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My Colombian Pregnancy and Birth Story (or should I say novel)
Background- The thought of giving birth has always terrified me. I?ve never been hospitalized, had a surgery, or even an IV. I hate needles to the point that just looking at one makes me feel pain and get scared. On top of feeling anxious about having to give birth in general, I also had to deal with doing it In a foreign country, Colombia, South America, were we currently reside.
A fact that kept me comforted throughout my pregnancy is that the World Health Organization ranked Colombia health care system as #22 in the world. The USA is ranked #37, as a comparison. Please note also that my birth in Colombia doesn?t represent all birthing experiences here but rather just my experience. However, there were some definite differences than the typical USA birth you see on TV or from my friend?s/family?s experiences back in the USA.
I relied 100% on my health insurance or ?EPS?, (which is highly regulated by the government here) throughout the process so I was limited to the services that they offered and limited to their protocol. If it had been really important to us to have a certain outcome, we could have gone with private doctors. The benefit of using my health insurance is that everything from day 1 was 100% covered. I didn?t pay any co-pays for appointments, medicine, vitamins, lab test, delivery, etc. All services were provided and I believe they continue until the baby is one year old. Early on we had talked about getting second opinions from private doctors but we never ended up feeling the need to do so. We felt everything that was provided was sufficient, if not better than what we would have asked for.
My pregnancy- From day one, I had what seemed like a rough pregnancy. I had unexplained bleeding, sever all day morning sickness, developed a reaction to one of the drugs they gave me to stop the vomiting, loss of appetite, acid reflux problems, among other small problems. In addition, during the first trimester, I had several lab tests to confirm that I had acquired toxoplasmosis in my first trimester which posed a high risk to my baby and required taking a drug (spiramycin) three times daily throughout the entire pregnancy. And if that wasn?t enough to make me high risk, I ended up with preeclampsia.
With all these problems, it meant I had several appointments monthly with an OB, a perinatologist, a nutritionist and ER visits. I had an amniocentesis done at 18 weeks to check the baby for toxoplasmosis and that checked out to be okay but a slight risk still continued. By the time I delivered, I had over 25 ultrasounds done with the majority being Level III, four fetal monitoring sessions, and more lab work than I ever thought was possible. (Remember that fear of needles, I told you about!) My husband and I also attended an 8 week class (2 hours each week) to prepare us. Thank goodness everything was provided by the insurance. I can?t imagine how much this pregnancy would have cost us in the USA.
Birth Story- On August 3rd, I started being closely monitored for signs of preeclampsia. I was having check-ups and lab work every few days. I never actually had high blood pressure but had elevated levels of protein in my urine; swelling in my feet, hands and eyes; hyper-reflexia and mild headaches. On August 16, when I met with the OB for one of those check-ups she determined it was time to get Valencia out of the oven. The only cure for preeclampsia is to deliver and since she was over 37 weeks (full-term), she gave me the order to report to the clinic at 7am the next day to be evaluated for delivery.
On August 17th, we arrived at the clinic with a lot anxiety and hunger, hahaha (I wasn?t allowed to eat breakfast in case it was determined I needed a C-section). Around 8am, I met with the OB on duty and he determined I would need a C-section because my cervix was completely closed, making it too difficult and risky to induce me. I was shocked because leading up to this day, she was ready in position and I always planned for a natural birth. According to my ultrasound at 12 weeks, Valencia was 37 weeks and 2 days on her delivery date. The clinic was too full to deliver me there and wanted to transfer me to a clinic with a better NICU, in case of problems. My husband and I were transferred by ambulance across town to the other clinic. As we arrived, I pretended to not understand much Spanish in hopes that they would allow my husband to be in the surgery room with me to help translate. However, the doctor didn?t allow it and he actually knew quite a bit of English, haha! In hindsight, I?m glad that he wasn?t allowed back and I realize now how major of a surgery a c-section really is.
By 9am, I was changing clothes and getting prepped for surgery. I had an IV put in and around 11am was taken back to surgery where I met with the surgeon and the anesthesiologist where they explained some risk and had me sign ?my life away?. The anesthesiologist was wonderful. He really took the time to explain everything and made sure I understood exactly what he would be doing to numb my body. Shortly after I was numb, the surgery began. Not being able to see anything was quite frightening. Although I couldn?t feel any pain, I could feel what felt like pressing sensations on my stomach and hear what sounded like a vacuum being used. At 11:46 am, they lifted Valencia above the curtain to show me and then carried her away quickly. I didn?t remember a loud cry but the nurse reassured me she was crying. I felt let down that they didn?t let me hold her at that moment but knew they must have their reasons. As the surgery continued, I began to feel more of the pressing and recall telling the doctors that I felt like I was going to vomit. Without having had anything to eat, I didn?t really think I would but I felt ill. The nurse placed a silver bowl near my mouth, I guess in case I did need to vomit.
I don?t remember anything after that point until I was being taken to a recovery area which I now think was at least a good hour later. I don?t know if I passed out or they gave me something to knock me out since I was feeling so sick. My husband says that around 12:20 they took Valencia out to the waiting area to meet him where he got to spend about 5 minutes with her and they told him that since she was early they were going to put her in a warm compartment for about an hour to help her adjust to the outside world. Valencia had a birth weight of 5 lbs. 15 oz. and was 19 inches long and has all signs of being a healthy newborn.
