Friday, December 05, 2008

HE's HERE!!!


My new little bundle of boy arrived Dec 4th at 8:25 pm!

QUICK STATS:
Weight: 6 lbs, 6 oz.
Length: 19.5 inches
Delivered by: Dr. Partridge

I know, I know, you want all the details (or not), but you get them anyway because this is a journal of MY life . . . and I want to document my less than wonderful experience so I remember the details. I went to my Dr.'s appt. on December 3rd, and my blood pressure had increased dramatically, I had been having some signs and symptoms of pregnancy induced hypertension (pre-eclampsia), so I was instructed to go to the hospital. I went in, (called Mon the way and he met me to take the kids) and I was thinking it would just be some monitoring and then I would be able to go home, but my blood pressure was so high, I was taken back quickly, into a gown before I knew it and had to call M to tell him that he needed to take our kids home to a friends house because we most likely were not going home without a baby.

By the time M got back to me, they had me in a labor and delivery suite, with an IV in my arm, and were working on giving me some medicines to get the blood pressure down. They put me on magnesium sulfate (brutal evil medicine) and that made me sick and throwing up. Awful. Anyway, M and I watched our Wednesday night shows (Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money) and then went to sleep. At some point early in the morning, my water broke on its own, so they decided to induce me. Because of this, and the fact that I did not sleep comfortably -- I decided to get an epidural so I would not have to feel pain. After all the throwing up and such, I needed a break. I was nervous about it because of the last experience I had, but we had the most AMAZING anesthesiologist who took things slow. My epidural took really well, but he made it so I could still feel and move my legs. This was NEW for me because the last two times, they were like dead logs and it was bad. At about 6:30 or 7:00 pm, I started to be able to feel the contractions (in spite of the epidural) and after getting the nurses to believe I was in pain, they got the anesthesiologist to come back and he gave me his "special concoction" and it made all the pain go away! Seriously, that guy was AMAZING!!!!

At about 8:00 pm, I felt like I could push, but the Dr. was still finishing up a c-section, so the nurse suggested that we "labor down" and just wait and that it would go smoother. So we waited and when the Dr. arrived, everyone got set up really fast and I literally pushed the sweet little guy out in one push! It went so smoothly and easily. He arrived at 8:25 pm. He weighed 6 lbs 6 oz. He had lots of fuzzy dark brown hair and really dark eyes. He was 19.5 inches long.

After the baby had arrived, we were informed that since the hospital was in the middle of renovations, they had a room for me, but I could only get there in a wheel chair because the path to it was skinny, and since they had had me on magnesium sulfate, I could not get out of bed and step to a wheel chair, so they said I would have to sleep in the labor and delivery suite. Let me tell you, those beds are not meant to be in for long periods of time. I was not a happy camper at all. I was throwing up still, and the bed felt like I was laying on a plank of wood. My back ached. The only reason I got any sleep that night was because my nurse gave me some anti-nausea medicine that made me fall asleep. When I woke up in the morning, they were planning to move me soon, so somehow, the forgot the fact I was in there and I got no breakfast. They ended up moving me around 1pm or so. I think I ate finally for the first time in like 48 hours that afternoon. Everyone said I was looking really good for someone coming off magnesium sulfate. Perhaps the starvation helped?



My family came to visit me. The kids were really wound up and excited to see me. It was challenging for them being away from mommy for a couple days, since they are used to being with me all the time. They were really excited to meet their baby brother too!! I love E's face in the picture where she held him for the first time, a combination of amazement and fear. She almost *never* looks that serious!

I rested lots and then the real fun began. Because my blood pressure was not going down as fast as it needed to be, the Dr. and nurses were worried about me, so they made me rest and do nothing (I was SO bored and alone) and they kept telling me every day that I needed to stay another day. It was awful. I knew my family needed me but at the same time, I knew I needed to get better. The Dr. told me if I did not start to get better, they would have to start magnesium sulfate again and that made me stressed out so bad. Fortunately that did not happen. Sunday night I really wanted to go home, but the nurse told me she did not think that would happen, so I called M and told him to see if he could leave the kids with a friend and just come hang out with me all alone. I spent the afternoon crying and praying that my blood pressure would regulate so I could go be with my family again. Right before M arrived, my Dr. came in and told me that things were looking better and that I still needed to rest a lot and take medicine, but that she was going to let me go home. When M arrived I told him the news, I was still in shock and so thankful that I could go home. Then my nurse came in and said that the baby's bilirubin levels had been checked and he was borderline needing to go under the lights, so they had put a call in the pediatrician, but we may have to stay for him to go under the lights. I was so sad! But then the pediatrician said to just take him in to our pediatrician the following day and it would all be okay. We managed to escape the hospital at like 9:30 pm or so. I cannot express how much it felt like I was escaping from jail. I have never liked hospitals, but after this experience, I think if we have another child we will be birthing them in a gentle birth clinic or somewhere else. It was for sure not the birthing experience that I wanted to have at all, and it felt completely like everything was out of control, I had no say, and I was stuck in prison without my family, never to see my family again unless I could get my blood pressure calm. A total nightmare. But the sweet little guy we got out of the deal was worth it all. He is such a blessing and such a good baby. He sleeps really well, eats really well -- I am the luckiest mommy in the world! I promise more pictures soon as soon as I get a second to take some!

34 comments:

Sharon said...

He is so beautiful Amanda! Congratulations again! I am so very excited for you! :)

Candice said...

OMG - he is SO precious, Amanda!! I am so glad you guys are home and doing well - I know what you mean about hospital stays - once you have the baby - you just want to get out of there! Be sure to continue to get rest when you can and take care of Mommy too! ;)Congrats to you and your hubby - little Ethan is beautiful!!

