Eleanor Emily Sison McGee
Date of Birth: September 30, 2016
Time: 9:24 AM
Birth Weight: 2.6 Kg
Length: 50 cm
I never expected to give birth early, though I'd always joke about it because of the aches and pains I've been feeling since August. But, it happened and I wouldn't change a thing. My original due date is October 20, but since I was going to have a repeat C-section we scheduled it a week earlier,,,around the 11th of October. And then I found out my parents (both doctors) have an upcoming trip I asked my OB the earliest possible date I could give birth because I wanted my mom and dad to be there with me. We decided it would be the 7th. I even decorated my journal page on that day!
But during the early hours of the morning, September 30, 2016 I woke up because Bean was calling my name asking me to stay beside her bed for a bit. It was around 3:30 AM. I held her hand until a little past 4 and made sure she was sleeping soundly. I lay on our bed but couldn't seem to go to slumber. I was browsing Facebook when I felt an ache close to feeling gassy; I thought it would pass. But around half an hour later it escalated to something that felt like diarrhea, just a little bit worse. I sat on the toilet for what seemed like forever until I felt that inevitable sensation that I had to push. Thinking that I was going to poop, I pushed and pushed until tall I wanted to do was push! Then I thought to myself, was I in labor?
I woke up my husband and told him I was in pain. I was feeling cold and clammy, and the aches would come and go every few minutes. I asked him to call either my mom or dad so we would know what was happening and what we should be doing...should we be going to the hospital??? Our commotion woke up Bean, and she was a real source of calm for me. She would pat my back and ask me what hurt; she obediently packed a bag of her toys to bring to the hospital if ever this day was THE DAY. I also texted my OB and she told us to go the hospital already.
Upon going down the stairs the pain was unbearable that I was begging Adam to bring me to the nearest hospital, I didn't even care where because our hospital is about an hour to an hour and a half to reach. Luckily, we made it (me, closing my eyes and gritting my teeth; Adam driving so seriously, and Bean staring out the windows) in less than an hour. I went straight to the labor room and then they confirmed it. I was going to have my operation ASAP.
Being the wimp that I am, I was anxious and nervous and so unsure. I felt like I was going to suffocate. I worried about Bean because I wasn't able to tell her what was happening; I worried about Adam because they weren't allowed to stay with me. I'm glad my mom was there though, because it helped me regulate my feelings and made me appear to be normal and taking things as they were.
My OB arrived and they prepped me and wheeled me into the O.R. They were asking me if I was ready to get a spinal block but I begged to wait for my dad. I wanted my parents there simply because it made me feel that everything will be okay. My dad arrived and the spinal block was administered.....and half of me felt numb in no time.
Everything happened so fast, I just herd them say, "Baby out; it's a baby girl," but there was no cry. I clearly remember giving birth to my first hearing her cry so loud. This worried me so much and I kept on asking them why there was no cry...why can't I hear the baby cry?? My dad told me that they were just cleaning her up because she had a lot of secretions on her nose and mouth. He showed me the video where in my baby was pulled out and was laid there...limp and weak. After what seemed like forever I finally heard her faint cry. They showed her to me for a few seconds and then took her away. I kept on asking what will happen and they kept on telling me not to talk because my abdominal area might hurt after.
So I laid there for around an hour or two, scratching my face and my arms...they told me it was a side effect of the morphine...I wasn't really listening because I was expecting to hold my baby. I expected to be wheeled into our room with her at the same time.
We spent a the whole day and night without her. They said she was in the NICU because of an infection. All I could do was pray and pray and pray. The next day they brought her in our room. We were able to spend the day with her but then we were informed she had to go back to the NICU because her breathing wasn't so good....and her nails were a little blue.
We decided to spend the whole week at the hospital, so that I could exclusively breastfeed her while she recovers. During the times it was just us three in the hospital room, my anxiety and fears were calmed by our first born, she would keep on making art works and little notes for me telling me how much she loves me. She drew images of her baby sister and she tells us how much she loves her already, too.
It was one of the strangest experience of my life....having my heart grow bigger to accommodate this new member of our family...and at the same time fearing that I wouldn't be able to handle the change. But I am so blessed to have the most loving and supporting husband who did nothing but take care of us and reassured me that everything will be okay. I am so blessed to have a firstborn who loves me unconditionally and has always been my source of strength and wisdom.
Hello, Eleanor...now we are home. I have a lot more to share about our new journey but I have to save it for next time...mommy duties first!
