My Birth Story

Madison Lynn was born on January 2, 2019.

Had to take a picture of us two before heading to the hospital. We took this pic at 4:30am!

Last bump picture before heading to the hospital

Walking into the hospital @ 5am!

Our last picture before baby Madison arrived!

Waiting to be taken into the operating room.

First family photo!

Best moment ever!

Holding her for the first time while we were in recovery after surgery

Snuggles with Madison

               

Waiting to head home from the hospital!

Throughout my pregnancy, my OB’s office would perform ultrasounds to measure her growth, etc. Towards the end of my pregnancy, my doctor told me that my baby was measuring large – in the 90th percentile! They kept monitoring her growth. At each ultrasound, she continued to measure large (although the measurements can be off – she could have been smaller or larger than what they were measuring)! My doctor mentioned to me that I may want to think about having a c-section because with a larger baby, delivery can sometimes be riskier. My doctor did not tell me what I should do but she provided the facts, answered my questions, and let me make the decision on my own. Tommy and I spent a lot of time discussing what I should do. I also talked to my family, especially my mom about what I should do (My mom had 4 c-sections).

I was anxious about choosing either option. I have not delivered a baby before so we did not know whether I would be able to deliver a large baby. But at the same time, I was worried about the chance of her getting stuck or having shoulder dystocia, etc. Regular (vaginal0 birth in my case had less risk for me but more risk for baby and a c-section had more risk for me but less risk for baby. I did not want to deal with any complications so in the end decided to schedule a c-section. I did not announce to a lot of people that I scheduled a c-section because I did not want to hear people’s opinions about my decision.

The surgery scheduler gave me a few options for when we could schedule the c-section. I chose to have my c-section at 39 weeks and 1 day on January 2, 2019. I was so excited knowing that she would be here on that day! Tommy and I began counting down the few days we had left just us two! It was nice to be able to let family know when to arrive at the hospital since the c-section was scheduled.

The night before her birth (Jan 1- New Year’s Day), I was so anxious, excited, and nervous! Tommy and I had trouble sleeping. We both talked about what the next day would be like. I couldn’t believe that I would have a baby in my arms the next day. I wrote down how I was feeling in my “notes” in my phone that night. I wrote, “It feels so weird knowing that I am going to have surgery tomorrow. I am anxious about meeting her. It will be so weird to not feel her in my belly moving around and kicking. I don’t know what it will feel like to meet her and hear her for the first time. I don’t now what it will be like to be a parent and be in charge of taking care of something so small and precious. I am so excited to meet her. I am anxious about recovering from surgery and how I will feel afterwards. I don’t know what surgery will be like since I will be awake.”

January 2, 2019 – we wake up and get ready to head to the hospital. I had to call the hospital at 4:30am to make sure they had room for me to come in for the c-section. I was so anxious that the hospital would tell me they didn’t have room but they did! We had to be at the hospital at 5am. Surgery was scheduled for 7:30am. I couldn’t eat or drink anything after midnight since I would be receiving anesthesia. When we drove to the hospital, I was so hungry and thirsty lol!

Once we got to the hospital, the nurses met me and took me into the hospital room. They put an IV in my arm and began giving me fluids. They also drew some blood. Since I was so hungry and thirsty, I began feeling hypoglycemic (lightheaded, hot, feeling like I was going to pass out). The nurses put an ice pack behind my neck and gave me fluids which made me feel a lot better. Once the nurses were done, Tommy and I were left alone in the hospital room until the anesthesiologist and nurse anesthetist stopped by to introduce themselves and ask if I had any questions. After that, we were left alone until the nurses came to get me for surgery. Tommy and I sat there and talked. We both were so anxious for her arrival! The nurses came in to get me and began wheeling me to the operating room. Tommy had to stay in the room until I received my spinal block. As I was getting wheeled down the hallway, one of the nurses said that a lady had just arrived at the hospital in labor and that my doctor had to deliver her baby and then could do my surgery. So they wheeled me back into my room. At this point, I was super anxious lol. Probably about 30-45 minutes went by and then the nurses came back to take me into the operating room.

Once I was taken into the operating room, the nurse anesthetist began getting me ready for the spinal block. Everyone (doctors and nurses) was super nice and it helped make me feel calm. The nurse anesthetist performed the spinal block and told me to assume the position of a cooked shrimp LOL – meaning curling my head forward so my back was round. A nurse held my hand while the nurse anesthetist numbed my back and then performed the spinal block. The spinal block makes you numb from your chest to your feet. It did not hurt and was not scary at all. After he was done performing the spinal block, they laid me down and immediately my legs felt warm and tingly. After that sensation, I started to go numb. I could still feel pressure but no pain. My arms were strapped down in a T-shape and a drape was pulled up in front of me. They also put a catheter in once you are numb – it stays in for awhile because you are not allowed to get out of bed for awhile (I was allowed to get up around 10pm). My OB began testing my stomach to make sure I was numb – she was pinching me hard but I could not feel anything other than a little pressure!

A few minutes later the procedure started and Tommy came in the room and sat by my head. Tommy asked the doctor if he could stand up and watch the c-section and they said yes, as long as he isn’t queasy about blood and medical procedures. Tommy stood up and held my hand. The nurse anesthetist was at my head as well and he told me before I was about to feel a lot of pressure. I did feel pressure and some pulling – that was right before she came out! It was not a bad feeling though. A few minutes later, I heard a baby crying and it was announced that Madison was born! Tears streamed down my face, the feeling was indescribable!

Madison was taken to be checked out by the nurses for a few minutes before she was brought over to me to see. Tommy cut the umbilical cord and the nurses swaddled her up. They unstrapped my arms so I could touch her while Tommy held her. It was the best feeling – seeing her and touching her for the first time. I can’t even describe the way that I felt! The nurse anesthetist took photos of the first time we met her which was awesome!

They had to finish the rest of the c-section surgery so Tommy and Madison went to the nursery with the nurses to get her cleaned up and checked out. They had to remove the placenta from me and then stitch me up. Once the c-section was over, the anesthesiologist performed two injections into my flanks (sides of my stomach) to keep me pretty numb and comfortable for the next 18-24 hours. Not all hospitals do this, I was so happy that they did this because it definitely helped with my recovery!

I was then wheeled back to my hospital room. Tommy and Madison met me in my hospital room. After a c-section, the hospital lets you recover for two hours before visitors are allowed inside. It was nice to have this time with just Tommy, Madison, and I. We did skin to skin with her (skin to skin is when they put the baby just in a diaper on your bare chest). The nurses also asked me if I wanted to try breastfeeding and I did so they helped me breastfeed her for the first time.

Tommy and I couldn’t believe how we felt about Madison. We were and still are so excited and happy that she was now part of our family!

Madison weighed 8lbs 8oz and was 21 in long. She was born at 8:42am at Baptist Beaches Hospital.

I will do more posts about my c-section recovery, what I packed for the hospital, etc.

XO, Danielle