Now that Aubrie has been in our family for a little while I figured it was time to finally share her birth story. I shared a little on my Facebook page (are you following me??) but haven’t had the time to get a blog post done. I actually composed this post on the note section of my phone since sitting down at my computer isn’t the easiest task.
At any rate, back to how Aubrie entered the world. If you remember I decided to have a scheduled c-section with Aubrie. After ending up with an emergency c-section with Annabelle and a failed V-bac with Autumn, I (and my doctor) thought it was best.
So, a few nights before my scheduled c-section I was moving some boxes when I felt some wetness. I thought to myself “hmmm did I just pee a little or was that my water breaking?” I decided to just wait and see if anything else happened. Since nothing seemed to be happening I went to bed.
The next morning I got up, had breakfast with the girls, and started getting ready for school. Well it seemed I was still leaking, so I told Matt then called triage who said to check back in an hour. An hour later I was still leaking (but just barely) so I took a shower while Matt took Annabelle to school.
We called triage who said come in, so we dropped Autumn off at Mimi’s, switched cars (so Mimi could have the car seats), and were off to the hospital.
I wasn’t experiencing any contractions, so when we arrived Matt parked and we walked in. Once in triage they hooked me up to monitor the heartbeat and we waited around until they confirmed “yep your water broke, you’re having a baby today.”
Since I was already scheduled for a c-section, it was decided it would be done that day. I was a bit sad since my OB would not be the one doing the surgery (she would have done it had I made it to my scheduled date). I had a really rough time emotionally with knowing this would be a c-section, and she knew what I wanted.
I have tumors on my spine due to my NF which meant I would have to be put under general anesthesia (just like I was with Autumn). Because of this Matt wasnt allowed in the operating room. Since I would be knocked out I didn’t need the support. It was really hard, particularly since I’m hard of hearing. When the doctors were talking to me with their masks on I couldn’t really understand.
So, fast forward to Aubrie. My doctor knew I wanted Matt in the room until I was knocked out, and she was completely ok with it. However, since I had a different surgeon I felt pressured into saying it was O.K. for Matt not to be there, so he did not come back with me.
Another thing I wanted was a picture of Aubrie right after she was born. You know the picture I’m talking about. The one where the surgeon is holding up the baby. My OB knew this was important to me as I have never gotten to see my babies right after birth (something I am still trying work through). Unfortunately I didn’t quite get the picture I wanted. They did take a picture, but it was after Aubrie had been cleaned up.
So after they put me back together I was wheeled into recovery where I woke up. Matt was holding Aubrie, and after my pain wasn’t quite as awful I finally got to hold my daughter. She pretty much started nursing right away.
After this we were taken to our room. Both Matt and I figured we would be going home in a few days, and that it would be our shortest stay. But as the saying goes man plans, God laughs. My blood pressure started to get too high, so we ended up having to stay far longer than anticipated while they started medication (whenever that start medication they like to keep you for 24 hours to observe. I totally understand why, but is still sucked).
You guys, it was really tough. Annabelle and Autumn were having a hard time being away from us, and I was having a hard time not seeing them. Since our hospital stay was much longer the girls ended up staying with my parents for a few days well. As the days went on I was incredibly worried I wouldn’t be home for Christmas, and that I would ruin Christmas for them. A few nurses and doctors walked in on me in tears, which I’m sure wasn’t helping my blood pressure.
Finally, on Christmas Eve my blood pressure was stable enough to go home (with medicine and my very own blood pressure cuff). Praise Jesus, I was so happy. We made it home around 9pm and it was the most wonderful thing. Being able to open presents with them at 6:30 am was magical.
We are now adjusting to life with a newborn, and I am continuing to take medicine for my blood pressure with the goal of weaning off it eventually.