Holding Electa

Elect Ruth is now 2.8lbs. Just 1 ounce over her birth weight. Her artery cord was removed making it officially possible for mommy to hold her for the first time.

They put a pick line in her arm so that that can draw blood often without poking her over and over. (it is similar to an IV that you get in your arm but it runs up her vein since she is so tiny.) Right here she has high flow in! Which is really awesome for her to be on it for 6 hours at a time. After I held her it was time for c-pap to be put back on. (gigantic head gear if you ask me!!!)

It took two nurses to get her to me, making sure all the cords and wires and tubes were all coming with her and in order. She felt so tiny on my chest but still so wonderful!

 I stopped bleeding the third day after my c-section and thought it was not right but the doctor said it was okay. The second she was placed on me I had a large gush of blood soak through my pants. I soaked through three pads after that in just four hours. I also almost fainted from so much blood loss. Either that or it was cafeteria food poisoning. The nurse had me lay myself in a recliner and she put a wet rag on my forehead and brought me ice water. She told me I had lost all color and was worried about me. After a rough and tough nights sleep I got over the light headedness and the nausea. I hate leaving my busy and wonderful home life filled with a husband and three needy children for this lame hospital where I always seem to get no sleep and a lot of loneliness. But holding her makes most of it worth it. I can't wait to hold her  more!!

C-Section

    Having a C-Section is not a great experience to have. I have had three natural births with some hard after-birth pain, which got worse after each baby. This tops all of that. Think about it. My first I had 18 hours of hard labor. My second was only 2 and 1/2 hours of labor. My third was 10 hours of labor (three of it very hard)! And all three after births I wanted pain killers even though I am not a pain killer person! The C-Section part was so scary, partly because I wasn't prepared for it and partly because I could feel all the pressure and tugging and the baby freaking out. (she literally squirmed rapidly into my ribs the second they took that blade to my abdomen! She was freaked out, her environment was being attacked!)

     It was terrifying yet not bad because there was no pain at all, until the spinal and drugs started wearing off! Then it was HECK! I had several panic attacks due to feeling like my lungs were constricting! It was kind of traumatizing. Recovery from major surgery isn't as easy as afterbirth, not for me. It could also be that I have been on bed rest for so long as well.

Below: Waiting for the C-Section

Below: Me, terrified to death but acting thrilled!

Below: MOM, DAD, and our MIRACLE

Electa Ruth

     Now I am home trying to reclaim the role of MOTHERHOOD that was ripped from me. The role of being a great wife and a homemaker. I miss my responsibilities and am glad to get them back, even if it is slow and taking one day at a time.

She Is Here! 28w+2d

March 30 2012, I had a gigantic panic attack. I went to bed with my instincts screaming at me. I cried and cried and cried myself to sleep because I felt that I was not ready for loss or for a new baby. It was too soon, she was not far enough along. I felt I couldn't breathe with the idea she could be here by Monday. It was a very horrible and frightening experience. I'm not sure why my instincts were going hay wire!
The next morning, March 31, 2012 I woke up with a pulling sensation. I felt like something was being ripped from my right lower side. it hurt enough that I could not lay on that side or sleep. Later on the pain fizzled to an all around tenderness. I thought it was ligament pain but got worried when it just got worse. So I decided to make a casual visit to the hospital in pueblo to check things out. I thought I would be in and out in a couple of hours. My very good friends Sybil and Ashlyn drove me instead of my hubby because of all the children, they were so kind and loving.
When I got there, the typical routine was placed, papers to sign, monitors to get hooked up on, and questions to be answered. The on call doctor brought in an ultra sound machine and baby looked great... fluid level not so much. The on call doctor was convinced I had pre signs of infection and labor (which I dismissed) and started to get me ready to transfer to Springs. He said I was having regular contractions which I don't feel at all! I got an IV, a steroid shot, and a catheter. They also took samples of my blood to check my white blood cell count and checked my cervix. I had a low grade fever that went away quick.
The flight for life people showed up. They slowly loaded me onto a cot, down the private wings of the hospital, and to the helicopter pad. I had my first ride in a chopper. The flight was about 25 or so minutes. John drove to catch up with me (an hour drive) and got there just 10 to 15 minutes after me!
When I arrived at the hospital they took me to labor and delivery which I thought was ridiculous! I got examined and was closed but 80% effaced. Baby was still doing awesome and had the hiccups. All the day before she was frantic in her movements and had a severe case of the hiccups.... I was starting to worry about her moving like she was panicking! Dr. Lurch was so kind. She told me I had high count of white blood cells, was very tender all over, and all signs pointed to infection. She wanted baby out before she got infected. I finally agreed and was told I would have a c section in 30 minutes (which felt like ten)!
Everything went so fast, I was crying! I was so scared! I was a mess! I got a spinal and got prepped. I was awake but could only feel preassure. I felt the jerking of the blade ripping across my belly and later on the baby being pulled from me. No sound! Just "she is out!" And "you are doing great". I started crying I was so panicked! John said he heard her a little. Then I finally heard a whimper! They brought her to me so I could get a peek before they took her off and John went with her as they stitched and stapled me up. I had to sit in recovery for two hours, no visitors!
And that is part one of this crazy journey of my sweet little Electa's birth!