Joshua's Birth Story

Joshua’s Birth Story

July 5, 2005: 4:15 p.m.
I had a doctor’s appt. with Dr. W. He wanted to check my blood pressure again from Friday’s appt. because it was teetering on hypertension levels. I went back and passed the urine test which meant no protein present. Janet, the nurse, took my blood pressure and it was 165 over 105. Really high. She had me sit on the exam table for awhile with the lights out and then rechecked me and it was still around the same. The doctor came in and checked it and it was a tad bit higher than Janet’s readings. So, he did an ultrasound and discovered that the amniotic fluid had gone down some since Friday. He did an internal and checked my cervix. Josh’s head was still very low.

We discussed the options. He was very adamant about taking the baby that day at 9 p.m. I was shocked. I knew it was coming, but had no clue that I’d be delivering that night. After some tears, I got over the fears and was okay with the decision to move forward.

We went over some things with the doctor in his office and then I headed over to the hospital. Mr. Big went home to get our bags and arrange for Jacob to spend the night with Grandpa and Grandma A. They were all shocked and elated to hear that Joshua was coming!

5:30 p.m.

I headed over to the hospital by myself. I checked into labor and delivery and was taken back to my room. The nurse was really sweet and had me change into a beautiful hospital gown. She then hooked me up to monitors that would monitor my contractions (I wasn’t having any…), the baby and my blood pressure. She put my IV in and started some regular saline. My blood pressure was still high. She had me lay on my side for a while and it went down a tad, but still hypertensive level. She had me sign my life away on tons of hospital paperwork and then I just waited.

Mr. Big got there around 8 p.m. after getting the house, Jacob and our things in order. He was so cute. You could see the excitement and fear in his face. He was concerned about the baby and I, but so happy at the same time.

The doctor showed up at 8:30 p.m. and we sat in my room and chatted. I love my doctor! He was very positive and went over the cesarean delivery (again) with us. Then we chatted about his dinner at Luby’s and how he danced with his wife to karaoke afterwards. Didn’t even realize Luby’s had karaoke!

The surgical nurses showed up and took me to the operating room. I walked to the room and was laid down on the table. They hooked me up to all kinds of monitors. My blood pressure was still extremely high. The anesthesiologist came in and administered my epidural. I was dreading that part because it was painful with Jacob. It was painful this time, but the numbing was so much more effective. I didn’t have to tell them to numb me more and more and more. I was numb, couldn’t feel a thing.

Dr. W took out my cerclage. He then asked the nurses to get Mr. Big. He came in and was seated at my head. I was much more alert this time and he could tell. He held my hand and kissed my cheeks and forehead. He kept asking me if I was okay. I remember looking into his eyes. He was already swelling up with tears and our son hadn’t even arrived yet.

The doctor made the initial incision and talked as he performed the cesarean. Eventually, the baby’s head was removed from my uterus and then his body. He lifted him up into the air and the first cries sounded throughout the room. He was gorgeous. He was big, healthy and had a hearty cry. My first response was how much he looked like Jacob. Mr. Big was just amazed. We both cried, said our “I love you(s)” and kissed.

The nurse took him over to the baby area and cleaned him off. Mr. Big ran over with the camera and took some “Daddy shots” of him on the table getting cleaned up. The nurse swaddled him in a blanket and placed him on my chest. Mr. Big took some pictures as I held our second son on my chest for the first time. I kissed his sweet chubby cheeks and whispered how much I loved him. He stared back at me with those cute eyes. He looked so trusting and innocent at that very moment. My heart just melted into his. Instant love, relived!

The nurse eventually took him from me and took him (with Mr. Big) to the nursery for observation. The doctor continued to remove the placenta and stitch me up. Just a side note, I donated my placenta to medical students for study. They came and picked it up and were going on and on about how big and healthy it was. Thank you v. much! Dr. W told me that my uterus was really thin and that I would probably only be able to carry one more baby. I laughed and told him that we wanted one more and that was it. I then proceeded to tell him that I wouldn’t be trying anytime soon anyway. He laughed and said good, we’ll talk more later.

I was eventually wheeled back to recovery where I would have to sit for four hours under observation. The nurse brought me ice in a cup with a spoon. Delicious! I ate two whole cups of ice by myself. I was thirsty. My blood pressure was nice and level and was lowered after giving birth to the baby. I was happy about that because I feared that I would be put on all the medications, like my previous delivery. I had the Demerol pump in my back and as the epidural wore off I started hitting the little button to administer some relief. I have to admit, I love that Demerol pump! That thing rules! Best part, it didn’t come out until the day that I left. I was bummed! I remember my legs were super numb and I could move them and didn’t feel a thing. Bizarre!

Josh’s birth was extremely different than Jacob’s birth. I was more coherent. I enjoyed the whole delivery this time and wasn’t scared for my health. I felt comfortable in the hands of my doctor. The only thing that differed was the fact that Joshua had issues this time. Last time, I had the issues. So, it was scary, just in a different way for us. I would take me having health issues over my baby any day.

Our pediatrician called me while in recovery from the regular nursery and discussed Josh’s condition with me. He was having difficulty breathing and “grunting”. She told me that they were going to put him in the Level I NICU under observation for the night. I was a little baffled because he left the delivery room kicking and screaming. Obviously, he had some pre-term lung issues that needed to be dealt with and I was okay with that. Mr. Big eventually came to check on me and he had no idea they had relocated the baby to the NICU. He was a tad bit upset as the whole family was watching the baby through the regular nursery window when they came to move him to the NICU. No one even discussed it with him. I felt bad for him. He looked panicked! After finding the nurse and discussing Joshua’s condition with her, he felt much better.


I was wheeled back to my room at around 1 a.m. On the way to the room the nurse took me to the NICU to see Josh. He was under an oxygen hood and looked really red. He had an I.V., which was scary to see. We sat for about 30 minutes just holding his hand and kissing his body parts. We left to go to our room for the night. I was so tired that it wasn’t as hard as I imagined it would be to leave him in there for the night. I knew I’d need my rest.

My MIL and FIL stayed to say hi before heading home for the night. My parents had gone home with Jake to get some sleep. I was pretty tired at that point, but had the adrenaline to still want to discuss everything over again with Mr. Big. We just chatted and chatted until we both fell asleep.

The next morning we had teams of doctors in our room discussing Josh’s condition with us. Scary times were ahead for us and we had no clue what to expect. He was moved to the Level II NICU and would be in the hospital for at least a week. We were so emotional and scared.

NICU portion of the story to follow…