After an attempted induction at 39 weeks, we scheduled a C section for 40 weeks and a day. The night before our baby’s imminent arrival, Jake and I went to our favorite restaurant on Larimer street downtown, Bistro Vendome, devoured some steak frites, and spent time feeling so grateful for this season of life and anticipating life with 3 kids. We came home, packed, and tried to sleep.
The next morning, we woke up and headed to the hospital. Checked in and got settled in the prep room. My doctor had said we’d try another induction if my cervix were dilated to two. So I asked the nurses to check, but it was as we all expected, no change. My body was sitting pretty at 40 weeks with no signs of labor other than a huge, suspicious, belly. So I accepted my fate and tried to be brave for the C section I think I knew I’d always have.
Another night nurse came in to help the nurse who was assigned to us and in the spirit of helping, said she’d put in my IV. I knew instinctively this was not going to well. I was still bruised from the previous week so she had to go in the other arm. And she missed. I have shifty veins, so I had a feeling she was going to miss, but that was enough. I thought I had come to terms with it, another C section delivery, but that stupid failed IV was all it took to get my tears streaming. Slowly at first, one trickle. Then I couldn’t stop. The nurse acquiesced and took her leave, and my other night nurse was left to take a stab at my squirmy veins. She missed too. That left her one more attempt. Thankfully, 3rd times a charm rang true.
Soon after, the nurses changed shifts and I met Betsy.
I’m near tears even thinking about Betsy and amazed at how much a nurses demeanor can influence a patient’s experience in the hospital. I felt misunderstood by the main nurse during the twins’ delivery, and it was like the Lord knew I needed someone with my humor to be with me as we welcomed our third baby into the world.
My doctor, the confident, gorgeous, 6ft tall Dr. Khan, finally came in and sat on the bed. She too, knew we’d find ourselves here, prepping for a cesarean. She chose that moment to ask if they were tying my tubes and though caught off guard, I laughed…no, no, no.
Betsy made the rest of the surgery prep a breeze. We talked through the spinal tap, the anesthesiologist educating and advocating me.
Jake came into the room.
I remember the banter between the medical team. Appreciating it. Thankful for Betsy, and for Jake—though he was more nervous than I was and I knew that. :)
But I was more aware than my first cesarean. Able to sense more and remember more. Minutes into surgery Dr. Khan commented on my abs…I laughed. And not a minute later she remarked, “this is not a small baby.”
Seconds later she held that baby up. Jake, surprised, announced his son’s arrival to the operating room and we heard the declaration after 9 months of wondering who exactly would change our lives.
It was a little boy. It was Levi.
