Every Tuesday and Friday morning during the third trimester, Colt and I visited our friends at the maternal fetal center for a non-stress test and amniotic fluid index. An NST lasts about 20 minutes, during which I was monitored for contractions and Colt was watched for movement and heart rate acceleration. To pass, baby has to move first and have a corresponding heart rate acceleration of 15 beats above the baseline for 15 seconds. Usually, Colt slept through these and the nurse would hold a buzzer to my belly, which acted as his alarm clock. Every test was aced with flying colors as Colt's heart rate and reactivity level were always exceptional. An AFI is a fluid check- meaning an ultrasound is performed during which time the technician locates and measures fluid pockets around the baby. A baby can have too much or too little, both can be problematic. Again, Colt always had great fluid levels.
On Tuesday, April 3, I knew something was different. I had these tests with Lucy too, so after biweekly testing for the better part of a year/ year and a half, you kinda know what to expect. I was chatting with the nurses, all of whom I just adore, and listening to Colt's heart rate, moving slower than normal. I also wasn't feeling him move much, highly abnormal for him. I figured we would need the buzzer to get him going and did a few tricks to attempt to help him wake up some. Nothing worked. I haven't said this out loud to anyone but Jason, but I panicked. The nurse who monitored my gestional diabetes just happened to come into the room and I did my best to pretend I was calm with her. She obviously sensed my distress over Colt's obvious distress and told me "Ya know, worse case scenario is you have that baby boy today instead of tomorrow". Maybe I should add the birth plan was induction at 6:30 am Wednesday, April 4. We had that all worked out and planned.
The nurses talked and decided that the perinatologist needed to review Colt's test. He agreed that the 5 minute deceleration was problematic and indicated that he should come out ASAP. I was informed that I once again would be directly admitted to labor and delivery from the maternal fetal center. My feelings were completely jumbled. I was so excited to get my boy here, get unpregnant (you do it for nearly 2 years straight and tell me you love it), and scared to death that something could be seriously wrong with this child I was already in love with.
I called Jason. Talk about some kinda panic! I repeatedly said everything is ok, just better to start the induction today, you can hold your son, get to the damn hospital immediately. Oh, and call my mom. She needed to stay with Lucy while we figured out what was happening with Colt. Of course, I took the Camry (Jason typical car) that morning, of course I had the key to our van (my typical car and the kids only car), of course the hospital bags were in the van. It took hours to figure out who had what vehicle, who needed what vehicle and how to get everyone to that particular vehicle. Thanks to my amazing sister for running around to straighten out that mess!
When my blood pressure went crazy and I was admitted for delivery with Lucy, I had Jason with me for every step. He even offered to push me through the halls in a wheelchair. This time, I was alone. For the first 30 minutes or so. It added to my fears some. I had to drive around the building to get closer to L&D alone, check in at the desk alone, and started getting prepped in the room alone. I didn't like that much at all, but I knew it was necessary. Sometimes being a mom means you have to do scary things alone for the sake of your children. Since Lucy needed daddy wit her that morning, I needed to be brave.
First thing on the agenda, more monitoring for Colt. With that 5 minute heart rate deceleration, I knew it would be a little while before any medications would be administered to induce labor. The doctor would need to know that Colt could handle it. Maybe I should add now that I planned my induction around my favorite OB's schedule. I wanted Dr Perry to deliver Colt. He knew us best, always remembered to ask about Lucy even when she wasn't with me at visits, and took extra tile and care to answer all my questions and calm my concerns. He is a wonderful doctor, and I don't hand out those kind of titles lightly. Dr Perry was not on call on Tuesday, another (equally kind, but unfamiliar to me) OB from my group was. I was just happy I avoided the mean OB, who was on call all weekend and Monday.
Dr Walker checked Colt's heart rate for an hour or so, declared him to be the most cooperative and happy baby on the unit, and finally checked me for labor progression. I was 3cm dilated and about halfway effaced. I had been in early labor for two weeks prior to that morning. But it was going to be worth all the contractions, I would be able to start pitocin and get into active labor quickly. However, Dr Walked also said Colt was very high still, as he didn't feel his head pressing on my cervix when he checked. Just to be sure he's in position, let's get a bed side ultrasound.
Ok can I be crudely honest here? Great. All I thought when he said that is "oh shit, after all that we've already been through, my kid's gonna be breech". Sure thought my way into that one. As the midwife place the wand on my stomach, only two feet kicked at my cervix. While I refused to watch most of the ultrasound, I saw my son's perfect, beautiful, amazing head in my ribs. "Oh, shit" was right. He was completely breech. Let me add Colt had been in a lot of positions over the last 6 weeks of y pregnancy. Never was he completely breech. He was transverse, oblique, kinda breech, head down, head nearly down. I know his position because I had an AFI ultrasound every Friday. And on Friday march 30, Colt was head down. Apparently babies can and do leave the head down position whenever they want. At least my babies do.
So I saw that Colt was breech and started crying. I cried so hard I needed a towel to dry my face as the tissues weren't cutting it. I began letting people know the news as Dr Walker came into the room. In a very kind and Dr Huxtable sorta way he said, " so I see you're adjusting to the news". Then he informed me that both of his kids were c sections and very sweetly said "dad will get to hold baby first, but no one will ever love him like his mommy does". I don't think I'll ever forget that man telling me this. It gave me such great peace. I was still nervous about having surgery. Who wouldn't be?! Most of my concerns revolved around Lucy. I was well aware that I would not be allowed to lift her after a c section and that thought broke my heart.
