About a month or two before my due date, I had been discussing my delivery options with my OB. I didn't necessarily have a birth plan per say, I just wanted a healthy delivery for both me and my baby.
Wait. Marlene, no birth plan? I know in my previous blog I mentioned how my virgo personality leads me to plan literally everything. It might come off as a surprise that I didn't plan the biggest moment of my life into full detail, but honestly, I didn't want to have my heart and mind set on a process that could quickly change. I knew that labor would require me to be mentality strong and focused and that being too set on a detailed plan could quickly take my focus.
The 20 Week Anatomy Scan
It all started at my 20 week anatomy scan. You know, the longest ultrasound where the ultrasound tech checks on pretty much everything. At this appointment, the ultrasound tech also checked for the baby's fundal height. When my OB reviewed the ultrasound results with me she said, "Marlene, you're going to have a big baby! If she keeps growing at this speed, we're estimating a 10 lb baby." My first thought was definitely, "Ouch." My second that was, "What does this mean?"
Deciding on an Induction
The weeks went by and we kept monitoring the fundal height. Yep, she was still in progress to be the biggest baby to ever be delivered. Again, Ouch! With that in mind, my doctor had a few concerns. It seemed that with a baby of that weight came more risks for me and my baby.
As we got closer to my due date, my doctor explained my different birthing options.
Wait until my due date and let my body do it's thing but increase the risk of me hemorrhaging or the baby's shoulder getting stuck.
Schedule a c-section
Schedule an induction to avoid her getting to 10 lbs and try to give birth vaginally to a smaller baby.
As the weeks flew by, it came time to make a decision. After thinking it over with my husband, we decided to schedule an induction. Part of me was sad that this would not only cause me more pain, but also rob me from my body doing its natural course. But, I also was at peace with our decision. I wanted the best shot at giving birth vaginally with the least amount of complications. I also had never had surgery before, so a c-section sounded too extreme to begin with.
I was happy that at least I got to plan for my induction. I didn't need to worry about my water breaking or about rushing to the hospital. All I had to do was walk in for my scheduled appointment.
So, we scheduled our induction with the hospital for 39 weeks, September 29th, 2020.
Trust me all this time before then, I tried everything to induce myself naturally. Walks. Raspberry tea, dates, pineapple. TMI: we even tried to get her out the same way we got her in. Nothing worked. I think they're all just old wives tales and your body and baby are in control.
My Induction
As planned, I got induced the night of September 29th. Around 11pm the nurse administered a round of cervadil. Cervadil is supposed to soften the cervix and prepare the body for birth. It's administered vaginally, similar to a tampon. As a first time mom, I thought the induction would be quick and easy. I thought she'd easily be here by the next morning. Boy was I wrong.
About 12 hours later the nurse checked me, and I was still 0cm dilated but contracting like crazy. I thought, "How is that possible? You mean I've been laying here with something stuck up me for 12 hours, and NOTHING has happened!" Yep, pretty much.
All this time I was having nonstop contractions, but I didn't feel a single contraction during my entire delivery. The nurses were shocked! Lucky me.
The nurse waited a few hours, and then induced me again with another round of Cervadil. We waited another 12 long hours, and again I was 0cm dilated. At this point, I was simply not progressing. The days felt long and boring. I just wanted to give birth and hold my baby.
My C-Section Delivery
A few hours later, now Thursday October 1st, my doctor called me. Again, it was time to make a decision.
Go home and wait for my body to go into labor- yeah, I wasn't leaving without my baby!
Wait for my contractions to slow down and administer Pitocin. - Nope, the doctor explained more risks for me and baby with this route.
Have a C-Section delivery. Overall, less risks involved in my personal case.
I was excited, because I knew that I would for sure meet my daughter in a few hours, but of course, I was also nervous. I had never had surgery before, and everyone and their moms had filled my head with C-section horror stories. Too late, no turning back now!
I went in for surgery around 2pm, and Luna Mia was born at 3:05pm. We met for the first time, but only for about a minute.
Our NICU Experience
I was laying on the operating table, when I heard that my baby had her chord wrapped around her neck THREE times. She wasn't breathing properly, and she still had too much fluid in her body. She was immediately moved to the NICU, and due to my surgery I wasn't able to leave my room to see her. It was physically impossible. It didn't feel good to be in major pain and to not know when I'd get to meet and hold my baby. It felt as if I had just gone through major surgery, and then my baby was taken away.
I went hours without seeing my baby, but I finally was cleared to move around. I got on my wheelchair and made my way to the NICU at about 7pm. I held her for the first time, and my world stood still. Nothing else mattered at this point. Just me, her and my husband. I was in complete bliss.
Little Luna was on oxygen for about three days. My little fighter fought in my womb to survive my subchorionic hematoma, and she fought again once she was born. The NICU nurses were incredible. They taught us CPR, how to feed her, burp her, change her diaper and swaddle her. It pained me not to have her in the same room as me for days, but I knew she was in great hands. NICU nurses are super heroes!
We anxiously awaited every day for her to be discharged, so we could all go home. Remember, this all happened in the middle of a pandemic. Only one parent was allowed in the NICU and no guests were allowed in the hospital, so the days felt long. Finally on Sunday morning we both got discharged and got to go home. Yay!
My C-Section recovery wasn't too bad compared to the love I have for her and the happiness she brings me every day. Do I wish things would have gone differently? Sure. But, my little lady is now almost 3 months, and she is so worth it. Giving birth is such a magical, unique and personal experience. It's different for everyone, but I hope my story can help a new mommy to be.
Xoxo, Mars
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