Birth Story

On Wednesday a little before 4 pm the doctor and anesthesiologist came in to talk to me about what would happen during the c-section. I felt so much better knowing EXACTLY what was going to happen. I was told I was going to have a spinal block, how it would be done and what to expect during surgery.

At 4:35 they wheeled me into the operating room and gave me the first little dose of anesthesia. It was crazy. The anesthesiologist called it a margarita. It sure felt like a margarita. Within like 30 seconds, I felt like I was drunk. The doctor and anesthesiologist got a kick out of me because it made me giggle for a while. Once my giggles subsided they did the spinal block. It stung just a little and wasn't a big deal at all. The needle they inserted into my arm for the IV hurt far worse. They inserted a catheter and then up went the tent. I am cool with things being done as long as I am told what is going on and when it's going to happen. They made sure to let me know and that made it less stressful for me.

While I was waiting for them to finish setting up they asked if I would like some music on. I said sure. It started off on disco funk and then went to oldies. I was totally loving the whole disco funk thing. Nathan sat to my left and the anesthesiologist sat to the right letting me know what was going on. Thankfully, I felt nothing. I did feel a bunch of tugging on my belly, but other than that, nothing. I was numb from my breasts down. The doctors were laughing and joking with each other which made me feel better. I was super nervous about having a surgery because other than having my tonsils removed when I was 5, I had never had a surgery much less a major surgery. So the light mood in the operating room made me feel less anxious.

Apparently Arabella did not want to come out. They had to use forceps to get her out. Nathan was by my side holding my hand the entire time. As soon as I heard her cry I got a little teary eyed. When she heard my voice and I touched her, she immediately quieted down. I got to give her a kiss and then they whisked her away. I told Nathan to go with her that I didn't want her to be alone those first few minutes. They finished sewing me up and I went into recovery. Nathan came in a while later and showed me pictures of her getting a bath. While we were looking over pictures, the nurse in the recovery room told us that Arabella had had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck. The hour in recovery was way too long especially after hearing that piece of news. I didn't get to see Arabella until right before 9 pm. They had a shift change and then the neonatalogist on the new shift had to check on all the babies. Once they were finished I got to see her!

The first night we were going to try to keep her overnight with us in the room. It was pure hell, but not for reasons most might think. She was having trouble tolerating the formula. It was switched three times before we left the hospital. Now she is actually doing well on keeping all her food down. I am so amazed by her and so overwhelmed by how much I love her. I am so happy to finally have met her and now have her in my life. I am truly blessed.