On Sunday, February 24th Chris and I went from parents of 1 child to 2 children! Nash came to us at 6:18 am via emergency C-Section. It wasn’t what I had in mind for labour but it happened and I’m glad it did.
My pregnancy with Nash was healthy, just like it was with my first pregnancy. However a few weird quirks! I had a bit of morning sickness at the beginning, a month of nosebleeds, then towards the end, I had low blood pressure and my iron level was low, not to mention I had gained 50 pounds!
I showed from the beginning and loved it. I had a big ole belly! But that belly was special. It didn’t drop. It stayed nice and high. Baby Nash was very comfortable inside. I had a couple of extra ultrasounds because of how big my belly was getting. I remember the last ultrasound I went to, the technician said that the baby could be 9lbs 7oz based on their measurements. “9 pounds 7 ounces?!? So you mean I could have a 10-pound baby??”
“9 pounds 7 ounces?!? So you mean I could have a 10-pound baby??”
Saturday I went into the hospital for an Induction. I had so many emotions. I was excited, nervous, anxious but mostly excited to meet our baby.
I went into the hospital 2cm dilated. Feeling optimistic I received oxytocin a hormone that helps you go into labour. But by midnight I was only 3cm dilated. Nowhere near pushing (at 10cms). The doctor broke my water and now I was in active labour. My contractions were intense, they came more often and I was gushing out fluid. I was holding back tears. With each contraction, I thought of Mikayla. In my mind, we were playing hide and seek. She kept saying to me in her squeaky little voice “come find me Mom!”. I just kept focusing on her voice with each contraction. Our nurse helped me get into different labour positions in hopes to get Nash to drop and come down. But he didn’t. His heart rate actually started to drop with each contraction.
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At 5 am the doctors checked me again. I was still 3cm dilated. How?!? All that work for almost nothing. By this time I had been labouring naturally for what felt like forever. Since Nash’s heart rate wasn’t getting better we prepared for a c-section.
I went into the Operating Room, got a spinal tap which I was assured takes 5 minutes to freeze my body. They tested me by holding a bag of ice against my skin starting from my legs to my torso. With each touch, they’d ask me if I could feel it. I could only feel the ice when it reached my torso. They then poked me a few times in the belly and asked if I could feel that. And I could! While this was all happening, I could still feel each of my contractions and as each contraction was happening, Nash’s heart rate was getting lower and lower. So change of plans! I got a general anaesthetic, put to sleep as they operated on me.
At the time, I didn’t feel afraid. I wanted it to be over. I didn’t want to give up but I trusted the doctors. I was looking for Chris. I wanted to hold his hand.
Poor Chris was just about to go into the Operating Room when a nurse came out and updated him that I was being put to sleep. He wasn’t allowed to be in the room with me since there was so much going on. Chris patiently waited in the recovery area.
Not long after, they brought Nash out to Chris. He was 9lbs 1oz. 20.5 inches long with a beautiful round head and chubby cheeks. He had a head of fine, black hair.
I came out of the OR on a stretcher and the nurse was trying to wake me up. “Amanda, time to wake up. Your baby is here! Amanda…” as she tapped my face. I woke up to Chris with a big smile on his face as he was holding Nash. I had was so out of it, I totally forgot what I was doing there and why we were at the hospital. I asked Chris in disbelief if that was Nash. He said YES! I cried as the nurse took Nash and put him on my bare chest.
“Oh my God,” I said, my voice was so hoarse and my throat hurt from the breathing tube. I thought he looked so much like my brother. He looked more Asian than Mikayla when she was born. He was so beautiful, round and chubby. He was finally in my arms. Thankfully, healthy and well. 🙂
Amanda is a writer, photographer, videographer and a content creator with a passion for sharing stories. With her family of 5, they share experiences, tips and ideas that empower Moms to make memories with their families right here in British Columbia.
Wow what an experience! Little Nash wasn’t so little! I’m so glad everything went well and you and babe are healthy!”. <3
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Thanks Reg! It was a crazy day for sure. But yes, sooooo thankful everyone’s happy and healthy!