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Week by Week

Victoria Alexander Carnes

My pregnancy had gone on without a hitch. No major complications, all the "Milestones" were hit at the correct time, the only thing relatively unusual was that the baby was rather large. It was the 8^th month and we still didn't know what sex the baby was going to be, so we asked my doctor for a sonogram, she didn't think one would be necessary, so we offered to pay for one (Rather than the insurance covering it). She agreed and that's when we found out that I had "Excessive Amniotic Fluid" also known as Polyhydramnios. (I include this because there are a lot of evil things that cause this, and I want anyone who has it to know that it doesn't necessarily mean you're going to have something wrong with your baby). I then went to another doctor and had a level II or Targeted Ultrasound. That's when we found out we were having a girl and that everything was fine. The doctor couldn't find a reason for the excessive fluid, and then he told us the terrifying news that she was a hefty baby and that it was entirely possible that she'd reach 10lbs before she was born. Before I had too much time to contemplate trying to squeeze 10lbs etc. He told us that she was breech and that we would probably have a cesarean rather than a vaginal birth. My usual doctor confirmed this, telling me that while it was possible to massage her into a head-down position, it was highly likely that she'd just flip back because of the excessive fluid.

The delivery was scheduled for August 8^th at 12:00. We arrived at the hospital at 10 to get all my gadgets hooked up to me. The IV was relatively painless, my veins have a tendency to "hide" whenever they know that someone's trying to stick them, so the nurses had to dig around a bit to get it started. (Like I said, I'm used to it. I don't like it, but I'm used to it.) After that came the dreaded epidural. This was the one thing I DIDN'T want. I swore (when I thought I was going to have a vaginal delivery) that I wasn't going to get one, I refused to have one, "No way in blazes is anyone going to stick a needle in my spine!" Unfortunately with a C-Section you don't have a choice. I will grant that it didn't hurt as much as I imagined it would. However, it was NOT a pleasant experience. The old "Don't move while I send intense pain into your back or else you might be paralyzed for life" does not lend itself to comfort. After another 30 minutes of digging into my spine it was finally in. Once it was in, it was fine, no pain, and I pretty much forgot about it. Shortly after 12 I was wheeled into the perating room. It was VERY cold, but they had these wonderful warm towels. I oved these towels. The next 15 minutes went relatively quickly, I could feel hem moving stuff around, stretching my skin and doing things to me, but it was completely painless. It was the most amazing feeling. I was talking to my hubby about it, and he turned kinda green, so I had to stop. (Wanted to make sure he was able to stand up and take the pictures as she was coming out) Hearing Victoria cry was the happiest experience. I started to cry and smile at the same time, so it turned into kind of a grimace. Everyone started to ask me what was wrong, and I could only tell them I was happy. Hubby went to go take the pictures and to watch the baby while they finished sewing me up. When they moved me off the operating table, I peeked over and saw a horrendous amount of blood. Kinda icky, but in a detached sort of way. I found out later that I'd lost 1500ml of blood (3 pints or so) and when they cut the amniotic sac, stuff went everywhere the poor nurses had it all over them, on their little face plates, all over their arms, shirts etc. They wheeled me over to the recovery room and brought me my baby and I was finally able to hold her. (Hubby had held her in the operating room and brought her over to me so I could see her.) It was very strange looking at her and realizing that I was really a Mommy and that I'd made her. (With help of course J )

So that's my story. I was too excited to sleep and drove the nurses nuts moving around. (I'd heard that you need to move/walk as soon as possible to help you get back on your feet easier, and it worked for me, I was hobbling around the next day and the day after that felt almost normal.) The nurses were wonderful, very helpful with breastfeeding and no bottles. We did a partial rooming-in with her sleeping in the nursery at night (with me feeding her) and me keeping her with me for most of the day. The only bad thing that happened after the delivery was the next morning when my catheter, epidural and IV all decided to quit at the same time, but I got them removed and then everything was great.

Oh! The vital stats: She weighed in at 8lbs 2ozs, 2 weeks early, 18 1/4in. She and I are doing great if only for a little bit more sleep. J

Tamara Carnes

Tmartin@swspectrum.com