The day before (Monday) my Mom came so that she could be here to take care of Parker. Tuesday morning we were all up bright and early to be at the hospital by 6:30. My doctor specifically told me to be at the hospital at 6:30 and that I for sure was on the schedule. Well we get to L&D right around 6:30 and they tell me I'm not scheduled until 8:00am (hiccup #1). After sharing my annoyances with them, they tell me they'll figure something out so we can get things started. Luckily, it was just a few minutes and they had found a room for me in triage. I got blood drawn and an IV started - that probably took about an hour. I was then moved to a bed in the L&D area. I was told the c-section would start shortly. After the doctor (not mine) reviewed my chart she saw that I had a history of needing a blood transfusion after Parker was born. I guess I have a rare blood type and the hospital didn't have my blood on hand (it was required they have it just in case I needed another transfusion). So, they had to have some sent over from a blood bank which meant the c-section was delayed about two hours (hiccup #2). :( Lots of waiting around.. Luckily, the L&D was not busy at all that day so my mom was able to bring Parker back to see me so that helped to pass the time. Around 9:30 my doctor showed up. I was taken back around 10:00 to get the epidural and then Brad was able to join me. The procedure went pretty smoothly. I had an amazing nurse who was with me the whole time and lots of other nurses and doctors who I never really saw, ha! Finley Anne was born at 10:59 am. I was able to see her for a few minutes before they cleaned her up. She had a head full of dark hair just like her brother! That was the last I saw of her for awhile. :(
I should have said up above that while we were waiting around for the delivery, the NICU doctor came and spoke to us about taking Finley to the NICU right after delivery (this all due to the cysts on her lung). They cleaned her up in the delivery room - I think Brad was able to be with her for a little bit. She was then taken to her room in the NICU while I was taken to the recovery room of the L&D. The next few hours are kind of a blur... I just remember my amazing nurse taking care of me. Brad, Parker, and my Mom were with Finley in her room so I slept while I could. I wasn't in much pain yet, just super tired and uncomfortable. Around 3:00, maybe 4:00?? my nurse felt I was well enough to go join Finley. I remember being wheeled to her room, and seeing her lay in her bed hooked up to all of the machines. :( She actually was doing extremely well - she was breathing perfectly on her own, no rapid breaths, etc. They just had to monitor her to make sure it continued. I was able to hold her and tried feeding her. And honestly, that is the very last thing I remember about that day. I do not remember anything else but being really out of it! I had my own recovery room since I had to have my own set of nurses so I was taken there eventually. My nurse would take me back to Finley whenever it was her feeding time.
Finley stayed in the NICU from Tuesday until Friday afternoon. She was such a little champ and did such a great job. She had two x-rays done of her lungs but they both showed no indication of any damage to her lungs or heart. We had lots of visitors - thanks to everyone who came to see us! Parker was also a champ, he took several naps on the couch in Finley's room. My mom and sister would bring him to see us and that helped make the time go a little faster.
All in all, I was very thankful for a safe delivery for both of us and a sweet baby girl to take home!
