Saturday, January 26, 2008

The Best Birthday Present

Today is my birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better present than Baby Melody. She is adorable and DH and I are completely in love with her. She is developing so much each day. She turned a week old this week and is now opening her eyes and is pretty much wide awake during the day. We love the funny faces that she makes, especially when she forms a "O" with her mouth or purses her lips together. We call it the "O" face.
The above photo shows that Melody is wearing my hand knits. EZ's Surplice Baby Jacket (which is swimming on her) and the Simple Baby Blankie. Everything I knit for her is too big including the hats, but I am sure she will fit them soon. She came into this world, weighing 7lb o.7 oz, not bad since I am under 5 feet tall. The doctors had thought she would have weighed less.

We are just having a simple get together with my friends tonight at my place. It's a birthday party and baby debut all rolled into one. My mom has been here since Monday helping me recover and my sister just arrived last night and is staying for the weekend. They are both leaving Sunday night and I am already panicking. DH fell ill on Wednesday and he can't be around the baby, so he can't help with the night time feedings.

I am exhausted from taking care of a newborn and still recovering from the c-section, but I am starting to feel better. I can now lay down and get out of bed without feeling like my stomach is being torn apart. On the first night I was home, I had to sleep upright because it hurt too much to lay down. Someone mentioned in the comments about not laughing too hard and oh boy, was she right. No laughing, coughing or sneezing because it hurts so much! But all the pain goes away when I look at Melody because she is so worth it.

On the day of her birth, I had labored all morning and afternoon at the hospital, but only got 8cm dilated by 5pm. I was 4cm dilated when I got to the hospital in the morning and they had given me pitocin in the afternoon when I didn't make anymore progress on my own and they kept increasing the pitocin to try to speed things up. I was exhausted from the pain and was shaking from a fever by then. They even had me try pushing to try to get me to 10cm, but it didn't work. What I didn't know the whole time was that they had been worried about the baby's heart rate all day. It was high all day and kept increasing. They even had me breathing in extra oxygen to try to see if they could get her heart rate down, but nothing worked. The doctor said that she gave me as much time as she could and after speaking to a high risk specialist at 5:30pm, she had to make the call to bring me in for a c-section. After signing the consent form for the c-section, I burst into tears feeling like I failed. I was exhausted, scared about the health of my baby and about the c-section. We had never discussed the possibility of a c-section and the consent form had some scary stuff on there.

After they lowered the bed and started to wheel me into surgery, everything was a blur for me. Either the epidural or pitocin made me very nauseous and sick feeling, so all I could do was keep my eyes closed. Everyone kept talking to me during the surgery, but I can't really remember much. They kept asking me why I had my eyes closed and I was getting annoyed because I was trying to keep myself from throwing up! Another scary side affect was that my right arm went numb during the surgery. I couldn't hold my baby until the doctor was sure I had regained feeling in my right arm.

The surgery to get the baby out was fast, but putting me back together and sewing me up took much longer. DH held my hand during the whole time. And he cried so hard when Melody came into the world. I can still remember hearing her first cry when she emerged. It was sweet music to my ears.

53 comments:

Christy T said...

Awww... You poor thing! I remember my mom telling someone in my family that "no way do you want a c-section instead of natural child birth if you have a choice, because at least you can sit up the next day on your own!" But don't you ever feel guilty. I work in the health care field, and I'll tell you what, many soon-to-be moms decide to have a c-section before even trying natural birth because they think it's a better (less painful) alternative. You did what your body allowed you, and in the end you got a beautiful baby girl! She's soooo sweet! I love the "kissy face" picture :) So very cute!

Christy T said...

Oh! And a Happy, Happy Birthday to you!!!

Danielle said...

Happy Birthday to you Oiyi :)!! No matter what we go through to get our precious children here it's worth every second of effort when we hear those tiny cries and see those beautiful little faces for the very first time!

Melody is truly beautiful. I hope you recover from your c-section super quick! Hope DH feels better soon too. Try and get as much rest as you can when the baby does! Remember to take care of yourself too :)(btw I'm 5'2" and my second son was 91bs and 10oz not born by c-section either! I've never had one with any of my 3 kids, so I can't sympathize with you about that.)

Betty said...

I think your sweet little girl might be the most beautiful birthday present ever! My daughter (my BF calls me martha) sent me over here. I keep asking for a grand daughter. I think you should show her lots of pictures of your beautiful little girl so she'll get the hint! tee hee

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

oh gosh, what a story and precious moment it is. I am glad all is well in the end. She is adorable, oh those silly faces! Hugs!

rohanknitter said...

