My Life

So, I had a baby.

It was quite the experience leading up to the actual birth. I was scheduled for the c-section on April 22nd (Earth Day = Birth Day) at 1:30 pm. I was nervous about this birth because Dr. Sharp, who has delivered all my kids, was out of town. He felt so bad about it, and hand picked the doctor he wanted to take his place. I met with her beforehand and felt good about having her do the surgery. We went in at 11:30 to get my blood work done and get prepped. At almost 1:30 they were getting ready to take me back when the nurse came in and said that they had found an antibody in my blood that they couldn't identify, and that until they could I would have to wait.

See, when you have a c-section they like to make sure they have enough blood that matches you available in case you need a transfusion etc. They were extra concerned about me since this would be my 5th c-section and many more things could go wrong. Not only does the blood type have to match, but many other variables including antibodies in the blood. I've never had a problem before so this was new to me. Turns out I had a rare antibody that would take 1-7 hours to identify. Really?! The doctor gave me the option of coming back the next day, or waiting until 5:00 to see if they could identify it. I was in tears. I had gone through all the prep and emotional stress (not to mention I was STARVING because I had not eaten since 5:00 that morning), and now to think that I might not even have a baby today....! Well, we decided to wait until 5:00, and of course they hadn't figured it out. Our poor families had been waiting in the waiting room all day.

me waiting, and waiting, and waiting....

So, we headed home and were to come back at 8:00 am the next morning, but not before the doctor who was supposed to do the surgery let me know that it was her day off the next day and that some random doctor would be doing it! Ahhhh!!! I was SO stressed. All the nurses, anesthesiologist, and residents who had been with me all day felt so bad. It was pretty horrible at that moment for me.

My parents took the kids back to their house for another sleep-over (the kids were thrilled that they got to miss another day of school haha!) and Matt and I went to dinner at Rumbi's.

After a LONG night, we headed back to the hospital on April 23rd. Things went fast, since I had done everything the day before! After I got another IV put in (ugh) I was ready to go and they took me back.

all ready for the second time!

The thing about having a baby at a teaching hospital is that you have lots of people around all the time. The O.R. had at least 10 people in there! I think all the residents wanted to see what a fifth c-section would be like. It's not too common, you know :)

This time I had a resident anesthesiologist. He took such good care of me. He had been with me the day before, so he know how emotional and stressed I was. He took extra care to tell me everything that he was doing, and everything I would be feeling (and not feeling). He reassured me when I felt like I couldn't breathe (such a horrible side effect of numbness up to your lungs), wiped my face and held the bowl when I vomited over and over until the meds he gave me kicked in (another horrible side effect...). He was pretty amazing.

When they let Matt in they had already started the surgery. I never even saw the doctor who was supposed to do the surgery. Matt said he walked in, watched the team of residents who were doing the surgery for a few minutes, and left. What a d-bag. Didn't he know how stressed I was about the whole thing?!

Anyway, the residents did an EXCELLENT job. It was one of the fastest C-sections I've had. Baby was out quickly, despite all the scar tissue they had to work around. It's such a wonderful feeling to hear that little newborn cry over the beeping monitors! What a relief!

Aidan Samuel Holbrook

This birth was SO great! They now let you hold your baby while they are finishing up the surgery. I have NEVER been able to hold my babies until I'm back in my room after recovery, which is usually a few hours after the birth. This time, I got to cuddle baby Aidan the entire time (except when I started shaking so badly I couldn't hold him and made Matt take over....another great side effect!). The surgery went great, and I never needed that blood transfusion. Better safe than sorry I guess!

They wheeled me back to recovery (still holding Aidan!) and everyone got to come in and see him. They never whisked him away for a bath, or took him to the nursery to check him out. He stayed right with me the whole time. What a blessing!

I was pretty emotional while in the hospital. Let's be honest....I was pretty emotional for the first month (I cried a lot). It's sort of horrible going through all these "lasts". It was sad in a weird way knowing that this would be the last time I'd be in the hospital for this reason. I'd never again have nurses asking me when I last fed the baby or if he pooped or peed. I'd never change a tiny baby bum again. This is the last time I'd sleep all night with a newborn on my chest..... sigh.

I felt so well cared for by all of the nurses, and had THE BEST nurse during the days. Philip was so great, and took such good care of me and Aidan.

can't tell I'd been crying at all, can you?! haha!

The recovery from this surgery was probably the easiest and best of the five. I think the Lord knew how stressed I had been and gave me a break! I was up walking that day, and had hardly any pain. Usually day four is brutal, but I felt great the entire recovery! Nursing was the easiest it has ever been, and I honestly think that having Aidan with me from the start made a huge difference (in the ease of nursing and in my recovery). I think it also helped that I told myself that no matter how great I felt I was going to take it easy (something that I had a hard time doing with previous babies). I didn't lift a finger for weeks. It was great.

The hospital was relaxing and great, especially when I could forego my liquid diet for more desirable cuisine! The night nurses brought me toast with peanut butter, honey, and jam every night at midnight. After the first night I didn't even have to ask. I had a standing order :) I had a great night nurse, too, who noticed that Aidan was a little tongue-tied and advised me to get it clipped. She warned me that pediatrics would tell me that it was not necessary, but to do it anyway so we wouldn't have to do it later. I took her advice and immediately noticed that he nursed better. He also won't have trouble rolling his R's if he has to speak Spanish on his mission ;)

my "dinner" the first night :)

The kids were SO excited to meet their new brother. They loved coming up to visit me after school each day. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family! I love them all so much.

ready to go home!

I realize that I haven't posted much about this pregnancy. Frankly, it's probably because up until this point I have had so much going on that I seem to forget to think about being pregnant. On the other hand, I have had so many pregnancy related issues this time that it's nearly impossible to not think about being pregnant all the time.
I realize this makes no sense.

I keep thinking, "once I make it through Christmas, once this school project is done, once Kensie's dance concert is over, then I can focus on having another baby." Well, that list is never ending!

Now is the time to focus! I've got three weeks left. I've been so consumed with "getting through" this last pregnancy (finger pricks all day- thank you, gestational diabetes, non stress tests, ultrasounds, so many appointments, pubic bone separating- again, crazy dreams that leave me wondering if my baby has ears) that I forget to think about the wonderful outcome.

When I take the time to think about holding this baby boy, mugging on those little cheeks, and smelling baby neck, it makes it all worth it.

I can't wait!