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Saturday, August 07, 2010

Well, my last post concluded with discovering we were 3cm dilated already. Upon getting home and getting through a run clinic, I really started to feel the need to stop working and hit Babies R Us for the essentials. Rob had a one on one run video analysis with an athlete who came in town, so I called my mom and we met up at the store for priority shopping. After a focused shopping session, I began feeling a little more ready but at 6 p.m. when Rob was finished and I had gone through the purchases, I felt there was much more yet we needed. So back out to Babies R Us we went. I’m so glad we listened to our instincts and got as much done as we could yesterday, because at 2 a.m. I awoke with contractions. I started timing them and noticed there regularity so I woke up Rob and I said… “I’m pretty sure this is it!”

He then started timing the contractions and we noticed the pattern. They were about 5 to 7 minutes apart and between 45 and 60 seconds each. We called the doctor at 4:15 a.m. She recommended that I shower, eat a little something and rest as much as possible now and then come into the Hospital when the contractions got closer and/or more powerful, or if my water broke.

So we got up, showered, ate a little cereal, continued doing laundry of the new clothes and sheets we just bought and prepped for the baby.

I was feeling good, so we decided to still go to the kid’s triathlon. What a blast that was! Our kids did amazing!!! It was pure joy to watch them compete and accomplish such an amazing feet at such a young age!

During the race, the contractions started to increase in intensity and get closer together. I knew we would need to get to the hospital right after the race. Upon our last kid crossing the line, we skipped out of the park and right to the car. At 9 a.m. we arrived at Toledo Hospital and I had progressed to 4cm dilated. We were moved to our room and we brought in our birthing ball, pillow and suitcase. My parents arrived and we were all feeling good and full of joy!

Rob and I were going over our birth plan, discussing our desire not to use medication and explaining our prep for a natural labor and delivery utilizing breathing and relaxation techniques along with various positions to help progress labor. Our two nurses were great and very supportive and all was looking good. However, the mood started to change. The doctor on call wanted me to be constantly hooked up to a monitor and she wanted to put in the IV, just in case. She also wanted to give me a shot of penicillin to protect against the Group B Strep since we just had the test done yesterday at the doctor’s office but the results were not back yet. Well, first, I really pushed back. Rob and I had done a ton of research, attended classes, asked the right questions and had thorough discussions with our O.B. and we knew that if all was going well, there was not a need for continuous monitoring and an IV. Also, because labor wasn’t progressing rapidly, we didn’t see the need to give me the shot of penicillin right now, considering I was likely allergic to it and it made more sense to get the rapid test done first.

Fortunately, I won out on holding off on the penicillin and had the rapid test done instead. And the test confirmed no penicillin was needed. Unfortunately, the doctor insisted on the continuous monitoring and the IV. This meant we were now limited in our movements and ability to walk around and use our labor positions. I stayed calm but surely was a bit disappointed.

I felt good overall. The contractions were mild and even seemed to get further apart rather than closer together at times. Every now and then I would feel a much stronger one, but by and large, it was a walk in the park. My mom noted that her labors were similar. She had very mild contractions and didn’t even realize she was in labor until my brother was crowning!

My excitement for Baby Brecken helped keep me positive and focused, but my attitude continued to be challenged. At noon, the doctor came back in and said she didn’t think I was really in labor. She said instead of checking me now, she would wait until 3 p.m. and if contractions stayed mild and I was not dilating further, she would send me home. We were a bit confused given that we noticed the more intense contractions and since my mom’s labors were similar to what I was experiencing now. But, heck, if Baby Brecken wasn’t ready to come out, we’d take more time for her to grow inside and for us to get the house ready! So, we started thinking about where we would go to eat once we were discharged and I said I even wanted to go for a bike ride since it was absolutely beautiful out!

Well, at 3 p.m. the nurse came in to check my cervix. Suddenly her face went pale, her eyes opened wide and her mouth dropped at the same time I felt a kick. I quickly asked, “What’s wrong?”

She said, “I think she’s breech. I think she just kicked my hand.”

I was in shock. What happened? Yesterday the doc said she was head down and all seemed to be going well. I didn’t want to have a C-section. I didn’t want her safety to be in jeopardy. Sure, I knew something could always happen that would lead to the need for a C-section and I read about it and prepared for it, but I was very upset. I started to cry but worked to stay calm and relaxed. The doctor quickly came in, checked my cervix, and confirmed the baby was footling breach and that I was now 5cm dilated. She said that it was time to prepare for an emergency C-section.

I pushed back once again, and said, “Wait a second, what about version? I know there are ways to move the baby in the womb. I know there are positions I can do to help get her head down. Can’t we just pause a moment and try?”

