Elara Jane Bradley (A Birth Story)

Elara Jane Bradley

September 25, 2012

10:28 AM

6 pounds 2 ounces

19 inches

 Last pregnant photo before she came. 

36 weeks 5 days

After getting the phone call from the OB resident we decided to talk to Derek's school people and see what he would be allowed for time off. The OB doctor said she would talk to the attending doctor's and high risk doctor's and see how far back they would let us push back the c-section. Derek and I just needed more time, and we really wanted to give Elara more time to get bigger before she arrived.

We waited until 9 o'clock pm the next day and then I couldn't wait any longer and I called the OB. She was just busy and hadn't had time to call me back yet. Derek had his big surgery shelf exam on the Friday they wanted to do the surgery and then would start his psych rotation with orientation the next Monday. We just wanted to push the surgery back as far as possible. We were hoping for Wednesday the 26th.

When I talked to the doctor she said that with my water usually breaking at 38 weeks they wanted to do it soon. Also they wanted to go off my period date, which was on the first ultrasound. I knew my conception date was 5 days later, but because it was only 5 days and not 7 off they kept my due date as Oct. 13th. So... She said the attendings said absolutely not Wednesday and absolutely no later than Tue. the 25th. They really wanted to do the surgery on Monday the 24th, but Derek had orientation, so we went with Tuesday the 25th. She also kept my appointment for that Friday so we could go over last minute things and any questions we might have.

It was settled. I had 6 days. I went into crazy get things done mode. I had a lot to do before this baby arrived. Thanks to all who helped me! My friend Jane sent me an email with a groupon for a mattress store. I ended up finding a twin bed and box springs that was worth $200 and only paid $63! My Uncle David picked it up for me. My friend Jocelyn cut my hair for me on Thursday. Friday the kids went to a birthday party and I got to go to the doctor one last time. Then, Derek had Saturday and Sunday off. It was a temple dedication on Sunday, so Saturday we went to This is the Place Heritage Park and took the kids to do fun stuff, which they loved. We tried to soak up as much time together as a family of 4. Sunday we cleaned and cleaned some more. Derek scrubbed my entire kitchen and was so sweet about it. He is such an amazing hubby and I'm so grateful for him. On Monday he had to go to school for orientation and some other things. Then, we had our last supper and played with the kids together. It was such a great weekend and I'm so glad we had that time together. 

Pointless to say, but I did NOT sleep the night before the surgery. Derek's Mom came over Monday night, so we wouldn't have to stress the morning. Tuesday morning came and I called the hospital at 6 am to find out when to be there. We were told any time after 7:30 am. We got everything packed and said our good byes to the kids. We got to the hospital at 7:45 am. The "cut" time was scheduled for 9:30 am. I kept teasing them saying if we could hurry we could have the baby at 9:25 on 9-25. Didn't happen, but it was a cool thought. Derek gave me a blessing that morning before we left the house. I just wanted to be happy and excited and not nervous. Once we were in our room they started the IV. It only took 2 pokes this time around. With Eden it took about 7... Not too bad. I got hooked up to the baby heart monitor and contraction monitor. To pass the time Derek and I just kept telling funny stories from medical school and making each other laugh. It was perfect. I felt excited and happy just like I wanted to. We had so many doctor's come in to see how we were doing and explain things. As we walked into labor and delivery we of course saw about 3 other medical students from Derek's class. Everyone was so nice and understanding when we asked to not have student's there with us. It would be just a little weird saying, "Oh hey, so you are Derek's wife", while i'm lying naked on an operating table. Ya..... 

They were awesome and let Derek stay by me the entire time. He got to wear the sexy scrubs and hat. I just love seeing him in scrubs! ;) I got to walk to the operating table. It was so much smaller than I thought it would be! So, far nothing was that bad. The anesthesiologists were great! They walked me through step by step and Derek held on to me. The worst part was them making me drink this bitter drink to keep me from throwing up. I could never drink alcohol because I can't make myself drink something I don't like. Ugh. This drink was the worst especially on an empty stomach. Then came the spinal. I was nervous, but just ready to have it done. This was the "EASIEST" part! The numbing needle I barely even felt, it felt like someone touching my skin then a weird feeling. I didn't even feel the spinal needle at all or any pressure or anything. It took effect immediately! It was weird. My bottom started tingling immediately.  I then had to lay down and put on the awesome oxygen mask. Things were really picking up. There were so many people in the room at this point. Derek held my hand the entire time. They then cleaned my stomach with what looked like orange tanning lotion that stains your skin and looks awesome. My arms were spread out on these holders. One had my IV and the other arm had the blood pressure cuff. They felt to see how far the numbing was taking effect and just pricked my skin with a sharp point. The nurse inserted a catheter. Didn't hurt at all. Then, the curtain was going up. It was all happening so fast and it was a little weird lying there naked on a table with so many people in the room. Again, glad no medical students were there. The incision came fast. I didn't really have time to get my head on straight, I was just excited to meet Elara and so much was happening. Derek was still right at my side holding my hand. 

Elara came so fast! I think the surgery lasted maybe 45 minutes total! There was a lot of pushing on my stomach to get her out. I didn't think about how they would get her out, but push they did. They suctioned a lot too. I really had no idea, but the anesthesiologist talked me through any questions I had and kept me happy. He was awesome! She cried immediately when she came out and I knew she'd be ok. She was completely covered head to toe in vernix the white coating. She looked tiny the moment they showed her to me. They took her to clean her up a bit and get wrapped up. Derek went with her. They were able to stay in the operating room with me the entire time. I could hear Derek talking to her and they were maybe 5 feet away was all. It was amazing. Of course someone didn't let the pediatric team in on no med students and Derek knew the guy, but thankfully it was just for the baby and for a few seconds. They got her wrapped up. They didn't weigh her or anything. They asked if I wanted to hold her. I didn't know if I could. They just set her on my chest. They took off the oxygen mask and I just fell in love. She was here. She was perfect. She was sooo small. I still can't stop thinking about how small she is. I knew immediately she was my smallest baby yet. Her apgar score was an 8 and then a 9. They said they would have given her a 10, but they aren't allowed. Perfect! My biggest fear of the c-section was that Elara would be too early and need help. She is strong! She is healthy!

I had read a book about c-sections before the surgery, so when I started feeling like I couldn't breathe they took the baby back. I asked for an oxygen mask and to look at my oxygen levels. I knew they were normal. Again, the anesthesiologist was awesome. It just felt hard to breathe even though I knew I was just fine. Before Elara came out I got sooooo nauseous! I told them I was going to throw up. The anesthesiologist gave me medicine to help my blood pressure. It had dropped just ever so lightly. It helped. Then, after he gave me more nausea medicine for when the surgery would be over. I'm totally ok with Derek going into anesthesia after this. I might not remember the anesthiologist name, but I will forever remember how kind he was to me and how he got me through this surgery. I couldn't have done it without this guy and Derek! 

Once the surgery was done and I was all stitched up they took us to recovery. This was so hard. The surgery was nothing. Recovery was everything.

Again, Derek was by my side through this. I couldn't have done it without him. They put pressure cuffs on my legs and I was getting a lot of IV fluids. I was so so dizzy, which is an effect of the anesthesia. Because I was so dizzy I would throw up every couple of hours. I think I threw up 7 times that day. I'll spare the details of recovery, but I can come out of this delivery and say I can do hard things whether I want to or not. I feel so blessed