Though all opinions are my own, this blog post is sponsored by SSM Health Women’s Health. For more information on sponsored posts, click here.

Before Delivery

I actually made it to my planned c-section date. I didn’t think I was going to but those progesterone shots did their job and my water never broke.

At my last appointment with my doctor, I was given clear verbal and written instructions on how to prepare for surgery. I fasted and took two showers with the special soap they gave me. The only difference from my previous four c-sections was this time I had to ingest a pre-surgery drink on my way to the hospital.

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We left bright and early to be the first surgery of the day. But things don’t always go as planned. We ended up having a few hours to hang out as emergency surgeries took precedence (which they should!).

My doctor and the nursing staff kept apologizing for the wait but that was completely unnecessary. I was just thankful I wasn’t in an emergent situation. But I was hungry. The only downfall of having extra time on our hands was that I had fasted for the surgery and I was starving.

When I was being prepped for surgery two IVs were started because this was my fifth c-section. Obviously, risks increase with each subsequent surgery. Having two IVs ended up being a very good thing (keep reading).

Eventually, I was able to speak with the anesthesiologist and explained my past issues with the spinal block.

For those who don’t know, for two of my c-sections, the spinal block stopped working halfway through the surgery and I was in PAIN!! It turns out my body is “unique”.

This anesthesiologist listened attentively to what had happened in the past. He decided to add a little more medication and tilt my body with my head down for some time to use gravity to get the medication moving up my spine.

Delivery

When my turn in the operating room arrived I walked back and my spinal block was inserted. Thankfully, I felt ZERO pain during the entire surgery – hooray!!

Being awake during surgery is always a very surreal feeling. You chat the whole time with your medical team. I love that my husband is able to be right by my side. Alex got to announce the sex of the baby which took us both by surprise. A girl!

I truly thought I was having a boy so we had to discuss name options for a few minutes before picking our final choice. I was able to hold the baby while I was being stitched up but then I started shaking a lot which is very normal.

The surgery went incredibly well and I’m so thankful to the team who delivered our sweet baby girl Blake.

After Delivery

Once I was closed back up I was wheeled to the recovery area and that’s when things got a little dicey.

It’s routine for the nurses to come and push on your uterus to make sure it is contracting correctly. During one check my nurse noticed that I was hemorrhaging. She calmly explained that a whole team of people was about to rush into my room to get the bleeding under control.

My doctor arrived quickly and remarked that he had thought I was going to be his easy patient that day.

A blood transfusion was given and medications were started to get the bleeding to stop.

My OB then walked me through what would happen next if they couldn’t get the bleeding to stop soon. I always appreciate being kept in the loop and knowing all possibilities.

Thankfully, the bleeding slowed but I began having a reaction to something. With so many medications being given at once plus the blood transfusion we didn’t immediately know what was causing the uncontrollable shaking and fever. Surprisingly, I felt fine and was still very numb in my lower half.

At this point, my husband had to sit down and give the baby to a nurse as he was feeling faint – ha!

I was given Benadryl to help the reaction and that’s when I started feeling good. Really good. It was like I was wrapped in a warm cocoon. I think I even said, “This is the comfiest I have ever been in my life”.

Hospital Stay

Once everything stabilized we were taken to our suite to settle in for the night. I was introduced to my nurse for the evening and then sent my husband to get us dinner. It was very late at this point but the Subway located in the hospital was still open. Thank goodness because I hadn’t eaten in 24 hours.

While Alex was off getting food I felt a gush of blood and quickly called my nurse in to evaluate. Another team immediately came to see if I was hemorrhaging again. After many hard presses on my uterus (ouch!) and weighing the materials that were under me, it was determined I was not hemorrhaging again which was excellent news.

Throughout the night and the next couple of days, doctors and nurses checked on us frequently to take vitals, give medications, and see if there was anything we needed.

Take a look at all the support and resources offered by SSM Health Women’s Health so you too can have the best delivery experience possible.

Absolutely everyone who came into our room from the cleaning staff to the pediatrician was incredibly nice and beyond willing to help us in any way.

The hospital stay felt a bit like a vacation. My meals were all delivered and I had time to relax. I even chose to stay three nights to give my body an extra night to heal before going home to my other three young children.

Blake had her hearing test, lactation consultants came in to see if I needed any assistance, and my medical team made sure I was up and moving. I love how Blake was always with me in our private suite. The bond between parents and their newborn is very supported by the practices at SSM Health.

When I felt ready to go home I said my goodbyes to the nursing staff who I had grown so close to in a short amount of time. Thank you to everyone at SSM Health who took such great care of me and Blake. Your efforts are definitely appreciated by this mama!