Life is great! I honestly feel wonderful both mentally and physically, recovery is going better than expected and I am enjoying every second with both of my boys! I thought I would take a moment to tell the story about Trey's birth, because nothing is ever as easy as it seems even when there is a wonderful outcome in the end. =)
The scheduled c-section and surgery went as expected, with no complications. It was my immediate recovery that went a little haywire. Here is the story...
You might recall that when I delivered Zane, my temperature dropped in recovery to 95.4F (normal is 98.7)... a three degree drop in temperature is HUGE and it took 2 hours for my temperature to go back up to normal levels (greater than 97F). At the time the anesthesiologist stated that sometimes a body's cerebellum reacts with the spinal tap, and shuts down temperature control. So knowing my past, this was a major topic during Trey's arrival. The doctors proactively placed a warm blanket on me prior to the surgery and after one hour post-op, I was sweating! Since I had maintained a 98.1F temperature, we took the blanket off and began the process of getting me out of recovery into the maternity ward. 25 minutes later, right when I was about to go down to maternity, Gus mentioned that I looked clammy and felt me. Instantly we took my temperature. It was 94.3F! Seriously! Hypothermia is defined as anything below 95F, so there you have it, I was in hypothermic shock! It took me 4 hours to get back up to 97F. Luckily Trey was healthy, so he got to stay with me during this duration, but needless to say I was in recovery for a long time. My recovery nurse even told me that she will always remember the patient whose temperature dropped so quickly. She has been an RN for 18 years!
When I finally made it into the maternity ward, I tried to eat (the lovely broth and jello that they give you) but I promptly threw up that and anything else they tried to get down me, including water. What followed was a few hours of vomiting, either 7 or 9 times, I lost count in the middle. I had to have 2 bed changes, because even the bucket they gave was not big enough to hold in all in. Luckily with IV fluids, the nurses were able to maintain my electrolytes and fluid levels, but it made my ankles and calves super swollen, which are just now getting back to normal.
There you have it, my story of giving birth (or the after birth) of Trey. Now when you see this picture, you can why I was so tired. =)
Even with this crazy acute recovery, everything else is great. My body is recovering more quickly than with Zane (the second c-section is much easier than the first - nerve fibers are already severed -- much less pain). I began walking later in the evening on March 3, and even began bending down on day 2. I was released from the hospital the afternoon of day 3, typically c-sections stay at the hospital for a duration of 4-5 days. Barring a few breastfeeding mishaps (post to come), I am healing beautifully. Thanks and love to everyone for their best wishes. I am extremely happy to have my boys!
