Lydia's birth story

After Henry's birth I thought I had the c-section thing down but Lydia's arrival didn't turn out as uneventful as I had hoped.  Rich and I arrived at the hospital super early (about 5:30!) Thursday morning to get all prepped for delivery.  When I finally got into the OR it was so cold and they had no warm blankets in the blanket warmer.  I remember them saying that there wasn't any on the entire floor!  Really?!  Then we waited around for the anesthesiologist--and I could tell everyone in the room was getting a little annoyed.  In the past I've met them in my room, we chat and discuss what will happen, and then I see them again in the operating room.  That didn't happen.  When he finally came in (smelling like cigarrette smoke) and I told him that I wanted an epidural instead of a spinal he didn't seem too happy.  Neither did the nurse.  They all wanted to know why I would choose that.  It was frustrating because I had told my doctor months ago that I like epidurals but no one else seemed to care.  (I'm sure that part of the annoyance was because epidurals take longer to set in and it would now put us even further behind schedule). 

Just minutes after the epidural was in place my lips started to feel tingly and I felt light-headed.  I'm glad I said something to the nurse because I passed out soon after they helped me to lay down.  Everything after that is a little blurry or I have no recollection of it at all.  The next thing I remember is that everything was set up and ready to go for the c-section and I'm sure they had started.  Usually they do a "pinch test" to make sure the epidural has take effect.  They didn't do that this time (that I can remember).  My mind was fuzzy but I did let them know I was in pain.  Dr. Harter asked if they had done a pinch test and they hadn't... but they started doing it then.  I remember the nurse pinching my arm.  Ummm..  little too late for that!  With Henry when I felt pain they gave me a little bit more medicine with the epidural and I was fine.  This time they gave me some other pain med that really left me tired and loopy.  Honestly, I don't remember Rich being there.  I couldn't keep my eyes open to see him.  I do remember him holding my hand and talking to me though.  I didn't even get to see Lydia right after she was born (which makes me a little sad).  I kept asking Rich "What happened?" because I knew this wasn't "normal."  He just kept telling me we had a baby.  I could barely form words but in my head I kept thinking, "I know we had a baby!  But what happened!?"

The next thing I can remember is being in my hospital room and hearing Lydia screaming.  She has quite a pair of lungs! 

 Eventually the haze wore off and I was able to hold her.  She is just so so sweet.

I ended up with some great nurses (which make a huge difference!) for myself... although I didn't really care for the baby nurses.

 By Saturday I was ready to come home.  It was nice to recover in my own bed and eat good food again (the best meal was the "celebratory meal for 2" that they brought to us--I got filet minon and Rich got mahi mahi--along with little bottles of sparkling cider).   

We are so glad that this little girl is a part of our family!