1-29-10

On January 29th, 2010 I had my baby boy. It was a complicated situation. I went into the hospital at UPMC Horizon for a simple procedure. They were going to soften the cervix with this medicine that would have or would have not induced labor. They ended up breaking my water. Janice, my midwife, noticed there was merconium in the fluid. It was no big deal. They were going to flush it out. I was supposed to be able to enjoy the labor naturally. I was going to be able to walk around, get into a tub...which didn't work out either...so then I was going to be able to get into the shower. I had a ball to bounce on. I didn't want any pain killers. I had so many plans. My son had different ones unfortunately. I ended up being in a lot of pain that couldn't be lessened by walking around. Every time I attempted to stand up his blood pressure dropped significantly. I finally had to be stationed in the bed. The contractions became too much. I had finally asked for some pain killers, but no epidural. Eric's mom was there, rubbing my back. My mother, sister, and Eric were all there. I Had so much support. Sara was on her way from Columbus. By ten p.m. They had brought in an actual doctor to look in at my situation. She realized the cord was wrapped around his head and that there was no time. I had to be rushed into surgery for a 'crash' c-section. Noo! I didn't want that. But whatever was going to be best for him was what I had to do. I remember them sticking me with needles and telling me it was almost over. I wasn't put under, I had no major pain medicine. I got to do it as naturally as I could I suppose. My son had arrived at 10.25 p.m. I barely remember because they gave me a drug called versed which made me forget most everything. I was back in my room and awake by some time after 11. Sara was there. The first thing I remember being told was Sara telling me that I would be able to have a vbac. Haha, last thing on my mind, right? Everyone was telling me how great I was and that he looked amazing. There is a big blur after the c-section but next thing I know they're sticking me with needles for IV's. one nurse kept failing. My blood pressure kept dropping as well. They had let me attempt to get some sleep some time around 4 a.m. but when the next nurse came to check on my something wasn't right. They had to rush me to the ICU. My blood pressure wasn't stabilizing. Dr. Tate said I needed blood. What? I didn't understand what was going on. I just said yes to everything. By morning they got me a cat scan. They realized I had three liters of blood in my stomach. I had a bleeding muscle. They had to do a second surgery to fix the problem. That was at 8 a.m. I was in so much pain and I just wanted to be better to see my son. I didn't get to see him until noon the next day. On Sunday night they had put me into a regular room since I was able to get up and walk around. It was the most chaotic experience of my life but so worth every second. Today Atley, my little boy, is 11 weeks old. He truly is the light of my life. I wouldn't trade a second of the pain if it meant I didn't have such a perfect child. I am the lucky one. And I now know that nothing is as bad as it seems.