Oliver's Birth Story

"I'm having contractions.  Much more frequent and intense than those of the last month.  And I just don't feel good.  I feel off, weird, achy.  I'm going to head to the doctor real quick.  Do you want me to call you when I'm done?"

"Uh, no.  I"ll be home as fast as I can."

It was June 19th, around 10:30 AM, when I couldn't walk or talk through a contraction.  Holly and her kiddos had just left and I was putting Felix down for a nap.  He asked me to pick him up and I could barely say, "Hang on, baby." while my gigantic stomach lurched and tightened.  I called Ben at work.  He flew home, packed a bag, called his dad to come watch Felix and we drove to the doctor's office.  All this time, I'm thinking "This is nothing.  Just practice labor.  This is OW WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!"  

When I called Ben at 10:30 AM my contractions were 5-6 minutes apart.  By 12:30 PM they were 3-4 minutes apart.  And just off the charts delightful.  Seriously, they hooked me up to the non-stress test monitor I'd been hooked up to for months and the contractions went off the page several times.  

Ow.  OW.

They sent us to Overlake (our most favorite hospital) to see the on-call doctor for an assessment, who just happened to be the surgeon who saved my life last summer.  And the one we totally adore.  

She saw me, asked, "Are you in labor?"  
"These make my butt hurt.  Put me out of my misery."  
She looked at her watch and said, "I've got an hour.  Let's do it."

I should mention that I had a c-section scheduled for June 26th.  I would have labored and tried a VBAC but with what happened last summer even the midwives were like "Yeah, no.  I'd schedule a c-section.  

So, we got to the hospital at 2 PM, contractions a plenty and were in surgery by 3 PM.

Scary elevator.

Prepping for surgery.  Sassy and, ok, nervous.

Ben becomes a spaceman.

Skipping to the OR.

 The team in the OR rocked.  I love everyone at Group Health and Overlake.  I couldn't have felt more taken care of.  Dr. Welch (our fave) was joined by Midwife Karen McConnell (we call her the No Bullshit Midwife and I told her so mid-op) and a crazy awesome team of nurses.  They were so coordinated and able to handle anything.  Like even when my heart rate went into the 150's and they had to fix it.  No sweat.  
Like last time, we were able to see everything if we looked at the mirrored lights.  Ben was able to see because they lowered the cloth enough for him to peek.  He watched them and loved it.  I watched this time too.  I didn't with Felix because I was really scared.  

I saw Ollie's head pop out of my stomach.  I heard him cry before his body was even out.  He was perfect.  Happy and pink all over.  I watched them clean my uterus, saw them dump water into my guts.  Watched them stitch and take excellent care of my insides.  All the while I was shaking like a leaf.  The drugs made me shake so hard I bit my tongue trying not to chatter.  They gave me a blanket and warmed me up but I still shook like a cat shitting peach seeds.

Finally I got to meet him.  He was here!

3:38 PM

First picture with mom and dad

It went so swimmingly.  I was so happy.  I was wheeled back into recovery and watched for a few hours.  They offered me narcotic pain killers and I declined in favor for Ibuprofen.  I don't need a lot of drugs.  I just wanted a cheeseburger.  

Who has two thumbs and can't feel her legs?

Breast feeding o'clock.

I was up and walking the halls within a few hours.  I got sort of scolded by the charge nurse for being up.  Not many people who had major surgery are walking laps in the hall hours later.  I figured I could feel my legs, why not use them?!  I got my IV out, then the catheter.  I was on a mission.  I wanted to pee on my own!  

I also got diarrhea so bad.  Like the worst poops in the history of the world.  Not even joking.  I was running RUNNING to the bathroom every 5 minutes for HOURS.  All my friends/family were listening to my bowels while they visited.  Swell.  The nurses had a pow-wow about me because it's such a rare problem.  I still can't believe how bad it was.  All the weight I'd lost (minus the child) was from that lovely problem.  Hilarious now, mortifying then. 

Ben and his babe

Our beyond fantastic pediatrician, Dr. Chesley.

Cuddles

Dr. Welch, cute as a button even after her 24 hour shift.

I got my cheeseburger.  I got my baby.  I got to go home.  Except for the uncontrollable crapping, it was a stellar experience and one I'll always remember.  Home life will never be the same, made better and complete by our new little Ollie Bean.

This is what stretchy dresses are for, no

So much love.