Oh she is just so adorable! No wonder you are in love!!! Brings back the memories, there is just something miraculous about a brand new baby. My oldest turned 16 today so dh and I have been remembering his birth - not an easy one, either. (no c-section but 29 hours of labor and a forceps delivery-yikes!) All that fades with time though....I also remember that panicky feeling of my mom leaving and now I had to do this baby thing all day by myself! You will do great though!! I hope you continue to heal quickly from your surgery.

rohanknitter said...

ps.
Happy Birthday!!

Jannie aka Chickengirl said...

ooh all this gushing over the baby, I forgot to say, happy birthday! :-)

Jennie said...

Melody is lovely, the faces she makes are so cute.

Happy birthday.

flanthrower said...

HAppy Birthday! What a gift indeed! She is beautiful! I'm sorry that you had to go through so much but what a beautiful healthy looking girl you have! Can't wait to see more pictures.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday!!! I hope you enjoyed a good time tonight with friends and family.
I am sorry that the birth process was so traumatic for you...it certainly sounded exhausting and scary. I had thought that perhaps optional C-section might be the way to go (if one day I have a child), but I might have to re-think that one. Melody is absolutely adorable!!! =) And I don't say that lightly, because not all newborns are so good-looking! The first two photos are my favorites.
Thank you for sharing, and I hope you (and DH) recover quickly. Congratulations on the beautiful addition to your family.

Allegra said...

Happy Birthday! I too celebrated my birthday about a week after my daughter was born. Best birthday gift, ever!!n Melody is adorable! You know, I felt exactly the same way about having a c-section; that i failed in my "journey of womanhood". I still hold a grudge (against myself), but a friend gave me a better perspective: It doesn't matter how you have the baby, don't feel like you've failed as a woman or a mother because giving birth pales in comparison to everything that comes with motherhood for the rest of your child's life. I am not remembering exactly what my friend said, but I hope you get the idea. It made me think differently about it all. Most importantly, you and your sweet baby are healthy! Have a great birthday!

Marianne said...

Happy Birthday Oiyi !!
Melody is simply adorable ! The best gift one could ever get :-)
Please don't feel guilty anymore, no matter what way a baby is born, most important is that they are healthy. Maybe she wouldn't have survived a natural birth, who knows ?
I hope you will recover soon (DH as well)and enjoy every minute of her !

Julie said...

She is absolutely beautiful. I love to wait babies make those cute faces. I do hope you begin to feel much better quickly, sounds as if you are doing well so far and hopefully DH will get well in a hurry so that he can help. It's toughest when you can't rest. I'm sorry you had to have a section, I went through that from the other side as birth partner to a friend many years ago (her husband wanted to watch the ball game while she was in labor, sheesh) and I have to say, it's just as alarming from the spectator end of it. I don't want to invalidate your negative feelings about needing a section but gosh, she's here and she's healthy so it certainly seems like you did your job to me :) Welcome to motherhood, we seem to always be so hard on ourselves. I'm so glad you are finding time to post, it's lovely to hear how things are going and see adorable baby pictures!

Cindy said...

She is so beautiful! Hope you had a Happy birthday!

Helen said...

What lovely photographs. Happy Birthday and congratulations!

Autum said...

Happy Birthday!! Melody is absolutely angelic! She looks so alert and those expressions just melt my heart!!
My baby, who came into this world by c-section, turned 18 yesterday. It seems like yesterday he was a sweet little newborn like Melody. Soak every second of it in!

schrodinger said...

She is beautiful! While it all sounds so traumatic, it looks as though it was all worth it. And I'm so happy to hear that you are both doing well.

Happy Birthday!!

savannahchik said...

happy birthday! it sure sounds like you went through a lot, but she's gorgeous and in great health -- so, you done right!

Micki said...

Happy, happy birthday! I'm glad your recovery is going so well. Little Melody is adorable.

Amanda Jean said...

happy birthday, Oiyi! your little one is so precious and beautiful!!!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Happy Birthday to both of you. Your Melody is a beautiful baby. My goodness, what a labor/delivery story... and I am so relieved for your happy ending. Congratulations to all.

Laura said...

The baby is beautiful! I love her name! Don't feel bad about the c-section - there's no "right" way to give birth. I had both of my kids vaginally, and it was horrendously painful, so believe me, you didn't miss anything! I know some women will also frown upon women who have epidurals, instead of having a completely "natural" birth, but I say get over it! Childbirth hurts like he** and there's nothing wrong or shameful about wanting medication to help dull the pain! Congratulations on the baby!

Anonymous said...

First of all: Awwww, she's so sweet!! I was so overcome by cuteness, I could barely continue scrolling down the page!

Secondly, happy birthday!

And finally, hope you feel better asap!

CynCyn said...

Happy Birthday! I'm glad you are on the road to recovery. Baby Melody is adorable...!!

Yarn or Death said...

She is so precious!! Congratulations and happy birthday. I hope you're feeling all better very soon!

