Zola Simone
9/4/14
6 lbs 5 oz
18 inches tall
This pregnancy was a surprise to us but turned out to
be such a source of comfort, love and a very healing journey for me. Zola is just the sweetest baby and I
just cannot get enough of looking at her and snuggling with her.
I knew from the very beginning that I would need a c-section
due to my last delivery with the twins and I knew that it was likely to be
scheduled on the earlier side to prevent me from going into normal labor.
As each week of the pregnancy progressed I fell more and more
in love with my sweet little princess.
As we reached the halfway point I was nervous especially up to the
26-week point when I delivered last time.
But sweet Zola stayed put and continued to grow. I then prayed like crazy for her to
stay put all the way through my summer clinical rotation … and she did – she is
so amazing!
On 8/29 I finished my nursing school program and must say
that I looked mighty pregnant crossing that stage and I felt elated listening to my
name be called and so proud to have completed the program despite many odds and
challenges.
On 9/4 ~ 37 weeks on the nose ~ hubby and I checked into the
hospital just before 8:00 AM and got all settled in. Most of the paperwork had been completed at my pre-admission
appointment so it was all settled and ready to go. The nurse who placed my IV was a bit messy and I ended up
with blood everywhere. She then
hung my IV fluids that were cold – in minutes I was totally freezing and
chilled as the fluids were running at a pretty high flow. She then did my cleaning prep with COLD
cloths chilling me down even further – I swear if I ever work in L&D,
pre-warming is going to be part of my practice. Anyways at around 10:30 I walked over to the OR and got my
spinal. It went well and I
went numb and tingly from my ribcage down – it is such a weird feeling. You go numb but do not loose the
sensation of movement and tugging and I could see some of what the docs were
doing in the light above the bed. Rio then joined me in the operating room. It was so wonderful having him present with me - last time with the twins I was all alone and scared. This time was so different and having him with me to hold my hand was just what I needed.
Upon cutting me open, they found quite a few adhesions which is fairly typical when you have had prior abdominal surgery. It took a little time to cut through to my uterus and required extra care-taking on behalf of the surgeon especially
as some were attached to my bladder.
As I was laying there nervously awaiting the birth and wishing to hear her
cries, I felt the tugging feeling
of getting sweet Zola out of me and I completely teared up when I heard her little
cries ~ it was music to my ears.
The baby was handed to the recess nurse and I could see her
from the OR table. She was so
greasy and covered in a thick layer of vernix. She had to be suctioned a few times but did overall very
well and within 7 or so minutes she was on my chest. I got to hold her and breastfeed her right there on the OR
table which was just wonderful.
During the initial hours of recovery I got quite a bit of
fluids. I was moved to the mother
baby unit mid-afternoon and stayed there through Sunday. Recovery was pretty good overall. Friday afternoon was the worst. My lunch did not agree with me and I
needed IV anti nausea meds and IV morphine to stop my vomiting and get pain
back under control.
Rio stayed with me through Friday evening and then went back
home to get a good night sleep. He
brought the big kids and my mom to visit on Saturday and then he returned again
Sunday for my discharge. In
addition I had a few other visitors during my stay and it was just lovely to
see familiar faces spread throughout the days in the hospital.
Zola Simone is now 9 days old and she is doing
fantastic. She is a great eater
and my milk supply is sufficient to keep her happy. I am starting to pump a bit during a few feedings a day to
get some milk supply build up in the freezer. I am feeling pretty good too. My pain is decreasing and I have started to cut down on the
pain meds and the stretch between needing to take them is getting longer. The scale is also finally starting to
reflect a weight loss. When I left
the hospital I was only down a couple of pounds which seems impossible considering
she was a 5 + pound baby and adding in the loss of placenta and blood etc my
loss seemingly should be more.
However, I received quite a bit of fluids and I can tell that now a week
later my body is starting to let go of some of the excess and as of today I am
down about 10 lbs from delivery.
I am totally in love and enjoy every moment that I spent
with her. I love watching the big
kids beginning their relationship with her – it will be such a special bond for
each of them. It was also
wonderful to have my mother here with me during this time. She took great care of the big children
while I was in the hospital and she was wonderful during my first few days at
home. Unfortunately, she decided
to leave early – but that is a whole different story.
For now I am just grateful for the miracle of life that Zola
is. I am soaking up her sweet baby
features and plan to enjoy every moment fully before I have to return to work.
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