Well, Valerie arrived earlier than expected! I was scheduled for a c-section on Wednesday the 14th, but she had other plans!
She was born on May 11, weighing 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 1/2 inches long. Here's the details of what happened:
Saturday night I went to bed around 11pm with bad pains and exhaustion. DH came to bed later and when he did, I got woken up to notice that my cramps/pains were still there. I rolled over to the other side, got comfortable, and fell back to sleep. Around 3am I felt this incredible sensation to use the restroom so I went. As I wiped, my toilet paper was filled with blood and I began to freak out, yelling for DH to come here. I was having intense pains coming and going and with the blood, I knew something wasn't right. So I called the doctor and they had me come on in to Labor and Delivery. We got there around 4am.
When I got there, they hooked me up to the monitor and noticed that I was having contractions 5-6 minutes apart. I was only 1 cm dilated still, so they just thought they'd watch me for a little bit. By 6am she came back in to check me and noticed my contractions were coming 2-3 minutes apart and I had dilated to 2 cm. So she let the doctor know; he came in and said, "Well, let's go ahead and do the c-section today." He said it with such ease and simplicity, I was like; ok when will we do it. He says, Here within the next hour. Suddenly it hit me...I was going to have this little girl today.
Three nurses came in and began prepping me for surgery. The IV, shaving, paperwork, and all that jazz. Eventually the wonderful epidural guy came in and I felt myself began to panic. But let me explain something, I can full-heartedly say that my IV in my arm hurt worse then the epidural!! Once that was in, I was in heaven and was waiting to start the surgery. Went in about 8:15 and our little girl came into the world at 8:29am. It was simply amazing and I didn't mind having the c-section at all. I have been recooperating and doing well. It has been painful and hard, but they sent me home today (Tuesday) because I've been doing so well. HOpefully it continues.
Valerie has been perfect. Since I am breastfeeding and all I have is cholostrome, they weren't supplmenting forumula or anything....she wasn't gaining weight. They said this is typical for a breastfed baby. She dropped though from 8lbs 6 oz. to 7 lbs. 10 oz. Because of this we started supplementing forumla along with the breastfeeding and we go to the doctor tomorrow to make sure her weight has increased or steadied out. I know this is normal like they all said, but of course I was worried she wasn't gaining weight. Other than that, she's healthy, petite, and quite perfect. Here are some pics;
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