Bingo's Birth Story

As most know, I wanted to deliver Bingo into this world without drugs and labor at home.  But Bingo likes sitting upright.  At 20 weeks he was breech which isn't unusual at that stage but he needed to turn.  At 27 weeks still no turning.  Dr. Birnkrant told me only 3% of babies are still breech at term so not to worry.  But Bingo didn't turn.  He would move his head from the right to the left but he never turned upside down.

So on July 27th I had a ECV, a version.  My bodybuilding OB would try and manually turn the baby.  This is a rather simple process but it can be quite painful.  My pelvis was already in a substantial amount of pain (turning over in bed hurt as did standing up or sitting down).  We believe my pelvis was spreading to make way for a sideways baby.

At the Version they monitored me and Bingo for an hour.  I was already have contractions, that I couldn't feel, that were 3 minutes apart and Bingo's heart beat was sure and steady.  Then the doctor came in with the hospital OB to turn the baby.  My OB, remember he is a body builder would try to turn the baby while the other doctor would monitor the baby.  There is a chance for fetal distress and then an emergency c-section has to happen.  This is why this is done in the hospital.

I squeezed my toes and the doctor tried to turn the baby.  About 30 seconds in I asked him when I would get the drugs.  I got up to use the bathroom so there was some confusion about whether I got the drugs.  My doctor was impressed that I was able to handle that pain without drugs.   I got the drugs which relax the uterus so I would still have some pain and we waited for them to take affect.  Then he tried turning Bingo.  After 3 minutes he stopped.  He told me he didn't think he could do it.  But he was willing to try again.

I was hoping he had turned but it was quite a bit of pain and he hadn't budged.  So I said let's call it a day. 

My OB's hand print was on the top of my uterus.  That is how hard he tried.  And the location where the c-section incision would be hurt more.

Bingo and I were monitored for the next hour.  While I was there I was able to fill out all the questions the hospital would ask me for the c-section so it was time well spent.  And I got to see what a delivery room would look like.

I was in pain for the next few days.  Both my pelvis hurt but my uterus hurt even more.  And the next day where the hand print was I could see how he tore some skin trying to turn the baby.

So then I just planned for my August 6th c-section and the recovery.

The night before, August 5th, I went to the ballgame.  I really wanted to get a Jayson Werth gnome, the free give away at the game.  Lots of drama to get there but I got there and waddled from the parking lot and got my trophy. 

Note the size of my ankles - they are now nearly normal and those flip flips are too big.

I didn't stay through the whole game - I left about the 5th inning but didn't go to bed until about midnight.  I had to be up at 4 am so not sure what I was thinking.  But I was packed and ready to go.

My sister, Alysha, came and got me at 4:45 and we drove to the hospital.   We went to the third floor and was taking to a triage room.  My godmother, Terri, also was there.  Alysha was very very into wearing the scrubs they gave her. 

There are a lot more photos of Alysha in scrubs.

The nurse who was attending me was named Funke - which reminded all of us of Dr. Tobias Funke of Arrested Development.  

The anesthesiologist came in and explained what would happen when I got to the OR room and then the nurse took me down to OR 2.  There was some mix up about when the procedure would start and the staff kept apologizing to me.  I had no idea and didn't care.  I was by myself this whole time.  It seemed odd but after it made sense why.

The epidural/spinal block was probably the hardest part of the whole thing.  I sat on the side of the table and faced the OR nurse.  I was told it would feel like a bee sting, which I suppose it did.  Except I felt the drugs coming down the right side of my body and then my feet started going numb.  I had already started to have late pregnancy numbness which was normal but I would move around a lot and it would go away. 

They laid me down and I started to complain about not feeling my toes (yes this is what is supposed to happen).  Then I really needed to throw up and really wanted an ice chip (I hadn't had any fluids since 11 pm the night before).  And I freaked out that I would be paralyzed with a baby and all by myself.

By the way, I wasn't that excited to meet Bingo.  I knew he would be out before the end of the month, the section was happening a week early so I was more that patient enough to meet him.  I also was really NOT looking forward to the recovery.

The anesthesiologist said that he could give me some anti-anxiety medication before the procedure if I needed it he just needed to get permission from the pediatrician and if I wanted he could give it to me as soon as the baby is out regardless.

But a few minutes after the panic set in I felt great.  I was finally lying on my back. I could breathe easily (Bingo had been pushing on my lungs for a while) and then I couldn't wait to see him. I  had a clean line of site to the bed he would go to first for assessment.

My sister came in and stood by me holding my hand.  Again she was quite excited to be in her scrubs.   She had witnessed a c-section live and in person before so she wasn't freaked out at all. 

Then the whole thing went into operation.  A sheet was put a few inches from my face. There were a few more folks in the room and people were setting up for the surgery.  I told my OB and the anesthesiologist that I didn't want the process narrated just that the baby was out and healthy. 

I was told the catheter was in me and I had no idea that happened so I knew I was good an numb.  And then I was told that a knife had gone in me and I felt nothing.

Bingo came into the world butt first and had his first bowel movement.  The anesthesiologist confirmed that Bingo was a boy (I only had one sonogram confirmation at 20 weeks and nothing since as he liked to keep his legs crossed).  And then he still didn't want the rest of him to come out.

My doctor pulled and another doctor pushed from the top to get him out.  It felt like an amazing stomach massage. 

Then he was out and I saw limbs and parts of him while the nurses and doctors wrapped him up, assessed him, etc.  I couldn't believe he was mine as he didn't have curly hair (for some reason I really thought he would have it) and because he was so so pale.

3 weeks later he looks like me - hair isn't curly and he's still pale but he looks like me.  Those lips don't lie.

They finished sewing me up.  I was concerned I would be bored but it didn't take that long.  I feel that the whole process lasted 45 minutes but I have no real idea of how long.  My sister was able to hold Bingo first and bring him over to me.

I don't really remember seeing him for the first time but I don't remember hearing any crying.  He was handed to me as I was wheeled back to the triage room. 

My godmother came in to say hello and goodbye and go to work.  I am so happy she was able to be there for us.  And then Tom and Tina came in.  I still can't believe that Tina cried.

After about 2 hours, Bingo and I were moved separately to my recovery room where we stayed for 4 days.

Recovery was kind of great - amazing food was brought to me, nurses were fantastic catering to my every need.

We also had lots of visitors - Karen, Mas, David, Laura, Salma, Saanya, Andrew, Jumana and Auntie Sabiah.