Ok the post you've all been waiting for...
WARNING THIS IS VERY LONG AND EMOTIONAL AND PROBABLY SOUNDS WORSE THAN IT WAS, BUT THIS IS MY SIDE OF THE STORY OF MY MIRACLE MAXIMUS.
On Wednesday the 21st of December we had an ultra sound scheduled to see how big baby was measuring because I was worried about having a big baby since my sister had an 11 pound baby and my dad was 10 something and big babies have been known to run in the family. I didn't really want a big baby if I could help it. So at 5:30pm we went in to see what the ultrasound would tell us. We found out during the ultra sound that the right kidney had 100% cleared up and developed properly so that made me very happy! Then after Jay (the ultrasound tech.) had measured baby he said that Maximus was measuring pretty big at 8 lbs 10 oz and that his head was a bit smaller than his abdomen and shoulders so he may not fit through the birth canal after his head! I was kind of shocked because I was not expecting to hear that. Mind you, Jay is known for rarely being an ounce off! In fact he was right on with my sisters baby. And the week before was only an ounce off on another baby. So Jay called my Dr. and explained to him his findings. I then was asked to get on the phone with Dr. and he told me that I basically only had two options at this point. I could go in for a C-section over the weekend (which was going to put me in the hospital during Christmas) or I could wait until Monday (after Christmas), go to my regular check up and if I hadn't progressed or gone into labor he would take him C-section anyways because by then he could be a whole pound more. He said he couldn't induce me because my body hadn't progressed enough for it or else I could head to the hospital right then and be induced. So he told me to think about it and let him know by Friday what I wanted to do but his instinct was to take the baby C-section. By the time I left the Dr's office I was a mess. I was so scared and nervous and I didn't know what to do. Tony didn't leave the parking lot until we said a prayer asking Heavenly Father what decision was best and to help us with an answer. I was still a little nervous but after the prayer felt alright.
We then headed south to my aunts house to drop off some family pictures that Tony took for the family. While I was there I went to the bathroom and I'm 99% sure now that I lost my mucous plug there. (sorry if this grosses anyone out) I thought it was a piece of chewed up bubble gum in the toilet so I didn't think anything of it until we got to my mom's and my water broke about 20 min of being there. I couldn't believe how fast everything happened. I felt like Niagara falls for about 2 hours. It was awful and exciting at the same time. I was having slight contractions so we headed to the hospital, well actually first we headed home to get the truck and then went to the hospital. When I got there they checked me to make sure my water had broke, which it had so they admitted me, got me hooked up to all the crap and within a few min told me I was developing pre-eclampsia and toxemia. They proceeded to call my Dr, who then got on the phone with me and said, "Well that happened fast! I'll see you within a half hour we are going to have to take him C-section tonight, lets have a Birthday Party!" As if that was supposed to make me feel better. I mean don't get me wrong I was more than excited to get my little guy here, but I was so scared, nervous, emotional. It was everything I could do not to break down and cry, but I was trying so hard to be brave and think about my little one that was going to be here soon. Seriously thats all that got me through the next 24 hours.
The anesthesiologist came in and explained the process to me and had me roll onto my side and curl my knees to my forehead?? Huh? How the heck am I supposed to do that!? I'm 9 months pregnant! And I was already in pain! So Tony basically held me together as tight as he could while they did the epidural for the C-section. Oh my gosh! Most uncomfortable thing ever. It hurts I'm not gonna lie, or maybe I'm just a wimp who knows. We waited what seemed like hours but was probably only min and then they started wheeling me into the OR. I was so nervous I don't really remember them telling me anything or explaining things to me all I asked was that Tony be by my side the entire time! And they let him, he never left my side (until Maximus came out). I did feel the first part of cutting into me, I had to tell them and they stopped to give me more anesthetic. I do remember them telling me they would show me my baby before taking him down to the nursery so thats what I tried to focus on. But I guess through freezing my butt off (I was shaking so hard from freezing my bones hurt), and being nervous I forgot about that part because when he came out at 12:35am on December 22, 2011 healthily crying, they whisked him away, with my husband. About 15 min later, a nurse with my baby, and Tony came back in the OR and the nurse started explaining to me that my baby had some things wrong with him. I'm already a wreck, crying and emotional and a million things running through my head and now I'm hearing something may be wrong with my baby so I'm freaking out, tied down and can't feel anything from my shoulders down, (I know this sounds like a horror story, but remember I said it was exactly how I felt so I'm sorry if it sounds so horrible), then after they show me his face which is covered in what seems like horrible acne and looks like he'd been in an accident with glass, and showed me his webbed fingers and missing toe and his big toe being bent around they leave and say they have to get him up to the NICU. Then I'm left there, no baby, no husband. Laying on an operating table being stitched up listening to the Dr's talk about sports and politics. I don't even think they knew what was going on with Maximus, but who knows, maybe they were just trying to keep me calm? It wasn't working. However the anesthesiologist kept wiping my tears and saying it would be ok. Um... no it wasn't ok. I wasn't ok. I wanted my husband or my mom and I wanted to hold my baby so bad! After what seemed like an eternity they were moving me to a recovery bed, (I was still numb from my shoulders down) and wheeling me back to my room. When I got there no one was there, I had to wait a few more min and then Tony came in and calmly explained what he knew about what was going on. I don't really remember much of this part because I was in a daze and kind of shocked and still pretty emotional. I don't think I said more than a few words until they moved me to the 4th floor (recovery). I do remember them wheeling me into the NICU to see Maximus but they just laid him on my chest while we got a few pictures. I just wanted to touch him and hold him. I didn't get that opportunity until the next afternoon when I could finally feel my body again and was able to get out of my bed and into a wheel chair! Holding him for the first time was amazing! And he looked so much better than the first time I saw him. In my eyes he was perfect and nothing was wrong with him. It was one of the happiest moments of my life thus far. And I wouldn't trade him for anything!
Anyways, now that I've got that out! Ha ha. (I'm glad because I've needed to get it in my journal so I wouldn't forget all the emotions and happiness I felt that day) Here are a few pics from the day (Don't mind how horrible I look in them):
Ready to meet our son!
Daddy in his Hasmat suit!
First family photo!
First time holding him
Again: one of my favorite photos
In his NICU bed, hooked up to all his fancy cords
A pic of him today
He loves his Mommy!
