We can not thank you enough for all of your prayers and encouragement these last several months! We know that God truly has had his hand on Cohen and us throughout this time. He truly is our little, amazing miracle. As free time is scarce these days, I may have to divulge details of Cohen's arrival over a few posts. Also, as I have had little sleep, as expected, my editing skills will be considerably lower. I apologize in advance.
Anyway, we went in to the hospital last Monday evening expecting to get things started, but still expecting to sleep a decent amount. We were very wrong. I was having contractions every two to three minutes after awhile. The only thing they offered me was some medication that had hardly any affect on the pain but made me extremely loopy. As soon as they administered it, the room was spinning, I couldn't keep my eyes open and I felt heat rise from my toes to my head. I'm pretty sure because I had diminished capacity from the initial dose, I foolishly accepted two more throughout the night. I literally watched the clock until 5 AM when they could start the induction and I was allowed an epidural. We were in for a long day. The day is very fuzzy for me because of the previously mentioned medication. The one thing I really loved in the hospital was the monitor they hooked me up to so I could hear Cohen's heart beat the entire time. So, I constantly asked how high my contractions registered and how Cohen's heart beat was. Throughout the day I steadily progressed. The strangely ironic thing was that Chris was nauseous and throwing up all day.He hadn't even gone to the Fair and eaten fried pickles! The nurses were pretty worried about him and sympathetic but still could not give him anything. Finally, he called and explained the situation to his doctor's office and they called in a prescription to the hospital pharmacy in the nick of time. The doctor came around early afternoon and said it wouldn't be long. Apparently his definition and my definition of "long" is completely different! So maybe four hours later he said it was time to push. We were excited but my heart sunk when he said I had a fever over 101 degrees and he would administer an antibiotic via i.v. and monitor me and Cohen to make sure we were ok. He said otherwise the options were to use the forceps or have a c-section. And then, even though I was unaware of it, the doctor went out and told my family that he would let me push for an hour but then he would probably need to intervene.
I hadn't given the "pushing" part much thought, but it was tough! Chris was a great coach but I was struggling with the fever and having had a sinus infection, I was all stuffed up which made the "breathing" part somewhat difficult. Let me just say that there is nothing glamorous about this part or those infamous bedside photos after the birth! I was on so many medications and i.v.s and things that when I look back, I don't recognize myself at all. Although the labor nurses gave me no indication whatsoever how I was progressing, they finally said we were close a little after an hour and they were trying to contact my doctor. They had a difficult time reaching him and I can only think that is because he didn't expect me to get this far on my own. They had me stop pushing. I was getting a little upset when he didn't come and was thinking, "Hey, buddy-we've been at your office every week now for several months and we are all in this together, so you better show up!!!" He did. He delivered Cohen and I could tell he was perfect! They whisked him away and Chris left my side to be with him. I couldn't believe all this had just happened! Then in came the family who I don't think could believe it all either. My doctor told me before he left that he thought I was a "powder puff" and wouldn't be able to do it on my own! Just because I ask a million questions and worry about things doesn't mean I'm not tough! Anyway, the evening was long and I got no sleep, but we were so excited! Chris was able to sleep, but the funniest thing was when nurses would come in to check on me and Cohen he would pop up with a glassy-eyed, not-all-there or awake look and mumble something incoherent then lay right back down. He needed his rest, though, because we were immediately in for some sleepless nights.
So, things are going well. We weren't able to leave the hospital until Thursday morning because I had several rounds of i.v. antibiotics I had to take because of my fever. We were beyond exhausted the first few days, but doing so much better since my mom stayed a few nights and we were able to get some sleep. Also, Cohen's first pediatrician appointment went well as well as his first chiropractic adjustment. I know, I know, it sounds weird, but Chris did the research so ask him! We don't go back to either for a month.
I have to put a word in for Chris. He has been absolutely amazing through the entire ordeal and he is a wonderful dad already! He is a natural-changing most diapers, helping with baths, calming Cohen down, waking at all hours of the night to do whatever needs done and keeping track of Cohen's feeding/sleeping/diaper log. I will really miss him when he goes back to work!
Well, since it has taken nearly four attempts at writing this post, I will call it good. Who knows when I will get enough free time next!
