Are you ready to read a novel? I'm going to apologize in advance for making this
so long, but for the sake of my memories I wanted to include as much detail as I can remember.
It has been nearly a week since our little Luke Robert Sullivan was born, so it about time I share his story!
On
the day Luke was born we woke up and played with Owen, finished packing
and showered. Keith's mom took two days off to stay with Owen while I
was in the hospital, which was a HUGE help to us. I was pretty nervous
about the surgery because my previous experience with Owen was so rough,
and as weird as it sounds, the only thing that helped was that I
couldn't drink anything after midnight the night before and my desire
for water completely over took my concerns. Isn't it funny how when you
can't have something it's all you can think of?
I
spent some extra time sitting with Owen watching a movie and rubbing
his feet. I knew we'd be missing each other while I was in the hospital
and it was bittersweet knowing this was our last morning together before
he became a big brother. We took a quick photo and gave Owen lots of
hugs and kisses, and then we took off to the hospital! Owen seemed like
it was no big deal to him, although I know he was feeling sensitive.
We
arrived at the hospital right on time at 10:30am for my 12:30pm
surgery. We checked in at the front desk and signed a few papers before
being brought to our room. My nurse Pam arrived shortly after I got
changed and asked me a ton of questions. My doctor was running a little
late with another delivery, so we had some extra time to wait. We
watched a little TV, talked, visited with my mom and sister who came to
be with us for the surgery, and I went over my prayers.
Like
I said before, I was really nervous about the surgery this time around.
It helped knowing that I would be in a better place going into it since
I wouldn't have to have been induced or go through labor like I did
last time, and I somewhat know what to expect from a c-section since
I've had one before. My biggest concern was that I would freak out
during the procedure and end up falling asleep, like last time. I wanted
to be awake and present for Luke through the entire thing. My doctor
suggested practicing some meditations to say during my surgery and I
found that prayers are what work best for me. My favorites that really
helped calm my nerves and keep me focused on the beautiful outcome of
this surgery and experience were:
1 Peter 5:7 –
“Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Philippians 4:6-7 –
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about
everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can
understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in
Christ Jesus.”
The
anesthesiologist came in to talk with us about any concerns before the
surgery and told us about what he does. He told me exactly what he would
be doing to make my experience a good one, and it was so comforting
knowing we were on the same page. My doctor popped in too to let us know
she was ready and to touch base with me. They gave me a super tart
tasting cocktail to help with some heartburn, and not soon after we got
the go ahead to walk down to the operating room. Keith walked with me
most of the way before having to head back to our room. They don't want
anyone in the OR with you until they have everything set and ready to
go. We walked right by the waiting room so I got to wave bye to my mom
and sister. I could tell they were nervous, although they still kept a
happy face.
It's such a surreal experience walking
right into the OR and hoping up on the table. Once we were in the OR the
anesthesiologist got right to work giving me my spinal tap. I had an
epidural with Owen and I'd heard that the spinal was much less painful
and easier on your body so I was not too worried about getting one.
There were a few pinches and a bit of pressure but it was over quickly.
They had me lay down on the table right away and got me positioned. The
anesthesiologist moved the table around to get the numbness just right.
At one point it got pretty heavy in my chest making me feel a little
panicked but he was able to fix that right away. The spinal eventually
set all the way in and I couldn't feel anything below my waist. I kept
repeating my prayers and my nerves calmed all the way down. I actually
felt so at ease and relaxed that I could have fallen asleep right there
on the table.
The nurses and people in the OR had me
all ready and the doctors scrubbed in. I had two OB's working on my for
the c-section which seems to be the norm at our hospital, although I'm
not sure it is every where else. After putting up the big blue curtain
they got right to work on me. I don't know what happened on the other
side of the curtain after they put it up because I requested to not be
told any details. That's one of the things that freaked me out with my
first c-section, hearing someone say they were putting my uterus back
inside my body.
As they were getting to work I started
to feel a little nauseous, which I was told could happen, and ended up
getting a little sick right there. Again, my anesthesiologist came to
the rescue and took care of it, and I felt fine again. A minute or two
later Keith came in and sat up by my head and we chatted about all sorts
of things. We talked about Owen and some extra Christmas gifts we
wanted to get him and we chatted with the anesthesiologist about movies
we've been wanting to see. It was SO smooth and actually not too
un-enjoyable.
I started to feel like it was taking
forever for them to work on my, but that's probably because my other
c-section was an emergency one and that had to work fast. This time the
doctors were able to take their time and I could even hearing them
chatting about their hobbies on the other side of the curtain. It put me
at ease hearing them just chat away while they worked like they were so
confident in what they were doing.
Minutes later they
told me I was going to feel a ton of pressure on my chest as one of the
doctors pushed the top of my stomach to help push Luke out. It wasn't
nearly as bad as I thought it might be.
And just like that our sweet baby boy Luke was born!!! He came into this world weighing 7 lbs 9ozs and 21 inches long.
The
first thing I remember anyone saying was, "Wow his head is huge!" and
then "And it's still a BOY!". I smiling from ear to ear and felt and
overwhelming feeling of JOY. He was here finally and he was screaming at
the top of his lungs, which means he's doing pretty well and I was
awake for it all and feeling great. Keith got to stand up and sneak a
peek at him, and then kissed me on my forehead, and went over to the
warmer and to be there as they weighed him. It seemed like I had to wait
forever to see him or hear about him. He was totally fine, they were
just taking their time with him. I asked the anesthesiologist, obviously
my best buddy during all of this, if he could see him and what he
looked like. I had been so curious about his hair and he said he though
it was dark brown, which is so neat since my sweet boy Owen has blonde
hair.
After
a little while they brought him over and I got to relish in his beauty
and kiss his face and just stare in his eyes. I was absolutely thrilled
to be feeling so great and getting to spend time with him. He was all
swaddled up and stopped crying as soon as he was placed on my chest.
They let us hang out for a while and spend time with Luke before they
had to take him to the nursery to be checked out. Sometimes they're able
to keep the baby in the room with you the whole time, but it all
depends on how many nurses are available and what else is going on in
labor and delivery at that time. There was a baby coming up from the ER,
so they needed more nurses in other places, so Luke had to go to the
nursery. Keith went with him while I stayed to get sewn back up.
I
was still so very thirsty and it was taking forever, or so it seemed,
for them to finish up with me. We chatted some more about Halloween
costumes and that my doctor had been a zombie that year, which is kind
of funny since she seems pretty straight laced to me. Once they were
done they brought me into the recovery room where I
finally got to have some ice chips and water. It was heavenly!!!
A
while later Keith and Luke came back to visit me and I got to have some
sweet skin to skin and nursing time with Luke while we waited for my
time to be up in the recovery room. It was about two hours from start to
finish, but it didn't really matter because we were together with each
other and our baby (only missing our Owen!).
So there you have it, Luke's nearly uneventful birth story!
Even Luke thinks his birth story was too long! Thank you for reading!
