Emily's Arrival - Her Story

So when Melissa was born, I had an unexpected C-section, and I was completely out for it.

During the doctor visits during my pregnancy with Emily, Eric and I began discussing the possibility with our doctor of trying a VBAC, and he was very supportive.  Since my labor with Melissa had progressed fine, the only reason I had the C-section was because she was breech, and it had been about 3 years since I had the surgery, he agreed that it would be ok to try and felt that I should be able to successfully achieve it, assuming all went well.  As Emily's due date approached, we discussed things in more detail and I understood that if things didn't look good during labor and/or delivery, they would be inclined to move more quickly to a C-section than someone else, simply because a VBAC is a little more risky to begin with.  Eric joked that he had been watching You Tube videos and preparing our garage in case something happened and we couldn't get to the hospital in time. 

About 3 weeks before my due date, my doctor wanted to discuss scheduling a C-section in case I didn't go into labor on my own.  I knew that I could not be induced to attempt a VBAC, as it increases the risk of uterine rupture.  So he wanted to get this scheduled as a back up.  I asked him how long he would let me go past my due date (which was Monday October 10th).  He replied with "Your due date."  The rest of our conversation went like this:
Me: Really?  Even though Melissa was three days late and everything went well during her labor and this pregnancy is going well so far?
Him:  Maybe a day later, so Tuesday.
Me: What about Wednesday or Thursday?  That would give me three days, since Melissa was three days late.
Him: What is this?  It's like we're bartering for something at a store. (Don't worry - he was laughing.)  I tell you what.  Let me check and see what my on call date is and let's schedule the C-section for that day. 
I told him I was ok with that and he left the room.  Eric and I are still laughing when he comes back in, slaps his hand down on the desk and says, "You are not going to believe this - my on call day is Friday the 14th."
I said "I'll take it" with a big grin!  The C-section was scheduled for Friday the 14th at 11:30 am.

However, during that next week, I began to question my decision to agree to a C-section.  I wondered if I should have pushed for at least waiting a week.  I thought about it every day and was considering bringing it up at my next appointment to see if I could move it back a few more days.  I was rethinking everything AGAIN that Saturday night.  And suddenly, I felt very calm and very at peace with the decision to have a C-section.  I don't know why, but at that moment, I thought to myself that maybe I'm meant to have my babies this way and not any other way.  And that it was ok.  It's the way it's supposed to be for me.  It was strange, but from then on, I didn't question it, didn't give it a second thought.

My due date came and went, just like with Melissa.  The whole week went by and suddenly it was Thursday and I had not gone into labor.  It was weird leaving work that day, knowing that I wouldn't be back the next day because I would be having a baby.  Every time I woke up Thursday night, I wondered if it was due to a contraction!  But Friday morning came and we began getting ready to go to the hospital for the C-section.  The whole morning was very relaxing.  We took Melissa to Shipley's for donuts before taking her to school (well, Eric and Melissa had breakfast since I couldn't eat anything.)  We strolled on over to drop off Melissa, gave her extra hugs and kisses, then went back home to finish packing those last minute things and head up to the hospital.

I will say that the experience this time was very different than with Melissa.  Not better or worse, just different.  When I was in labor with Melissa, it seemed like there was this urgency to get to the hospital, urgency when they realized I would need a C-section, etc.  This time, I knew what to expect and had mentally prepared for the surgery.  Everything seemed so casual and relaxed.  We were joking with the nurses, the doctors, etc.  I got down to the surgery room and they got me ready.  Eric got dressed in his scrubs and joined me.  He came in smiling and so happy to talk to me and share it with me. Last time, since I was completely under, Eric was so tense the whole time as he held my hand, worried for me, for Melissa.  Again, this time was different.  I remember laughing because I couldn't feel my legs at all.  I knew they were there, but I couldn't move them.  It was a very weird experience.  The anesthesiologist had mentioned that some people get very anxious about that sensation, but I was telling Eric that he had to try it! 

Our doctor asked Eric to help him out since he had been watching those videos.  Eric (while sitting next to me) says, "Well, first you need to make an incision."  The doctor laughs and says "Ok".  Eric then responds "There should be a line there from last time, so you should be able to just follow that." Everyone laughs and I'm like "Don't encourage him."  So they do their thing and Eric and I are waiting.  And suddenly - there it is.  A beautiful cry fills the room as they take Emily out.  It was music to my ears!  They show her to me, then took her over to access her and clean her up.  Eric heads over to see her and take pictures, and they bring her over to see again.  Eric and Emily then head to the nursery while they finish me up.  Eric meets me in recovery, and then my mom joined me in recovery.  The nursery nurse brings Emily in earlier than expected because she said that Emily had one fist in her mouth and was trying to fit the other one in there, so they figured she was hungry. 

Emily Claire Wivagg was born Friday, October 14th at 12:30 pm and weighed 7 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 20 inches long. She had the cord wrapped around her neck, and had a true knot in the cord (but Eric is calling it a Gordian knot).  I'm convinced that if I had gone into labor on my own, the knot would probably have caused distress to the baby during labor and/or delivery and I would have ended up with a C-section anyway.  However, it might have been chaotic and rushed and I could have ended up being completely out again.   I'm so thankful that it happened the way it did, and I'm so thankful for that sense of peace that I got, because I know we were being looked after. 

Ok - storytime is over.  Next post will have pictures!