Wednesday, May 6, 2009

The story

He's officially here! Boston Christopher Adams was born Saturday, May 2nd at 3:44 pm. He weighed 9 lbs 7 oz and was 21 inches long. He is absolutely beautiful! He has a more olive complexion which Chris and I can't figure out where that comes from because it certainly skipped us. lol. He passed all of his tests with flying colors with the exception of the right side hearing and is extremely healthy! He is breast feeding well, which is a huge blessing for me, and is a pretty calm and relaxed little guy...most of the time...unless he's hungry...which feels like every hour today...:)
I'm not too worried about his hearing test, they said he was pretty upset during it and wouldn't stop crying so it can screw up the results. since he jumps at everything and responds to people's voices we're not worried about it at this point.

So here's the story:

1:30 Am, Saturday~ I woke up having a contraction, which wasn't strange, but felt like I was going to be sick. So I went to the bathroom to clear out my system. Nothing happened, but when I stood up there was a lot of bright red blood everywhere. I called the doctor and he said to drink some juice and make sure the baby was moving still and if the bleeding hadn't stopped in 10 minutes to come to the hospital to be checked.
3:00 Am~ Bleeding still going so we checked into the hospital and they hooked me up to monitors.
3:30 Am~ Doctor checked me and said that I was dialated to a 3 and the baby had dropped a little but was still high up there. He didn't know where the bleeding was coming from but said that we both appeared healthy. He decided to have us stay a little while longer just to be safe.
5:00 am~ Contractions were getting stronger and closer together. Dialated to about a 3.5 but baby still pretty high, and bleeding hasn't stopped. They decided that since I was the "most pregnant woman in their practice" and that they were going to induce me on monday anyway that they would keep me and get things started.They moved me to a room and hooked me up to pitossen and started an IV treatment of antibiotics for Strep B. Since the Strep B stuff had to be refrigerated it was cold going into my arm and extremely painful. Let the fun begin.
7:00 AM~ The contractions were getting stronger and closer together. I was continuing to dialate and he had dropped a little more, but not much at all. At this point I could still breathe through the contractions but I could tell I wasn't going to handle more pain very well physically or emotionally since the IV was already causing a lot and it had already been a while. I decided natural birth wasn't for me and asked for the anesthesiologist. They said he was in surgery but would be there asap.
7:30Am~ No anesthesiologist, and more pain.
8:00Am~ No anesthesiologist, and more pain.
8:30 Am~ No anesthesiologist, and more pain.
9:00 am~ No anesthesiologist, and more pain. By now every contraction was making me feel like I was going to throw up. They were coming every couple minutes and were getting pretty strong. The IV was now nothing compared to this. lol. I was holding Chris's hand during the contraction and having him fan me afterward so I didn't throw up. I was amazed that I would actually fall asleep between contractions. I was also amazed that I was sounding more and more like the women on those birthing shows and make noise during contractions, but it actually helps. The harder the contractions the more I would moan. lol. Who cares when you're in pain.
9:10 Anesthesiologist shows up and I tell him he's my best friend in the whole world. As they're having me sit up to get the epidural started I begin having a contraction and my IV for the antibiotics falls out blood and meds are going everywhere. They can't do the epidural until that is back in so they have me wait through the contraction and then put the IV in my other hand and get me hooked back up. I have another contraction and still no relief. I was dialated to a 5.5.
9:30 AM~ Finally the epidural is completed and relief is sweeping through my body. I can still feel my contractions but they tickle and I'm able to relax. I tell my anesthesiologist and my nurse that I love them both, and might consider naming my children after them. lol.
11:30 Am I wake up from my nap and notice that with each contraction his heart rate is dropping. I start deep breathing during every contraction but it doesn't do much. with in 5 minutes the nurse comes in and puts me on oxygen hoping it helps.
2:45 pm~ I've been stuck at a 6 for hours and he's not dropping into my pelvis. With every contraction his heart rate is dropping lower. They are supposed to be between 130 and 160 during labor, and between contractions his was between 130 and 140 but during contraction it was dropping into the 110-120 range. The nurse and the doctor said it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.
3:00 pm~ His heart rate was now dropping below 100 during some contractions and no progress had been made. Dr. Lamereaux came in and said that normally they only wait 2 to 2.5 hours without any progress before doing a c-section, but since we were both ok they decided to wait and see if we could push through it. He said that the baby was feeling the stress of the contractions more and wasn't dropping for some reason and that it was looking like a c-section was going to be our best option. I asked if we could talk it over for a minute.
We both had been prepared for the idea of a c-section by one of the other doctors a couple weeks before, and we both felt that this was the most I was going to be able to do on my own and since the baby was beginning to struggle it was the best option. Chris gave me a blessing and our decision to follow the doctor's advice was confirmed.
3:15 Received mega doses of meds from the anesthesiologist and wheeled into surgery. 3:44 pm~Heard Boston cry. It was one of the best moments of my life. We were parents. Chris went with the baby and the doctor's explained to me what the problems were. First: he was a 9.4 pound baby. Second: Most women's pelvis's are at a 90 degree angle, but mine is smaller at a 70 degree angle which means trouble for big babies. Last: he was face up instead of down and his head was tilted back. So with every contraction his face and his eye was being slammed into my pelvic bone.

The surgery went fantastic, recovery is going well. I'm basically bed ridden for at least a week, but we have lots of family staying with us to help out. Thank Heavens. I am so thankful for modern medicine and those wonderful doctors! 100 years ago I doubt that Boston and I would have made it.

Here are a couple pictures of my cute little boy~




13 comments:

Steffani Dastrup said...

Wow Rach! What a story! I'm so glad that both you and little Boston made it through ok! It's so funny how every woman can have a different labor story, but the feelings you experience are a lot the same! I'm proud of you! I'd love to see you and your little man soon!

Rasmussen Family said...

Congratulations on your new baby. He's beautiful and, more importantly, I'm glad both you and Boston are okay. Let me know if you need anything and I will be right there. Hopefully I will get to see you soon.

Camie said...

He's BEAUTIFUL Rach! Good Work! You're a strong woman! I can't wait to meet him, but I want to give you a little time to recoup. Congratulations!

Chris said...

I am so excited for the both of you. It sounds like a long night but they say in the end it is worth every min of it. Congratulations!!!! He is big and beautiful just how he should be.

Emily said...

what a cutie! ya i hated the group b stuff too. if you have it next time tell them to water it down. it helps a TON!

Tiffany W said...

Congratulations! He is beautiful! Thank goodness for modern medicine! I say that every time I look at Heidi. I am so happy that you are a mom now and can share all the love you have to give with this beautiful child!

Rachel said...

Congratulations, Hermana! I'm glad you're both doing well. He's adorable.

Kaibear said...

Rachel, He's so dang cute. congratulations, I'm glad you are all doing well. I need to come see him when you are all recovered! :)

Dayna said...

Rachel wow what a story! Makes me not ever want to get pregnant ;). I'm glad that everything worked out and that you have such a beautiful little one! I'm excited to see him and you. Hope you recover soon!

Jessica Rodgers said...

What a small world thanks for commenting it is great to see your blog and see what is going on in your life. Congrats on the sweet baby!

Rachel said...

Congratulations! I always love hearing the whole story and I must say, it's very interesting to hear it from your perspective! Glad I got to be there! I'd love to see more pictures!

stiff said...

Congrats Rachel!! I hope being a mom for you is as rewarding as it has been for me!!

stiff said...

Just so you know, stiff is Amber Stifflemire (Findeis) :)

Forever!!!