HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANNA ELEANOR!
Ok, now on to the point of this post.
Friday morning I woke up early for an early morning doctor's appointment. The first thing I thought was, "I don't feel well." My stomach felt upset, but I figured it would pass. I was nine months pregnant, and not feeling well kind of went with the territory. By the time I got out of the shower, however, I was starting to get a little concerned. I wasn't getting better. I was feeling worse. I ate some cereal for breakfast, but that seemed to make things significantly worse, and I started to get concerned. Was this the beginning of labor? Was it something else? I didn't think I was supposed to feel so sick at the start of labor, but I wasn't sure. Either way I was grateful for the early morning doctor's appointment.
When we got to the doctor's office, we first had to go to ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels. I did note that her heart rate was a bit elevated at 163 bpm (she had been sitting at 130-140 bpm), but I figured that had a bit to do with how I was feeling, and I didn't think much of it.
After the ultrasound, we were sent to see our doctor. Our doctor greeted us by saying, "OK. So let me tell you about the little procedure we're going to do today." Now then, if you'll remember, we had the version scheduled for the 6th, so Hans and I both said, "Oh! Today? I thought we were going to try to flip her next week." Our doctor informed us that there was little to no amniotic fluid left. We we couldn't try to flip. We were going in for a c-section. OK, we were prepared for this possibility, so that was OK. I did also mention to the doctor how I was feeling. She asked if I thought it was labor pains, but I really wasn't sure (and looking back, I don't think it was), and she did an exam just to see. Nothing pointed to me being in labor, so we went on down to labor & delivery to prep for a noon c-section. This was at 9:15 a.m.
In L&D, the nurse hooked me up to a fetal heart rate monitor. The monitor was making some odd sounds (like popcorn popping), so she got new paddles. Still no change in the sounds. She asked a more senior nurse for help. The senior nurse couldn't get the sound to go away (something was wrong with the connection), but she was worried that it was reporting an incorrect fetal heart rate, so she asked the doctor to come in and listen with the stethoscope. I should also note that I was feeling significantly worse by this point. I could felt feverish, and I just wanted everyone to go away so I could curl up in a ball and sleep a bit before surgery.
The doctor came in to listen, and I heard the nurse say that the numbers she was getting couldn't be right. The doctor listened and said, "No. That seems right." Then she leaned to me and told me they were going to give me an IV to see if some hydration would help the heart rate. Otherwise they'd be moving up the surgery. I thought this was odd, because nothing indicated I was dehydrated. My urine was clear, and I'd been drinking a steady flow of water all week.
About 2 minutes after the doctor left, another nurse came in and said, "We're doing the surgery now. Anesthesia has been called. Did you get the IV in yet?" Apparently, the baby's heartrate was now fluctuating between 180 bpm and 200 bpm. She was in distress. In addition, my fever was starting to go up along with my blood pressure. Neither was at concerning levels, but along with everything else, it was best to do the surgery right away. The NICU was called.
Hans frantically started calling family to let them know what was happening. He didn't even have a chance to get the camera from the car (thank God for cell phones with cameras!). I was wheeled into the OR at 9:58. At 10:12, Anna Eleanor made her entrance into the world.
I don't know about you, but I think she's the most beautiful baby in the world. Of course, I'm a bit biased.
Hans and I are thrilled, although we're also very, very tired. I have a few future blog posts planned where I'll talk a bit more about c-section recovery, breast feeding, and new parenthood in general. In the mean time, Anna is sleeping, so I'm going to go take a nap! ;)
When we got to the doctor's office, we first had to go to ultrasound to check amniotic fluid levels. I did note that her heart rate was a bit elevated at 163 bpm (she had been sitting at 130-140 bpm), but I figured that had a bit to do with how I was feeling, and I didn't think much of it.
After the ultrasound, we were sent to see our doctor. Our doctor greeted us by saying, "OK. So let me tell you about the little procedure we're going to do today." Now then, if you'll remember, we had the version scheduled for the 6th, so Hans and I both said, "Oh! Today? I thought we were going to try to flip her next week." Our doctor informed us that there was little to no amniotic fluid left. We we couldn't try to flip. We were going in for a c-section. OK, we were prepared for this possibility, so that was OK. I did also mention to the doctor how I was feeling. She asked if I thought it was labor pains, but I really wasn't sure (and looking back, I don't think it was), and she did an exam just to see. Nothing pointed to me being in labor, so we went on down to labor & delivery to prep for a noon c-section. This was at 9:15 a.m.
In L&D, the nurse hooked me up to a fetal heart rate monitor. The monitor was making some odd sounds (like popcorn popping), so she got new paddles. Still no change in the sounds. She asked a more senior nurse for help. The senior nurse couldn't get the sound to go away (something was wrong with the connection), but she was worried that it was reporting an incorrect fetal heart rate, so she asked the doctor to come in and listen with the stethoscope. I should also note that I was feeling significantly worse by this point. I could felt feverish, and I just wanted everyone to go away so I could curl up in a ball and sleep a bit before surgery.
The doctor came in to listen, and I heard the nurse say that the numbers she was getting couldn't be right. The doctor listened and said, "No. That seems right." Then she leaned to me and told me they were going to give me an IV to see if some hydration would help the heart rate. Otherwise they'd be moving up the surgery. I thought this was odd, because nothing indicated I was dehydrated. My urine was clear, and I'd been drinking a steady flow of water all week.
About 2 minutes after the doctor left, another nurse came in and said, "We're doing the surgery now. Anesthesia has been called. Did you get the IV in yet?" Apparently, the baby's heartrate was now fluctuating between 180 bpm and 200 bpm. She was in distress. In addition, my fever was starting to go up along with my blood pressure. Neither was at concerning levels, but along with everything else, it was best to do the surgery right away. The NICU was called.
Hans frantically started calling family to let them know what was happening. He didn't even have a chance to get the camera from the car (thank God for cell phones with cameras!). I was wheeled into the OR at 9:58. At 10:12, Anna Eleanor made her entrance into the world.
Hans and I are thrilled, although we're also very, very tired. I have a few future blog posts planned where I'll talk a bit more about c-section recovery, breast feeding, and new parenthood in general. In the mean time, Anna is sleeping, so I'm going to go take a nap! ;)
Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had that doctor's appointment that day. I was wondering if something was going on when you had her earlier than I had remembered you telling me. I'm glad you're both doing well. Whew!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you were a true champ taking everything that was happening so suddenly in stride. Course, what else could you do except have that baby, She is beautiful and looks so healthy. Not a wrinkle or any redness on this baby girl. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteDiana