On the morning of my 8th day in the hospital, we headed down to Labor & Delivery at 5am. Unfortunately, somehow I wasn't on the schedule. And so the plan that we had... it was just the beginning of things not going according to plan...
Around 6am they started getting me ready, giving me fluids, etc. We decided to give me my epidural first since I have a history of going fast on Pitocin. I got my epidural at 7am and promptly bottomed out. My blood pressure went down to 60/30 and I felt pretty terrible. The boys, however, did fantastic during the whole episode which was very reassuring that they would handle labor and delivery well. The nurse anesthetist had to give me a lot of drugs to get my blood pressure back up. Because of the drugs, the boys' heart rates were high so we had to wait until their heart rates came down to start inducing. Thankfully the anesthesiologist had decided to only give me 4 of the medicine instead of the normal 10 since I'm a small person. Truly the protection of the Lord.
Sometime around 8, my OB tried to break my water but Rhys just didn't have a lot of fluid around him so that was kind of a bust. At 10am, we finally started a low dose of Pitocin. I began to have regular contractions and progress slowly. We had an uneventful few hours. at 3:15 my other OB checked me and I was 7cm. My OBs thought I would go fast at that point so they said they would be back in a few minutes to check me again. 15 minutes later, I told Jonathan to go track them down unless he wanted to deliver the baby. My other OB checked me and I was ready. Then everyone flew into motion- getting me to the OR, getting NICU down, etc. The whole time I'm trying really really hard not to have this baby before they tell me to. Finally they tell me to push and about two pushes later, Rhys was born at 3:50 pm. Jonathan walked in literally as he was born. Rhys was crying and all pink. I think his apgars were 8 and 9. Rhys was 5 pounds 1 ounce.
It was very surreal to hear one baby crying and still be in labor. Owen decided to turn transverse after Rhys came out. So my OB and my other OB worked to turn him. He turned pretty easily- to breech. So he came out feet first 6 minutes after Rhys. His apgars were also 8 and 9. Owen weighed 4 pounds 13 ounces. I got to hold each of them for just a minute before they were whisked away to the NICU.
My two OBs, Jonathan and I examined my placenta after the birth. It was pretty cool- you could see scar tissue from my surgery.
My blood pressure dropped again after birth- not nearly as low but low enough to make me nauseous. I took a while to feel better and finally after shift change we got to see and touch Rhys and Owen.
This has been by far my easiest recovery after birth. So many praises. I could not have had a better delivery and recovery. I'm so thankful for my 2 OBs- one of whom stayed 4 hours late just to help with my delivery. They were so confident that it made me believe that we could do it.
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Update on the boys: They both came off the ventilators at about 24 hours old. They are on nasal cannulas and the nurses are hoping to wean them off that soon. The NICU was closed all afternoon because of a loss today but we're hoping to be able to hold them tonight.
12 comments:
You make giving birth sound so easy! I'm so glad you're recovering so quickly. Can't wait until y'all can all go home and start living life as The Caskey Family of SIX!
I loved reading the story. What a great outcome for a wild and crazy ride! I think the part about being in labor and hearing a baby crying is amazing! Can't wait to hear about their progress - and praying you get to hold them tonight! Love you!!
thanks for sharing! you are a rock star to deliver a footling breech in SIX MINUTES! good grief woman! :)
I'm so sorry for the other family's loss in the nicu, I'm sure you're praying for them as you pray for your own sons. Good news about them being off their ventilators! Are they in one isolette or are they still separate? Can you hold them or do you have to reach inside to touch them? How are they eating -- bottles or feeding tubes? WHAT are they eating (can you pump anything)? Sorry so many questions, you'll probably have to do a whole separate post to answer what everyone keeps asking! :)
PTL for a healthy delivery and recovery!
oh and I forgot to ask - when do you get discharged? are you ready to get home to your girls or are you still taking comfort in the hospitalization preventing that 'torn' feeling between all four children?
welcome to the world, owen & rhys! Praising Him with you for a safe delivery and that they are both doing well. Will pray for comfort and peace during this NICU stay (we have been there!) and that they get to come home very soon. Love you all 6!
Thanks so much for sharing this, Kelley! I can't believe what a crazy labor it was but at the same time still a natural birth--praise Him for 2 great OBs who were willing to deliver a breech baby! Granted maybe they had no choice since you were 10 and pushing! I go fast at the end too and I know its chaotic so I can't imagine it x 2. I was actually wondering what it would be like delivering 2 the other day with what you described--having one out but not feeling that end of the pain and intensity right away. And, wow! The boys sound like they were plenty big and such great news about already being off vents. So excited for you guys!
haha! You made it sound so easy :) haha! Two boys! how exciting!
YEA!! Thanks for typing that out, it's a great story! I can't believe you went from a 7 to 10 in fifteen minutes! WOW! And delivering a breech...I am super impressed. I'm so relieved to hear that every thing is going great and that your recovery is good.
YAY! Such a wonderful story! Like everyone else, I too, am thankful things went so well. The first paragraph made me a little nervous when you said nothing went according to plan...so glad that it went better than planned!
I can't believe y'all have four kids now. You only had one the last time I saw you! Congratulations, and we look forward to more stories about life in the exciting Caskey world!
Hey girl! I am so glad you were able to deliver your boys and not have to recover from a c-section...what a blessing. Hey your boys were 5 lb. 1 oz. and 4 lb. 13 oz. Evan weighed the same as them together...9 lb. 14 oz ! You go girl! Have fun, boys are great!
Your story is so amazing! You have been in my thoughts and prayers all weekend! I am sure you are elated to have your boys finally here. I can only imagine your Dad's happiness that he now gets to share his birthday with two little miracles of Gods. My prayers will continue to be with you in the coming days and I hope for a speedy discharge for you and the boys! They are beautiful!
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