The contractions didn't start to hurt for a while, but then I ate some lunch... bad idea! After getting sick with the food I started having severe pain with the contractions. I got an epidural to make it more manageable. After about 5 hours though, I started feeling all of my contractions in all their glory! At first the nurse and anesthesiologist thought I just wasn't pressing my button enough or I was just super sensitive. So they kept giving me stronger stuff through my main line with my epidural. I felt really light headed and they weren't really concerned, except for the fact that none of it took away the pain. At all.
The next 5-6 hours I was in constant pain, begging and pleading for it to stop. When the anesthesiologist got back from helping with a C-section, he gave me the "strongest stuff [he] had". I blacked out. Hubby says that I was out for a while and the nurse said, "That isn't supposed to happen". All I can remember is being able to hear Hubby's voice and feeling pain. When I finally was able to function somewhat they found out that my epidural was not in the proper spot anymore. It had wiggled out when I moved or something and they had to do it again. When they finally got it in the right spot I only got to enjoy 2 hours of my labor before starting to push.
I pushed for 2 hours. With the help of my doctor manually turning him face down and a vacuum extraction we discovered that my little guy had a hard time coming out because his umbilical cord was wrapped his neck 3 times. They immediately checked his respiratory and he was perfectly fine. And he had fantastic RED hair!!! He came out 21" long and 8lbs!
We are so proud of him being such a trooper! I loved meeting him for the first time.
However, his blood sugar started to drop and no matter how much I nursed him, he wasn't getting any higher. So they gave him formula. Nothing. So they admitted him into the NICU. I pumped with all my might and they fed him through a series of tubes and put him on antibiotics. Slowly but surely over the next 3 days we got him off the machines but he still had his IV in his head.
Then he turned extremely yellow that day. His jaundice was pretty high. They put him under the billi-lights for two days and I finally got to take him home! As long as I put billi-lights on him at home.
| I wish I was a glowworm. A glowworm's never glum. 'Cause how can you be grumpy when the sun shines out your bum!? |
Having him home we've been adjusting and figuring each other. Also, I've been finding out that Baby X is a really sweet boy. Most of the time at night he will wake up only once if at all. For that I'm extremely thankful!
So fast forward through all the diapers and screaming and bottle pumping. He was blessed two Sundays ago at our church. I've worked for a few months on his out fit. 100% hand sewn or crocheted:
| Look at how charming he is! |
| Our first picture together as a family outside of the hospital. |
In the family pic, do you see his had in his mouth? That boy will suck on anything and everything. He doesn't care if it's a binki, me, a bottle, or your chin; it's his to suck on!
He is so funny. I love his guts!
Now, Baby X is officially 1 month old! I can't believe that it was a month ago that I gave birth to his sweet soul! He is such a blessing into our lives already. I find that Hubby and I are try more actively to love and respect each other. We are quicker to forgive flaws and try to make improvements in our lives. I find it's easier to love my Hubby when he comes home after taking care of a baby all day. I may be tired but I appreciate him working and supporting us.
Baby X is growing so well too! Check out his recent milestone:
I'm so proud of him! I made his do it about 4 or 5 times in row to make sure it wasn't a fluke! He's getting so big!
Sorry this was such a long post, I needed to catch up :) But you got to see cute baby pics so it's all worth it! :)
Have an awesome day!
-TBC