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| Leo Francis born Nov. 3rd @ 1:17pm. 5lbs, 14oz and 18 in. long! |
On Wednesday morning, I was greeted at 7am with an "unusual" feeling contraction. I took note that this was going to be a "take-it-easy" day. By 9am, I was feeling just all around strange and began to reminisce about my early labor with John Paul, which then immediately alarmed me to call my mother-in-law to come over and head to the hospital. We got to the hospital at 10:15am, where Paul joined us and we checked into Labor and Delivery. My contractions were demanding all of my concentration by that time and were about 5 minutes apart. The L&D staff needed to take stock of our situation, which was unique in a few ways: My cervix was still stitched closed, Leo was breech, I was in active labor. They ordered an ultrasound to confirm the baby's presentation and then informed me that the doctor wanted to do a C-Section at 1:30pm. Since I had eaten breakfast at 7:30am, it is protocol to delay surgery at least six hours after eating to minimize the risk of aspiration (food in the lungs). At this point, it became a reality that this was going to be Leo's birthday, but instead of excitement, I was momentarily overcome with sadness. I had so looked forward to giving birth to this baby, and didn't imagine that it would happen by walking into an operating room. Also adding to my emotion was the fact that I was laboring to pass the time until surgery, and with the fear that each contraction would cause damage to my sewn-shut cervix. I know it was at this particular moment that I was carried by the grace of your prayers, because I was quickly able to snap out of my sadness and concentrate on the matters at hand. Paul was awesome and actively helped me weather each contraction for the next half hour or so. By that time, contractions were getting really intense and close together, and the doc determined it was too dangerous to wait any longer and called for an immediate trip to the O.R. About 30 min. later, the anesthesiologist was giving us the play-by-play of what was happening beyond the blue surgical drape and I was overcome with joy as I knew the doctor was bringing my Leo into the world. He cried his squeaky newborn cry, and I cried my mother's tears of triumph.
Great is Your faithfulness, O Lord!
A nurse brought Leo over to Paul and I, and we shared together that glorious moment of first meeting your own child. A few minutes later, Paul went with Leo to the nursery while I was being stitched up. I must admit, a c-section is much more uncomfortable than I had imagined! There were strange, painful burning sensations that were radiating through my shoulders and neck while they were pushing, pulling and tugging on my insides. I was also a bit concerned when I overheard the doctor ask, "Did you find it?" to his surgical staff accompanied with more pushing, pulling and tugging on my insides... We came to find out later that they had lost a surgical sponge and had to make sure it wasn't still inside of me...!
Once I was brought to the immediate recovery area, Paul joined me with our new baby. He was 5 lbs, 14 ounces and 18 inches long (choosing to come two weeks early). He looks like such a tiny little guy! We think he is the best baby in the world! Honestly, we are so amazed at how easy a full-term newborn is: no wires, no tubes, no monitors, no alarms... He sleeps well and eats well and we have just been loving him with all of our hearts!
Upon discharge from the hospital, my very Christian doctor shared with us a few verses from a hymn to remind us of how faithful God was to us through this entire pregnancy. The Lord promised to never leave our side, and looking back now to the way all things unfolded, we know He never did.
A nurse brought Leo over to Paul and I, and we shared together that glorious moment of first meeting your own child. A few minutes later, Paul went with Leo to the nursery while I was being stitched up. I must admit, a c-section is much more uncomfortable than I had imagined! There were strange, painful burning sensations that were radiating through my shoulders and neck while they were pushing, pulling and tugging on my insides. I was also a bit concerned when I overheard the doctor ask, "Did you find it?" to his surgical staff accompanied with more pushing, pulling and tugging on my insides... We came to find out later that they had lost a surgical sponge and had to make sure it wasn't still inside of me...!
Once I was brought to the immediate recovery area, Paul joined me with our new baby. He was 5 lbs, 14 ounces and 18 inches long (choosing to come two weeks early). He looks like such a tiny little guy! We think he is the best baby in the world! Honestly, we are so amazed at how easy a full-term newborn is: no wires, no tubes, no monitors, no alarms... He sleeps well and eats well and we have just been loving him with all of our hearts!
Upon discharge from the hospital, my very Christian doctor shared with us a few verses from a hymn to remind us of how faithful God was to us through this entire pregnancy. The Lord promised to never leave our side, and looking back now to the way all things unfolded, we know He never did.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
Morning by morning new mercies I see,
All I have needed, Thy hand hath provided,
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.