Kristy said...

Happy Birthday! And hello Melody! She's such a cutie :) I'm glad to hear that you're recovering well, and I hope you feel better soon!

Amy said...

Happy birthday, and of course congratulations! She's a beautiful little girl. I'm sorry to hear that you feel a bit like you failed. That's not fair. You brought a wee little human into the world and you both are healthy. There's no failure in that!

Nettie said...

Happy Birthday! Your baby is beautiful! Those faces are priceless.

I know exactly how you feel about the c-section. I was so upset about it, especially after two natural births. Ultimately, you can't fail at something as precious as child birth. Circumstances are different and many. And also a surprise. You had no way to prepare yourself better than you did. You made it to the end with the ultimate reward, a healthy baby.

Sarah said...

Those faces are so cute -- Melody clearly already has a charming personality. Take it easy and have a happy birthday!

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! What a perfect present! I love those little faces!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to you! Your daughter is looking gorgeous. I love all the cute faces as well :)

I remember many of those same feelings when I ended up having to have a c-section. I cried too and felt let down... Just remember that you did what was safest for you and your darling baby!

The Feathered Nest said...

Happy Birthday sweetie! Oh Oiyi, she's just beautiful!! I love all the little faces she's making...I've been checking in to see when you would post, hoping to have another peek at your little bundle. Rest bunches and bunches so you can get better. Enjoy every little moment! xxoo, Dawn

Anonymous said...

You can't fail at labor...the body does what the body does. You did your best and that is all you can ask of yourself. She is precious and you are one lucky mom!

Anonymous said...

She looks beautiful and I love those faces! Take care of yourself and your new little one.

Unknown said...

Oh Oiyi, Happy Birthday and baby Melody is gorgeous! Love the O face!

Anonymous said...

What a cutie-pie, congratulations, it sounds like you had a rough time, but your daughter is beautiful!

Jackie said...

Happy Birthday to our dear Melody's mum. Welcome to the world of motherhood. I m sure u can do it.

Anonymous said...

I am sure that you already know this, but your babe is gorgeous! Seriously!

Happy birthday to you!

Knitserland said...

She is so adorable!! What an ordeal you had to go through but I'm so happy you both made it through without any further difficulties. Healing thoughts are being sent your way:)

And happy birthday to you!

Michelle said...

She's beautiful! Happy birthday to you! What a great present...It looks like I might be getting a baby for my birthday too!

Leslie said...

oh, she is beautiful. absolutely.
congratulations to you and dh!
i hope your healing goes well. and quickly.
and a big happy b-day to you!

teresa fsw said...

Your worries are over now Oiyi! Just concentrate on getting well and your baby will keep you going. Also don't worry unnecessarily during this period. Being a new mother is definitely very overwhelming but you'll be fine. Most importantly, you have all your love ones there to support you especially your hubby. Take care!

Rebekah said...

Happy belated birthday! The O face is so adorable : )

maryse said...

happy birthday! to both of you. she's so cute.

zakkalife said...

Thank you for sharing your story. As a mother myself, I enjoy hearing other Mom's birth stories.

Congratulations on your new baby girl! She's adorable.

jessica

Lola and Ava said...

Congrats! I had a c-section on 1/15. I've been feeling really well for the past 3 days. But yesterday, I choked a little of some coffee. When I coughed, I swear that my left side burst open! I was shocked that there wasn't blood.
-L

Knitterella said...

Oh my gosh she is the cutest!!!!!! Just adorable! Love the photos of the "O" face!

Oh my, what a hard labor you had. How scary. So glad you and baby are OK.

Happy Birthday! (belated)

Corrie said...

ohh you've bought tears to my eyes! it is the most beautiful thing that can happen giving birth to a little baby! she is so lovely

I must admit I had a week to get my head around the c/s and was so nervous but now will be going in to my next c/s pretty calm and aware of what is going on!

enjoy! I love the photo of the dogs at the window...adorable!

Corrie:)

Kirsten said...

Happy Belated Birthday Oiyi!! I'm sorry I'm so late getting to this post.

Melody is so, so, so beautiful!! The "O" face is adorable.

nova said...

Melody is beautiful! Congrats, Oiyi!

beki said...

Melody is gorgeous, congratulations!

I had to have an emergency c-section with my first, a lot of what you described sounds so familiar! I wanted to go to sleep too during the surgery. At that point I was so exhausted I couldn't stand it. Recovery from a c-section after you've labored for hours and hours is much worse than one that was scheduled, or that's how it was in my case. In the end, that precious baby made it all worth it, righ?

bunbun said...

This is such a heart warming story!
I showed my husband photos of your baby girl and it made us both want a baby! So maybe I should not look at photos of Melody?
Just kidding! She really looks like a doll, though!!!!!