The birth of Henry Joseph

I am writing this way after Henry was born (sorry Buddy) but better late than never is my motto and hopefully in the scheme of Henry's whole life, 18 months isn't that long.

I am not really sure where to start and I am typing this one fingered but here it goes. After Samuel's birth, I was told there was a 70-80 percent chance that if I had another child, it would be by c section. Well sign me up then. Our original c section date was March 20 but that was a Wednesday during Lent so I asked if they could reschedule it. Thursday, March 21 at 7:30am was our appointment. I was thankful that both boys would be born on the 21st - it would be easy to remember.

I think we set our alarms for 4am. I had to shower using hypocleanse or something and put clean clothes on. Don't ask how closely I followed the pre-op instructions. I don't remember sleeping very well and I don't remember how I felt. Probably a mixture of nerves and excitement and unbelief. It is so weird to wake up and say, "let's go have a baby"

Ian''s dad prayed for us and we were off...to the gas station. I threw a hissy fit that we had to stop for gas. I thought it would make us late and I was flipping out. I eventually calmed down and we made it to the hospital on time. We parked and headed in.  I think we took a selfie in the entryway.  The main things I remember about check-in was that 1.) no one else was there and 2.) we received the devastating news that due to a local flu epidemic, visitors were being restricted.  I was so sad to find out that no one under the age of 18 would be allowed to visit.  We were able to name two visitors and we picked Ian's parents (of course).  

We jumped through the hoops and signed some paperwork and were taken back to a pre-op room.  It was small.  Ian changed into scrubs and I changed into a hospital gown.  We spent the next several hours waiting.  The nurse would come in every so often and do one or two things.  I think I had an IV and monitor hooked up pretty early on.  It was another one of those weird, "We are about to have a baby" moments but there wasn't anything to do.  I think Ian got a picture of Samuel enjoying his breakfast from Matt and Cathleen and that made me feel so much better!

We were getting close to our surgery time when we were informed that we were going to be pushed back a bit for an emergency c-section.  It sounded like a similar scenario to our birth with Samuel and I felt so bad for the person.  When Dr. Adebayo came in, I jokingly asked if we were his first birth that day and he replied, "I delivered a baby at 3:30 this morning." I am not sure what I replied because I was so shocked. I have thought about his comment so many times over the last 18 months.  It changed my perspective on doctors and grew my respect for them.  

I went into the operating room first and had my epidural started.  Except I don't think it was an epidural.  I remember shivering uncontrollably when I went in and I was so nervous as I knew I had to hold still but I was so cold that I couldn't stop shaking.  The anesthesiologist was a pretty serious fellow but somehow we ended up talking about Korea.  I think his son was living there at the time.   

(It has now been 21+ months since Henry was born and my memory is getting foggier - sorry Buddy!) I think after the anesthesia I laid down, they inserted the catheter. Ian was brought in at some point and then we were ready to go.

Ian sat up by my head.  My two main memories were: the surgery / getting the baby out seemed to take FOREVER.  With Samuel, I thought it was "bam!  Baby out!"  I also remember that it hurt so much more.  I could feel them tugging and pressure.  I don't know exactly how to describe it.  It wasn't painful like pushing or labor is painful but it was uncomfortable.  I can remember seeing spots often so I eventually just closed my eyes and tried to take deep breaths.

And then (after what felt like forever) he was here! They showed him to me briefly and took him over to get cleaned up, weighed, etc.  I don't remember Samuel crying that much when he was born.  Henry cried (and cried) the moment he came out and I don't think he settled down until I finally fed him in post op/ recovery.  

We were shocked that he was 8 pounds 7 oz just like Samuel and was a quarter of an inch taller and had a slightly smaller head.  It felt like it took a long time for them to stitch me back close.  Dr. Adebayo did make a kind comment to the nurse about, "how it is so much easier to do surgery on someone with a normal BMI".  I always feel like a whale those last few weeks so I appreciated his comment.  

Happy Birth Day to our Henry Joseph!  I could write a whole other blog post about post c section joys but I will save that for another day.  We love you Buddy and we are so glad you are here!