Birth Story (long...)

As promised, here is my birth story. I am having a rough day (have a terrible cold and can't go to the NICU and Elijah is still not feeling well), so here is my distraction.

As I mentioned in my previous post They are here! that labor started with some major bleeding. Bright red, gushing. It was terrifying. I called the nurse, who took her sweet time, and started to freak out. When she got there she hooked me up on the monitor and I was so relieved to hear the 'thump, thump' of Hazel and Eli. My OB happened to be in L&D that day and was in my room within minutes. He stayed pretty calm, but as we now know, he suspected an abruption and was prepared to get these two out ASAP.

While I was waiting for the nurse I tried to call Greg. And again. Nothing. I didn't want to text him and freak him out, but knew that he must have been on the phone at work. I texted "u need to come im bleeding". He told me he was already putting his coat on when he got the text and practically hanging up on the person. I think he must have been going near 80 mph b/c he got there in record time.

By the time he arrived I was nearly all prepped and they were throwing those clothes cover things at him. I sent the text at 2:12, he works a half an hour away, and the babies were born at about 2o min to 4pm. So in just over an hour and 20 mins I had been prepped, got the spinal, cut open, and both were out.

After I reached the OR the anesthesiologist got my spinal in pretty quickly. I was super nervous about it and he kept tell me to stop running away from him. I guess I was arching my back the opposite way:) I remember my feet getting really warm, but still being able to feel them. The nurses cleaned my stomach, put the cover thing on it and I kept saying 'I can still feel it, don't cut me, please'. I guess they thought that was pretty funny.

Once they were about to start and let Greg in, I started vomiting. It was awful. There was so much, I starting begging for Zofran, which they gave me. Once the cutting started I felt a lot of tugging. I figured it meant that they were taking the babies out, nope. I was so surprised at how long the cutting took. Now I know it is b/c the incision is huge! Nearly 10 inches! Is that normal? I thought they were pretty small? Or do they shrink? Anyway, I kept asking if they were already done.

When they started to take Elijah out I could hear a gross sucking noise. I am not sure what it was. But when he came out it was the strangest suction feeling, and then I felt such a relief of pressure. Within a few seconds I heard him, screaming. It was the best sound ever. He was so loud, I just looked at Greg and we both started to cry. Then I felt the worst feeling. Apparently my uterus was pulling Hazel back in, deep near my ribs. They kept pulling on her, and a nurse was pushing from my ribs down, trying to get her out. I could feel ever tug from my mid-abdomen up. Terrible.

They were able to get her out, but she didn't cry. I know I was concerned, but within a second Greg had brought Elijah over to me and I was in awe. After a kiss or two the shaking started. I could not stop. I was begging for them to be done and kept asking how long until they were done. I guess they hadn't even gotten the placentas out.

Sometime between when the shaking started and they knocked me out, I remember my OB saying that my uterus was spoungy and to get me pitocin, quickly. I got a shot and there was a lot of talking, pulling and me begging to get put out. I guess my ute was not cooperating like it should, which explains the loss of blood and subsequent transfusion. The anesthesiologist answered my begging and put me out. I guess I started snoring. He gave me what he called "the Michael Jackson juice" and I guess it only lasts about 10 mins, but took the edge off and helped me to stop shaking. I don't really remember much after that. Just waking up in recovery, being half awake, seeing the babies in the NICU, then waking all night in pain.

So, that is my story, sorry it is so long. I was thinking the other day how nice it is to have this blog as a record, I can't imagine ever remembering each detail. Of course this blog is nice to have all of you for support:) Thank you for that, it really means a lot to me. Thanks also for all the thoughts and prayers, vibes, encouragement, advice, and just being there.