After 31 hours of what I thought would be an induction- I had my baby boy via C Section on Summer Solstice- June 21st, 2016. Jack is a Gemini / Cancer cusp baby.
He was born at 6 lbs 12oz, at 1006am. My OBGYN was Dr. Jay Goldberg and the Cedar Sinai team. My Labor and Delivery room had the view of the Hollywood Hills and was bigger than my current master bedroom. It was beautiful, and grand just like the experience of bringing my first child into the world. This entry is strictly to remember the course of the events that I feel were vital moments to start the days of motherhood.
When I was told that we would go into the O.R., I called my family and they arrived shortly. I remember being excited and very scared. I think I was more scared of the needle that was to be my spinal block than anything. I was also scared of what could be possible O.R. complications.
As my L&D RN, Christine, came into the room and gowned up my husband, Ryan and walked me to the surgical room. I said bye to my parents and my mother looked at me, and said -“Good Luck you are going to be a mommy”. Having a medical background- no surgical O.R. looks great, we know too much. I was placed on the surgical table, they started my play list. As Fleetwood Mac, Dreams started to play in the background I was greeted by the Anesthesiology team, they started the block process, my nurse held my hand, and told me stories of her family to distract me. I have to say- not bad at all. The needle was nothing compared to the injection of my IV. Now the feeling after injection- this was the worst part. My entire torso down became numb. This was strange as I was awake, and felt as though I was telling my feet to move, and they wouldn’t. Ryan was by my side at this point, and Dr. G was starting the process. Jeremiah, Remember Me played in the background, and all I could remember and think of was, ” They must hate my song list”. I grew anxious as they started to cut, and felt pressure all over. There were moments I felt that I was going to have a panic attack and they would have to stop the entire process. But luckily they gave me meds, and I calmed down. Ayo, by Chris Brown was faintly in the background, and all I remember is the nurse telling me- ” Jen there is going to be a great deal of pressure, just relax.”. That feeling was unlike anything. After 10 seconds, and coaching via my husband I heard the cry of my baby boy. It was the best feeling. I knew a good cry was a good sign. The pediatric team had Ryan cut the cord, when they told me that Jack had swallowed his own amniotic fluid. They were taking him to NICU. Although an apgar score of 8/8, they wanted to make sure Jack was stable and sound. Thus I was not able to do skin to skin or hold him for the first time. I had not minded for I only wanted him healthy and safe.
Post op was not so bad. I saved my placenta with the intention of encapsulation. I remember wanting to only feel my legs and meet my baby. Ryan at this point was showing all the family members our new son in NICU. I was admitted to the Post Partum unit, and can say that every nurse via every shift was incredible. My first nurse was a young woman by the name of Annie. Here I was taught some great moments of motherhood. I rested, and rested. Day 1- I was already walking and moving- I just wanted to see Jack. Annie got me prepared and allowed me up to NICU.
Ryan and I went in together- that moment, wow that moment I met Jack I will never forget it. I cried and smiled all the same. My little boy was healthy and beautiful. In NICU I learned to bottle feed, burp, and breast pump- all while on 5 hours of sleep. I didn’t care, it was all happening so fast, yet wonderful.
Day 2- I was visiting Jack every 4 hours in NICU and demanding for my son to be released. Still learning how to pump the colostrum set in, and I was pumping food for my baby. Jack had not latched onto my breast yet, but I knew he would as he was a strong sucker, and taking to the formula in NICU well. Friends and family visited and we finally got the discharge for Jack to head to Post Partum to sleep with him mom for the next 3 nights. Oh yes, C Section mommies live at the hospital for days after the process. I had not minded. Cedars is a fabulous place to deliver and I would do it all over again at that hospital.
Day 3-4 were exhausting. Jack finally latched but I was pushing 2 hours of sleep a night. Luckily there was a nursery on the floor, and I learned you could have your baby stay with nurses overnight to get rest. I found this so helpful. Discharge day was upon me. I was so scared to go home. Ryan and I prepared with the nurses, and met our pediatrician. I had learned that all my fears were normal and nights would grow shorter.
I was now a mom and knew that all things would be centered and focused on the little boy I gave birth to.
