Saturday, November 2, 2013

She's Here!

Hazelnut was born two weeks ago. She was 37w4d and came out a whopping 7lbs3oz and measures 20"tall. She is truly a miracle in every sense of the word.

The last month of my pregnancy was not the easiest. It was quite similar to LMIs in the sense that I was once again diagnosed with PIH and hospitalized for a short stay. The symptoms were all too familiar for me: severe headache, high blood pressure and swelling. I must have worn my Cr.oc flip flops for two months straight. I was in and out of triage and the doctor's office all while trying to balance work - until I was told to stop working at 34 weeks. My house arrest officially began.

I turned 37 weeks on my 33rd birthday. My present was learning that I was to be induced the next night and I would be meeting my Hazelnut the following day. Well things did not turn out as planned. The hospital was swamped with labours and inductions and was continuously getting bumped. I literally sat at home staring at the phone waiting for the call to come to the hospital. It took 36hours (or an eternity) for the call to come. 11am on Saturday A and I showed up at the hospital ready to begin the induction. The first step...cervadil.

When they were ready to begin the saw that my cervix was already displaying (3-4cm) so the cervadil was no longer an option. We now needed to wait for an L&D room and nurse to be able to break my water. We waited in triage for 12 hours. We schmoozed with the nurses, went for lunch in the cafeteria and watched a lot of Net.flix (best invention ever)! Finally we were ready to begin.

I asked for the epidural before they broke my water. The agreed. The epidural was a piece if cake. I of course was shitting bricks with the anticipation of it but I felt no pain and it was over quite quickly. Within minutes I could feel my legs going numb and I was happy that it was working. Until my blood pressure bottomed out. I was nauseous and so incredibly sick. They gave me meds to stabilize me but for the next 3 hours my blood pressure was a roller coaster and until I was ok they wouldn't begin the induction.

Once I was alright we finally began. My waters broke and 3 hrs later my sweet Hazelnut was born. And just like that it was all worth it.

Thank you for following my journey. Your support and advice were always appreciated. I don't think I would be in this place without you.