3 Weeks

It has been three weeks since my last post. So much has happened since then, I think I have been putting off blogging about it because of all the emotions that can overwhelm me when I think back. However I want to remember Austin's birth story and I want to share it. With that being said this may take several days to get posted!

October 14, 2008
What an exciting day it was! Brian left for work anticipating having several days off for Austin's delivery. Logan and I were left to spend some alone time together before leaving him with my parents for a few days. We woke up, showered, finished packing, took a nap, went to lunch with Mimi (our favorite place-Panera), went to Mimi and Papa's to hang out until daddy came to meet us. After Logan and I relaxed my mom took several great pictures of my big belly (one last time) and of me and Logan. When Brian got there she took pictures of the three of us. I have posted these up at Snapfish, but here are a few of my favorites.






After the photoshoot, my mom, dad, Logan, me, and Brian went to eat mexican. After dinner, we left Logan with my parents and Brian and I headed down to Northside. We arrived at Northside around 8:30 and checked into our room at 9:00. After getting hooked up to the heartbeat monitor and IV, we were left to have a peaceful nights sleep; so we thought. The baby's heart rate dropped several times throughout the night as did my blood pressure. So a nurse was constantly coming in and having me turn over and move to get the baby's heart rate up. At 5am the nurse came in to get the show on the road - induction time! I was given an enema (TMI - I know), time to shower, and get ready for pitocin. I was given pitocin around 9am and Dr. Glander came in to break my water shortly after that. I was still only 2cm at this point and the baby had not come down. We knew we were in for a long day. Our family began to arrive around 11am to wait for Austin's arrival. Little did everyone know that would not happen for almost 8 more hours. It was a long, exhausting, scary day. After I had my epidural the problems began. I was feeling all of the contractions, the baby's heart rate was dropping down to the 70's and 60's, I had to wear an oxygen mask, one nurse was convinced the baby was breech and we had to have an ultrasound. He wasn't breeched, just up high. Another nurse had me turning and putting my legs up in stirups to get the baby to go down. The doctor kept coming in and checking on me and I was slowly progressing. At one point we were given a time of 6 or 7 for the baby to come naturally or we would move to a c-section. By 6:30 nothing was changing, I was getting worse, Austin's heart rate was slowing with each contraction. The doctor said time is up and within an instant there was so many people in my room preparing me for a c-section. I was crying, Brian was worried, our family was packing up our things to take to recovery. It was a very scary time. After getting prepped I was able to kiss everyone and Brian and I headed to the OR. Brian couldn't come into the OR until I was completely ready, so he kissed me at the door and said he would see me soon. Brian and I didn't get to see Austin come into the world. My epidural was not working and the baby had to come out. I had to be put to sleep, which meant Brian was not allowed in the room with me. The last thing I remember is the anthestesiologist telling me to think about the beach and I was out. I woke up in recovery asking Brian if the baby was okay with all of his fingers and toes. Austin was okay weighing in at 7lbs 14oz and 20inches long. He had/has a head full of black hair. I asked for my mom but couldn't see anyone until I was up in my room an hour later. Here are pictures that Brian was able to take in the recovery room.



I still can't believe I had to have an emergency c-section. The days after Austin's birth were very difficult. We (me, Brian and Austin) stayed in the hospital until Sunday October 19th. I spent a lot of time holding Austin, sleeping (trying to through the pain), walking to regain my strength, enjoying the company of visitors, and watching a lot of TV! Here is a slide show of recovery at Northside:


As I said we left the hospital on Sunday Oct. 19. These are pictures of us leaving and heading home.






My mom came and helped me with the boys and the house for the first two weeks. I ended up getting really sick with an infection from surgery and bleeding internally which clotted off and was painful. I couldn't do much but sit and nurse Austin. It was really hard on everyone. Thank you to my mom and dad who were there each day to care for me, the kids, and the house. Thank you to my in-laws who came over and helped with boys and whatever we needed. Thank you to my co-workers who brought dinners for the first two weeks - so awesome! Thank you to my wonderful husband who kept it all togehter as I was falling apart.