So, we didn't do too well updating our site like we thought. Sorry. Things didn't end up working quite like we thought. Labor and delivery turned out to be rather complicated and ever since Audrey's been born we've been so busy and so tired. Many have been asking about the labor and folks want to know all about our little Audrey. So here's the long awaited update!!
Labor
I arrived at the hosipital at 6am - very tired!! I was supposed to arrive very well rested with the aid of sleeping pills the 2 previous nights; however, the pills only made me more sleepy. They broke my water and got me on Pitocin at about 7. I was having good contractions by 7:30 and I was doing well getting through them.
Things changed greatly by about 10:00. I was experiencing back labor, which was more excruciating than I had imagined. Someone had to rub my back constantly, even when I wasn't experiencing a contraction. I was vomiting quite a bit and some neurlogical problems started. My legs were twitching so badly that it was hard to be still and focus on the contractions. We were afraid this would happen, and we had planned that when these neurological problems began to surface, we would ask for an epidural. All along we knew that if I had to go through the neurological problems and labor, that I would be in no position for a C-Section if I had to have one. Since my doctor had told us that I had less than a 15% chance of delivering vaginally, we were pretty sure that a C-Section was in my future. So, at 10:30, I asked for an epidural.
The anesthesiologist decided she wanted to run some bloodwork before giving me the epidural. There was concern about a possible blood disorder. It took nearly a half hour and 5 nurses to find a vein. Once they extracted the blood, they kept telling us that the lab could run the bloodwork in about 5 minutes. Instead, it was more like 2 1/2 hours. In the meantime, things were pretty rough. My contractions were about 1 minute and 45 seconds apart, and rather intense. At one point, the monitors lost Audrey's heartrate for quite some time, and the nurses began slowing down my contractions so that they could be sure that Audrey was alright. They put a probe directly on her head so that they could follow her heartrate more accurately, and they had me lay on my left side and use an oxygen mask. Once they were sure she was fine, they started up the pitocin again and increased the rate and strength of my contractions.
After processing the blood, results revealed that my blood wasn't clotting properly. These results meant I wasn't allowed to have an epidural because there was a risk of paralysis. We were very upset to hear the news of my blood clotting problem and no epidural because we weren't sure at that point how I'd make it through labor and deal with blood loss. Not only that, they had told us that if I did have to have a C-Section, they would have to put me completely under. That would mean that Doug wouldn't be able to be in there with me, and that I wouldn't get to hold Audrey for quite a while as I recovered. This was definitely troubling.
Labor continued and I was progressing very slowly. The neurological problems, however, became much worse. Around 1:00 my face was spasming terribly and my words were slurring so much that it was hard for me to get a complete thought out. My face, head, and ears were tingling and going numb. My right hand kept tingling and my eyesight was starting to blur and strobe. Through all of this, I somehow continued to breathe through the contractions and get through each one. It was becoming very clear, though, that things were going downhill fast. I was still hoping, though, that I would be able to make it through labor and have a vaginal delivery.
At 2:00 the nurses checked me and found that I had dilated to 4cm and was 80% effaced. Audrey was also at 0-station, which means she had begun to move into the pelvis. This was encouraging to us all, and we hoped that the next hour would bring an even greater change. But God had other plans. The neurological problems got even worse between 2:30 and 3:00. My husband compared it to when I have one of my migranes, which make me nearly incoherent, unable to talk, or focus on anything. By this time, it was so bad that Doug and I decided it was time to opt for a C-Section. The nurses, though, would not allow that until they checked me one more time to see how I was progressing. So, at 3:00, they checked and found that I was in the exact same condition as I had been in at 2:00. There was no change. The nurses called my doctor, and he agreed that it was time for a C-Section.
Once it was decided to have the C-section, the doctors tried to stop the contractions. Unfortunately for me, the medication they were giving me wasn't working. Contractions were still frequent and painful and the urgency to push was becoming too real - and I was only at 4cm. When the c-section decision was made the anesthesiologist informed me that I would need to be put completely under for the operation. Because of the blood clotting problem, they would not allow a epidural or spinal tap. We discussed a platlette infusion, but the anesthesiologist had another idea. She conferred with a few other collegues and it was decided to give me some new medication they thought would help the problem. So, a big bag of medicine was added to my IV and we waited for quite a while to get that into my system. After the medicine was in, we went trough the whole drawing blood fiasco - 30 minutes, 4 nurses and finally, a vein! Testing the blood took again longer than expected to process but finally yielded positive results. The medicine had cause me to clot well enough to have a spinal tap and be awake for the deivery with Doug in the operating room. We were overjoyed. With contractions still going I was wheeled into the operating room and things got underway!
