Tuesday, May 21

Alyssa's Birth Story

Here is the story of sweet Alyssa's arrival on April 2, 2013

We had a scheduled c-section because Alyssa was breech.  At every check up, except for one, she was breech so I was pretty much prepared to have a c-section.  The night of the surgery, both Park and I could not sleep.  The c-section was scheduled at 7am which meant we had to check in at 5am.  We were both so nervous and excited that it kept us up till 2 in the morning.  We pretty much only had 2 hours of sleep.  

Once we arrived at the hospital, I was taken into the prep/recover room.  I was only in there for a few minutes before a rush of nurses came in with cord blood banking and placenta information.  At that point, I was still in my normal clothes.  The nurses saw that I was still trying to change into the hospital gown, they left to give me a few moments of privacy.  Once I was changed and settled, another set of nurses came in to hook me up with the IV.  I don't know if it was the nurse that I had or what, but it was a little painful.  But now looking back, that was not as bad as the epidural.  


Last picture as a family of 2



Once all the paper work was taken care of, we were left alone.  We talked about how excited we were to finally meet our little girl and how nervous I was about the surgery.  Finally at 7am, my doctor came in to do another ultra sound just to make sure the baby was still breech before we move forward with the c-section.  After another 15 minutes of waiting, I was taken into the OR.  Once I was settled on the operating table, the anesthesiologist started prepping my back for the shots.  The first shot was the numbing meds and the second is the epidural.  Normally, it would just be those two shots but I was super lucky, I got about 10!!  Due to my short torso and HUGE belly, I was unable to bend over enough for my spine to separate for the anesthesiologist to insert the epidural.  It was pretty painful every time he stuck me with the numbing meds then the epidural that I wanted to give up, but I couldn't because how the heck would the baby be delivered if I did?!  Finally, he had to ask another anesthesiologist to help him.  I think it only took the new anesthesiologist one try to get the epidural in.   My legs started to feel warm right away.  The nurse slowly helped me lay on my back in preparation for surgery.  Once I was down on my back, I got a headache right away.  The nurse injected this medication that took the headache away like magic!  Then I started to feel nauseous then light headed.  It seem like every symptom I was told I had but the nurse was able to keep me comfortable the entire time.  At first I was getting really scared because it sounded like my doctor was already starting the surgery and Park was still in the prep/recovery room.  But I finally heard one of the nurses say they were going to get dad.  Once Park was in the room and sitting next to me,  I felt calmer.  I can't remember what happened but I just remember after what seem like minutes, my doctor said all the working parts are out and seconds after that, I heard screaming!  I kid you not, my baby came out screaming!  My doctor even said that she didn't even have to do anything to get a sound out of her and that her lungs were definitely healthy!  My doctor presented Alyssa to us Lion King style and by this point I was crying my eyes out I was so happy.  



Proud Papa
Love her dimples!
After going through the pain and discomfort of pregnancy and the epidural, holding Alyssa and seeing her sweet face was all worth it.  


1 comment:

  1. We cannot wait to meet her! We've been giving you guys space to get to know her and get your schedules figured out, but I'm getting anxious!! She's too cute and I want to meet here!! I'm so glad the Drs were able to keep you comfortable once they got the epidural working. Miss seeing you around!

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