Lillian's Birth Story

Well, after a horrible pregnancy I couldn't wait for it to be over. I started to have contractions but they just wouldn't be steady or super painful on a regular basis. I kept hoping that any day they would turn bad and I could labor at home and go in at the last minute and get my VBAC. (My hospital has a defacto ban on VBAC's) But alas it wasn't meant to be. I had been having vascular problems throughout the pregnancy - increased migraines etc. so I was worried about having a stroke and was at increased risk for it. My due date was the 22 of February but these contractions had started around the seventh. That was okay with me. I was technically full term and wanted my baby now!!! Well on the ninth I woke up feeling weird and took my blood pressure and sure enough it was high. I called my doctor and she had me go in for blood and a 24 hour urine test. I was told to rest and take it easy until results came back. On the tenth I went into the Dr.'s office and I hadn't progressed any at all I was still 2 cm dilated and 50 percent effaced. The doctor wanted to go ahead with a c section if my tests came back bad and although I wanted a VBAC I agreed. My fear of a stroke was more than my fear of a repeat c section. And sure enough the test results were far from good. I had developed pre-eclampsia. Right then and there I went to the hospital to be prepped for my surgery. I was so excited! My little girl would be here within two hours and I wouldn't be sick anymore!!!!!!!!!!

So the Dr. Met me at the hospital and I was prepped for surgery. I was scared shitless to say the least because I had trouble with anesthesia. The anesthesiologist was great and assured me that this time would be better than last. So my wonderful husband came into the OR and the surgery began. My shoulders cramped and it felt like I couldn't breat and I was crying and having a panic attack. But once my shoulders stopped cramping I was fine and within minutes my little girl was pulled out screaming. I was so happy that the tears started flowing again. My husband Tim went off with the baby while the doctor performed a tubal ligation so I couldn't have more kids (DID I REALLY NEED MORE? I ALREADY HAVE FIVE. LOL)

Before I knew it (The surgical staff was great keeping me involved and talking) I was in recovery and everything was going great. I hadn't been told how big my girl was even though I had seen and kissed her. Come to find out that Lillian Marie was 7 lb 15 3/4 oz. and 20 1/4 inches long. And she was healthy and doing great hanging with daddy and the nurses in the nursery. And again, before I knew it I was in my room and my husband walked in with my sweet little girl. I breastfed her and snuggled for awhile. The rest of the night was basically lots of medication, blood pressure checks and feeding a sweet little girl who was desperately looking for more milk than I had. LOL

The next day (the 11th was pretty much the same as the night of the tenth except for getting up and walking and showering. (This section was so much easier than my first and I was able to walk without falling over in pain) Because of my blood pressure I had to stay in the hospital until the 13th. Baby and I were both glad to get home though. I had missed my other kids and wanted my own bed. Baby was happy because my milk came in just hours before leaving the hospital. :D