Life on the Farm: The Big Day

Everything went according to plan and there weren't any surprises. Dan and I got up super early on Friday, September 17th. We had to be at the hospital by 5:30 am which meant we had to leave our house by 4:45 am. We got to the hospital right on time and begin the process of prepping for the c-section. This included imputing my information into the computer, getting dressed in a hospital gown, starting an IV, drawing blood, monitoring the baby, drinking nasty antacid stuff, and talking briefly with the anesthesiologist.

Shortly before the scheduled time of 7:30 am we took the nice walk down the hall to the operating room. In the past I have taken this walk alone as they won't let Dan in until the spinal has been done, I'm all numb, and the doctors are ready to start the procedure. However, this time around the anesthesiologist, Dr. Lasko, allowed Dan to accompany me into the operating room. This time Dan was the one, instead of a nurse, holding my hand, keeping me still and calm throughout the process of the spinal. The spinal is the most nerve wracking part for me - I hate the idea of a needle being inserted into my back. This time around it didn't seem as scary to me. The doctor explained every step before he did it and guided me through the whole process, letting me know what I should be feeling. I also appreciated that he didn't strap my arms down or make me wear an oxygen mask; a very welcomed change. Dr. Lasko also made sure that all the baby stuff was set up in such a fashion that I could watch every minute of them interacting with Jack, another welcomed change.

I'm not sure when the surgery actually started, time seems to stand still or become a blur to me in the operating room. It probably has something to do with the fact that I can't really feel my body from the chest down. It's almost like I have sat on my legs and they have fallen asleep - it's the same kind of pins and needles thing going on. I can feel them tugging on me, but it doesn't hurt. It is the strangest feeling. Any way they were well on there way to getting Jack out before I realized they had started.

This time around Dan wasn't allowed to take pictures until the baby was out, on my previous two c-sections he caught the whole thing on film. So, we were both a little in the dark as to how things were progressing. I remember hearing Dr. DeKay comment on where in the world I hid the baby. Next thing I know they pulled Jackson out. Here is our first glimpse of him over the blue curtain.

Dr. Dekay is the one holding the baby, Dr. Thompson was his assistant (kind of hidden by Jack), and Dr. Lasko is on the far right.

Getting him all cleaned off. His APGAR scores were 9 & 9. The best out of all my kids. Look at his chicken leg and the size of his foot.

Another first, I got to hold him in the operating room, soon after they got him cleaned up. I usually don't get to do this until I am in the recovery room, or on my way to my room.