I finally have a few moments to be able to write out our birthing story. Some people may find that strange, but I want to make sure I write this while the memories are still fresh- each day that goes by, my body works to make me forget the details in hopes of a "next" pregnancy.
Mostly I want to be able to share this story with our son, this being the most important day in our lives, I want this story to live on even when my memories are faded from years of life.
Jacob Russel Gomez was conceived in late November, 2009. We didn't know at the time, and spent much of the next month preparing for the holidays with my family.
We started noticing that I was fatigued more and more easily, and slight changes to my body-
leading to Mr M to suggest that I might be expecting. That was New Years Eve.
New Years Day 2010 I took a test confirming what we had suspected, in 9 short months we would be parents.
I had a really wonderful and easy, no morning sickness to speak of! I slept for 18 to 22 hours a day all of the third and fourth months. Mr M was amazing, making sure I would eat and take my vitamins.
We did all of our blood work & went to get our ultrasounds. I took every test that was offered, and read up on any and all issues that could arise.
The day we found out we were having a boy, we also found out that our son had a hole in his heart. We met with a doctor that explained all the concerns that came up on the ultrasound- they were concerned that he had tested high on a few genetic markers. Namingly for Downe Syndrome, that added to the news of the hole in his heart made for a hard day. But we agreed that I should get an amniocentesis.
Mr M, being afraid of needles, asked for Oma to go with me. It went as well as can be expected for having a 8" needle stabbed through my stomach. Then it was a waiting game for the results.
The fifth month I visited our family in Mass. I had gained 25lbs and was doing very well, even better was getting the news that our guppy was perfectly fine!!!
Most of our pregnancy passed without much ado- more weight gain, lots of movement, and growing excitement.
Waiting was the hardest on both of us. We couldn't wait to meet our little man!
Our first glimmer came on Aug 21st. Daddy was at work & I had settled in for a long night, when our guppy decided to start kicking very hard. Within a couple hours I was having contractions, and they grew in intensity and came closer together.
I texted daddy to come get me for a trip to Labor & Delivery. After a 4 hour stint, they decided to send me home to wait out my labor until I was "in so much pain you cant stand"- riiiiight.
So wait I did, and on the following Monday we went in for my last check up. To my surprise I was STILL in labor, and my BP was way too high.
After a battery of tests, and I was told to go home (again) and wait it out. And so we waited, knowing that we had a whole week before our next Drs apt. Still having contractions and getting frustrated, we spent our time preparing baby things.
Finally on the 30th, I awoke to strong contractions- but knowing I had a apt in a couple of hours, I didn't stress going in any earlier than necessary.
To the Dr we went. Check up was stressful, and my BP was high yet again. But after being checked, our Dr told us to get some blood labs before heading up to L&D.
Today was the day!
We checked in at labor and delivery, changed into my hospital gown and then was hooked up to monitor my contractions. Ultrasounds were taken to measure the fluid around Jacob & make sure everything was going smoothly. Everything was now pointing to us being sent home again, until they decided to check my dilatation again.
Low and behold, 4cm and 75r% effaced. This baby was ready to go.
Daddy went to file all the paperwork for my check in, as I was prepped for a HepLock.
The nurse and her assistant ended up blowing out two veins before they decided to get the anesthesiologist to properly insert the 16 gauge needle and adminiter my drugs.
He and I gained a quick and friendly report. Check in was completed by 3pm and we were moved to our laboring room.
Now checked in and ready, daddy made the calls letting people know Jacob would "soon" be born.
Aunt Kelly decided to visit after work and bring uncle mike too.
By the time she arrived, I was in the process of getting my epidural. It was 6:30pm
& I had waited as long as I could, toughing out each contraction, but to say that pain was intense would be an understatement!
The labor went much faster after that. We read magazines, chatted and laughed as we awaited the arrival of our baby.
Hours went by with steady progress, but we stalled out at hour 17. By then it was apparent that Jacob was "sunny side up", and could not be born in that position.
The next hour was spent prepping for an emergency C-section.
Daddy was given scrubs, and made the calls to family to let them know we were headed to the OR.
I was tied down to a bed, given more drugs to numb me without putting me under.
From the first incision to the time of birth it was 40minutes. Though I wasn't in pain, i felt immense pressure as the surgeon helped Jacob into the world. At this point I was completely out of it due to the various drugs I was given, and could not hold Jacob for fear of dropping him.
Daddy checked on our new family member, while I was stitched up and given oxygen.
Soon thereafter, we were moved to our room to recover. Jacob rested while I was given fluids. Daddy texted and made the calls to announce that Jacob had finally arived!
The next few days yealded little sleep, and a few complications. After pronouncing that I was the most anemic patient they had seen in years, I was given a blood transfusion. The infection that had set in durring labor caused my fever to spike multipul times, and antibiotics were once again needed.
Though it was not ideal, it was the best experience of my life. I wouldnt change a single minute. I wont ever forget the look on my husbands face as he held our son for the first time, or the joy of our family in seeing Jacob happy & healthy.
