With Tyler being my first pregnancy, we had no measures to how I would carry a baby. So, at 31 weeks, when my belly measured 31 cm we were right on track. But at 36 weeks when my belly measured 31 cm, my doc started ultrasounds to measure the fluids and his size. I knew he was fine, and normal size, but the ultrasounds showed differently - the doctors had him measured him at only 5 lbs. So 11 days before his due date, I was admitted to the hospital, put on pitocin, and so it began. The next morning the doctors broke my waters and my true labor - short as it was, started .... and ended with a beautiful 7 lb baby boy in perfect health!
So now ... flashforward to Emilee. On my 36 week checkup, we determine that Emilee is still breech, but perfectly healthy just the same. And I'm, once again, measuring at 31 small cm's. Apparently this is when my belly just stops! But this time, my doctor is not so worried about her size, or mine. Now because of my intestinal surgery, I have to be a bit more careful with baby size because if I 'tear' at all during delivery, it could be dangerous to my scaring, and cause irrepairable damage leaving me with a permanent colostomy bag. Or, I have a C-section and open up the beautifully healed scar that travels down from my belly button. (no thanks!) So, weekly ultrasounds are in order. At week 37, I'm admitted to the hospital for what is called an External Cephalic Version- this is where they (they being 2 doctors) manually (from the outside) try to flip the baby into a head down position. THIS was far worse than any labor I experienced!!! WHOA! But, it worked, and I was sent home ... with a downward facing baby. The next week, I KNEW I was in labor. My morning 3-5 mile hikes in the hills were not without stops and contraction timings. I knew I was close every day! But then when I would go to bed each night, she seemed to bungy cord back up from my cervix and the next morning I'd start ALL over again! After a week, we (my OBGYN and I ) decided it was time to induce again. Emilee was obviously trying to get out, and was ready to meet the world. So, Jody, Tyler, and I went to the hospital where I was, once again, put on pitocin. This time, however, my water broke on it's own and I was ready to go!!! Tyler was there when Emilee crowned and I will never forget his face ... WHOA! :-) He decided to join Uncle Mike outside for a bit, but then came back in just in time to see Emilee born. I think, however, it was not the crowning that scared him, but the oxygen mask on my face... with each contraction and push, the baby's blood pressure would drop,and then when I was in my recovery phase, she would come back to normal. 4 NICU nurses were pulled in and ready for any emergency that might arise upon her arrival. However, on that last push, she came out with a nice scream (from her, not me!) That sound was music to my ears. Another perfect little baby. Unfortunately, her cord was too short for Jody to cut. At least now we know why she was not able to stay down all those nights... she really was being bungy corded back up!
While I would have loved to have a natural home birth, there were definitely reasons why I was in a hospital setting - at least for Emilee. My experience on both occasions was the most wonderful and internally peaceful experience of my life. I would do it over again tomorrow. The doctors and nurses were so helpful and caring, and even let me have 'real' food brought in! :-) I am thankful for my beautiful, healthy children every day of my life!
No comments:
Post a Comment