Many say that you wake up disoriented after surgery because of the effect of anesthesia. This was not true for me. It was like I never slept. The moment I opened my eyes I knew exactly where I was and why I was there. I was actually anxious to see my baby already!
Day 1 - After two hours in the recovery room, it was time to be transferred to my room. It was no walk in the park. They had to transfer me from bed to stretcher to bed by literally carrying me. Take note that they had to lift me like a rolled carpet, all straight and rigid. If not for the drowsiness I would have laughed at the absurdity! What hospital makes doors that does not fit a stretcher?
We initially stayed at a three-bed ward but then transferred to a small private room. I remember waking from sleep because I hear myself snore. Apparently, I snored loudly. Well, I was really tired! I didn't know that after surgery you should not talk because it could cause gas pains. Stupidly, I talked to my in-laws every waking moment and boy did I pay for that!
Day 2 - After years of giving bed baths to my patients, it was finally my turn to experience one. I don't know if surgery does that or giving birth in general, but my being nude was the least of my worries. I felt pain every time I move or turn sideways. The nurse advised me to move so that I would recover quickly.
By lunch time, I remember feeling the first pangs of gas pains. I was literally paralyzed by pain. To make matters worse, they already took out my Foley catheter. Who knew that urinating in a diaper was so hard?! It took me four hours before I could urinate freely thanks to a nursing aide who elevated the head part of my bed. Because of that small victory, I was inspired to sit and dangle my legs at the side of the bed.
Viewing time at the Nursery was just 6 pm - 7 pm for the day. My hubby would take pictures and videos of our baby so that I could see her even though I still could not walk. These pictures, and the hospital bill, motivated me even more to walk! By that evening, I was able to walk to the CR with the help of hubby.
Day 3 - I passed gas already, I was on full diet, and I could walk without support. The doctor told us that I can be discharged already the following day! We contemplated staying through the weekend but our hospital bill was already huge because of all the STAT procedures done to me. To make matters worse, because of my prolonged and tedious labor, our baby was able to swallow meconium and needed to stay at the NICU for seven days to receive and completer her antibiotic therapy. Weighing everything in my head, I decided that we should go home the following day.
That night we were the first by the Nursery window to see our little princess! She was so pretty and just the thought that my pride and hard-headedness was the reason she needed antibiotics at such an early age brought tears to my eyes.
Day 4 - Anxiety and guilt. These feelings were swirling around my heart the day of my discharge. Anxious because we had to go home and leave our precious baby. Guilty because she was suffering due to my stupidity. During my prayer time, God reminded me that everything has its reason for happening and this was just another obstacle that we had to go through.
I was discharged that day and was supposed to leave the hospital by 1 pm. However, I learned that I could breastfeed my baby in the Nursery. They had this room dedicated for breastfeeding mothers. Our 1 pm discharge time became 7 pm!
My path to recovery was definitely one that I would remember forever. It taught me that prayer really is very powerful. Also, the saying 'Mind over matter' is important and true. I said to myself, "No pain would ever trump that of labor pain." With this in mind, I trudged on one foot in front of the other towards home.
Showing posts with label journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journey. Show all posts
Saturday, August 13, 2011
THE DELIVERY
Funny how feeling intense pain blocks out any other emotion, feeling, or thoughts. I did not care how I looked like, I forgot to nag my hubby while driving, and I did not notice how I got to the delivery room.
Upon arriving at the hospital, I was immediately wheeled to the delivery room. I remember that the nurse had to ask me the same question several times before she got an answer out of me. Whether it was due to empathy or sympathy, I appreciated her patience with me. After answering all questions and filling out appropriate forms, I was asked to remove all clothing and don nothing but a patient's gown. Also, I was asked for a urine sample.
The resident doctor examined me and did an IE. I remember her taking a long time examining me and she even had another doctor examine me for a second opinion. They informed me that the presentation of my baby was not appropriate for a normal delivery. After checking and double checking, they determined that it was the extremities (arms or legs) of my baby that was presenting first. They called to inform my OB who in turn ordered a STAT ultrasound to accurately determine my baby's position.
The ultrasound confirmed the suspicion of the resident doctors, and I was informed that I would need a STAT C-section. Due to blinding pain, I could only nod in agreement and consent. I would have agreed to anything just to ensure the safe deliver of my baby. By now, I only could remember bits and pieces, but in every tiny piece of memory there was always the feeling of intense pain. I had to lie sideways and grab my IV stand for dear life.
I was transferred to the delivery room. There they prepped me for surgery while waiting for my OB and anesthesiologist. I had to endure the pain for quite a while because I was already strapped supine to the table. Fortunately, the anesthesiologist arrived and granted my wish to be placed sideways since the route of administration of anesthesia would be through my back. After two days without shuteye, I immediately fell asleep. The anesthesiologist woke me up to test the effectiveness of the anesthesia. I was amazed at how fast it worked! Within seconds I felt little pins then numbness all over my lower body. I tried moving my legs but could not! The anesthesiologist even pricked me with a very long needle and I did not feel a thing.
Ever wonder how a baby pass through a 4- to 6-inch incision? Well, now I know how! Even though I felt no pain, I still felt the pull of my OB inside my body. Just minutes later I saw my baby at a table by my right side where the nurses cleansed her and doctors examined her. She was brought just inches away from my face and I kissed her. I felt this sudden joy and peace. My baby had a head full of hair and my was she big!
With this feeling of love, joy and peace, I surrendered to the overwhelming fatigue and slept.
