Luke's Birth Story

Because I had two previous c-sections, we knew that Luke was going to be born the same way.  We were allowed to choose any day during his 39th week for the birth.  The doctor I wanted was only on call on Monday, March 17th, so that became the day. At first, I wasn't thrilled with the idea of giving birth on Saint Patrick's Day.  I had planned to give him my maiden name as a middle name, but we decided that if he did come on the 17th, we would give him the middle name "Patrick."  Then, I started to get attached to the idea of a (pseudo) "holiday" birthday. There were a few days where I had some contractions and I wasn't sure I was going to make it, but it was nice to always have an end date in mind (I really feel for those women who end up giving birth at 41+ weeks!).

The week leading to March 17th was not the best for us.  On Wednesday, Jack woke up saying his throat hurt.  He acted fine and he didn't have a temperature, so we decided to just keep an eye on him.  We knew strep was running rampant at his school, but he didn't seem to exhibit any of the tell-tale signs.  On Thursday, he said it was still hurting, so we kept him home from school again. He spent the day yelling at Kara and otherwise acting fine, so we decided he would go to school on Friday.  However, just before dinner we noticed he had a rash.  Thomas took him to urgent care and he tested positive for strep.  So, he got to spend another day at home.  Meanwhile, Thomas and I were trying to get last minute things done around the house. I finished the laundry (of which there always seemed to be "just one more load"), while Thomas put together the pack-n-play, swing, bouncy chair, etc.  Saturday, we picked up my friend Marta from the airport.  It was a relief to have Marta there and to have not gone into labor yet.  We have great friends and neighbors who I know would have watched the kids in an emergency, but it was good not to have to worry about it anymore. When we got home from the airport, Anna tearfully announced that her throat was hurting.  Marta and I took her to Urgent Care where she also tested positive for strep.  

The last loads of laundry.

Meanwhile, the forecast for Monday was predicting a snow storm with 4-6 inches of snow!  At my pre-op appointment the hospital staff had said that if a helicopter couldn't land, they would postpone my c-section. This was obviously a big worry for me.  I checked the forecast constantly and it just got worse and worse.  I was up all night Sunday, waiting for the call from the hospital postponing the surgery, but it never came (although, the snow did).

Thomas and I left for the hospital at 510 Monday morning.   It was crazy to think that the next time I walked in my house, it would be with a baby!  The drive took about twice as long as normal, thanks to falling snow and icy roads.  Since the hospital is so close, we still made it (almost) on time.  When we got there, they hooked me up to the monitors and inserted my IV.  I have great veins and never have an issue giving blood.  However, IVs don't generally go so well. And, I think the person who did it was in training.  Regardless, she "blew" the veins in my right hand, so they had someone else come in and do it on the left.  Fortunately, that person got it on the first try.  However, I wasn't sure we were off to a good start.  

Things were running a few minutes behind, due to an emergency in the ER.  But, I got taken back to the operating room shortly after 730.  My OB had asked me what kind of music I wanted and I told her country.  She came in and turned on her IPod and the anesthesiologist (note of pride--I got that right without spell check!) got to work. Unfortunately, my back wasn't bending the way he wanted it to and he couldn't get the spinal in. He said my bones were not giving him any space.  It took almost 20 minutes and I was afraid I was going to need general anesthesia.  After a few painful sticks (which left a HUGE square bruise on my back), he finally got it to work. Apparently, I got the nice, patient doctor--for which I was VERY grateful. He was very chatty and conscious of my pain levels. As soon as I mentioned feeling nauseous, he inserted something that quickly took the nausea away.  One funny moment is that while the doctor was trying to get the spinal to work, the song "Before he Cheats" was playing and my OB and the nurses were kind of singing along and then discussing how they would never carve their name into the seats, because it was clear evidence against her.  I didn't particularly like that song before, but now it will be forever seared into my memory of giving birth to Luke (I wish it could have been some sweet, sentimental song, but oh well!).

Finally, Thomas was allowed to come in and the surgery began.  It was both frightening and exciting to be laying there knowing that in just a few short minutes I would meet my son for the very first time.  The emotions of wondering if he was going to be okay were overwhelming.  I didn't mention this to anyone, but I had tested positive for a down syndrome marker and even though the chances were still remote, it was something that crossed my mind.  It had been a stressful few days and it was almost surreal to be at the point where the birth was imminent.

When they took him out, at 0822, the first cry was amazing! Unfortunately, with a c-section, you don't get to hold the baby right away.  Instead, the doctor showed him to us and then handed him off to the pediatrician. He scored a 9/9 on his Apgar and finally Thomas was allowed to hold him. He was 7lb, 10z, 20 inches long and incredibly beautiful!  I know parents are biased, but I believe he is among the cutest babies I have ever seen  :)  Both Thomas and I cried and it was a very sweet moment.  I was flooded with love for this tiny being and the intensity took me by surprise.  Even though Luke is our fourth child and I was kind of thinking the birth would be predictable, it was not.  It was amazing and wonderful and joyful.  In fact, I was almost sad that we had decided against more children, because it meant I would never experience that wonderful flood of emotions again. 

Thomas went with Luke to the nursery while they put me back together.  

Wearing his special St. Patrick's Day hat

This next part may be too much information, but the tubal ligation did not go very easily.  Apparently, I had a ton of scar tissue, which they had to cut away. Then, they couldn't find one of my ovaries.  This led to a lot of tugging and uncomfortable sensations (not at all painful, just strange).  What was supposed to be a 5-minute procedure became much longer and more complicated.  Ultimately, they they think they found it (waiting for pathology report to confirm) and they were able to stitch me back up.  The doctor reported that all of the scar tissue meant that it would not be wise for me to try and have another child anyway, so we had made the right decision.

Finally, I was taken to the recovery room.  Similar to what happened with Kara, my blood pressure got really low and I was very light-headed.  Fortunately, Luke and Thomas were not kept away too long and I was able to nurse.  I was thrilled to be reunited with my family and again overwhelmed by the emotions of love and gratitude for this wonderful child.

Thomas has worn this shirt for the birth of each of our children.

I'll write about our stay in the hospital, including the kids' first visit, and our first few days at home in my next blogs.