I made it...well of coarse I did. I was going to post a fabulous photo of myself while my gown and cap, but come to find Doug isn't a instagram user and instead of saving the photos, he deleted them. Oh well, trust me, it wasn't too glamorous of a shot anyways.
Today was the procedure I dreaded...I dreaded it before I really knew if this was an option for us in preventing pre-term labor again.
I was checked in at 6:45 this morning. Since daycare doesn't open until 7...Harrison and daddy waited with me for a little bit until I needed to get hooked up and all that good stuff. I about lost it kissing Harrison good bye and he innocently ask, "Where momma going?" Doug arrived back to the hospital about 7:20. While waiting for Doug I got my gown on, which I usually wouldn't brag about, but honestly it was pretty awesome. The gown was called Bear Paws...it's hooked up to the wall and is filled with warm air. It was AMAZING. For someone who is always cold like I am....it was a little piece of heaven. Next the IV was started as the anesthesiologist came in and talked about the spinal I would be having. She also talked about giving me any drugs I might need to relax during the procedure, but saying baby would probably do better with the least amount of drugs. I didn't want/need any other drugs, I wanted to be alert and to know what was going on. By 7:30 Dr. Birdsall popped in and minutes later I was wheeled back to the OR.
In the OR I got some fancy compression boots on to help prevent blood clots. Next my spinal was started. I had a student start mine, so it took a little longer, but wasn't all that painful and I realize students need to learn, I was a student after all not all that long ago. It took about 10 to 15 minutes for the spinal to start working. I could still move my toes but that was about it.
Next, one important selection....Music. I learned my doctor isn't a country fan, but I am, so country is was. I made a couple of the nurses happy with that.
I needed to be hooked back up to heat because I started getting too cold of a body temp---yeah for more heat! I also had some O2 on, which is usually standard, especially if your pregnant. Next was more prep. I was completely numb by now, but it's one the most comfortable feeling in the world being spread Eagle with a room of 7-8 people, despite the fact I've already had a baby...still UNCOMFORTABLE. Enough said, you catch my drift.
I couldn't see a clock when the actual procedure started, but I think it was about 8:00. I felt nothing but a little pressure. The nurses and anesthesiologist were great throughout the procedure. The one nurse about halfway through the procedure asked me if I was a photographer because I looked familiar. Turns out I am friends with her sister in law who's little girl I have taken photos for. The anesthesiologist's husband just started getting into photography and it's driving her nuts with how many photos he's been taking. It was good taking a moment to take my mind off the procedure. The relief was short lived though, realizing where you are at the time. The scariest part of the procedure was the suctioning. Knowing your bleeding and pregnant is terrifying, no matter if it's expected or not.
The bleeding was brief and the doctor said once the sutures were tied off it stopped. I ended up getting two stitches. One stitch is higher in the cervix and there is another just below that. In a way it's double coverage. The procedure itself went well and ended at 8:24 am. Baby Bees heart rate was checked (and good in the 140s). I was wheeled back to recovery and hooked up to more heat. I was actually shaking without the heat from the OR to recovery, my hands a purple/blue. If anyone has had surgery before...ORs feel like you are being put on ice.
Doug was called back into see me at about 8:45. The doctor came back into see us. The procedure went as expected and he didn't anticipate I would have any complications. The cervix was still closed (which is only good news). I got a prescription for Tylenol #3 with codeine if I needed it. I will follow back up with the doctor Thursday. Until then no running, jumping, lifting, etc and for these next few days I need to limit activity.
The nurse came back in and said I need to stay in recovery until I could walk and pee again. Yep I give you all the details! I started to feel my legs well about a half hour into recovery, but feeling my hips and anything else--I was numbed out. I laid down and relaxed until about 10:30. I then was able to try standing and walking to the bathroom. The nurse asked me if I was dizzy or felt sick to my stomach. I lied and said no. I felt both, but I wanted outta there. I walked back to the room (with help) and baby Bees heart rate was checked again (all was well). After having my blood pressure checked and IV removed I was allow to get out of my heated gown. I got dressed, baby Bee was check a third and final time and we went over discharge papers. Doug pulled up the car and I had to be wheeled out (standard procedure) in a wheelchair to the car. I was still numb in my hips and honestly I couldn't tell if I was sitting or not...yep that numb. I was discharged at 11 am.
Perkins. The night before was Pizza Hut Cheesy bites for my last meal (no food after midnight the night before surgery). So by 11 I thought I would be starving, but turns out the spinal made me a little less hungry, but I figured maybe eating something would make me feel better. We stopped and dropped off my prescription on the way to Perkins for breakfast. I finally settled on potato pancakes as an important decision.
I forgot to mention I had a terrible headache. Turns out I found out a headache can be common after a spinal because the needle rubs up against your back bone. I ended up taking Tylenol #3 when we got home and napped for 4 hrs. I can't say I felt like a million bucks waking up. No, actually I felt like I was hung over...probably a combination of the Tylenol and Spinal---which can last up to 8 hrs. The best part of waking up is that I had feeling in my hips again. Getting home this afternoon before the nap, I needed Doug to walk behind me getting up the stairs to our bedroom because my legs felt so heavy trying to take each step.
I sat outside and watched Harrison play for a little while tonight, but have been in bed since. I still don't feel 100% like me...I've watch a marathon of "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant." I'm changing it up this evening. Doug picked up the "Vow," I have dying to see that movie!
As far as pain and bleeding...I don't have much. The doctor didn't anticipate much of either. The more my body gets used to the stitches the less cramping and burning I will have----just more of a waiting game now.
My husband has been amazing as always and thank you to my friends and family for all your support. Baby Bee has an amazing team behind him/her. Next week I get to show off my 16 week bump :)
Thank you, thank you for your support!
