Tuesday, January 20, 2009

More about Ainzlee

I suppose I should give more details about how my little one came into the world. I guess that as far as the doctors are concerned, it was pretty mundane, but it's not something that I do every day.
Of my three c-sections, this one was by far the easiest. Probably because I knew what to expect, and while I knew it wouldn't be pleasant, I didn't have the unknown to be frightened of.
I think that one of the hardest parts of the whole ordeal is the waiting for it to start. The actual surgery was scheduled for 7:30am, but they asked us to arrive at 5:30. The first 20 minutes or so was spent verifying paperwork and literally signing my life away. Then, they put in an IV (very painfully I might add), and pretty much left us alone for about an hour and a half. That gave me plenty of time to TRY not to think about what was going to happen.
It was during this waiting period that I started to majorly freak out before Ady was born. I told myself that I was NOT going to do that this time. Thanks to an AWESOME Sunday School lesson the week before, I kept repeating in my mind "Faith before Fear". I knew that if I had faith, everything would be fine. So, I did my best to let faith replace the fear that I was feeling. For the most part it worked pretty well.
They took me back into the OR. They wouldn't let Brandon into the room until I had the spinal in and was all prepped. Thankfully, the surgical assistant was wonderful. He held my hand and told me to squeeze as hard as I needed to while the anesthesiologist put the spinal in. One of the worst parts of the whole process. Then they got everything else ready, and had Brandon come in. I think he was a little surprised that I was as calm as I was.
The actual surgery is surprisingly painless. That spinal does the trick, I guess. But it is pretty uncomfortable. They put up a big paper shield, so I can't actually see what they are doing. I'm sure that's a very good thing. I can feel pressure and feel things moving around, but that's about it. I also try very hard to forget that I am lying naked in a room full of people.
Then, they told me that it was time to push. (With a c-section, it's the doctors that actually push the baby out.) This part is VERY uncomfortable for me. First, I heard them say "look at that blond hair!". Then, "It's a girl!". And then, the most beautiful sound of all. Ainzlee's first cry! So sweet! I couldn't help but cry too!


At that point, Brandon left my side and went to where they were taking care of the baby. I couldn't see her at all from where I was. The doctors were still busy putting me back together. I started to shake uncontrollably. I'm sure that happened with the others. In fact, I know it did. But, for some reason, that's when the fear crept in. I was lying there, feeling completely alone (irrational, I know), and every part of me that wasn't numb from the spinal was shaking. Hard.
For a few brief moments the thought crossed my mind that I was dying. That I'd never actually see my baby. Crazy, I know. At last they finished sewing me up. They told me that the shaking was completely normal (although I didn't believe them at first) and took us to our room.
Finally, one of the nurses took pity on me and gave me something that stopped the shaking. What a relief! However, whatever that was, and a few other narcotics I was given (something about being 7 times stronger than morphine) made me a little incoherent. I know that we spent some time in a recovery room. I think I called my mother. But, I don't really remember much of it.
Then, we were taken to a room that would be our home for the next few days. I had told Brandon that I did NOT want him spending the night. I needed to be able to sleep, and experience has shown that it is impossible for me to sleep in a hospital with him snoring across the room. Besides, I knew that the nurses would be there and I would be taken care of.
For the most part, our stay was uneventful. The first night, I did have a nurse that I refer to as the Nazi nurse. She was very insistent about sticking to her schedule. Which was rather unfortunate. I called for help a couple times, and she didn't come because it wasn't my "scheduled time" yet. Thankfully, it wasn't anything really pressing that I needed her for. I just wanted help getting the baby out of her bed since I could barely sit up - she went back to sleep after only a few minutes of crying. *sigh*. Once I did get her, I decided it would be easier on everyone if she just stayed in bed with me.I think that with any hospital stay, you always end up with one of "those" types of nurses. All the others that I had were wonderful and very helpful.


