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Evie-Mae, born 2.29pm on Tuesday 5th April by elective c-section,weighing 5lbs 7oz.
I was admitted the night before,I was going to ask to go home again, but once I was at the hospital, it seemed the right thing to stay. Besides, I thought I had a show earlier on (how wrong I was!)and I felt reassured to be there!
I was told that I was first on the list the next morning and should expect to go to theatre at about 9am. DP arrived at 8am and we were both a bundle of nerves! At 8.30 we were told that the list had been changed and I should expect to go down at 10/10.30 (GRRR)! We paced around together, but as time went on a got more and more on edge! By 11.30 I began to develop a headache (I assumed it was nerves!), we were told that there was a problem in theatre but we shouldnt be long!! By 12.30 I could no longer move my head and the nurses got a bit concerned and rang theatre. The anaethetist said I was probably de-hydrated and to put me on a drip. By this time I was convinced they would cancel the op, and to be honest, I felt so ill, I didnt really care! The first attempt at putting me on the drip didnt work, they removed it,put it in the other arm, and within half an hour I started to feel better!
Finally at 1.45, I was taken down to theatre.
DP was wisked off to get changed and I was left alone. I was ok at first, they put the spinal in, which worked straight away (there were concerns it might not work because of back problems). Once the spinal was in the room filled with people, I was attached to monitors etc. I can honestly say that I have never been so scared in my life! Although the spinal had worked, I still had a 'pins and needles' feeling in my legs. I was convinced that I would be able to feel the incision and that they were going to start without DP in the room!!
I kept asking for him(difficult with an oxygen mask and when your BP keeps dropping!!). Eventually, he was allowed in, which relaxed me a lot, then when I realised that I really COULDNT feel the procedure, I felt ok! My BP kept dropping so I felt quite ill at times.
Before I went to theatre, I had made a fuss to anyone who would listen that I didnt want to be told the sex of the baby, and I wanted to see for myself. After all, I had carried the baby for 9 months and I wanted to discover the sex at the scan (DP didnt!). I was reassured that they would lift the baby up for me to see. DP could see FAR MORE than we thought he would be able to! The first I knew about the baby was DP telling me it had lots of hair! I then heard a cry... at which point I cried as well! DP then announced 'you were wrong!' I was convinced I was having a boy (DP obviously was the only one who didnt grasp the concept of I dont want to be told the sex!! lol). Luckily, I wasnt quite with it (low BP moment!!) and I didnt believe him! The baby was held up to me, I couldnt believe I was looking at a precious, tiny (5lb 7ozs) little girl!! I was very emotional! I secretly wanted a girl, but was CONVINCED it was a boy!
During stitching, I didnt take my eyes off my precious little girl,she was handed to DP so I could stroke her little face. It was a very odd feeling, I could see my baby, but couldnt hold her!
After the stitching, the theatre emptied as quickly as it had filled!! We were taken to recovery and Evie was put straight to the breast successfully!
Unfortunately,Evie loved the breast a bit too much! Despite latching on very well, I quickly became very sore and very bruised, she was feeding 2 hourly for 3/4 hour each time, within 24 hours, I couldnt bear the thought of even looking at my baby incase she woke up and wanted feeding. It was then I made the decision that I couldnt go on,and put her on the bottle. The nursing staff were very supportive and I've not regretted my decision. I was scared I would reject her.
I got myself out of bed the next day because I was fed up with waiting!! I was concerned that I'd had no blood loss, but I was told that it was normal with a section not to start for a day or two. I started to recover really well. I was expecting to go home on the 3rd day. But the night before, I had alot of abdominal pain and they had to bleep a DR. The doctor wasnt concerned by the lack of blood loss and didnt come and see me. I was kept in another day to be on the safe side.
On the 4th day I was up at 6am, bags packed, eager to go home!! By 3pm,I was getting anxious!! When the MW looking after me realised I'd STILL had no blood loss,she appeared to panic a bit (GRRRRR I had been telling them for 4 days!!)! She insisted viewing my pad (yuk) and realised that when I said 'no blood loss' I meant I really hadnt lost anything! (GRRRR!). Anyway, I was told I couldnt go home (I cried! bad hormones!!). I was visited first by an SHO, then A senior registrar. They decided that my Mucus Plug was still in tact and it needed removing. This explain the abdominal pain I was having!! A couple of very traumatic procudures involving speculums, great pain and the threat of theatre followed!! It appeared to work though!
I finally went home on the Sunday night(with enough tablets to give a chemist a run for their money!), 6 days after admission!
Evie-Mae is so fantastic! I am totally in awe of her. 10 days later, I still gaze at her in amazement!! I cant believe she's a girl and so small!! Unfortunately, she doesnt do nights, so DP and I are totally exhuasted through lack of sleep!!
As for the bleeding, I wont go into too many details!! Ive had a few problems, and had to go back to the hospital two days ago. I was terrified they would readmit me! They sent me home again, but the threat of readimission is still looming!
I just hope it doesnt come to that! We are a VERY happy (very tired!) family!!