The story begins on Wednesday afternoon with a call from my OB's office. She called to tell me it was important to come into the office asap. Since it was well after 4:30pm, I was told to come in early next morning and be admitted into labor and delivery for close monitoring. Feeling very nervous yet somewhat excited, I decided to pack my bags just in case anything was to happen while I was in the hospital.Dr. Tran indicated that she was admitting me into labor and delivery to monitor my blood pressure as well as administer a 24 hour urine test to see where my levels were at that point. Next thing I knew, I was checking into L&D at El Camino and I was hooked up to the fetal monitors to make sure everything was checking out. After staying there for most of the day and into the evening hours, they transferred me over to the maternity ward to spend the night and finish off my 24 hour testing. David came by after work to keep me company but mostly to calm my nerves with everything going on. Not knowing my test results, I was told that if everything checked out, I would be going home Friday evening after my 24 hours was up. There was some hope that I would only have to dine on one days worth of gross hospital food.
Later in the afternoon, Dr. Tran came by to tell me that my blood results were not ready, so it looked as if I would be staying until Saturday instead of leaving friday night. Disappointed, I begged the nurse to check and see what was going on and to possibly get my results asap to Dr. Tran, since I was desperate to get out and get home. As I waited, my dreaded hospital dinner of a cheeseburger was delivered right at 6:00pm. Contemplating my departure and hoping for an excuse not to eat the meal, I was told that I might as well since it would be a while before we found anything out. Being optimistic about the results, I sent David home to feed Ollie and then come back to pick me up. About an 15 mins after David left, the nurse comes in to give me the news. "Penny, it looks like Dr. Tran would like perform your c-section tonight, so you won't be going home."
My mind went into complete shock, then fear. I kept thinking it was either a joke, or a dream. I was all packed up and ready to go home, not deliver my baby! Not only was I not ready, but I truly felt scared about the entire thing. As I sat there to let the news sink in, the nurse was kind enough to reassure me of the reality and that everything will be fine.
I immediately called David and told him to come back, because it was going to be a long night and we were going to be parents before midnight. My girl scout instincts kicked in and I started to map everything out. I made calls to mom to have her take care of Oliver and made sure she called Bill to let him know the news.
Everything went by very quickly. I was wheeled to L&D. David came back and met me in the recovery room. My nurse was Olga, who hooked me up with a IV drip and put me on magnesium. David got dressed in his bunny suit and off I went into the OR. I received a spinal block for the c-section and that kicked in very quickly. I felt very light headed with the magnesium, but that didn't take away from the painful prick of the spinal block. It was about 10:15pm when I was in the OR with David by my head. I listened as the doctors worked their magic and at 10:22pm, I heard the cry of Zachary Pride for the very first time. Like all delivery cliches I teared up and cried with joy
at that sound of my baby boy. David had his camera ready to take all the important shots. They finally brought Zachary around to me and I could see his pink little piggy face looking back. Through all the conversations and madness, all I could hear was Zachary's cries and my own heart beat. I could feel lots of pressure on my chest and little parts of my body being pushed around, but there was no pain what so ever. Next thing I knew, I closed my eyes and fell asleep and woke up in the recovery room wrapped under a layer of blankets. David had rushed off to the nursery to watch them bath and clean off Zachary. His Apgar test results were 8 and 9, which is a indication that he was healthy. He weighed in at 6lbs, 9 oz and 17.5 inches long.
As for me, I was not feeling too great since my blood sugar dipped quite low so I ended up staying in there for a couple of hours. David called my mom and brother, and it was nice to see their faces when I woke up. Shortly after, David came back in with Zachary all clean and ready to nurse. To my surprise, I was shocked that they would have me nurse him so quickly, when i didn't even realize I had anything to give him in terms of food. Luckily the nurse showed David how to be my third and forth hands since mine were under sedation. What a strange yet blissful feeling of breastfeeding while intoxicated. Still under all the medication, I was quickly overcome with nausea and unfortunately that cheeseburger I had earlier that night decided to come back up. Good thing Zachary was taken back to the nursery to be checked up before he got any of my dinner on him. After my blood pressure and sugars were stabilized I said my thank yous to Ms, Olga, my labor nurse and headed to my maternity room, which happen to be the same room I came from before the delivery! Next thing I knew I was passed out and dreaming of baby toes and holding little Zachary.
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