My time at the hospital was "almost" like a little vacation. I got room service - they actually have wonderful food there. I didn't have to clean up after anyone, except for a few diapers. And I got to spend that special time getting to know my little princess.
Brandon did come and visit me during the day, of course. And his parents brought the kids to come and see me and their new baby sister. The room was not designed for that many people, and the kids got bored there very quickly. But, I was glad that they got that experience.



We now are all back at home, and trying to adjust to life with a new baby in the house. She is really doing well. She loves to be held, and we don't mind that one bit. (yet) Even nighttime isn't too rough. Last night, we went to bed after I fed her at about 11:30. She didn't wake up again until 3:30. She did stay awake for about an hour - but I got some online shopping done (heh heh heh). Then she slept until Zander woke us up at 7. I can live with that.
We are looking forward to watching her grow up!

15 comments:

Krystal said...

You are so awesome! you were thinking about sunday school at the hospital, thats great! Thats one Jennifer Tuggle needs to hear! :D What caused the shaking? Glad youre all home well! Congratulations!

Sarah & Eddie said...

Congrats again! I have always been one to look forward to the birthing process, but once it's over with, I am sooo glad it's done. I can't even begin to imagine what a c-section would be like...it's takes a tough women to endure, not ONE but THREE of them. Can't wait to see your new daughter!

Caranna said...

Oh Layney, this made me so sad! I'm sorry you had a mean nurse and that you couldn't get your baby and she had to cry - that makes me so sad!

BUT I'm so glad she's here and you're both home and healthy.

I love you shishter.

hillari said...

thanks for all the details, I always like to hear people's stories. I hate getting mean nurses--that is really crappy. Glad you're home and doing well!

Sarah & Eddie said...

I was gonna say...immediately following Ryan's birth I got the "shakes"...it was the freakiest thing. I wonder if it's caused by the same thing that caused yours.

Gardner Family said...

A few questions: Where did you have her? And who was your doctor?
Sounds like it went well. She's adorable.

The Dominguez Family said...

Glad you guys are doing well... Congrats on your lil one.

Jackie said...

Awwwww.....your daughter is so cute and ever so precious!! Congrats and I miss you in the EtsyBaby forumns...
Also wanted to let you know that my granddaughter Arianna lover her ZadyBall!! It was delivered while I was visiting her....:)
Jackie @ TotzHatz

Ashley & Kevin said...

She is adorable! I totally had a nazi nurse the night after Brok was born- She was so nazi that I was 5min late to feed him (he was in NICU) & she had given him a bottle!

Love the pictures of the kids holding her- How cute! Zander looks so proud!

Kandice and Rob said...

Congratulations again! And the pictures are great!!

I hope you're both feeling good.

Remember what that nurse looks like you so you can ram her with your cart if you ever see her in the grocery store ;)

bethany said...

Congratulations!! Good luck with three-I'm not sure I could handle it!!

I know what you mean about the hospital kind of being a vacation-I thought the same thing!! In fact, after I got home, I kept thinking about how wonderful it was to have some relaxation in the hospital and wanted to go back :)

myminimocs said...

a wonderful new adventure begins for the whole family with another life added to it - Congratulations Alayna~
thank you for sharing your experience here. God has truly blessed you!!! i'm here to tell you that natzi nurse makes here around in every hospital across the country and possibly around the world LOL
glad she was only on for one night!
i pray that peace and joy are your fill!!!

Brandi Jo said...

Congrats! What a sweet little girl. It is always a little nerve racking when you have a baby!

1286 Kids said...

Oh my... what a touching story! I am still wiping the happy tears from my face. So glad to see your name on the thread posts and to hear that you all are doing well. Take care of yourself, the kids and especially the little one - it will be great to "see" you again!

Liz (daisy creek)

Jolyn Pobanz said...

Congratulations, you two!!! What a beautiful family you have! Your blog is so great. We love being able to read the latest with the Slinker Family. You guys are great! Congrats!!!