Today was the procedure I dreaded...I dreaded it before I really knew if this was an option for us in preventing pre-term labor again.
I was checked in at 6:45 this morning. Since daycare doesn't open until 7...Harrison and daddy waited with me for a little bit until I needed to get hooked up and all that good stuff. I about lost it kissing Harrison good bye and he innocently ask, "Where momma going?" Doug arrived back to the hospital about 7:20. While waiting for Doug I got my gown on, which I usually wouldn't brag about, but honestly it was pretty awesome. The gown was called Bear Paws...it's hooked up to the wall and is filled with warm air. It was AMAZING. For someone who is always cold like I am....it was a little piece of heaven. Next the IV was started as the anesthesiologist came in and talked about the spinal I would be having. She also talked about giving me any drugs I might need to relax during the procedure, but saying baby would probably do better with the least amount of drugs. I didn't want/need any other drugs, I wanted to be alert and to know what was going on. By 7:30 Dr. Birdsall popped in and minutes later I was wheeled back to the OR.
In the OR I got some fancy compression boots on to help prevent blood clots. Next my spinal was started. I had a student start mine, so it took a little longer, but wasn't all that painful and I realize students need to learn, I was a student after all not all that long ago. It took about 10 to 15 minutes for the spinal to start working. I could still move my toes but that was about it.
Next, one important selection....Music. I learned my doctor isn't a country fan, but I am, so country is was. I made a couple of the nurses happy with that.
I needed to be hooked back up to heat because I started getting too cold of a body temp---yeah for more heat! I also had some O2 on, which is usually standard, especially if your pregnant. Next was more prep. I was completely numb by now, but it's one the most comfortable feeling in the world being spread Eagle with a room of 7-8 people, despite the fact I've already had a baby...still UNCOMFORTABLE. Enough said, you catch my drift.
I couldn't see a clock when the actual procedure started, but I think it was about 8:00. I felt nothing but a little pressure. The nurses and anesthesiologist were great throughout the procedure. The one nurse about halfway through the procedure asked me if I was a photographer because I looked familiar. Turns out I am friends with her sister in law who's little girl I have taken photos for. The anesthesiologist's husband just started getting into photography and it's driving her nuts with how many photos he's been taking. It was good taking a moment to take my mind off the procedure. The relief was short lived though, realizing where you are at the time. The scariest part of the procedure was the suctioning. Knowing your bleeding and pregnant is terrifying, no matter if it's expected or not.
The bleeding was brief and the doctor said once the sutures were tied off it stopped. I ended up getting two stitches. One stitch is higher in the cervix and there is another just below that. In a way it's double coverage. The procedure itself went well and ended at 8:24 am. Baby Bees heart rate was checked (and good in the 140s). I was wheeled back to recovery and hooked up to more heat. I was actually shaking without the heat from the OR to recovery, my hands a purple/blue. If anyone has had surgery before...ORs feel like you are being put on ice.
Doug was called back into see me at about 8:45. The doctor came back into see us. The procedure went as expected and he didn't anticipate I would have any complications. The cervix was still closed (which is only good news). I got a prescription for Tylenol #3 with codeine if I needed it. I will follow back up with the doctor Thursday. Until then no running, jumping, lifting, etc and for these next few days I need to limit activity.
The nurse came back in and said I need to stay in recovery until I could walk and pee again. Yep I give you all the details! I started to feel my legs well about a half hour into recovery, but feeling my hips and anything else--I was numbed out. I laid down and relaxed until about 10:30. I then was able to try standing and walking to the bathroom. The nurse asked me if I was dizzy or felt sick to my stomach. I lied and said no. I felt both, but I wanted outta there. I walked back to the room (with help) and baby Bees heart rate was checked again (all was well). After having my blood pressure checked and IV removed I was allow to get out of my heated gown. I got dressed, baby Bee was check a third and final time and we went over discharge papers. Doug pulled up the car and I had to be wheeled out (standard procedure) in a wheelchair to the car. I was still numb in my hips and honestly I couldn't tell if I was sitting or not...yep that numb. I was discharged at 11 am.
Perkins. The night before was Pizza Hut Cheesy bites for my last meal (no food after midnight the night before surgery). So by 11 I thought I would be starving, but turns out the spinal made me a little less hungry, but I figured maybe eating something would make me feel better. We stopped and dropped off my prescription on the way to Perkins for breakfast. I finally settled on potato pancakes as an important decision.
I forgot to mention I had a terrible headache. Turns out I found out a headache can be common after a spinal because the needle rubs up against your back bone. I ended up taking Tylenol #3 when we got home and napped for 4 hrs. I can't say I felt like a million bucks waking up. No, actually I felt like I was hung over...probably a combination of the Tylenol and Spinal---which can last up to 8 hrs. The best part of waking up is that I had feeling in my hips again. Getting home this afternoon before the nap, I needed Doug to walk behind me getting up the stairs to our bedroom because my legs felt so heavy trying to take each step.
I sat outside and watched Harrison play for a little while tonight, but have been in bed since. I still don't feel 100% like me...I've watch a marathon of "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant." I'm changing it up this evening. Doug picked up the "Vow," I have dying to see that movie!
As far as pain and bleeding...I don't have much. The doctor didn't anticipate much of either. The more my body gets used to the stitches the less cramping and burning I will have----just more of a waiting game now.
My husband has been amazing as always and thank you to my friends and family for all your support. Baby Bee has an amazing team behind him/her. Next week I get to show off my 16 week bump :)
Thank you, thank you for your support!
I'm glad the procedure went well, Amanda. I was thinking of you and praying for you today. Can't wait to see your 16 week bump!
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