Upon arriving at the hospital, I was immediately wheeled to the delivery room. I remember that the nurse had to ask me the same question several times before she got an answer out of me. Whether it was due to empathy or sympathy, I appreciated her patience with me. After answering all questions and filling out appropriate forms, I was asked to remove all clothing and don nothing but a patient's gown. Also, I was asked for a urine sample.
The resident doctor examined me and did an IE. I remember her taking a long time examining me and she even had another doctor examine me for a second opinion. They informed me that the presentation of my baby was not appropriate for a normal delivery. After checking and double checking, they determined that it was the extremities (arms or legs) of my baby that was presenting first. They called to inform my OB who in turn ordered a STAT ultrasound to accurately determine my baby's position.
The ultrasound confirmed the suspicion of the resident doctors, and I was informed that I would need a STAT C-section. Due to blinding pain, I could only nod in agreement and consent. I would have agreed to anything just to ensure the safe deliver of my baby. By now, I only could remember bits and pieces, but in every tiny piece of memory there was always the feeling of intense pain. I had to lie sideways and grab my IV stand for dear life.
I was transferred to the delivery room. There they prepped me for surgery while waiting for my OB and anesthesiologist. I had to endure the pain for quite a while because I was already strapped supine to the table. Fortunately, the anesthesiologist arrived and granted my wish to be placed sideways since the route of administration of anesthesia would be through my back. After two days without shuteye, I immediately fell asleep. The anesthesiologist woke me up to test the effectiveness of the anesthesia. I was amazed at how fast it worked! Within seconds I felt little pins then numbness all over my lower body. I tried moving my legs but could not! The anesthesiologist even pricked me with a very long needle and I did not feel a thing.
Ever wonder how a baby pass through a 4- to 6-inch incision? Well, now I know how! Even though I felt no pain, I still felt the pull of my OB inside my body. Just minutes later I saw my baby at a table by my right side where the nurses cleansed her and doctors examined her. She was brought just inches away from my face and I kissed her. I felt this sudden joy and peace. My baby had a head full of hair and my was she big!
With this feeling of love, joy and peace, I surrendered to the overwhelming fatigue and slept.
THE JOURNEY
One insomniac night while I was playing an online game, I began having constant mild dysmenorrhea-like pain. I wasn't able to sleep and so I texted my OB at around 6 am. "That is the start of labor", she replied. Excited, my hubby and I began packing things needed for the hospital stay. I remember thinking, "Five months of nausea, relentless vomiting, food aversion, and severe gastric pain. Four months of food cravings, acid reflux, and middle of the night food binges (the last two weeks of which having severe acid reflux, return of vomiting, and insomnia.) This is it! This is finally the day that we are going to see our daughter!"
3 pm - Packed and ready to go, we went to the hospital for a checkup on the progress of my labor. After an IE (internal examination) of my cervix, my OB said that I am very likely to have a normal delivery because my daughter would easily pass through. Unfortunately, my cervix hasn't dilated yet and the baby is still high. My OB stipulated that it would still take one week before I deliver. So, with slight disappointment, we made our way back home.
9 pm - My contractions slightly increased in intensity and my ulcer started to hurt. We had food delivered thinking that I was only hungry.
10 pm - I could not lay flat on my back and had to turn every two minutes because of the discomfort.
12 mn - I was urinating every few minutes, could not sleep, and was feeling pain like no other pain I have ever felt before (note that I am used to having severe dysmenorrhea.)
2 am - I felt that this may be true labor and texted my OB. She didn't reply, I guess she was sound asleep by then. Despite my hubby's insistence to rush to the hospital, because my baby was still high in my abdomen and my OB's advise that it would likely take a week more in mind, I hesitated. I didn't want to be wrong and sent back home again. So, endure the pain I did.
5 am - I urged my hubby to go for a walk around the block. Whew! That was a walk I don't want to experience again! We had to stop several times because I just can't take another step due to the pain. I managed to finish three laps before we decided to go home.
5:30 am -I texted my OB again and she advised me to go directly to the Delivery Room because she really thought that I was already in true labor and was about to deliver. Fortunately, we still haven't unloaded our things from the car.
6 am - We went quickly to the hospital.
This journey has truly been a painful and memorable one.
3 pm - Packed and ready to go, we went to the hospital for a checkup on the progress of my labor. After an IE (internal examination) of my cervix, my OB said that I am very likely to have a normal delivery because my daughter would easily pass through. Unfortunately, my cervix hasn't dilated yet and the baby is still high. My OB stipulated that it would still take one week before I deliver. So, with slight disappointment, we made our way back home.
9 pm - My contractions slightly increased in intensity and my ulcer started to hurt. We had food delivered thinking that I was only hungry.
10 pm - I could not lay flat on my back and had to turn every two minutes because of the discomfort.
12 mn - I was urinating every few minutes, could not sleep, and was feeling pain like no other pain I have ever felt before (note that I am used to having severe dysmenorrhea.)
2 am - I felt that this may be true labor and texted my OB. She didn't reply, I guess she was sound asleep by then. Despite my hubby's insistence to rush to the hospital, because my baby was still high in my abdomen and my OB's advise that it would likely take a week more in mind, I hesitated. I didn't want to be wrong and sent back home again. So, endure the pain I did.
5 am - I urged my hubby to go for a walk around the block. Whew! That was a walk I don't want to experience again! We had to stop several times because I just can't take another step due to the pain. I managed to finish three laps before we decided to go home.
5:30 am -I texted my OB again and she advised me to go directly to the Delivery Room because she really thought that I was already in true labor and was about to deliver. Fortunately, we still haven't unloaded our things from the car.
6 am - We went quickly to the hospital.
This journey has truly been a painful and memorable one.
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