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Blossome's Pregnancy
My Due Date: November 17, 2011I have given birth!
Age: 37 years old
Location: Phoenix, United States
Expecting: Twins
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My Birth Story Pt. 2
By Blossome » Posted Nov. 6, 2011 5:30am - 963 views - 4 comments
Around 4pm, the contractions were very intense, and they brought in my OB out of concern.Another cervical check showed I was 5cm and completely effaced. My doc offered me another option. Go in for the c/s now, or attempt to break my water and see if the lower baby's head engaged, to encourage further dilation. I opted again to keep trying the VBAC, and the minute he broke my water, I dilated to 7cm and the head enagaged.
Roughly an hour later I started having intese burning around my lower abdomen, followed by intense pain and concentrated contractions in a small area on my belly. The anethesiologist was brought in to top off my epidural, which stopped things for another hour or so, and then it started again. The nurses were concerned, because with the amount of fentanyl I had just been given, I shouldn't even have felt when I was contracting. They called in my doctor, who at my description of the pain became concerned that my uterine scar was at risk of or was beginning to rupture. The pain was so intense I couldn't breath or talk or see clearly during the contractions, which also was worrisome given the epidural strength. Finally he came in and took my hand and said 'Hon, I think it's time to throw in the towel on this one, but I'll leave it up to you.'
I was in so much pain, it was hard just to think. I finally made the decision that I simply could not handle the level of pain I was in, and agreed with my OB to have the c/s. I was prepped immediately and wheeled to the OR, with a fresh dose of painkillers on the way.
At 7:20pm, Dakota Alan was born. He scored 9/9 on the APGAR, and weighed 5lbs 15oz. At 7:22pm, his brother Denali Michael was born, at 5lbs 7oz. He scored 8/9 APGAR, and was initially fine, but shortly thereafter started grunting while breathing, and was taken to the NICU to be placed on a CPAP. My wife went with him as they completed my tubal ligation and stitched me up.
When I arrived in recovery, I was barely concious, and slowly woke up. I had complete double vision, but my wife was there with Dakota, and I was able to breastfeed him within his first hour of life (something which pleased me greatly). I learned that Denali was in the NICU, but was doing fine. I was taken up to my private recovery room, and some hours later was able to be taken down to the NICU to visit him.He had been taken off the CPAP, and was breathing fine after the first night, but his jaundice was of mild concern, and he was being treated with phototherapy to lower his bilirubin levels, so I was unable to hold him until the next day. After a 5 day stay in recovery, all of us were released on the same day, and Denali and Dakota came home with us together, on 10/30.
It was a bit of a scary experience..I don't remember much about the surgery, I was in and out of consciousness, and it all appeared very rushed and crazy to me, though apparently it was very calm and routine in truth. I'm so glad my wife was by my side every step of the way...I would have been so scared without hir there to hold my hand and keep me safe. But everything came out okay, and now we're all home and doing well!
My Journal
My Birth Story Pt. 2
By Blossome » Posted Nov. 6, 2011 5:30am - 963 views - 4 comments
Around 4pm, the contractions were very intense, and they brought in my OB out of concern.Another cervical check showed I was 5cm and completely effaced. My doc offered me another option. Go in for the c/s now, or attempt to break my water and see if the lower baby's head engaged, to encourage further dilation. I opted again to keep trying the VBAC, and the minute he broke my water, I dilated to 7cm and the head enagaged.
Roughly an hour later I started having intese burning around my lower abdomen, followed by intense pain and concentrated contractions in a small area on my belly. The anethesiologist was brought in to top off my epidural, which stopped things for another hour or so, and then it started again. The nurses were concerned, because with the amount of fentanyl I had just been given, I shouldn't even have felt when I was contracting. They called in my doctor, who at my description of the pain became concerned that my uterine scar was at risk of or was beginning to rupture. The pain was so intense I couldn't breath or talk or see clearly during the contractions, which also was worrisome given the epidural strength. Finally he came in and took my hand and said 'Hon, I think it's time to throw in the towel on this one, but I'll leave it up to you.'
I was in so much pain, it was hard just to think. I finally made the decision that I simply could not handle the level of pain I was in, and agreed with my OB to have the c/s. I was prepped immediately and wheeled to the OR, with a fresh dose of painkillers on the way.
At 7:20pm, Dakota Alan was born. He scored 9/9 on the APGAR, and weighed 5lbs 15oz. At 7:22pm, his brother Denali Michael was born, at 5lbs 7oz. He scored 8/9 APGAR, and was initially fine, but shortly thereafter started grunting while breathing, and was taken to the NICU to be placed on a CPAP. My wife went with him as they completed my tubal ligation and stitched me up.
When I arrived in recovery, I was barely concious, and slowly woke up. I had complete double vision, but my wife was there with Dakota, and I was able to breastfeed him within his first hour of life (something which pleased me greatly). I learned that Denali was in the NICU, but was doing fine. I was taken up to my private recovery room, and some hours later was able to be taken down to the NICU to visit him.He had been taken off the CPAP, and was breathing fine after the first night, but his jaundice was of mild concern, and he was being treated with phototherapy to lower his bilirubin levels, so I was unable to hold him until the next day. After a 5 day stay in recovery, all of us were released on the same day, and Denali and Dakota came home with us together, on 10/30.
It was a bit of a scary experience..I don't remember much about the surgery, I was in and out of consciousness, and it all appeared very rushed and crazy to me, though apparently it was very calm and routine in truth. I'm so glad my wife was by my side every step of the way...I would have been so scared without hir there to hold my hand and keep me safe. But everything came out okay, and now we're all home and doing well!
Comments for this Journal Entry
 | Comment from TangleBirdie » Posted Nov. 8, 2011 9:38pm Congratulations both of you!! I loved reading this story it was fantastic that you posted it up and we are able to share in your experience! Glad the boys are both well and your all at home happy! well done.. |
 | Comment from Shannybum » Posted Nov. 6, 2011 10:19am congrats you two! thank you for sharig your story and photos! |
 | Comment from Blossome » Posted Nov. 6, 2011 5:57am <3 |
 | Comment from Zizzily » Posted Nov. 6, 2011 5:56am Well, I'm certainly glad I could be there to hold your hand, and I'll definitely be around to keep holding your hand whenever you need me. |
