Nathaniel Jack's birth story

Jesster11 · April 2014

Short version: Nathaniel Jack (Nate) was born on Wednesday, April 23 at 10:39 a.m. via somewhat scheduled C-section. 8 lb 10 oz. 20 1/2 in.

Long version: On Tuesday I called my dr to schedule a C-section bc of concerns over LO's size and increased risk of shoulder dystocia. The section was going to be Thursday with the doctor I liked best (I rotate between 6 in my practice), and I was supposed to get a call Wednesday with the time.

However, LO had other plans. At 5 a.m. Wednesday when I got up to pee, my water broke over the toilet in a gush (had meconium in it). After a moment of disbelief, I woke DH up to tell him we were actually going to the hospital one day earlier than planned. As I was finishing packing the hospital bags, I had a few more small leaks and we were off to the hospital. Also, I didn't even start to have minor contractions until about 1.5 hrs after my water broke. So we arrived at triage and they used the strip to make sure my water broke, and it was inconclusive. They were going to have to do a test to send down to the lab, but then a nurse did a cervical check and there was another gush of water that finally convinced them. I was dilated to a 2 and the doctor on call at my practice came to speak with us and let us know I could either labor naturally or have the C-section. This was frustrating bc I had been going back and forth on that decision and finally accepted a section and then started second guessing myself and was getting DH all worked up.

I did end up going with a C-section, and I think it ended up being the right decision. So they prepped me for the C-section (including placing the catheter before the spinal. Ick) and after less than 4 hours of arriving at he hospital, they rolled me into the OR. I was surprisingly calm, the spinal was awesome, and I'm happy with the dr who I ended up with. The section went great, and Nathaniel Jack was born at 10:39 a.m. He entered the world with a good cry and scored 9/9 on his Apgar. DH went with him to the nursery, where they weighed him in at 8 lb 10 oz. The doctor thought he weighed more and even made a comment about him looking like a diabetic baby (I had GD). He did have a big head and wide shoulders, so it was a good call on the section. I did spit up a few times during the section and in recovery, but all of the nurses and doctors have said how great my incision looks and is healing. I was bummed about not having immediate skin to skin, but DH went with him to the nursery and did a great job of taking tons of photos. We did nurse very briefly in the recovery room and then they took him back to the nursery when I was moved to my room. A nurse did come in to say he had low blood sugar and asking to give him a bottle of formula - but I insisted on trying to nurse first and was successful. His numbers climbed back up and he was moved to the room to stay.

Our little guy is doing the best out of all of us. No health issues at all. I on the other hand am having a rough go. Recovery is not enjoyable, and on top of all the meds, I now have very high blood pressure. We were supposed to go home today after 3 nights, but now we are stuck here another night for monitoring. The first meds they gave did nothing,so now I'm on the second round. Fingers crossed. We are also going through cluster feeding and still waiting for my milk to come in, which is frustrating both Nate and I. We were lucky and did get the suite at the hospital, but I am just so ready to be home where we can figure out things without everyone monitoring everything. This stay has given new meaning to cabin fever and I just want to be home cuddling with my little love bug.

And without further ado, here is my little big guy.