The labor, birth and recovery...

I can't believe it has been over a week since I gave birth to our baby boy, Cole! WOW, I really can't believe it has taken this long to get back into the blogosphere! I am sorry that I have been M.I.A, but things have been pretty rough. I will tell you all about it.

Early Tuesday morning, January 13th, I had to be at the hospital at 5:15 for a scheduled induction. Why they schedule early morning inductions is beyond my comprehension...but, oh well. Anyway, we got there a little late (5:30 A.M.). Once we were situated in our labor room, and went through all the questions and concerns, the nurse asked me if we were going to be doing the Cytotec (pill in the cervix). I had made changes with my Doctor on Monday, that we were NOT going to go ahead with the Cytotec due to what the side affects are. I had that pill inserted with Madelyn, and I experienced some of the side effects: hyper stimulation of the uterus, decreased heart rate for baby, and shock symptoms in mom. I didn't think that the side effects were worth risking with this baby. Scary stuff! You should read about it! Thanks to my friend, I avoided this type of induction. I was opting to go with the Cervidel, but my doctor said that wouldn't be effective for me. My Doctor neglected to put in the order for the Pitocin, so we ended up waiting until he made it into the hospital. At about 8:00, he came in and he put in the order for Pitocin (finally). He was disappointed that things were delayed, and so was I, but there was nothing we could do. The nurse started the IV. My veins are not that great, and so after about 20 minutes, the nurse realized that the IV was pumping fluids and Pitocin into my arm/wrist/hand! So, she took it out, and after 3 more vein attempts, a different person came in to insert the IV. That was just the start of my complications. After hours of Pitocin drips and a few walks around to help little baby to "drop" down into position, the Doctor was back to check on me. He checked and said that the baby dropped enough to break my water. He said the baby was still up high, though. A few more hours went by and the nurse came in to see how far along the progress was going. She couldn't get an accurate measure, so another nurse came in to check me. This nurse jammed her fist into me, and it felt like she was tearing me apart! It was a horrific pain and I yelled at her to STOP!! Checking to see how far a mom is dilated should not hurt, and she violated me. Seriously, if you can't get a good measure, just let the Dr. know, right? Seriously, I should have kicked her in the teeth! I told my other nurse that she was NOT allowed back in my room. That whole ordeal caused a lot of tears and emotional distress. About an hour later, I was getting set up to have an epidural. The anesthesiologist came in and told me the stats on the epidurals and the side effects. He was very impersonal and just seemed like he was just there to "git er done." I thought he was very rude, and he was actually talking on his cell phone as he was prepping my back for insertion. My husband watched him during the whole procedure. I was literally crying through all of it, and that was a first for me. I had epidurals with Caleb and Madelyn, and I have never experienced the pain that I did with this one. He kept barking at me to roll my back into him, sit still and bend more! He was so rough and rude! At one point, I just hollered at him to just stop and I just didn't want it anymore. I was done! I had also experienced a shocking (like lightening) feelings shooting down my right leg. I have never experienced that before. I think he hit some nerves! Terry said he wasn't careful or gentle when he was inserting the tubing. He ended up inserting it about 4-5 times. FINALLY, he got it in there, and I did get some relief. So, after a few hours of rest and waiting, I was able to try some pushing. The nurses noticed that there was a bit of the cervix still on his head, so they just positioned me in bed to let my body work at finishing the dilation. My Doctor came in about 6, after working all day, and let me know he was going to his son's hockey game. He said he hopes that I have my baby before 9 PM, but if not, he was willing to come back to help me deliver our baby. Yep, he did have to come back, because our baby wasn't dropping down and he just wouldn't come out. I am so thankful that my Dr. is so dedicated and loving like that. I really think that God was watching over us and allowed it all to work out that our Dr. was there with us. Over the last of the labor/delivery was so crucial, and I am so thankful that my Dr. was there, and we could trust his judgement and direction for us.

I am not sure how exactly events took place, but I did have to have oxygen, and I pushed and pushed only to find out that baby was posterior (head up) and face presentation~ meaning he was trying to show his face first instead of the top of his head. Babies don't come out like that. So, my Dr. went in there (whole hand) and turned our baby around. Yes, that was not comfortable or pleasant. Then, I pushed and pushed some more. I was exhausted, and running out of energy. My Dr. suggested that we use the vacuum. He knew we weren't fond of this method, but he suggested that it may be the only thing that will work~ but I had to work really hard with him. Otherwise, he said we would have to do a C-section. I told Terry he needed to make the choice, because I was willing to do whatever to get our baby out. After about 5-6 vacuum assists, our baby entered the world, limp and not breathing! I was so scared!! My first words were, "Breathe baby!!" Seventeen seconds of using a Ambu bag on him to get him to breathe, he started breathing. The umbilical cord had been wrapped around his throat. His apgar score when he first came out was a 4, and after 5 minutes it was an 8. I am thankful that he was OK, and that he started breathing! He ended up with abrasions on his head (which are healing) and he got cephalohematoma (which is a blood pooling on his head). He had to have an ultrasound to make sure the blood wasn't inside his skull, and the results showed that it wasn't. So, he will be healing and it will be going away over the next few weeks. He is a beautiful little boy, dark black hair, blue eyes....and a smile to melt your heart. His name is Cole Matthew. He was 8 pounds 8 ounces and 20 1/2 inches long. He had a big head, so he had a hard time getting out. Madelyn was posterior as well, but she was little enough to come out unassisted. I am thankful that I didn't need a C-section, but the whole labor and delivery was just horrible. I am so thankful that God blessed me with Cole, though, and that he is a great baby.

Cole did get Jaundice, and that is from the cephalohematoma. We had to have a few blood tests done on him, but it started going away on it's own, so we didn't need to take any medical measures to help. I am thankful for that as well.
My dear friend, Jennifer, took these amazing photos for me when Cole was one week old. She also posted on my site right after he was born to give you all an update. Click here to see that post. Thank you Jennifer for the beautiful and amazing photos of our precious Cole!
I have had quite the time with recovering from this birth. My right leg didn't work for 2 1/2 days, seriously, I couldn't walk on it at all, and it was very painful. I know it is complications from the epidural. I have had issues with my feeling coming back in my calves and feet~ still even after over a week and a half! I went to the ER last Monday morning (early), because of pain shooting through my legs and hips. My dear friend, Lisa, came to stay with my other 3 children. Thank you so much, Lisa! You helped us out so much! I had an MRI to check for a cephalohematoma on my spine. I am thankful that I didn't have that. Ever have an MRI? WOW, that was quite the experience, too! Another time...
Anyway, they couldn't find anything. I am glad things are improving for my recovery and walking gets better everyday. Sleeping is getting a little easier (without pains) but I still can't lay on my right side. I have a feeling that my recovery is just going to take a long time from this birth. Thanks for all the comments and well wishes! I am so thankful for my friends on and off line! Thank you for your support and prayers!