Now I have to brag about my husband. Jason has never been pushy or even very assertive with pregnancy related information. He lets me ask my questions, reminds me if I forget, but never asserts himself into that role. He has made every decision with me, but let's me at least think I'm in charge with our pregnancies. This was not true that day. When Dr Walker informed us that we would head to the OR at 4 pm, he immediately asked about an external cephalic version. This is potentially risky procedure that involves literally turning the baby while he is inside of mom. We were schedule to have this done with Lucy, but he turned the day before on her own. Jason made sure Dr Walker shared all the possible scenarios and risks with us. And then I got to have a little bit of control. I like control. Given that Colt's heart rate decelerated earlier that day, the medical team suggested that we avoid a version to avoid further distress. I agreed. Let's just do the section.
We let our families and Facebook friends know that plan, and sat back to wait as it changed a few times. Now, during this pregnancy, I had gestational diabetes. Seriously, not the worse thing to ever occur. With GD, I had a pretty rigid eating schedule. So at 11am that morning, I felt my blood sugar drop and knew I needed a snack, which I was gladly given. After all, no one knew I would be having a c section then. Graham crackers and peanut butter seemed fine for labor induction... Because of that 30 carbs, my c section was pushed back 30 minutes. This is how I know God exists. I had that snack.
Jason and I spent the afternoon playing on our phones, looking for something decent on tv, checking on Lucy and my mom, and later visiting with our closest fans prior to being wheeled away. Lucy came to the hospital a little while before the operation process began and Lordy was I calmer after seeing her. She was happy as a clam spending the day with her Grandma, Nana and PaDon (with special help and time with Aunt Tiffy).
Around 4:30, the anethesiologist came in to get everything started. She was sweet as could be, which was insanely reassuring. At 5pm, the doctor who would perform my surgery came into the room to prep me. I can't imagine how I looked when I saw him, but I hasn't forgotten how relieved I was to see Dr Perry, my OB. I remember that we talked briefly about the procedure and then I asked "are you going to be there?". Prove God exists: my surgery was reschedule because I ate a snack, my favorite OB who calms and reassures me left the office at 4:30, he knew I was going to have a c section and gave up his night off to come to the hospital and perform my surgery. Who does that?! This incredible doctor. I adore him. Seriously.
Now for further evidence of God's greatness...
Just after that encounter with Dr Perry, Jason and I were taken (I was wheeled) to the OR. Jason suited up while I got a spinal. I knew every nurse in the room with us. One had taken care of my IV earlier in the day and spent almost an hour talking with us and the other two took care of me in triage earlier in my pregnancy and after my gallbladder surgery. The anesthesiologist was new to me, but was so nice it didn't really matter. Other than those 4, it was just Dr Perry, my wonderful hubby, me and my sweet boy.
At 5:25, I whispered to Jason "what's happening?" The anesethiologist heard me and said that things were starting. I really didn't feel much at all and definitely couldn't tell what was happening. Literally, a couple minutes later Dr Perry said "who's ready to meet a baby?". I was shocked that it happened so fast- at 5:30, Colt Montgomery Colliver was born and came into my world with a beautiful cry, head full of mohawked hair, huge baby feet, and adorably chubby cheeks. Dr Perry held my second born child up over the curtain to show me who had been pushing on my sciatic nerve, jumping on my bladder, and stealing my heart.
As the baby nurse took Colt and started cleaning him and making sure he was in good shape, I asked for Jason to go be with him. I know that is a tough moment for Jason. He had a hard time leaving me when Lucy was born, but I have always wanted our kids to see their daddy as soon as those beautiful eyes popped open. And both babies have opened their eyes to greet the man who adores them, prays for them, and dreams big dreams for them.
Now, I have to brag on myself for a moment. I know, I know, humility. Stick with me here. I have this way of knowing when it comes to my kids. It's mother's intuition for sure, and I wont ever doubt the reality of it. I knew Lucy was a girl when I was about 6 weeks pregnant; I knew Colt was a boy when I took the pregnancy test. I knew I was pregnant with both before I had any clear blue easy confirmation. The anesethiologist (she plays a big role in this story) asked if I had any guesses on Colt's weight. Earlier in the day, Jason and I guessed with one another. His guess 8lb, 5oz. My guess 8lb, 6oz. Guess what my boy weighed? Apparently I was the first mom to guess a weight exactly right in the OR.
After what seemed like 2 or 3 minutes everything that had been undone was done again and I was headed to recovery. After a 40 minute feeding and some snuggles with Daddy, Colt met his Nana and Grandma, PaDon, Aunt Tiffy, Aunt Laura, Uncle Jeremy and most importantly, his big sister. I tear up just thinking about Lucy looking at Colt for the first time. Thank God for giving my children the gift of one another.
Everything after that has been pretty par for the course. I'm healing well and feeling pretty good. Lucy is adjusting to life with a baby just as well as one could hope. Colt is healthy, growing an sweet as pie. And Daddy is holding us all together. Thank God for the stability and solid foundation of Jason. He's more than perfect to all three of us!
It might take another month or so, I'll be updating Colt's blog each month with his development, just as I do with Lucy's. For now, here are a couple first photos to keep you captive;)