She said no. My mom pressed in and told me to calm down and to get the c-section. She was very distraught and serious in her tone. I continued to ask questions and I wanted to understand why there was such a rush all of a sudden and why the version and positions couldn’t be tried. My mom then stepped in again and said she lost her first due to a similar situation. She wanted me to listen to the doctor and get Brecken out safely.

In tears, I prayed for Brecken’s safety while Rob and my mom hugged me tightly. Rob was then able to speak with the doctor outside. He explained our interest in just understanding more of the details and our desire to want to know the “whats and whys” of the situation. He asked her to understand our newness to all of this, but our quest to learn and be informed. She then came into the room with a softer tone and provided more details on the situation. She clarified the need for quick action. With Brecken footling breach, she was in a delicate situation. If my water suddenly broke, her foot would be swept down the birth canal and perhaps her cord as well. Things could get very dangerous very quickly. There was no time to try various positions to shift the baby and version would not be safe at this stage.

As tears continued to pour down my cheeks, Rob and my mom were able to also explain my fear of the Epidural to the doctor. Since my spinal tap in September of 08 went very wrong, I had apprehension about getting another injection into my spine. Now receiving compassion and having better communication, the doctor sent in the anesthesiologist to ease my anxiety. He was amazing. He took his time to explain the Epidural and reassured me of his extra precautions. I was feeling as good as I could at that point and then Rob was whisked away to prep for the surgery room.

Shaken but focused, I stayed as calm as possible so that my fear would not elevate the situation. Rob came back in the room dressed in scrubs and gave me the biggest hug. I asked him to call his mom and his sister, Laura and get the prayer chain started. Our nurse Rochelle leaned in for a hug and said the most beautiful prayer and that’s when I knew Brecken would be okay. Immediately I was wheeled to the operating room and placed on the operating table.

The room was freezing cold. I was shivering while still working to stay calm. The anesthesiologist was remarkable once again. He talked through everything and even tried to talk about running and running shoes to distract me. Once the needle went into my spine, I immediately felt a warm, tingling rush pour down my legs. Rob was then allowed in. There were about 15 people in the room. The NICU staff was in place in their area waiting to assess the baby and all the doctors and nurses were in position with tools, towels and more. They laid me back flat, put the curtain up and went to work cutting me open.

Scared and distraught, Rob held my hand, leaned in cheek to cheek and sang our Baby Brecken lullabies we made up this spring. That was the best! I kept asking him to keep singing as I didn’t want to hear what the doctors and nurses were saying. I just wanted to hear her cry when they pulled her out. It seemed like an eternity. I felt all the pulling and tugging and focused on Rob’s voice. Finally, they called for Rob to stand up and watch if he wanted. He was able to see my skin pulled back, my abs spread apart and Brecken’s legs, then waist, then shoulder and head! She was out and let out a cry! They quickly showed her to me from a distance and rushed her to the NICU team. Rob was able to go there and watch them handle her. Methodically they ran through their procedures and did all the checks and I was able to watch from afar. Within a couple minutes they bundled her up and handed her to daddy! She was okay! She was healthy and she would be fine!

Baby Brecken was born on Sunday, August 7, 2010 at 4:42p.m. She weighed 5lbs and 6ozs. She was perfect!

Watching Rob hold her for the first time was the most amazing experience. It was so natural and she melted in his arms. He was able to bring her over to me while I lie on the operating table. He placed her head next to mine and all I could see was one eye, her little nose, her lips and her cheek. I was full of joy and gratefulness. I was able to put my hand on her little hat and hold my cheek to her neck. Rob started singing again as he held her next to my face and the team worked to stitch me back up.

Once again I felt a lot of tugging and pulling. The doctor informed me that my uterus was shaped like a heart. At first I thought, that’s because we have so much love for this baby. Then I started thinking, that’s probably my bicornuate uterus. After my bike crash October 25th in Austin, TX during the Longhorn 70.3 ½ Ironman Triathlon, I had an MRI which confirmed 3 pelvic fractures and suggested that I likely had a bicornuate uterus and could explain reasons of infertility. This test is what led Rob and I to let go of the idea of having kids and ironically within a couple weeks is when we conceived Baby Brecken!

When we found out we were pregnant at the beginning of January, we obviously informed the doctor about my broken pelvis and the MRI results. She said not to worry about the pubic fractures as they should have healed by now and she was not concerned about my uterus either. She said they likely wouldn’t really know until the baby was born anyway! We felt relieved and didn’t think much of it - until now… Well, thank goodnews it all worked out.

While being stitched up, I also overheard them talking about my abdominals. Apparently, all the nurses and doctors came over to check out my abs. Rob said it was pretty cool to see the abdominal striation and a real life view of the abdominal wall.

All the while, I just laid there staring at my perfect little baby girl and couldn’t wait to hold her!

-Kel