Mandy said...

What a cute little sweetie! Congrats to you all! Definitely just take it easy and get the rest you need! :) Enjoy that family of yours, too! :)

Jennifer Magreevy said...

Wow, Amanda, that's quite a story!! I'm glad you have a beautiful baby boy that makes it all worthwhile!! :-)

Jennie said...

Oh, Manda, he is BEAUTIFUL!!! Oh, I am so excited and happy for you! What a healthy looking guy, and one push, WOW!! God bless you and your sweet family :)

Nisa said...

I sm so so glad you're okay! That magnesium is the worst stuff ever! I had to have it with my first baby because of Toxemia and Pre-eclampsia. I swear it must be the worst medicine on the face of the planet! Really brutal! I feel for ya! I'm glad everything's okay and your little guy is SO sweet!

StampOwl said...

congrats Amanda on the birth of your new son! I am so with you about those delivery beds being uncomfortable ... I got to sleep (not not sleep) in one after the birth of my DD 31 years ago arghhhhh!

Savor the Journey said...

Oh Amanda! Ethan is just so precious! I love the story too. What a great idea to write that down while it's still a fresh memory. Your children's faces say so much about this amazing blessing!

((((hugs))))
Bev

Shannon said...

Ethan is gorgeous and so glad to hear he was worse the ordeal you went through. Glad to hear that you are doing better now. Take care of him, yourself and the whole family. All the best!

Brimaca said...

Holy cow!!!! Yay!!!! Sorry about all the crap but yay for the sweet baby! Keep posting pics I don't wanna miss out on all his stages. He's a doll and his name totally fits.

Kristi said...

OMG He is soooo beautiful!!!!

Sandra MacLean said...

Congratulations Amanda!! He's such a cutie! Oh I'm so ready to have another!! :D Enjoy the wee one!

Crafty Math Chick said...

CONGRATULATIONS AMANDA!!

I tried to email you just yesterday to find out how you were doing, I knew you were due around this time, I thought your family might have grown by now. ;)

Glad to hear Mommy & Baby are doing well.

Blessings,
Meredith

Cindy Haffner said...

Oh he is just perfect.

Stampin_melissa said...

Ohhhhh, yeah!!!! Congrats Manda! So glad you are home again. Hug them all again. He is so precious!

texasjodylynn said...

Awww, I'm all teary eyed after reading your story! HUGS girlie! Congrats to you are your family!

Heather "Hev" said...

Congratulations to you all and I am glad things turned out positively (except the sad stuff)

What a glorious Christmas gift for you all :)

Charlotte said...

Congrats! Glad you're both home and healthy. :) He's a beautiful baby!

Melody (lacyquilter) said...

Congratulations! What a sweetie!

Christi Sewell said...

Sounds like quite the experience. So have you heard the news? I am guessing since you live with the first one to hear you may know about the big changes in store. I have been looking around and am getting quite excited. It should be quite interesting.

Summerthyme Studio said...

What a beautiful Beautiful BOy........what a horrendous Experience, but thank god you are all safe!!

Vicki

Jenn Balcer said...

He's beautiful, Amanda! I had HELLP (a weird variant of pre-eclampsia) with both kids, and it was brutal, the mag sulfate, the births, everything. . . I was on bp meds for months after. Amazing how one little baby can affect your body, huh? I'm so glad that you're both okay and home! BIG HUGS!

Heidi Brawley said...

OMG Amanda he is just sooo cute!!! I was really thinking about you all week long. I hadn't seen any new blogs from you and I was saying to myself that you just had to of had that baby!!! Congratulations dear!!!!! We are all glad you are back!!! Truly missed!!! and I have never met you! I live in Tucson, AZ. Well what a Great holiday gift to have a special bundle of joy!!!!! Take care and God Bless you all!!!!
~Heidi

Terri said...

Congratulations! Sorry to hear what you went through. I know what you mean about the mag sulfate I have had that too and I agree it is evil. Glad everything turned out okay in the end. Enjoy him.

Velta said...

What a beautiful baby!!! Congratulations to you and yours :)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to you and your family. I loved your birthing story. Many Christmas blessings!

Ying said...

Amanda, Congratulations to you and your family! He is just so precious and adorable.

Emily said...

Congratulations, Amanda!! He's beautiful!

KA said...

Thanks for posting the pictures...and the story. It was really difficult getting enough details (for my taste) from M, and even worse when the story was recycled through GP (he was pretty sure you were on your deathbed). Little E is beautiful!

*Sally* said...

Congrats! Glad you are both safe and healthy x

Karolyn Loncon said...

Congratulations, Amanda! Such a darling little boy! I am so happy for you and hope that you are enjoying your new son. Hugs!

Anonymous said...

OMG he is so cute! Congratulations! I came to see if there was any updates and to email you to see how things were going since you are past your due date than I see this post! I didn't even get an update!

How are you feeling?? At least he came in a little early so you could have a nice rest before the holidays!

Can't wait to see more photos. Oh and yes I know how you feel about feeling like you are prisoned in the hospital. I was there 7 times while I was pregnant and I was 6 weeks early!

Charna

larry said...

My son Michael is a lucky man ... thank you Mandy

glad you made it .... I believe that having a baby is an "impossible miracle"

I notice and appreciate how well you "notice" everything - great job

I'm, proud that you have Sewell on your car ... I'm pleased with my opinions [ I notice also!] you guys are a beautiful family - inside and out

get some rest - see you at the blessing Dad and Grandpa

Marcie S. said...

I'm glad you have a sweet little end result from that traumatic labour!! I had that magnesium stuff also when I was in labour with my first child, and it was BRUTAL! I know how you feel! Just be glad it's over and you have a wonderful, healthy little guy! :)