I did it again.
I successfully made another human.
This is kind of a big deal because it's been my greatest life accomplishment so far. In all the amazing things I've been able to experience in my life, my family has been my favorite.
This is the story of how little Hailey made her way into the world.
When I was about 32 weeks pregnant, the Doctor asked me if had made a decision about either wanting to have another c-section, or try to give birth. I was totally on the fence. I could see the pros and cons to both and those are the toughest decisions. I kept weighing my options as the weeks went on.
At the same time, the Doctor was a little concerned about how big the baby was getting. This lead to a few ultrasounds, and blood sugar testing. Each ultrasound showed that she was bigger than she was "suppose to be", however I passed the two blood sugar tests. Apparently high blood sugar levels can make the baby grow extra big. I ended up having to test my blood sugars at home 4 times a day, like a diabetic. All was well, but the baby was still gonna be big.
This all led to the decision that it would be better for me to have a c-section, as my body was unable to get out Wesley out, and it looked like this baby would be even bigger. So, a c-section was scheduled for June 12th. I met with the surgeon, discussed what I needed to do to prepare for the surgery, and then eagerly awaited the day.
On the evening of June 9th, I started to sense something may be happening. The whole evening was spent with these random waves of pain. At this point in my pregnancy, I was almost in constant pain because of how gigantic my belly was. I tossed the idea back and forth of whether or not to go to the hospital, as it may be nothing.
Around 10pm, I figured it's better to be safe than sorry... and I didn't think I could sleep with the pain anyway. So off we went to the hospital, leaving Wesley with my parents at home.
When we got to the hospital, who should be standing right at the baby ward desk? My Doctor. He looked at me wobbling in and asked "Are you in labour?" To which I really didn't have an answer.
He did the monitoring and checking, and sure enough, she was coming.
At this point, I could have tried to labour, or just stick with the c-section. As luck would have it, the c-section team was on their way to do another c-section (which was also why my Doctor was already there too). I had already mentally accepted that I was going to have a c-section, so I said "let's slice me open".
From there things went pretty quickly, I was prepped for surgery and rolled into the OR. I was numb but very much awake. The team came in and pushed and pulled and all sorts of sensations, until I heard a little cry. The Doctor popped around from the curtain dividing me from my open abdomen, holding the fattest, purplest little baby.
She was plump and perfect.
Eric got to hold her while they stitched me up. I stared at her chubby little face with such happiness. I was taken to recovery and soon thereafter, Eric brought her to me. Of course recovery was filled with the violent shivers, like I had the first time, and I drifted to sleep a few times, but all in all, I recovered well.
We spent the next 3 days in the hospital, recovering and bonding. Recovery from a c-section is not the easiest thing, but as it turns out, it was the right call. The Doctor said that he could tell from the way things were looking, just the short time I was in labour, that my body was having trouble getting her out. Plus, they were able to repair a hernia that had occurred towards the end of the pregnancy from how stretched out my stomach got.
Because of her size, they tested her blood sugar levels as well, eventually they leveled out which allowed us to go home.
Since being home, Hailey gained all her weight back, and actually shocked the public health nurses how quickly she bounced back, since she sleeps most of the day and only nurses for about 6 minutes when she does wake up.
Wesley has accepted that their is another little human taking our attention and time, and has adjusted well. He even gives his little sister kisses, and puts the dirty diapers in the garbage for me. :)
I am feeling good, and getting better everyday! Eric has been the best: doing all of the work around the house, plus taking care of all three of us.
I'm in love with my little family and doing my best to enjoy every moment!
