She’s here, she’s a beauty…Sophia Rose Anderson.
Ok, we are 6 days in and I finally feel like I can sit for a few minutes and get this all down. I’m still a bit shaky and typing is more difficult than I thought.
Mom and Dad did a great job keeping everyone updated and I appreciate that. I didn’t take any pictures of my own although I think Brian did a few. Mom took care of all that for me the first day. Some of this may be recap but I’m sure no one minds.
After the ultrasound last week we decided to go ahead and induce this labor rather than wait for our girl to become so girthy to pose a risk to herself and me. It was nice to have the weekend to prepare the home and myself a bit. Monday evening Liesl came and picked up Serra and I so we could wait for Brian at their place. This way we only had one car to take home from the hospital. Brian showed up around 8:30 and we chilled until 9:30. Serra headed to bed with her cousins and didn’t even say good bye to me. It’s nice she is so secure and I didn’t have to worry at all about her. When we showed up at the hospital we had to go through the emergency entrance because of the hour and they knew who I was and told us to head on up to the proper place. They were ready for us and by 10:30 all was in place. The next little bit is a little more detailed than some might like so skim if you don’t like to read about birth. I’ll try to keep it toned down.
They gave me what is called a Prostaglandin chip. It is the same hormone that brings on labor naturally. Usually it takes quite a few hours to get working and sometimes a second dose. 2 1/2 hours later with no significant action I felt a popping sensation and contractions started tearing through me very quickly. I was to 4 cm very quickly and asked for some relief as they were getting intense too quickly for me. As they went through the process it takes to have an epidural approved and prepared for I dilated to nearly a 7 and the nurse informed me that there was not enough time for the shot because I was progressing so rapidly. That was not what I wanted to hear. I nearly went into a panic knowing I was on my own. All I could do was get from one moment to the next. Some where in here Brian called Mom and told her we were moving along quickly and she should leave soon. She told me she came right away but didn’t rush, thinking she would make it in plenty of time. Experience told her these things take time. I was already pushing when she made it. Perfect timing!
I got to the point where I thought I would die for sure and I told them I couldn’t do it anymore. My angel of a nurse looked took my hand and told me I was in transition and it would be over soon. I said, “Are you sure I am in transition already?” She said, “Pretty sure.” My doctor (Fischbein) came in shortly after and said, “Do you think you can hang on for 20 minutes, because that’s about all you have left.” I cooperated at that point and he was right. Barely 15 minutes of pushing and Sophia Rose was here. She was put onto my belly immediately where they rubbed her a little until she started breathing and pinking up. She stayed there for a while as the rest of the birthing process was completed.
Stats: 3:53 was the recorded time although I think it was a few minutes earlier. No biggie.
9 lbs. 10 oz. I was flabbergasted when I heard and amazed that I had done that. Episiotomy? Tears requiring stitches? None!
14 inch head and 22 inches long with no hint of a cone head. Lots of light hair and some major flippers when it comes to feet.
As we enjoyed the first moments the nurses fussed around doing their thing and noticed some indications that something was not right with me. I was still bleeding heavily and other things were not in the places they should have been. They watched me closely and finally called my doctor back in. I was hemmoraging and he had to do what is similar to a DNC by hand. It was worse than the labor and I thought I was on my way out this time for sure. I didn’t scream during birth. I did this time. But thanks to the quick reaction of the nursing staff and my doctor I was spared surgery and other serious complications. Later we found out I lost a quart. It’s scary to think about now but I really didn’t know the severity of it at the time. I didn’t really catch on until my midwife came to check me out on Wednesday and very seriously admonished me to not do anything strenuous for 6 weeks including pushing a stroller. WOW! Never thought of that as strenuous. So housecleaning and laundry is out too. Bummer. Sorry Brian.
It is that aftermath that is making recovery a bit of a burden this time. I am weak and I hurt and am extra tired but everyone is making it easier for me by taking on all the household tasks. All I have to do is take care of myself, my littlest beauty, and my sweet Serra~V~. She is having a hard time adjusting to not having a full time mommy. She wants me to do things for her and get really upset when I can’t. She has needed a lot of extra hugs and kisses. But she adores the baby and loves to run her fingers through that mane of hair. (She has always had a hair thing)
I spent all day Tuesday and most of Wednesday at the hospital hooked up to IV and fluids. Mom was in and out and we also saw Liesl, Joseph, Katrina, Serra~V~, Dad, and Dallas. Brian was there most of the time and spent many uncomfortable hours in a chair trying to catch up on sleep. It felt good to come home. On our way we picked up Serra from her cousins house and all the kids were excited to see the new cousin. We asked George if she could say baby Sophia to which she said, “Baby So-Pretty.”
Mom had been great coming for the bulk of the day time and seeing that we are fed, being a great grandma to Serra, allowing me to have a much needed nap. Brian has put on a few extra hats and is doing a lot. I think he is a little wary of performing too well because then I will know how capable he really is and give him more permanent jobs. The thing he is best at is calming Sophia down when I can’t and food is not the issue. There is something about his big cuddly arms that are magic to his little girls. The first few nights were long and Brian and I slept little. Last night, Saturday, was the best so far. I got in 2 stretches of 3 hours after good feedings and that is great.
Brian and Serra are off to church this morning and we will have a relaxing afternoon together when they get back.
Lots of pictures:
Day 2 – Serra meets her sister…finally…it took “way longer”
Serra, Daddy and Sophia have some first moments.
Tick-a-Boo (Serra’s version of Peek-a-Boo)
Going home, decked out in pink…and the next morning I couldn’t resist a picture of the sleeping princess.
Quick…get one while she has her eyes open…Day 3…and yes she has several outfits that fit her very well.
Some nice expressions that only look cute on babies.
She has super sensitive skin and gets splotchy even from tears. It is improving day by day. Look and them flippers.
Two tired girls. Serra colapsed on my lap last night cuddling her sister. The last one was this morning, Day 6.
We took her to her first doc apointment on Friday and she looks so good we get to for go the 2 week appointment and wait until the first month has passed. She lost nearly 1 pound over the past few days and was at 8 lbs. 13oz. At the rate she is eating it won’t take long to make up that ground.
