a little over two weeks ago, my body started to boycott being pregnant. as with any normal pregnancy, once you get closer to the end every part of you seems to say, "nope, i'm too uncomfortable, too exhausted, too achy, and way too done to even move." i had every bit of those feelings going on when a different and unexpected feeling decided to join the party.
up to that point, i had previously had 3 c-sections leaving me with a lovely scar as a souvenir. i'd never really had any problems with that little marking until recently. it started to hurt. badly. at first i thought it was just stretching or ligaments pulling or just me getting antsy to deliver. but then a burning sensation started. i literally felt like i was coming apart at the seams.
i had an appointment scheduled with my doctor in a few days so i figured i'd wait and ask him to assess the situation. he checked things out and informed me that the baby's head was firmly positioned right up against my scar and no doubt the pressure on it was causing discomfort. he gave me the usual "take it easy, call us if you notice anything unusual" drill and sent me on my way.
with my delivery date was still 2 weeks out, i was dreading every second until then. a day or two went by and the burning became more intense. standing up and walking became almost unbearable. i felt like the baby might just break on through in Alien fashion. that would qualify for an unusual enough reason to call my doctor, right?
i called their office again and explained my plight. the nurse called back and told me to head on over to the hospital. yikes! i had no idea what to expect. but i was figuring they would pat me on the head, tell me to be tough, and send me home.
jeff and i arrived at the hospital around noon. the nurses did their thing–asked questions, hooked me up to the machines, and then had me lay there in triage for a few hours until the doctor arrived. pretty boring up until this point. finally the doctor came and checked things out again. nothing had torn but he wanted to get an ultrasound to see what might be happening inside.
another few hours went by as we waited for the ultrasound and results. at about 4:30 pm the curtain to my room opened. a group of people entered the room all at once. the doctor followed them in and my stomach dropped to my toes.
we were having the baby immediately.
i started to shake. i wasn't ready yet. i hadn't mentally prepared for this. with the trauma that has surrounded our childbirths in the past, i am emotionally scarred. and here it was all over again. jeff grabbed my hands, held me still, and reminded me that everything was going to be fine. we knew it would be.
the doctor started explaining to jeff what they saw in the ultrasound. normally there is muscle shielding the scar area. i had nothing. the baby's head was pushing directly on scar tissue with no barrier. with the possibility of uterine rupture happening, they decided to bring baby out a bit early.
meanwhile the anesthesiologist gave me the news i didn't want to hear. they would have to put me under completely because i had taken my blood thinning injection that morning. it would be potentially fatal if anything went wrong with the spinal block. general anesthesia was the safest thing to do.
i can't say that i was completely calm as they were prepping me for surgery. in fact, i was shaking the entire time. but deep inside i felt peace. and an even greater peace swept over me as the fogginess was leaving and i saw something blue in front of me. as my eyes focused, jeff came into view. i remember telling him that he was the best thing i had ever seen.
and he told me we had a beautiful, healthy baby boy…
while i was sleeping.
22 Comments
oh gosh, CONGRATS Cherie! What a beautiful lil’ man! And what a story!
Your son is beautiful! Thanks for posting your story. I’m quickly (and yet not quickly enough) approaching my third c-sec. I’ve always worried about things like the scar stretching too much, rupture, etc. Your story reminded me that I’m not in charge of this crazy life, but things will be OK. I’m glad that everything turned out well for you in the end!
glad all went well. congrats to you & your family! he is just precious!!
Aww, he’s adorable, Cherie. Congrats!
ah he is perfect! having a baby so suddenly is so nerve racking! Im so glad everything went well. You have a wonderful family.
