Saturday, January 24, 2009

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!

21 comments:

Qtpies7 said...

It breaks my heart how rough you have had it. I'm so glad you are on the road to recovery.
We missed you last night, but you didn't need my sick germs on top of Maddies.

Grandma J said...

Wow, you really went through an awful lot to bring that precious bundle into the world, didn't you?

But he's got to be one of the cutest babies I've ever seen in my life! I LOVE the one of him lying on his side in his birthday suit. That's absolutely adorable!

Cat@3KidsandUs said...

I'm sooo sorry to hear about his rough entry. That just breaks my heart. :-(

I'm am very happy to see he's doing great! You are so blessed, congrats mama!

Alaina @ Three Ladies and a Dad said...

What a labor story that is! I can only imagine the feeling when he was born and not breathing...so thankful he is okay now!!

Get better soon!

Anonymous said...

What an awful time for you and Baby Cole! So glad that he is doing well now, and that you are recovering. Is your leg pain maybe related to the pains you were having while you were pregnant? Still praying for you, and glad to see you back online when you can be.

Life Is A SandCastle said...

Very handsome little angel, sorry for the heartbreaking experience. Congratulations & we hope you feel better soon.

Alicia @ refinedisaiah648.blogspot.com said...

Oh my Sarah, I dont even know what to say other than I am so so sorry about this whole experience. Thank goodness a beautiful baby awaited you at the end. As I was reading this I also was reading bits and pieces to my husband (he knows you just because I talk about you all the time!!)...I am just so sorry!! God was watching over you and Cole. What a miracle that he is okay now. How so very scary that must have been for you and Terry...I cant even imagine. I hope you will continue to heal and that your aches and pains on your right side would subside. My mom had these complications from the epidural too, and she couldnt even walk for a day or so because her doc hit a nerve after trying to get it in her so many times just like you.

You are in my prayers, and I am so glad and praise God that Cole is doing well and that you made it through without a c-section. Rest up! I was so glad to see you had posted!! Cole is absolutely precious.

Love you Sarah!!!♥

Idaho Jill said...

He is so adorable-so sorry to hear all you went through!

Joyful Noise said...

He is so precious!!! What we doin't put up with for our kiddos. It was good to see you this morning...I hope that Maddie is doing well too.

Unknown said...

WOW, what a cutie. Congratulations.

Debbie@Like a Rose said...

Congrats on your little guy! He's adorable. Sorry you had such a rough time of it.

Stephanie said...

Oh, Sarah! I'm so sorry to hear about all of the complications. How scary it must have been when he first came out and wasn't breathing! Your story just about made my heart stop.

But I am so happy that he's okay. He is gorgeous and the photos are lovely.

Rest up and recover...and don't worry about "us" (your readers). We'll stick around...after all, we have more photos to look forward to in the future. :)

Gretchen said...

I'm so sorry to hear you were treated so horridly. I've thrown nurses out of my room before, too. They didn't care for it, but didn't come back in either.

Cole is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for sharing his photos and story with us. :)

HypnobirthingMama said...

Congratulations on your little guy--we're so happy for you and your family.

:)

Anonymous said...

Sometimes the most beutiful babies come from some of the roughest births....so why should yours be any different. What a cutie.
~Jo~
www.jo-mom-of-3.blogspot.com
(mom of almost 4)

Mommy In Pink said...

What a precious little boy! Congrats again...My baby is is turning 6 months this week, time really flies!

Daintry said...

So adorable! Congrats on your new addition.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry it was such a painful experience for you this time. I was teary eyed just reading what you had gone through. It was certainly worth it looking at these amazing photos of Cole. Congrats to you & your family. Take care and hope to see you back at Parent Reviewers.

Beth said...

Oh my gosh Sarah what an awful experience..good thing it wasn't your first or you might never do it again, huh. I had a spinal block experience like you had with my baby#3 the nerves down the right side...worse feeling ever. I can't believe I had another after that and when I went to have #4 I was shaking so hard during the spinal they had to hold me for awhile before they put the needle in. It ended up being the best spinal of all 4 kids. So don't think any of that could happen again..you just had a really bad experince. Baby is gorgous though..good job.

Anonymous said...

I am so glad you are recovering! When I have recovered from the weekend, I want to come and see you!

Milk Mama said...

Oh. The first thought to come to my mind is that is so scary! I also had to have the vacuum delivery with Anna & she had the nasty abrasion, too. But she breathed. I would have been so afraid! I'm so glad that the Lord was watching over Cole and you! He's gorgeous, Sarah! Congratulations! I hope that your recovery is quick!!!