I want to post the details of Mason's birthday before I start forgetting, and I figured I might as well get started since he won't let me sleep anyway! =)
On March 31st, we reported to L&D at 5:30 in the morning. As soon as we got there, they took us to a room to get started. Before we did anything else, we took one last pregnant picture, as seen in my previous post. I changed into my stylish hospital robe, and they attached the fetal monitor and put in the IV (ouch!) At that point, they left us alone for a while, and we just talked and watched TV. Around 7:30, the anesthesiologist came in to explain how the spinal would work, and then the nurse came in and told us the doctor would be there soon!
At about 8:00, Dr. Carpio-Brown arrived, and it was show time! As soon as I found out it was time to start, I almost lost it. I started shaking like crazy, and I cried when the nurse gave me a second to give my mom and Terry a hug. She walked me next door to the OR and left Terry to put on his gown and wait in the hall. (It was really hard leaving him!)
As soon as we got to the operating room, they helped me up on the bed to get the spinal block. This was the part I was most nervous about, so I was shaking like crazy at this point! The anesthesiologist prepped my back while the nurse gave me a pillow to squeeze and let me lean on her. The worst part of the spinal was the pressure on my back while he was searching for the right spot - that was even worse than the needle! He finally found it, gave me a shot to numb the area, and inserted the block. They immediately helped me lay down, and started putting up the screen, strapping down my arms (yuck!) and putting an oxygen tube in my nose.
At this point, Terry was allowed to come in, and he just sat and held my hand and talked to me while they began the surgery. It was the strangest feeling - I knew what was going on, and I could feel people touching me, but I couldn't feel any pain at all. I felt them push around on my stomach for a few minutes, and then I heard Mason's cry - we'd been waiting 38 weeks for that!! They immediately took him to the warmer and started cleaning him up. I stared in awe, knowing that this little guy was going to change our lives forever! My first thought was that he definitely looked like Terry and I told him so. (He said, "What, wrinkled and pissed? =) The nurses wrapped him up and gave him to Terry, who immediately brought him close enough for me to see. I was so amazed at that beautiful baby, and all I wanted to do was touch him, but my arms were strapped down. All too quickly, Terry and Mason left for the nursery. I just closed my eyes and cried and thanked God that our little boy was here, and looked so strong and healthy. The nursery called in to the OR to let us know that he was 8 pounds, 2 ounces (I guessed exactly!! Don't believe me? It's documented on Facebook!) and 19 and 3/4 inches long. I didn't even hear the length because I was busy telling everyone in the OR that I guess the weight exactly!
After about 15 more minutes in the OR, they moved me to a bed (picked me up and slid me over, just like in the movies!) and sent me to recovery. My nurse (Michelle I think?) stayed with me to check my blood pressure and other stats for about 30-45 minutes. It went by fast, but at the same time seemed to go on FOREVER!!! I couldn't wait to get to my room and hold my sweet little boy! Finally, she said we were ready to go, and they wheeled me to my room (which was huge by the way!)
When I got back to my room, no one was there yet. I tried to close my eyes and rest, knowing that rest might be elusive for a while. Terry came in looking like the proudest papa you've ever seen! He told me that everything was fine, and that they would be bringing Mason in soon. Finally, a few minutes later, they brought him in, and our world changed. I will never forget holding him for the first time, and feeling how amazingly soft his skin was. (Apparently, amniotic fluid is a great moisturizer!) The nurse left us to get to know our awesome little guy, and came back to help us nurse for the first time. It took us a while, and I know my parents were going crazy with wanting to come in and see him, since they'd been there since 8ish and it was now after 10. They finally got to come in and hold him, and they were definitely the proudest grandparents you've ever seen!
Mason's birthday was such an amazing experience. Some women might have felt cheated, being unable to go through the birthing process, but I was just filled with gratitude and relief that he was here and healthy, regardless of the way he was delivered. Over the last week, Terry and I have fallen so in love with our son. We baby talk like we never imagined, and find ourselves just staring at Mason, amazed that we made him and brought him into this world. I would like to write about our first week together, and I will soon, but for now, my little boy is crying and needs his mommy!