Wow! What a beautiful story! (and scary, of course) I understand emotional scarring from emergencies. When they broke my water on our second induction (Amy), the cord came out (“prolapsed cord”). Everyone panicked and had to do crazy stuff to keep her head off of the cord while they wheeled me into the surgery room (so oxygen could still flow and she wouldn’t die or have brain damage). I was terrified and crying. The worst part was… due to some miscommunication with my mom, Jon wasn’t at the hospital yet! It was the scariest thing ever and I was alone… and forever traumatized. They had to put me under, too, because of the emergency. Luckily, everything worked out in the end. I’m so happy to hear that your baby is healthy and here. He is so, so beautiful! What a blessing that you are OK, too! I wish the best for you and your beautiful family!
Oh my gosh…what a story! How scared you must’ve been. I’m glad everyone is healthy and happy now. He’s absolutely beautiful and a real blessing to you and your family, I’m sure. :o)
thanks for sharing your story! what a sweet boy!
wow. so much drama in the lbc.
but oh what a beautiful baby. can’t wait to see him!
Cherie,
I’m in tears. I remember all those feelings you had so well, I had a very scary lst delivery too! So scary!! You have been greatly blessed, I’m glad everything is going well. Keep resting!!
oh wow! I am so happy to see that the end result is healthy and happy and gorgeous! Congrats!
i SO understand the emotional scarring that can happen with childbirth. our 1st was a traumatizing (for me & baby) emergency c-section…this last baby (after 2 VBACs-which were VERY healing) was an elected c-sec. i chose it myself and the date and everything went according to plan, but i was still in panic mode…THE WHOLE DELIVERY. I was shaking the whole time & fighting my nerves with all i could through everything. i finally relaxed when i got to hold Maddie. all i can say is: sometimes i feel totally pushed to all my limits, but they are so worth it!!!!
Anyway, glad you and baby are well. and man! you sure make ’em CUTE!!!!
I’m in tears as I read this too. Nathan came in an emergency c-section. The first of my 5 kids who did so. I can’t imagine what you went through.
I am so grateful you are all fine. Your baby boy is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations!
Wow, what a story. What a beautiful picture of him!
congrats cherie and jeff!
i can babysit or bring a meal. Just let me know.
lindz
Your baby is absolutly gorgous! I am so glad you called your Dr and that everything worked out. Reading your story and then seeing your pictures had me at the point of tears, although, that happens a lot these days. Congratulations!
Wow, What a story…I’m so happy everything went so well in the end! OK…he is the most beautiful baby! Sooo sweet! Love all the pictures! Take care…best wishes and congrates!!!!!!
PS. Can I have yor e-mail to invite you to our blog, if I haven’t already?
Mary
hey, you don’t know me. I found your blog a little while back, accidentally whilst blog- hopping ;o) I have checked in from time to time and enjoyed the messages you have shared here and the pictures of your beautiful family. But I just wanted to thank you for this post in-particular. on some level I guess it might seem weird, especially to those who don’t blog, that you share an experience that is of such personal value in a forum where anyone can read it. But then I guess anyone who would think that might just be missing the point. I think what I’m trying to say (and not very well) is that I’m glad I found your blog, I’m glad I read this post and thank-you for writing it and for lifting a total stranger like me. its kind of hard to say how right here but it has. thank-you.
and congratulations on your beautiful baby boy
Rachel
Oh, Cherie! I am so glad that you are okay and that the baby is okay. I can only imagine how terrifying that must have been for you. He is beautiful. Your delivery stories are never boring….You probably wish they would be!! Miss ya! Love ya, Krista
Wow! I’m so glad everything worked out in the end! What a story! You are so blessed! Thank you for sharing something so personal! And seriously, Christian is C.U.T.E!!! Rest easy!
Goosebumps. You are such a brave woman and I am so glad that all of you made it through this surprise beginning. Christian is beautiful, and a perfect addition to the Mask fam. I can’t wait to see more pictures!
I am about 4 months post partum with my third child (csec, vbac, csec) and your story made me cry 🙂 Who says having c-sections can’t be like having a vag delivery?! I glad everything worked out and you guys are great. We go through a lot for these little people, don’t we! Sometimes these things are scary. Or just quite a bit hormonal. The ups and downs are exhausting, I myself am just having faith that I will feel it is all worth it in the end. 🙂