Saturday March 19th - Sunday March 20th, 2011
The decision had been made to induce labor at 37 weeks. We had all agreed that what we risk loosing if something were to go wrong in the last few weeks of pregnancy far outweighed what little was left to gain by waiting a few more weeks....We still do not know what could have caused the fetal-maternal hemorrhage of our two angel babies - so we could not risk it happening again...
We arrived at the hospital - 2cm dilated, but needed cervidil to prepare the cervix and get the contractions started.
After an hour, the contractions had started and were already very regular - coming every 3 minutes and increasing in intensity.
Unfortunately, your little heart rate was not reacting well and was dipping quite frequently - having trouble coming back up...Another stress for mommy - who spent the next 4 hours, my eyes glued to the monitor - wondering...worrying...
After 4 hours, the decision was made - he cervidil had to come out - the risk of leaving it in any longer much too great.
Our next step - to start pitocin and pray your little heart rate reacts better...
Membranes stripped - water broken - contractions still every 3 minutes but getting stronger - we were on our way...
But within minutes - the alarm on the monitor began ringing...and once again...with my stomach in a knot...my eyes glanced at the numbers - and your heart rate at 80 beats per minute...too slow....
The nurses, residents and our wonderful OB - Dr B. stood calmly around my bed - but the stress on their faces - in their voices - was clearly visible....
Another decision...withoutt the pitocin - I could not dilate...we would continue with it and our wonderful doctor would remain on the department - just in case...just in case...
With my head completely flat, lying on my left side, oxygen mask in place and the sound of the alarm ringing with every contraction...I prayed....
A few hours had past, and I remained at 3cm...but the contractions were now in my back....I decided to have the epidural...
Unable to put it in while lying down - I was allowed to sit up to have it inserted but was quickly layed back flat again as soon as it was in. Able to relax a bit - I closed my eyes...
Half an hour later, I rolled onto my back quickly and felt immediate pressure....I remembered that feeling...I knew you were about to arrive...
At that moment, the resident came and did an exam - and with surprise on his face - announced I was at at 10 cm. He instructed me to try pushing to help relieve the pressure...but as soon as I started - came his voice - "stop, stop - the head is coming out"....
The next few minutes people were running everywhere in the room - getting everything ready...
I lay on my side - trying to breathe through the intense pressure...
I was then turned onto my back - and before even having a chance to push - was told the head was out and then...
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| Minutes old...my miracle... |
There you were...lying on my tummy....that unbelievable moment was really here...you were really here...you were perfect...after so long...finally in my arms...what a day...what a moment.....
And then I noticed the umbilical cord - all twisted up and tied in a knot...and reality set in...I almost lost you...almost lost once again...
According to Dr B. - you would not have made it another day...the knot was too tight...to think we had come so far together and I almost lost you...
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| Riley |
But here you are....
Riley Félix-Gabriel ~ born March 20th, 2011 at 2:52 am. Weighing 6 pounds 8 ounces and 19 inches long.
I knew the moment I would finally hold you in my arms would be something I would never forget...but I could never had imagined how unbelievable that moment actually was...
