Sam's Birth Story: Part 3

(I am the longest story-teller EVER.  If you've missed them, read Part 1 here and Part 2 here to catch up...)

... According to my dad (the numbers guy) I was rolled by the waiting room at 4:22AM for surgery.  (Poor family, they thought the baby was coming back at 1:30!)  Jeff was given a hott haz-mat suit to wear and asked to wait in the hall while I was prepped.  The anesthesiologist stood "up top" with me, and talked me through the whole process.  At one point, he even asked me what kind-of music I liked and I thought "don't be ridiculous, I'm not in the mood to talk about music."  Right before the surgery started, the doctor called out "husband" and someone left to get Jeff.   I was SO glad when he came in to be with me.  He prayed for us, and for Sam; and, again, I felt totally at peace.  Finally, we were about to meet our boy.

Sam was born at 4:45AM.  He wasn't crying.  I kept asking why and people kept telling me ridiculous things like "it's totally normal" and "he's still connected to you" and I just accepted it.  I was not afraid.  It might have been the drugs; but, I truly think I was just covered in prayer. It is NOT in my nature to not freak out when things don't go exactly according to plan. In reality, probably about 40 seconds passed before we finally heard his sweet little voice.  It felt like forever... It was the best.sound.ever.  A nurse brought my boy to us, and Jeff got to hold him so I could see him.  He had hair - which shocked me.  Then, he was off to the nursery.  Jeff went with him and got to introduce our little guy to his adoring fans.  I had a good bit of recovery ahead of me; but, I was on cloud nine.  I was happy and chatty with the doctors.  Our Sam was here. 

I found out MUCH later, that Sam was born completely blue and not breathing.  Not only was his head definitely stuck (and almost definitely would NOT have come out had I continued to push); but, he also had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck FOUR times.  This is called a quadruple nuchal (Google it), and the doctor had only seen this one other time. As soon as he entered the world,  he had to have these cords ripped off of his neck (no cord cutting for Daddy) and was rushed to nurses to get oxygen.

Poor Jeff had peeked over the curtain right before they pulled him out and seen the reality of those first seconds.  I love him even more today because; somehow, in that moment, he knew that he had to lie to me and tell me everything was fine -even though he was scared to death.  I hate that he experienced that feeling alone; but I am thankful.  I, honestly, think childbirth might be more traumatic for the dad than it is the mom.  I'm sure many disagree; but, I wouldn't want to switch places.

I know that God prepared me for a c-section; and, I know that he protected me from fear and anxiety in the OR.  Having a baby born blue is every mother's worst nightmare... Yet, I never really experienced those bone-chilling feelings.  I don't know what it was, but I felt an incredible peace over me the entire time Sam was being delivered.  I am SO thankful for that.  I am thankful for my awesome doctor who knew to make the c-section call; I am thankful for modern medicine; I am thankful for my brave husband; and, I am thankful for my healthy baby boy. (Photos taken just minutes after he was born while I was still in recovery... Look at his poor head!)

After the umbilical cord saga, Sam was a bit of a legend around the nursery.  Nurses etc. kept stopping in to see "the baby that had his cord wrapped four times!"  Jeff and I were so proud of our little acrobat.  Of course, we're biased... But, we happen to think he's quite a champion.

So... there you have it.  It is our story.  It is not perfect.  It is not how I imagined it.  But, it is ours.  And, more importantly, Sam is ours.  He is here.  God is good.

At one week.  (0 months - haha!)

P.S. He is making up for that lack of crying now! ;)