It must have been around 2pm as the drugs were wearing off that they brought Valencia to me to feed her. Once I could move my toes and knees they had us go to our room around 3pm and this was the first point I got to be with my husband since pre-surgery. I expected to be in a shared room since I had been told that all the rooms at that clinic were shared but fortunately they gave me a private room. I felt very thirsty and hungry and was shocked that they let me eat the normal dinner that night but I had to eat everything while lying down and couldn?t even use a pillow to prop up on. Thank goodness my husband was there to help me out. Around 8pm, my husband had to leave. Visiting hours were over at 7pm and he wasn?t allowed back till 9am the next morning. I was shocked that rather than have a bed for Valencia to sleep in they expected her to sleep in the bed with me. There wasn?t a nursery for her or anything, although the nurses were a phone call away for any help that I needed and I will admit they were very helpful and nice and luckily the bed was big enough for the two of us.
Around midnight (12 hours post surgery) a nurse came to help me stand up and go to the bathroom. I felt a strong need to urinate but wasn?t feeling able to in the bedpan. As soon as I got to the toilet though, I was very relieved. That first time standing up was very difficult and I felt a bit dizzy as I first sat up. The nurse was wonderful though at helping to coach me through it and insisted that I sit up for about 10 minutes before ever stood up.
That morning, I called the nurse again to help me up and she made me feel 100% capable of doing things on my own. In fact she told me to start to get up and walk around to help with my recovery. It was painful advice to follow but I did my best and am thankful that I did. Around 9am (less than 24 hours post surgery) a doctor came to check on me and asked if I was ready to go home. She was willing to release me that day but I told her although I wanted to get home, I thought it would be best if I stayed another night since I was still in a lot of pain. It was very painful to sit up and I was having bad afterpains. I went ahead and stayed that night and continued to receive some medicine for the pain but my IV was removed that afternoon. Less than 48 hours post surgery Valencia and I went home with a Rx for 500 mg of Acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 8 hours.
We?ve been home for over two days now and I am recovering well but it is much harder than I ever imagined. It hurts to sit up and hard not to be more active. I never thought I would have a c-section so I never researched it much to know how hard it was. I am blessed that my husband has been incredibly helpful and tomorrow we have a full-time maid/nanny coming to help us out. My husband is also allowed off all week as part of his paternity leave. (He was given 8 working days).
Her name- We wanted to choose a name that could be pronounced the same in English and in Spanish since she will be raised biculturally. When we first heard the name ?Valencia? suggested both my husband and I agreed it was a nice name. I then looked up the meaning and found out it meant ?healthy and strong.? With all the health problems she had to fight while in the womb, we knew it was the perfect name for her.
Re: My Colombian Pregnancy and Birth Story (or should I say novel)
So glad she was okay and it went well. Congrats!
I am surprised that they immediately jumped to c-section because you weren't dilated at all, they didn't even try to induce you? I am also surprised they wouldn't let your dh in the operating room with you, I would not have been happy about that at all.
I am glad that you are home and recovering well. Welcome again baby Valencia!
In NZ, dads aren't allowed to stay overnight either. This is one of the reasons that I went home the day after my c-section. It was so hard to cope on my own in the hospital that I decided being home with DH was a better option, and my OB was fine with that. Also, we don't have nurseries either. They do provide a little bassinet, but DS stayed in my bed with me whilst I was there.
I think having her in the bed with you is easier than having her in a bassinet right after the surgery. DS cried to be fed and I could get him and I had to wait for a mid-wife to answer my call. I kept him with me for as long as I could until DH got there when visiting hours started.
So pleased that the delivery went so smoothly. I had the opposite an extremely easy pregnancy and a very difficult delievery. Yay! That both of you are healthy and doing well.
BFP Apr 2012, EDD Dec 19 2012 * twin h/b at 6wk, 9wk scan * Baby A lost at 12wks, Baby B was my rainbow born at 36wks
I didn't get a chance to respond in your earlier post, so congratulations and welcome to the world Valencia! I'm glad the delivery went relatively smoothly after such a difficult pregnancy and that you're now home with a healthy little girl. Hope you have a quick recovery.
Cecilia arrived 12 October 2012
What a story! You make my pregnancy sound like a cakewalk!
I would not want to be induced with a low Bishop score, as recovery from a c/s after laboring is much harder than after a planned c/s. So I'm not surprised at all they didn't want to induce when the chances of success are very low. I also agree that the bassinet is a huge PITA if no one is there to help you. DH got to stay with me, but she still slept on my chest because I couldn't really move without assistance and she needed me. What surprised me was not letting him in the OR at all. I can't imagine going through it without DH there! But you do what you have to do, right?
Glad you're both doing ok and I hope your recovery goes quickly!
Congrats on Valenia's birth-love the meaning of her name.
I had a c-section and I know that everyone recovers at their own pace.Just do not push yourself too much, because that will make it harder.Try and move but a little at a time.I say take your pain meds before you feel pain, since they take a while to kick in and do not feel weak if you need them.
I was given a high dose of motrin after my c-section in the states since I am allergic to percocet and all the "good " pain killers.
If you have any c-section recovery question feel free to ask and enjoy your little girl.
Interesting, I was induced with Finn and my cervix was completely closed and I was not effaced at all and I had him vaginally 12 hours later. I guess I was lucky!
In the UK, at least where I had my son, my dh was not allowed to stay overnight either.
Congratulations, she's adorable!
You know, that's nowhere near the amount of pain relief people get in other countries. If you're in pain, you could try and get some stronger drugs from your doctor. They're safe for nursing.
Congratulations! Valencia is a beautiful name.
Thanks for sharing your birth story, it's interesting to learn about what goes on in other countries!
In Vietnam, where I had M, my H stayed at the hospital with me for the 5 nights.