12/23/10

Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice....

YEAH! I got my girl! She's beautiful, healthy and delicious. She was born on 12.6.10 at 4:17 pm - three weeks early - 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 20" long.

In short, the protein in my urine was high and it was decided safest to take me to surgery. I didn't attempt natural delivery because, though she was head down, she was very high and I believed I'd end up with a c-section anyway.

I'm going to tell you I've regretted that decision tremendously. I know more people who've had c-sections than natural delivery and not a single one had a complication. But me? Yeap, I did. A week after her birth, a 2" part of my c-section was seeping bloody fluid. The stitches were removed and a hole in my scar is now open so that it heals from the inside out. I see an Infectious Disease specialist at the Hospital's Wound Center and wear something called a "Wound Vac" that sucks the fluid from the hole in my stomach by negative pressure into a small box that I carry around. I've struggled with the anxiety and depression that's come with this health setback but thanks to Zoloft and a conscious effort to stay focused on taking one day at a time, I'm doing okay. Anyway, looks like another month before it's healed and I desperately look forward to it.

Pregnancy was definitely hard on me. I now take meds for high blood pressure (spent 1 day in hospital on Mag Sulfate because my BP was soaring) and we monitor to see if it goes down on its own over time. My cholesterol is very high but doctor says she thinks it's also pregnancy related and wants to re-take in 6 months and make a decision then. Carpel Tunnel in my hands and some nerve issue with a couple of toes in my right foot (probably a pinched nerve).

Hey, I just turned 44 - not the greatest time to have a baby, so I'm going to have to work extra hard to improve my health and labs. I did lose all of the pregnancy weight in 2 weeks, so that's good.

But back to the positive...I've been blessed with this little beauty and good friends who call and email and text and send hugs.

I will eventually come back and post the birth story because it was overwhelming and complex and really beautiful.

For now I'll leave you all with a picture of my lovely lady and wishes for a wonderful holiday and a better 2011 than any of us even imagines!

14 comments:

elly renae said...

long time reader here and oh my gosh she is just beautiful, i am so happy that all your dreams have come true <3 hope you heal super fast xx

sprogblogger said...

Oh congratulations! She's just lovely - and I hope you heal up quickly and easily - that doesn't sound like any fun at all - so sorry you had to go through that! I'll look forward to hearing your birth story, and seeing more baby pictures!

(If it helps, even at my 6-week appointment, my hands were still numb - like so numb I couldn't find my keys in my purse without seeing them. They cleared up a week or two after that (and possibly right after I took some more B-12 under-the-tongue supplements after hearing that it MIGHT be related to a vitamin b deficiency...) But my doc had been talking surgery for my pg-related carpal tunnel, & they're fine now - you've still got time for it to clear up on its own.)

Eb said...

oh wow!! how wonderful!! Congratulations and welcome to newborn motherhood. It does a number on ya thats for sure - my wound opened, I have the toes and fingers thing but my oh my it is worth it. totally and utterly worth it

Welcome to world little one!

Anonymous said...

Delurking to say congratulations and how gorgeous she is! I have been following along forever and it's exciting to see your success.

FWIW, I had a c-sect late Oct and wound opened with a month's worth of complications etc... total drag but at the end of the day nothing compared to what we IF'ers have been through over the years ;-)But you know that already!

Connie/sp08 on IVFC

musicmakermomma said...

Congrats Sky, hope this is your best christmas ever! Thanks for posting, I was wondering how you were doing. Sorry about the c-sec problems, just what you need as a new mom, eh? My hand were numb for a while too, hopefully yours will clear up. and all that other medical stuff too - so you can enjoy your little darlin. She is lovely.

lastchanceivf said...

I'm a little late but super huge congrats--she is beautiful! I hope you heal quickly and let me know if u have cholesterol questions....I am the lipid lady after all :)

Rosie said...

Hi, I've also followed your blog for about a year..

I'm so very happy for you, that you have finally gotten your sweet baby girl in your arms. Blessings and joy for you both!

Phoe said...

Congratulations!! Your body will recover. I'm 44 too. I can't imagine getting pregnant at my age, but I'll do it if I have to. Enjoy your beautiful girl.

Shona said...

Congratulations on the birth, despite all the problems.

I love baby pics! She is lovely.

Me said...

She has the cutest little ears! Love her! Can't wait to see more pics! Huge congrats!

Lost in Space said...

Awww, she is beautiful, Sky! Congrats on your long awaited daughter.

I sure hope you are healing up more every day. It sure sounds like things were rough on you. Many hugs.

Lorraine said...

So happy for you! What a little sweetie, too!

The complications suck but I promise that you won't really remember how bad it was - it all gets lost in the exhausted haze of the first few months. Depression, pain, insecurity - it's all part of the deal, along with elation, fulfillment and love. Things will settle out and you'll be fine, really.

Wish I could pop on over and see you both! You'll definitely be in my thoughts! Congratulations and can't wait for the whole story...

Kami said...

Congrats Sky! She is beautiful!! I hope you continue to heal and enjoy your new life together.

Riley said...

I can't believe I missed this news - congratulations!! She is beautiful. Sorry to hear about all the issues with your health, but hopefully all of that will straighten out soon. So very happy for you!