Delivery
Audrey was born at 6:06pm weighing 7lbs even and 20 inches long. Soon as the doctor cut me open he said it was very obvious that Audrey never came close to fitting through the birth canal. We were glad we had tried a vaginal birth, but thankful for modern medicine and science that made it possible for Audrey to come into the world. In fact, we've thanked God on several occasions that we live in this generation. It's wild to think that there was a time Audrey and I would've died because of this situation. We now know that future babies can only be brought into the world via c-sections!
I loved having everything narrated to me in the operating room. I only wish I could have watched it all as is happened. Doug instantly metamorphisized into a new man in that operating room. The man who once could pass out at a restaurant if conversation at the table got too icky, actually stood up and took pictures of the doctor pulling Audrey from my belly. I told him to go with Audrey and report to me everything that was going on. He did a great job and wasn't even grossed out by the exent of her cheesyness!! Doug even took the doctor up on his offer to get a look at my uterus and ovaries! What a guy!!
Doug and I had some time alone with Audrey before we let in all the family. We knew they were all chomping at the bit in the hallway to see her, but we wanted our own time together as a family. What a sweet, emotional time. We praised God and prayed and told her what a miracle she was. We told her how scientifically she was never supposed to happen but indeed was a treasure from the Lord.
Recovery and the First Two Weeks
I came home from the hospital on Monday afternoon. Healing is slow, but so much better than expected. In the first 36 hours Audrey's weight dropped to 6lbs 4 oz. She was jaundice and very lethargic. Feeding her in the hospital was a challenge requiring several extra hands to keep her eating. Last week she had to go to the doctor two times to have her weight and jaundice monitored. As of Friday, the 18th, she was up to 6lbs 13oz.
Audrey has been sleeping about 7 hours straight give or take an hour each night. During the day she is content to only eat every 5 hours. The doctors say she needs to eat more often during the day, so we wake her every 3 1/2 - 4 hours. Keeping her awake is still a struggle, but we are not too concerned because she is gaining weight. I have been told to drink caffeine to help keep her awake and to not take any pain medicine. The caffeine thing is not trouble - in fact, I've been given permission to support my coffee addiction! But,not taking my medicine has been rough. I was given enough medicine for several weeks and only got to take it for a couple days. So, needless to say, I am pretty sore and weak.
My folks stayed for several days with us. It was helpful to have my mother bring Audrey to me when she was hungry. Mom fixed all the meals and did laundry. My dad cleaned and fixed stuff like a maniac. We were shocked he didn't have an addition built onto the house by the time he left! Doug has been able to work from home some, so that has been a huge weight off my mind.
Our Little Girl
Ok, She's precious. I mean I know we are partial, but my goodness, she's pretty. She's got such a nicely shaped head. Everything is proportioned so well on her little face. No marks or bumps or scratches. Her fingers are so long and her feet are long too. Her cheeks are so kissable. She seems just like a little peanut. I had prayed frivoulsly for a pretty baby that weighed between 6 and 6 1/2 lbs. We walked out of the hospital with a 6lb 5 oz baby!
I had prayed for a mild tempered baby who loves to sleep. God is so good - that is what we have. She is so content. She rarely fusses and lets me sleep! She loves 3 things: her hands, her Kick 'N Play bouncer, and her daddy! She always is playing with her hands and has them up around her face - just like every ultrasound! She loves the flashing lights, music and vibrations of her bouncer. But most of all, Audrey loves Doug. Since the night she was born, we were amazed at her response to Doug's face and voice. She quiets herself instantly and concentrates when he speaks. She locks eyes with him and follows him as he moves. She responds to him like no other. My folks were amazed, I'm amazed, the nurses were amazed. She's definitely Daddy's little girl!