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Andrew's Birth Story (Long with a picture!)
My doctor started watching my blood pressure pretty closely at my 28 week appointment. By 33 weeks, my blood pressure was still creeping up and my doctor put me on partial bed rest - I was able to work 4 hours per day but otherwise needed to take it easy. For awhile, partial bed rest seemed to do the trick and my blood pressures stayed in an acceptable range. However, on Saturday 10/29/11 I noticed that they started creeping up a little. I took it easy all day and decided I'd call the doctor if they were still high in the morning.
The next morning, my blood pressure was even higher. However, Halloween prep was in full swing at our house (while I laid in bed and rested) and I decided to wait to call until Alex and Will had finished making Will's Halloween costume. By about 10 AM, my pressures were getting worse (up to 160/105) so I called the doctor who told me to come in and make sure to bring my hospital bag because I might not be coming home without a baby!
We arrived at the hospital at 1200 noon exactly. At this point, I believed they would monitor me for a day or two and then decide how to proceed because that was the approach for my first pregnancy. Since the baby was breech, I knew a c-section was likely (unless he had flipped).
When I arrived in the hospital triage, everything happened very quickly. The nurses hooked me up to the monitors and started an IV (this took 6 tries because I was so swollen!). An ultrasound was ordered to check the baby's position (still breech) and a bunch of blood was sent off for testing. At this point, the on-call doctor came and looked at my blood pressures (still high). She said that we needed to have a c-section regardless of the lab results because baby
was term, my blood pressure was getting higher and "things can only get worse at this point." I asked when and she said "how about 1:30 PM." Holy cow! Things were happening fast.
They walked me into the ER and I was given an epidural. My anesthesiologist was awesome. He was so kind and reassuring! and took the time to explain exactly what was going on. I laid out on the table with my arms out to either side and wait for the epidural to take effect. In the mean time, Alex got scrubbed up and the doctor came in. She asked me a few questions and started pinching my stomach. I could feel the pinches but didn't say anything (she didn't ask). Next thing I knew, I felt her cutting into my stomach. I let them know I could feel the pain and she was shocked. They waited a few minutes. While waiting she asked me what kind of law I practice to which I jokingly responded "medical malpractice." She and the other doctor laughed and decided to use pseudonyms from there on out "just in case."
Finally, Alex came in and I was numb enough to proceed with the c-section. I was cold and scared but both Alex and the anesthesiologist reassured me that everything was okay. Alex watched the entire surgery (until the baby was out). According to Alex, they first delivered one foot, then his boy parts came out and then they delivered his other foot and torso. It took a minute for his head to come out and the cord was around his neck. As soon as they fixed his cord issue, they cut the cord and rushed him over to the NICU team. I got to see him for a second while he was still wet and covered in vernix.
From my perspective, I felt pushing and then the doctor told me she saw a penis (we hadn't found out Andrew's sex in advance) and then I heard a very wet cry.
Andrew was born at 2:36 PM on October 30, 2011. He weighed 9 lbs 4 ozs, was 20 1/2 inches long and had a full head of hair.
Alex went with the baby while they closed me up. I kept waiting for someone to bring me over the baby to kiss but they never did. Eventually, the NICU doctor came over and let me know that Andrew was having trouble breathing and needed to go to the NICU. They brought him to me very quickly and I got to see his face and kiss his cheek. Alex left with the baby while they completed my surgery.
Soon after I was wheeled into the recovery room someone came in to let me know that the baby was out of the NICU. I was so relieved!! After I was set up in a postpartum room, I kept expecting for Alex to walk through the door with the baby. Instead, I soon got word that the baby was back in the NICU for an undetermined amount of time. Most of the first night is a blur, I know I started pumping milk as soon as I got a chance and I had a lot of people in and out to congratulate us. Alex spent most of the night back and forth between my bedside and the NICU. He was such an awesome Dad to Andrew from the very start. I slept as much as I could since I knew they would not let me out of bed
yet to see the baby.
At about midnight, my nurse told me that she's take me to my baby at about 5 AM "if I was up to it." Of course I was up to it!!! I woke up at 4 AM and could not go back to sleep. It felt like Christmas morning knowing that I would soon get to meet my new son. When the nurse came in at 4:30 I told her how excited I was and she started helping me up right away.
I was wheeled to the NICU at about 5:00 AM and finally got to see little Andy. He was wearing only a diaper under a warmer and had a lot of tubes and wires hooked up to him. The nurse explained that he was having trouble breathing (he was actually breathing too fast) because his lungs were not fully developed (they were calling my 9 lb baby a preemie!) and because he had a lot of amniotic fluid in them from the delivery. I was told I could touch him but not to stroke him
because that would overexcite him. I was not able to hold him.
My nurse let me stay until about 6 AM and I just held Andrew's hand from my wheelchair and remarked about how good looking he was. Afterward, I went back to my room and did everything in my power to be allowed to get out of bed and walk. I knew that seeing Andrew whenever I wanted to depended on me being independently mobile. (On a side note, having a baby in the NICU is the best way possible to recover from a c-section). I was finally allowed to walk about about 9 AM and they finally let me hold my baby shortly thereafter!
Despite a feeding tube, CPAP, and various monitors, I was able to start putting Andrew to the breast by 11 AM on Halloween. Either Alex or I were at every feeding after that until Andrew finally left the NICU on Tuesday afternoon (11/1/11). After that, we were able to "room-in" with Andy. While the NICU team was still requiring him to take in formula until my breast milk came in, we otherwise established a healthy breastfeeding relationship and were both released the next afternoon.
One week later, our time in the hospital is already a bit of a blur. We have been up and down every few hours to feed Andy but he is a perfect and adorable little man. My husband is an awesome father and we are so in love.
William born 7/12/2000
Andrew born 10/30/2011 (9lb 4oz at 37 weeks)
Re: Andrew's Birth Story (Long with a picture!)
What an amazing story! Good for you for staying so positive through it. And your husband sounds like a hero.
I can't imagine how big your boy would have been if he'd been full term!
And I love his Halloween costume!
William born 7/12/2000
Andrew born 10/30/2011 (9lb 4oz at 37 weeks)
William born 7/12/2000
Andrew born 10/30/2011 (9lb 4oz at 37 weeks)
Yay for Baby Andy! He's so cute! Good job, Momma! xoxo
Tell Andy I can't wait to kiss him in January!
I'm glad they let you stay the extra night to be close to him.
He is so adorable. I'm happy that BFing is working out for you. I don't think there was any doubt on how awesome of a Dad Alex would be :-)
We have a friend whose little girl was born at 8 lb 10 oz and in the NICU for breathing issues, but had to stay much longer. Very happy the Andy didn't have to stay too long.
Congrats!! I missed your announcement since I was gone. I'm glad you're all doing well, and I can't believe how big he was!!
eta: He is so cute! I can't wait to see more pictures
William born 7/12/2000
Andrew born 10/30/2011 (9lb 4oz at 37 weeks)