Even now, I am grateful for everyone that ensured the healthy birth of my precious boy. And though I've tried, words seem to fail in describing the wonderful experience we all shared on Augest 31st.
Mostly I want to be able to share this story with our son, this being the most important day in our lives, I want this story to live on even when my memories are faded from years of life.
Jacob Russel Gomez was conceived in late November, 2009. We didn't know at the time, and spent much of the next month preparing for the holidays with my family.
We started noticing that I was fatigued more and more easily, and slight changes to my body-
leading to Mr M to suggest that I might be expecting. That was New Years Eve.
New Years Day 2010 I took a test confirming what we had suspected, in 9 short months we would be parents.
I had a really wonderful and easy, no morning sickness to speak of! I slept for 18 to 22 hours a day all of the third and fourth months. Mr M was amazing, making sure I would eat and take my vitamins.
We did all of our blood work & went to get our ultrasounds. I took every test that was offered, and read up on any and all issues that could arise.
The day we found out we were having a boy, we also found out that our son had a hole in his heart. We met with a doctor that explained all the concerns that came up on the ultrasound- they were concerned that he had tested high on a few genetic markers. Namingly for Downe Syndrome, that added to the news of the hole in his heart made for a hard day. But we agreed that I should get an amniocentesis.
Mr M, being afraid of needles, asked for Oma to go with me. It went as well as can be expected for having a 8" needle stabbed through my stomach. Then it was a waiting game for the results.
The fifth month I visited our family in Mass. I had gained 25lbs and was doing very well, even better was getting the news that our guppy was perfectly fine!!!
Most of our pregnancy passed without much ado- more weight gain, lots of movement, and growing excitement.
Waiting was the hardest on both of us. We couldn't wait to meet our little man!
Our first glimmer came on Aug 21st. Daddy was at work & I had settled in for a long night, when our guppy decided to start kicking very hard. Within a couple hours I was having contractions, and they grew in intensity and came closer together.
I texted daddy to come get me for a trip to Labor & Delivery. After a 4 hour stint, they decided to send me home to wait out my labor until I was "in so much pain you cant stand"- riiiiight.
So wait I did, and on the following Monday we went in for my last check up. To my surprise I was STILL in labor, and my BP was way too high.
After a battery of tests, and I was told to go home (again) and wait it out. And so we waited, knowing that we had a whole week before our next Drs apt. Still having contractions and getting frustrated, we spent our time preparing baby things.
Finally on the 30th, I awoke to strong contractions- but knowing I had a apt in a couple of hours, I didn't stress going in any earlier than necessary.
To the Dr we went. Check up was stressful, and my BP was high yet again. But after being checked, our Dr told us to get some blood labs before heading up to L&D.
Today was the day!
We checked in at labor and delivery, changed into my hospital gown and then was hooked up to monitor my contractions. Ultrasounds were taken to measure the fluid around Jacob & make sure everything was going smoothly. Everything was now pointing to us being sent home again, until they decided to check my dilatation again.
Low and behold, 4cm and 75r% effaced. This baby was ready to go.
Daddy went to file all the paperwork for my check in, as I was prepped for a HepLock.
The nurse and her assistant ended up blowing out two veins before they decided to get the anesthesiologist to properly insert the 16 gauge needle and adminiter my drugs.
He and I gained a quick and friendly report. Check in was completed by 3pm and we were moved to our laboring room.
Now checked in and ready, daddy made the calls letting people know Jacob would "soon" be born.
Aunt Kelly decided to visit after work and bring uncle mike too.
By the time she arrived, I was in the process of getting my epidural. It was 6:30pm
& I had waited as long as I could, toughing out each contraction, but to say that pain was intense would be an understatement!
The labor went much faster after that. We read magazines, chatted and laughed as we awaited the arrival of our baby.
Hours went by with steady progress, but we stalled out at hour 17. By then it was apparent that Jacob was "sunny side up", and could not be born in that position.
The next hour was spent prepping for an emergency C-section.
Daddy was given scrubs, and made the calls to family to let them know we were headed to the OR.
I was tied down to a bed, given more drugs to numb me without putting me under.
From the first incision to the time of birth it was 40minutes. Though I wasn't in pain, i felt immense pressure as the surgeon helped Jacob into the world. At this point I was completely out of it due to the various drugs I was given, and could not hold Jacob for fear of dropping him.
Daddy checked on our new family member, while I was stitched up and given oxygen.
Soon thereafter, we were moved to our room to recover. Jacob rested while I was given fluids. Daddy texted and made the calls to announce that Jacob had finally arived!
The next few days yealded little sleep, and a few complications. After pronouncing that I was the most anemic patient they had seen in years, I was given a blood transfusion. The infection that had set in durring labor caused my fever to spike multipul times, and antibiotics were once again needed.
Though it was not ideal, it was the best experience of my life. I wouldnt change a single minute. I wont ever forget the look on my husbands face as he held our son for the first time, or the joy of our family in seeing Jacob happy & healthy.
Even now, I am grateful for everyone that ensured the healthy birth of my precious boy. And though I've tried, words seem to fail in describing the wonderful experience we all shared on Augest 31st.
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