan nor I though we'd be able to sleep. So we stayed up late playing board games to take our minds off being too nervous. When we crawled into bed we watched "Planet Earth," which we also do when were stressed out....it relaxes us. Finally we both fell asleep around 1:00am.
In the morning, we we due at the hospital at 9:30am. The surgery was scheduled for 11:30, and they needed us there 2 hours early. We arrived at 9:30 on the dot, and my sister was also walking in at that same moment. We checked in at Labor and Delivery, and they showed us to our room. I changed into a hospital gown, and they had me get into bed. They took basic tests...blood pressure, blood draw, etc. And an ultrasound to confirm he was still breech (which, obviously, he was). And then we waited. And waited, and waited. 11:30 came and went, and they told me that my OB was running a little late (there were two other c-sections scheduled that morning, then an unexpected quick delivery in there somewhere, too!). As the clock ticked on, my nerves got worse and worse. It was great that my sister was there. She and Dan told funny stories and kept me laughing, which helps a lot with the nerves.
Finally they came. I had to walk down to the OR. Dan came with me, but my sister went out to wait in the waiting room and cafeteria which we were in surgery. When we got there they made Dan wait for 15 minutes in a separate room while they got the spinal block in. I hated being away from him, even that long.
In the OR, the anesthesiologist started the spinal block. That was the worst part for me! He gave me quick local numbing shot first, which pinched. And din't really work too well, so he needed to re-do it. And when he put the needle in for the actual block, there was tons of pressure. It was unpleasant, but not really too painful. When I lay back down (I had had to sit up and lean forward for the spinal), I could already start to feel the warmth and heaviness in my legs. It was strange....I could feel my legs, as in, I was still aware of them, but not really feel them. Then they put the blue curtain up in front of my face and Dan was allowed to come in. I was so relieved to see him!
Then it all happened so fast! The anesthesiologist asked me if I felt anything. I wasn't completely sure I was numb, but he said he just did a series of pricks to test my numbness, and I didn't even know it, so I guess I was numb! I could feel the OBs (there were two) touching my belly. thought they were just prepping an I asked when they were going to start. Turns out, they already had! For about 5 minutes I could feel vague touching and slight pressure in my abdomen, then the anesthesiologist said "oh, there's the head....wait that a butt!" To which I replied, "yeah that's why we're here!" Then everyone started taking about him being out. I couldn't hear crying, though, so I was worried for a few seconds, but then I heard it. That sweet, sweet cry! The gave him to Dan right away, who held gave me a peek around the curtain. He was wailing and flailing, and covered in goo, but I had never seen anything more beautiful. They did have to take him away, though, to weigh him and clean him up. After that, Dan brought him back. I couldn't hold him yet, as my arms were strapped down, but Dan held him near my face so I could kiss him. He was perfectly content and staring all around, alert as can be. They did have to take him away again, though, so Dan went with him as they delivered the placenta and stitched me up.
Then they wheeled me into the recovery room, where I finally (it really was only about 15 minutes, but seems like an eternity!) got to hold him! We stayed there fore about an hour and a half. After trying out our first attempt at nursing (he sucked for a minuted, but wasn't too interested), we just laid there, skin-to-skin, with him on my chest. It was very peaceful and blissful.
Finally we got to go to our room and relax. Everyone left except Dan and my sister. It was strange to not have nurses and doctors all around for the first time. It was almost like I didn't know what to do! But we just mostly stayed skin-to-skin the rest of that first day, and trying nursing a few more times, being more and more successful each time.
We were in the hospital a total of four nights. Overall, it was an excellent stay. I loved our hospital, and he was an angel most of the time. Unfortunately, things have changed a bit since coming home, but I write more about that later. I'll also post more pics later. Right now he is waking up! 
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Henry's birth story
It sounds like you had a great, smooth delivery!
I think the weirdest part of having a c-section is feeling them touch and move stuff around in your abdomen even though you're numb - it's just the strangest sensation!
Congratulations again on your gorgeous little boy!
Thanks for sharing. Glad everyone's healthy!!
I always remember more details about my own experience whenever I read someone else's (like I totally forgot my arms were strapped down during the c-s!)
so glad to hear everything worked out!
Congratulations again!
I love Hawaii!
Tara & Ian . 4/24/2008 . The Kahala Planning . Married
aside from them starting w/you late, i'm glad it was pretty smooth. i was kind of worried initially when i saw the time he was born b/c i know c sections don't take that long so i didn't know if you had complications. glad to hear everything went well. it's amazing how quickly they pull that baby out of there huh? hope you are physically recovering ok from the surgery.
thanks for sharing your birth story
Jaime & Brent
Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005
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