Averie's Birth Story
Posted
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 3:24 PM
"It just seemed
so surreal that my little one could be inside of me one day, and the next day
she could be in my arms."
“I can’t believe that I will have a baby
tomorrow!”
My baby was breech, so a c-section
had been scheduled for April 26, when I was 39 weeks pregnant. Since I knew
exactly when I would be giving birth, I was incredibly anxious the night
before. I tried to mentally prepare myself by keeping busy; I finished errands,
bought last-minute infant gear and went on a long walk with my dogs. I knew it
would be awhile until I felt up to those activities again! Before I went to bed
that night, I excitedly said to Matt, my husband, “I can’t believe that we will
have a baby tomorrow!” It just seemed
so surreal that my little one could be inside of me one day, and the next day
she could be in my arms.
A completely new experience
My mother and Matt brought
me to the hospital at 9:30 a.m. the next day. The surgery was scheduled for
11:30 a.m., so the next two hours were spent preparing for what would happen.
I’d never needed so much as stitches before, so as the hour came nearer, I
became increasingly nervous. I was very scared about the surgery itself—whenever
I let myself think about the spinal needle, I’d start to cry. Thankfully, Matt
and my mother were hugely comforting. They helped remind me that the c-section
was a necessary step toward meeting my new baby!
Like being in a dream
At 11:30 a.m., I was given
anesthesia, and then Matt accompanied me into the operating room. My baby was
“stuck” beneath my ribs, so the c-section took longer than the doctors
expected. But to me, it seemed to go by quickly, as if I were dreaming. I
remember being asked if I felt anything, and then, after what seemed like only
a minute, I heard my doctor say, “Okay, we are about to pull her out. You will
feel a lot of pressure.” What? Already?!
I thought. Before I knew it, the doctors had safely pulled my little one out
into the world.
Hello, Averie!
Averie was born at 12:07
p.m. and weighed 6 pounds, 9.8 ounces and was 19 inches long. I stared, astonished,
as they gently cleaned her up and wrapped her in a blanket. I marveled at
Averie’s features: She had skinny legs, a little nose and the tiniest ears.
Those ears amazed me! It seems silly now, but I couldn’t get over how perfect
and adult-like they were.
Finally, the doctor placed
Averie on my chest, and I was overcome with emotion. I couldn’t say anything
except, “She is so beautiful.” Matt and I started crying—we couldn’t believe
that we had a baby! Everything about
Averie is incredible, and I am so excited to see what she has in store for us!
>> Want to share the story of your birth with TheBump.com? Email Bump Kathleen at kmulpeter@xogrp.com.