Birth story

So here we are, 14 weeks since little Claire changed our lives forever. It is so hard for me to get downstairs on the computer and have an hour to myself to type something out. I got a fabulous iPad for Christmas, so I am attempting to type something out while Claire naps on my lap.

I have probably forgotten much of what happened on that day, but I'm going to try my best to remember.

On September 22, I had my weekly checkup. At that point we had already determined that Claire was big. My doctor said we needed to decide what we wanted to do - induction or c-section. Long story short, we chose to do an induction on Sunday night. On Thursday (Sep. 23) Jon and I changed our minds and decided c-section would be safer, and my doctor called me at 10:30 and she had already scheduled my c-section for 8:00 Monday morning (Sep. 27).

Sunday afternoon we celebrated Jon's dad's birthday with steak. A last meal if you will. I am amazed we got any sleep that night. We got up at I believe 3 am. I wanted to wash and fix my hair before we left since I figured I wouldn't be showering for at least a day or two. We had to be at the hospital at 5:30 when they checked me into triage.

I spent another 2 hours getting all my iv's in, a bag of fluids in me, intravenous antacid (I had the worst heart burn that morning, and I couldn't take anything. I couldn't even drink any water. The anesthesiologist came in and discussed my spinal anesthesia with me and I had to sign a bunch of stuff.

At 7:30, before I knew it the nurses came into my room, chased everyone out and said it was time to go. I think it was about that time that I start getting that panicky feeling. We walked down the hallway, where they had Jonathan wait while I got prepped. He had his hospital issued top, pants, and booties on. He also had to wear a hair net. He had not a stitch of hair on his head, yet he still had to wear it.

So anyway, i get in the operating room. Let me tell you, it was quite intimidating. I had never been in an operating room before. I didn't really know what to expect. Obviously it was very clean and sterile (as it should be). But it was also very cold. I mean, I started shivering when I walked in. I had to get up on the table so the nurse could stab me in the back. It wasn't quite as traumatizing as I thought it would be. The numbing shots kinda stung, and I could feel the spinal going in, but it didn't hurt. They had me lie down before my legs went numb, and they got my arms strapped down and the curtain up.

I should take a minute to say how great the nurses were. They seemed like they were all business and impersonal, but when it came down to it, they were my saving grace. Since Jonathan couldn't be there with me during prep, they really helped me stay calm. There was a point that I started crying because it was all just happening so fast and I was slightly freaking out.

Once I was ready, my doctor came in and checked on me to see how I was doing. Jonathan was also allowed to come in at that point. I didn't even realize he had come in, even after he took my hand. I was lying there with my eyes shut, trying to concentrate in my breathing and keeping my blood pressure down. I think him prying my hand open is what made me realize he was there. He started crying when he looked at me. I remember telling him not to cry because then I will cry and I can't cry because I am lying on my back and my tears will go into my ears and I don't want to have wet ears. Random, I know.

My doctor checked that I was completely numb and started. It all went really fast and I don't remember a lot. I remember her saying that I had a nice straight linea negra that was perfectly centered. The most uncomfortable part of the whole process was the muscle spasms from my abs being cut. Then they had to push on my upper abdomen to get her to come down where they could reach her. She was that high.

After more pushing and tugging, they pulled her out at 7:58 am. I knew she was out before they said anything because instantly I could breathe. First thing my doctor said was "It's a girl." My first words were "Thank God!" Then I heard one of the nurses say, "A big girl!"

Jonathan went over to the warmer with her while they put me back together. At some point they lost suction and the nurses were scrambling trying to get it working again. I think they changed out a few tubes and got it back. I really don't know how long all that took. I do remember telling my doctor to put me back together straight.

After this point it's all kinda hazy. The wheeled me into post-op where they got my pain pump going. They took all Claire's vitals again. Her Apgars were 8 and 9, she weighed 9 lbs, 6 oz, was 20 inches long, and had a head full of hair. I don't know how long we were in there, maybe an hour. I got to see my placenta. Maybe that's gross, but I wanted to see it. My doctor was having it set to pathology because it was enlarged.


They handed Claire to me as they wheeled us into the elevator and up to our room for the next 3 days. At some point an alarm went off, a safety measure built in to prevent anyone walking off with our baby, and I covered her ears because I didn't want it to hurt her ears. At least that's what Jonathan tells me...

We had family and friends coming in and out, visiting us and meeting little Claire. I don't remember much, and apparently I did some pretty funny things. The pain pump was my best friend for the next 24 hours.

Later that evening when I had feeling in my legs again, they had me get out of bed. That was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I couldn't stand up straight from the pain, but I know recovery is faster the sooner you get up and moving.

Jonathan was a saint. He changed every diaper, tended to her when she started crying by handing her to me so I could feed her, and did everything he could for me to make me comfortable. It was a long 3 days in the hospital and we were so ready to go home.

Claire was absolutely perfect. The pediatrician confirmed as much :-) She did have some jaundice and some bruising on her face. Her bilirubin levels had to be checked a couple of times before we left, and they were still high, but the pediatrician felt ok with us having it checked again with her pediatrician.

Over the next few weeks, her levels got up to 14.9 and her pedi ordered a bili bed for Claire to lie in until they came down. 2 days straight in the bed brought the levels down enough, but it was about 8 weeks before she quit looking like an oompa-loompa.


There is so much more, but I will have to save it for next time. Claire is getting fussy and demanding my undivided attention.

Also, I apologize for any spelling errors, grammatical errors, or run on sentences. I will come back and do some proofing on the computer when I get the chance.