Michele and Nona
Scheduled C-Section Due to Baby's Breech Position. Uncomplicated Delivery
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Very early on in my pregnancy, Nona had managed to get her butt stuck in my pelvis. Needless to say, movement was greatly reduced for both of us. I could tell when the little love was getting frustrated by her lack of positioning options, usually signaled by her stomping on my cervix. This was quite an interesting sensation. However, this positioning did spare us the Aliens show. My husband, Bill, was still freaked out by her moving about in there. I was always able to determine where the back of her head was, and was quite used to the head-butts she would inflict. For me, it was comforting.
Since Nona was wedged in my pelvis, my movement was quite limited. Unlike most moms I've spoken to, I was only comfortable lying down. At least I was able to get plenty of rest toward the end of my pregnancy. I could feel her feet in my hips, which made walking difficult and bending impossible. Her back was facing out, so I couldn't bend at the waist since her spine didn't bend that way. Since I have a desk job, the last months of my pregnancy were difficult. I have a very nice, ergonomic workstation, including a brand-new chair bought just for me, but sitting there for more than a few hours was becoming ever more uncomfortable. Luckily I had opted to start my maternity leave four weeks before my due date, which turned out be VERY fortuitous since I spent the two weeks before Nona's arrival moving as little as possible. By then, walking had become an exercise in futility. Talk about a snail's pace!
I first learned that Nona was breech when I started my non-stress tests, somewhere around my 30th week. The nurses told me she had plenty of time to turn, but I knew she wouldn't. I started reading about external versions and quickly decided this wasn't something I wanted to try. Especially when I found out that my hospital only had a 60% success rate. No thank you! Where's that c-section sign up sheet? I was scheduled for a c-section, or as I like to call it, a "babyectomy," for the 17th of May, ten days before my due date.
I arrived at the hospital at 7:00 a.m., as instructed. Being 38 weeks pregnant, I was extremely hungry and thirsty. I had been told to stop eating and drinking at midnight, the night before. All I wanted to do was have some breakfast and some water. I was told that MAYBE I could have some ice chips afterward, depending on how I reacted to the epidural. I was also very nervous and excited to meet this little person who had been stomping my insides for the last nine months.
I had an awesome, awesome labor and delivery nurse, Mindie. Thank G-d for her! An emergency c-section was given my spot in the operating room, so I ended up being able to hang out in my room a bit longer than expected. I was about to be wheeled in when I was nearly bumped again. Being a scheduled c-section, I was at the bottom of the pile. Okay, fine, but I wanted to meet my baby! Being that close to being a Mommie makes common courtesy fly right out the window. Especially when you are also being denied food and drink.
I was finally escorted to the operating room around 11:15 a.m. The moment of truth was about to happen! This was the one time when Bill was not allowed to come with me, and let me tell you, it was the one moment in my life when I really needed him. Mindie let me squeeze her hand while I was being given the epidural, and she kept me from falling off the table. I was given a narcotic painkiller with it, and it made me feel very, very odd. I did NOT like it. I had to fight to keep my eyes open and I really just wanted to go to sleep. They asked me some questions, and I asked for Bill. Mindie said she'd get him once she got the catheter in and prepped my tummy. I hadn't realized that the epidural had kicked in already. I was very happy when I saw Bill walk in and I immediately felt better. With Bill by my side, I knew I could do this. Even us rocks need rocks once in a while.
I vaguely remember hearing the doctor say, "First incision, 11:52." A few moments later the resident sitting at my head peeked over the curtain and said that they were starting on my uterus. Huh? I hadn't felt any of the pulling and tugging that I had been told about. The next thing I knew, they were proclaiming, "It's DEFINITELY a girl!" We looked at the clock and noticed that it was exactly noon; quite fitting since Nona's daddy works in the food industry. She arrived precisely at lunchtime. She already knew how to get her Daddy's heart. Sneaky little love.
I had been warned that c-section babies don't cry right away, but Nona seemed to start wailing pretty soon after arriving. We listened as they weighed (7 pounds, 15 ounces), measured (19 inches) and cleaned her up. Bill was asked if he wanted to cut the cord; he declined. I'll never forget the look on his face when the pediatrician handed him his daughter! Talk about a proud papa. He looked at me and said, "I'm sorry, but this is now the best day of my life." Our wedding day had just been pushed aside. Our anniversary is the 29th of May, so I was not thrilled about having the 27th as my due date. Hence my elation having Nona arrive ten days early. Bill told me that this was the best anniversary present I could have given him.
At 12:20 p.m. I was back in my room, being spoon-fed ice chips. Nona had been whisked off to the "nursery" for her battery of tests, but rejoined us very soon. Mindie bathed her and handed me my daughter...my D-A-U-G-H-T-E-R...I was now somebody's MOTHER. Ohmig-d. What have I done?
That was six months ago. Nona has totally disrupted our lives and turned everything upside down. But we wouldn't have it any other way. She has brought to us a love and devotion we never could have imagined. How else could one sit in one spot of her couch day after day for three months and love every second of it?
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