We knew weeks ahead of time that Bennett would arrive on Friday, May 29th. We were scheduled at 37 weeks because of our blood incompatibility and we knew we would have a repeat c-section.
It was very different knowing when he was coming. Our families were here the day before and we had a plan of how Grayson would be taken care of through the weekend. I was packed and ready days before and I had been told several times step by step what would happen from the time we arrived at the hospital until we got to go home.
So Thursday, we went to the hospital for our pre-op appointment. They went ahead and drew my blood, put my hospital bands on my wrist, gave me instructions about taking a shower that night and not eating after midnight and then we were on our way home. Brandon's parents, nanny, and Jamie all arrived that night and we visited for a bit before heading to bed.
That night I woke up at about 1:00 am to go to the bathroom and after laying back down - I could not fall asleep. At first I just thought I had gas - so I kept trying to change positions to get relief but I realized a few minutes later that the pain was starting in my lower tummy and then wrapping around my back and lasting about a minute. After about 30 minutes of tossing and turning and just feeling very achy in my back, I decided to download a contraction timing app and to just see what was happening. When I first started timing they were only 6 or 7 minutes apart and lasting a little over a minute. This happened for about an hour. I started getting nervous that we were going to have to go in earlier to the hospital and I was annoyed that I couldn't get comfortable and sleep - especially considering I was going to be having my baby in about 6 hours anyway. They did finally spread to 11 minutes apart, then 15, then 30 and then I slept from about 4:00 to 5:00 before waking up to get ready to head to the hospital.
When we arrived at the hospital, we were led to our room and the nurses started asking more questions and putting information in the computer. I changed into the hospital gown, they put on the baby monitors, and they put in my IV which was probably the most painful of anything they did that day. Then they said the anesthesiologist would be in shortly to get me ready for that part. There were lots of people in and out of our room from about 7:00 to 7:30 getting the room ready and everyone getting on their OR gear. Dr. Womack and Carrington popped their heads in at some point to check in on us and told us they would see us in there.
Finally around 7:45 they wheeled my bed back to the operating room. I moved over to the operating table, they put in my spinal (which hurt less than the IV really) and then they quickly laid me down on the table as I could feel my legs falling asleep. At first I could still wiggle my toes and they said that was normal for now. Then they kept working on getting everything ready - hanging the dividing curtain, covering me with warm blankets and getting the room ready for Bennett's arrival. The anesthesiologist kept checking with me to make sure I was feeling ok. After the first couple minutes it did feel funny to breathe and the oxygen in my nose made it hard to talk but I just kept taking deep breaths. I also got a little nauseous and she gave me something to help with that and it was immediately gone.
Finally they checked to make sure I was numb and then started operating. Brandon chose not to look as much this time. I felt like it took longer this time but maybe it was just because I was noticing every little thing and I wasn't completely exhausted like I was when we finally had to have a c-section with Grayson. All the sounds and pulling and pushing was just as described and finally they said that they had made it to my uterus. They told Brandon he could look as they broke my water and pulled Bennett out. They confirmed that he looked great even though Brandon told me that he was completely blue. He finally made a little cry and they held him up over the curtain for me to see. He was beautiful. They took him over to clean him off and I could see his little hands and toes peeking off the top of the table. We both immediately noticed how long his fingers and toes were. He was a tiny thing but they said his apgar scores were 8 and 8. I just couldn't take my eyes off of him and as I was listening to the nurses talk about him and check him, I was just overwhelmed at God's goodness at getting us to this point. He was faithful even when I was fearful. Just hearing Bennett's mighty cries made me tear up in gratitude that my son had healthy lungs and he was here and safe.
After a few minutes of cleaning and checking him they wrapped him up and brought him to me. They laid him on my chest and I was able to move both of my arms to hold him and give him several kisses. The nurse told me that although he was doing well, they were a little concerned with how responsive he was so they wanted to check him out a little more thoroughly in the nursery. They reassured me that he thought he looked good and would be able to meet me in my room. Brandon stayed with Bennett and I just kept listening in on Carrington and Dr. Womack's conversation and closing my eyes to rest. I kept praying that Bennett would check out perfectly in the nursery. As they were finishing a nurse came in to let me know that Bennett was doing great and would meet me in my room and that he weighed in at a whopping 6 lbs 3 oz which is about the 50th percentile for 37 week babies.
A few minutes later they were done in the operating room and they transferred me back to my regular bed and wheeled me to my room. They checked my vitals and asked me a few more questions and then it felt like forever that I was waiting on them to bring me my baby. I finally asked them to call down to the nursery to see how long it would be and they said he was almost finished. Apparently there were lots of students in the Birthing Center and so they were walking them through every step of the process. They finally brought me my sweet boy and I got to nurse him immediately - so much easier the second time around. We had a few minutes to ourselves and then we decided to let everyone come back to meet him - both our parents, sisters, and Brandon's nanny. Jamie recorded this video of Grayson meeting Bennett and I am so glad she did - what a perfect moment. Grayson already loves his brother and wants to check on him and give him his paci and he still doesn't really like it when he cries.
It was a perfectly sweet morning and it really did all go by so fast. I am so thankful that surgery is over and that I am healing. Recovering from any birth is hard but I know I will have to be slow getting back to my 100 mph lifestyle and keeping up with Grayson. I am thankful that each day will get better and we will learn and grow as a family.
