Grandma Francis arrived Sunday afternoon from Oklahoma City. Ava was happy to see to her and we spent the evening at American Village window shopping and then had a nice dinner at a hibachi steak house.
Ava, Grandma, and I spent Monday playing. Monday evening Garry and I had a spouses pre-deployment briefing for his November Deployment to Afghanistan. Grandma stayed at home and watched Ava for us. Since we got there early we ate dinner at the restaurant where the briefing was being held. Ferris Bueller's Day Off was playing on the television so Garry and I joked about that being our first date night in Okinawa.
Tuesday I had my 40 week doctor's appointment. The doctor who examined me said I wasn't dilated and didn't think I would by the end of week 41. Since I had been having good contractions she didn't think I was going to dilate. We discussed induction and talked about the slow process it would have to be because of my prior cesarean. I told her my biggest fear was to go through trial of labor only to have to do a c-section. It was not a fun experience with Ava because I was so out of it during the surgery. I could barely keep my eyes open and really don't remember much of her first night. The doctor then said let's just schedule you a c-setion. If I was dilated to a 3 she would recommend waiting but I was showing no progress, just like I did with Ava. Of course, I was upset and cried in her office and then out in the hallway when we ran into my doctor and then I went into the ladies bathroom where I texted Garry and cried some more. It was a hard decision but I know it was the best one for both Sophia and myself.
Wednesday morning we check into Labor and Delivery at 6 am for our scheduled c-section at 8 am. The evening staff started getting me ready for surgery, which was an event in itself. Two med techs stuck me twice to get my IV started. The first stick my vein collapsed the second it blew. I kept telling them that something wasn't right and it hurt. They kept pushing fluid into my arm causing this big bubble on the side of my arm. I laughing and yelling at them asking what have they done to my arm. Then a nurse comes in and attempts a third try. These sticks are extremely painful because of the size of the needle they used and the fact they didn't numb the spot like most other places do. I'm beginning to lose faith in my decision for this surgery. The nurse promises that no one else on the floor will stick me and they are calling in an anesthesiologist to get my IV started. Both arms are throbbing because of the sticks. Then the day shift arrives...my new med tech comes in and says I understand they couldn't start an IV so I'm just going to look and if I see anything I will go ahead and try. WTF??? This girl has got to be out of her freaking mind. She walks out to get the stuff and when she comes back in another guy followers her and I hear him say, "Your not sticking her again. She has had three attempts and the nurse couldn't get her. We have called the anesthesiologist that is procedure. DO NOT STICK HER." I'm thinking, thank the lord. Her response was, I know but I just want to look. When he leaves she walks over to me and says, "I could get it. I don't know why they treat me like I can't do anything right around here." My thoughts, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap...this is what I get for delivering in a military hospital...shit... Luckily for both me and the girl she didn't even look and the anesthesiologist comes in and saves the day. Even he was surprised by the size of the needle and no numbing before the stick. OUCH!!! Did I mention that it hurt. We get everything situated and then we wait....
My day nurse finally comes into the room and guess what? She is my neighbor. Finally, I have some confidence restored with the team that will be operating on me. We talk for a while and then wait. I didn't go into surgery until 9 am. My arms are still throbbing and now it is time for the spinal block. I get into position, she gives me the numbing shot and starts with the block and it FREAKING hurts! I start yelling at her that it hurts and I can feel the fluid in the lower right side by my spine. Finally, she stops and numbs me up some more and continues. Yep, it still hurt but no where near as bad as the first time. By the time I'm laying on the bed, I can't feel my butt and my legs are starting to tingle. For some reason it really starts to bother me that I can't fell my toes or wiggle them. Then, they start the surgery prep. I'm laying on the table with the gown pulled up to my chest and no drape blocking my view. With Ava that was the first thing they did. They put up that little curtain that blocked my view form what was going on. I'm starting to have a little bit of a mental freak out. I can't feel my toes, I'm naked in front of at least 6 people while they are walking around getting me ready for surgery. When does the sheet go up? Does it go up? Just don't look down...I look down. Don't look down...I start staring at the ceiling then the walls...oh man this place is old and no where near as nice as a real hospital...what have I gotten myself into...I still can't wiggle my toes, I'm freezing, maybe I could just leave and be pregnant forever...The sheet goes up. Thank the lord! Ok now where is Garry, are they going to start without him? I can tell they are doing something down there, have they started? Where is Garry? I get ready to ask and he walks in the room...sigh...and he holds my hand till Sophia arrives.
Happy Birthday, everyone yells in the operating room and I hear that sweet first cry from Sophia. She is perfect. Born August 24th at 9:47 am 7 pounds 12 ounces and 19 inches long. They clean her up and bring her over for me to see her and give her a kiss. Instead of waiting with me like they did with Ava, Garry and Sophia had to leave. Which was fine because it took a while to put me back together. The doctor said my scarring from Ava looked good. I get back to the recovery room and get to finally hold my baby.
They move me to my new room, which is a single because I had a c-section. The nurses and staff who took care of me during my stay were amazing and extremely helpful. Garry spent his time running back and forth between the hospital and home. Ava meet Sophia later that day. She really wasn't to interested. She would just point at her and say "baby." We left Friday afternoon and have been adjusting well ever since.
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