She has arrived....

beekernbaby · July 2011

Charlotte Grace was born on July 13, 2011 at 6:36pm, weighing in at a very healthy 8 pounds 12 ounces. It was a difficult birth that was rushed in the end via an emergency c-section and my recovery is going to take a bit of time.

I went into the hospital last Tuesday for them to administer the Cervidil. I responded very quickly to the medicine. At 2am, I started having contractions. At 4am, my water broke on its own. They administered an epidural at 6am and started the Pitocin at 6:30am. By 7am, my epidural was wearing off. I had back surgery years ago and apparently the scar tissue means that an epidural will not work for me. They administered two epidurals in different locations and it just would not work. I refused any other pain medication. I labored "naturally" until 4pm on Wednesday. At 4pm, I was fully dilated and ready to push. After 2 hours of pushing, she was not budging from her position. The doctor informed me that the lack of progress and the heart rates were indicators that something was off and asked for permission to perform the c-section. I cried like no tomorrow, but agreed to the procedure because her arriving safely was the most important thing. After laboring 16 hours basically without any pain relief and then having to be rushed into an OR, I was scared and sad. My poor husband was a rock through all of this and I couldn't have asked for a better person by my side. They ran with us to the OR. It was like being an extra on ER. They administered a spinal block, which was the weirdest sensation I have every experienced. You are fully awake but you can't feel yourself breathing and you can't move at all. When they opened me up, they discovered the cord has wrapped around her neck tightly, the placenta had a tear and she was about a pound bigger than they thought. The doctor informed me there was no way she would have been delivered safely vaginally. We both would have not made it through the labor is what she said. I love my doctor and she helped my husband and I make some very smart decisions while I was tired, in pain, and scared.

They released me from the hospital yesterday after we spent 4 days recovering. My doctor described it as though I am recovering from two deliveries in one day, so I have to take it easy. I lost a lot of blood but luckily did not need a transfusion. I can't say enough about the nursing staff at INOVA Fairfax hospital. They are amazing people who did everything to help me and my husband from birth to discharge. I can never thank them enough! Charlotte was borderline jaundice, so I had to supplement feed in addition to breastfeeding. I am expressing as much milk as possible and hoping that her latching will improve. She is beautiful with a full head of hair and having her makes everything perfect even if it didn't go as planned!

I will have to post a picture later, as we are trying to just get settled into the house.

clipingirl · July 2011

OMG!!! I'm so glad you and your sweet baby are ok!!! HOLY SMOKES!!! Well congratulations to you and yours. I'm sure you're delighted she's here and healthy. A full head of hair and perfect! LOVE IT! I hope your rest well and continue with your recovery. Sounds like you have a top-notch medical team What a blessing--in so many ways. HUGS and HAPPINESS!!!

fabfive · July 2011

congratulations! so glad you and charlotte made it through the delivery safely & are both home and healthy.

jerilyn&dave · July 2011

Goodness! I'm sure relieved that you and baby Charlotte are doing well! I'm so excited that you get to have your LO in your arms now...how wonderful...even if it didn't go as planned. She and you are both doing well and that's the important thing. It's looking like I might have to have a c-section now too if he doesn't turn soon since I'm having pretty regular contractions...and that wasn't my preferred plan either. I'm sorry you had to have an emergency c-section though. That had to be scary! I'm just so relieved you both are ok now! Smile

Congratulations momma!

stever · July 2011

Congrats!

Peppernut · July 2011

Congratulations! I look forward to seeing pictures!

I am so sorry it was a scary experience, but so glad you are both okay! I hope you recover quickly!

Pearly609 · July 2011

So glad for you and that everything worked out with a beautiful baby girl by your side. Take it easy and allow everyone who can help you, help.

Congrats and can't wait to see the pics!

Geeps2 · July 2011

So glad all is well and you are finally holding your little miracle

Congratulations and enjoy every second of it!

mtngirl2007 · July 2011

Wow! Glad this has a happy ending! Congrats on your baby and can't wait for pictures!

YaraC · July 2011

Congratulations on your little girl. Thank god for Drs, who helped you make the right decision and that your LO is healthy.

newbee36 · July 2011

Congrats beekernbaby! So we all made it. My boy and your girl have the same birthday. I am sooo glad that everything is fine, even though the recovery will need some time...

Can't wait to see some pics of your baby girl Charlotte.

varkeyr · July 2011

So glad you have your baby girl. Sorry it did not go as you had hoped.

tlc7068 · July 2011

congrats!! glad you and your little one are healthy. what a scary experience.

bridgeybride · July 2011

Congratulations and God bless Charlotte Grace!!! Such a beautiful name!

Sorry to hear about such a traumatic experience for you and so glad that everything ended up okay for all of you. Wow... quite a story.

Enjoy your baby girl.. they are lots of fun!!!

HisEarth · July 2011

Congrats & welcome Baby Charlotte!

aurora1974 · July 2011

Congratulations!! Glad you and baby are doing well.

Punter2009 · July 2011

Congratulations!! Boy that is one scary scenario. So glad you got teh c-section. Sorry you had to go through 2 hours of pushing and multiple epidurals

You have your daughter now, recover and enjoy every precious moment xox

junebugrbig · July 2011

Glad you and baby came thru safely...how scary. Congrats!!

Haribo1 · July 2011

Congratulations and welcome Baby Charlotte! I am so glad to hear everything worked out ok in the end, but I am sure it must have been a terrifying experience.