My baby boy Zander was born November 28, 2011.
Throughout the entire pregnancy, I had planned to give birth naturally. I had prepared myself in many ways and was excited about the whole birth experience. I was happy to go through the "rite of passage" into motherhood. To me this involved labor, pushing, and perhaps rushing to the hospital.
I guess that's just how life is though. It almost never goes according to plan. At 36 weeks, my doctor told me everything looked good, baby was head down, see ya next week. At 37 weeks, we had an ultrasound that showed he was breech. His head was up high in my belly and his bum was down low. My doctor told me if he was still breech at 39 weeks, which he almost guaranteed he would be, he would have to deliver him c-section. I left that appointment totally shaken up. After having a near-perfect pregnancy and being so healthy my whole life, the idea of a c-section had never even entered my mind. It had always seemed like such a scary thing for a person to go through, and now I was faced with it. That day was rough, but by the next day I was really okay with it. I prayed, cried to Curtis, talked to my mom, and thought about it all day. And somehow I became very fine with it. We still tried several ways at home to try to turn him, but my baby was stubborn and wasn't going to budge.
Throughout the entire pregnancy, I had planned to give birth naturally. I had prepared myself in many ways and was excited about the whole birth experience. I was happy to go through the "rite of passage" into motherhood. To me this involved labor, pushing, and perhaps rushing to the hospital.
I guess that's just how life is though. It almost never goes according to plan. At 36 weeks, my doctor told me everything looked good, baby was head down, see ya next week. At 37 weeks, we had an ultrasound that showed he was breech. His head was up high in my belly and his bum was down low. My doctor told me if he was still breech at 39 weeks, which he almost guaranteed he would be, he would have to deliver him c-section. I left that appointment totally shaken up. After having a near-perfect pregnancy and being so healthy my whole life, the idea of a c-section had never even entered my mind. It had always seemed like such a scary thing for a person to go through, and now I was faced with it. That day was rough, but by the next day I was really okay with it. I prayed, cried to Curtis, talked to my mom, and thought about it all day. And somehow I became very fine with it. We still tried several ways at home to try to turn him, but my baby was stubborn and wasn't going to budge.
So we scheduled his birthday. It seemed strange that I could choose which day it would be. The surgery would take place November 28 at noon. My doctor told me that once the scalpel was in his hand, he could have the baby out in 5 minutes. How amazing. And how terrifying.
November 28 was a Monday. I slept surprisingly well the night before, considering my life was about to change forever. That morning Curtis and I got ready like any other day, packed our last few things, got in the car, and drove to the hospital. We had to get there a couple hours early for some paperwork and so they could prep me for surgery. As we went about everything, I kept thinking "I can't believe this is really happening. I'm about to meet my son!" Curtis kept checking the clock and counting down the time until noon. We were getting more and more excited and I was getting more and more nervous.
A little before noon we walked to the operating room and they had me lie down on a table. I got my spinal, my catheter, my IV with fluids, and my oxygen mask. This part was all so embarrassing. There were so many people in the room. An anesthesiologist, a few nurses, two doctors, a med student, and of course Curtis. So many people able to see me just lying there, naked on the table. At this point I was terrified. I tried to be brave but I looked at Curtis and said "I don't want to do this anymore." I think he thought I was joking. I knew it was much too late for that, but I wasn't joking. But he just laughed and held my hand.We waited for a few minutes for my doctor to arrive. I was surprised how happy I was to see him. I had been treated by strangers all day, and it just felt so good to see a familiar face. It also meant I was about to see my son.
And he wasn't lying; it only took about 5 minutes and my baby was out. I didn't get to see him, but I watched Curtis light up when he saw him. I heard him cry for the first time and I just started crying. That was my baby I could hear. The next 15 minutes dragged. I had to be stitched back up (all 7 layers they had cut through needed stitches.), and my baby had to be checked, cleaned, weighed and measured. (8 lb 3 oz, 21")I could hear Curtis saying "cute" over and over. He was so funny. He eventually came running over to me to show me pictures he had taken so I could see what he looked like. But then he ran back to take more pictures and I kept waiting. Finally Zander was all wrapped up and ready to see me. Curtis carried him over to me and the first time I touched him I kissed him on the head. He was so perfect. After a couple more minutes I was done and then I got to hold my baby. I couldn't believe how beautiful he was. I was so happy. He was finally here.
It still sounds weird to say that I had a baby. I feel like I can't say that because I didn't go through the typical labor and delivery. But I did have a baby. He just wanted to "come into the world backwards" as my doctor said it. And I am a mom! And loving every minute of it.Today's happy: My baby boy Zander.
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