One year ago, I gave birth to my baby boy, Ethan Andrew. I went to the hospital first thing in the morning for an amniocentesis, having not eaten breakfast because I wasn't sure if the procedure required a fast or not. I asked my sister if she could stay with my kids for "just 2 hours" until I got back. She agreed even though she was sick.
I never did come home that day! The doctor decided to induce me since I was already at the hospital. Poor Saralynn had to watch my kids for hours, until Steve's mom could relieve her.
I hadn't wanted to be induced or have a C-section, but because my second child had been 12 pounds 10 ounces at birth and gotten stuck on the way out, we opted to deliver early to prevent that from happening again. The pitocin worked well and my labor progressed nicely. At 6 cm, I asked for an epidural (my first after two natural childbirths!) and was thrilled that it killed the pain.
I began pushing and Ethan headed toward the light. But then the nurse said he was coming face-up and forehead first. She called the doctor and the doctor agreed, saying this was a problem. Uh-oh. He gave me the option of forceps or C-section, but told me he didn't have much experience with forceps and leaned toward the section himself. Sigh.
So after two natural childbirths, I had my first pitocin, epidural and C-section, all in one birth. Thankfully Ethan Andrew was delivered safely at 11 PM, and though the wound hurt insanely for 24 hours, I healed well. Ethan nursed well, and after the first four (LONG) months, slept well. We have delighted in our cute and happy third child, and thank the Lord constantly for him. What a gift he is to us.
Happy birthday, Ethan!
6 comments:
Interesting to read your birth story! Seems like it might be tricky to do a c-section when the baby is already proceeding down the birth canal?
What was the amnio for? To test for lung maturity? We had that test with Will, but as my water had broken, it was easy to collect. :)
Yeah, I guess he hadn't really gone much into the birth canal. He'd begun, but they could feel that he was getting stuck. The amnio was for lung maturity, but I don't think it was really necessary. More like a hyper-precaution.
I hadn't realized you had so much drama with Ethan's birth. My daughter was also a C-section, emergency because during labor they lost her heart beat. I know what that's like, the wild craziness of those emergency decisions. I'm glad everyone made it thru with no permanent scars.
Well, better safe than sorry! I'm glad Ethan was born healthy!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN!
Hi Lisa, my name is Linda (Asake) Darjean, I am Saralynn's friend from hillcrest, we were in the same class. I saw your blog from hers. I was just reading about you having a 12 pounder.......OH MY WORD!!!! I am still in shock, so much so i HAD to comment, you are a champ! That is crazy that your third was your first of all those things. Anyways, I just wanted to comment. It is crazy to me. I have two girls, the first was barely 7 pounds and my little runt, was 5 pounds (mostly fluid)) so actually she was like 4 pounds 2 ounces. She has Turner Syndrome though so that accounts for her being so small. She is 3 months old now and only 7 pounds...she will always be small :)
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