My first experience with child birth, 6 years ago, was horrific! It was an induction that led to a c-section, which was botched horribly! I felt the entire experience and seen WAY too much of my own blood for comfort. (Technically, they should have given me a transfusion) I had such a horrible experience as a patient that I decided that I was dropping out of nursing school.
Don't get me wrong, the nurses were great being there for me when my husband was ordered out of the room, but I seen how helpless they were in not being able to stop the horror show or fully acknowledge the severity of the situation to me. I later had one of the nurses, who knew my husband from a previous church they attended, tell me that it was the worst experience she has had in the OR.
I spent about 8 days in the hospital with high blood pressure issues and swelling. I think I deleted all my hospital pics but one bc I was horrified looking at myself. It was bad ya'll!
I spent hours in recovery. I think it was 4 hours before I got to hold my baby! By that time, they had given her formula, and said she had re-flux. I was so beaten down at that point, I didn't even try to breastfeed.
This experience left me scarred. Physically, emotionally, mentally. It took way longer to recover than it was needed. I almost had a bought of PPD because I was so upset that I was not able to take care of my baby. Looking back, of course, I am super thankful that my mother-in-law and husband did everything for her. If I had tried, I probably would have been back in the hospital. At the time though, I just wanted to be the one to go to her when she cried, Instead, I was stuck in bed.
Now, fast forward to about a year ago, to the moment I found out I was pregnant. I was shocked because, well, we weren't trying to prevent it for 5 years and nothing ever happened. I had almost come to a conclusion that I wasn't able to anymore. Obviously, not the case!
As I stared at the lines, I was overcome with fear. I did NOT want to experience anything near what happened before.
I began researching doctors in my area, and finally made an appointment. I fell in LOVE with all of them and their midwife at the doctor office I chose. They were so great throughout the entire experience. Now, my pregnancy this time around was no walk in the park. I wasn't prepared for that. My first had been morning sickness in the beginning and nothing more. This one decided to KO me every single day.
I was due on June 6. Scheduled for a c-section for May 27. However, I started showing signs of Pre-eclampsia. I had been swelling for a while, but it had only recently started causing my BP to go up. I did the 24 hour urine collection, and on my way to the office, they called to tell me just drop it off at the hospital.
I couldn't leave until results came back. They went ahead and took my BP and had me lay down. They hooked my up to a fetal monitor as we waited also.
My doctor had been called there to deliver another patients baby. He sent word that he would check on me when he finished up. Well, as soon as he left me, I started contracting. I thought for sure they were BHicks and wasn't timing them or anything. I guess I should have been because by the time my doctor came back, I was having them every minute.
Baby wanted to come now. Guess she figured, why waste a trip to the hospital?
I was prepped for my c-section and when the spinal was given and I felt everything go numb, I almost cried. My doctor said, "See, I didn't break my promise." (I had made him promise on my first visit he would make sure I was numb)
The next thing I know, I hear my beautiful baby cry out. After cutting the cord, they laid her on my chest, and I kissed her what seemed like a thousand times. They took her to be cleaned up as the doctor finished up.
It took a little longer because A.) I was going to have a tubal. NO more baby surprises for me! and B.) He found lots of scar tissue, especially on my bladder. He said the previous doctor cut way too deep and hacked my bladder and it was covered in scar tissue,
After he finished, I was wheeled to recovery for an hour and baby & daddy waited in the nursery for me.
I got a comfy room and was allowed my sweet baby. I began breastfeeding her, and had no trouble at all.
Everything this time around was so much smoother! Was it consolation for such a cruddy pregnancy? Probably not. No, I think my wonderful doctor helped me with an easy c-section and fast recovery.
2 days is all I spent it the hospital with her. I never even had to see the LC because breastfeeding went (and is still going) smoothly.
Good doctors make a difference!
Here is big sister, MaKenzie with her baby sister, Alexis upon our homecoming.
