Our New JAG: Baby Khaleesi's Birth Story

I am loving the feeling of a sleeping baby on my chest while I take some time to update my blog.

Warning: you're about to read a bit of a horror story about Khaleesi's birth but I can assure you, I am better and out of the woods now. Before I continue, please know that my caesarean section with Joaquin was not bad. I recovered quickly, had great nurses and anesthesiologists etc. I did spend the first 24 hours being nauseous from the epidural and narcotics but that happens to me with any surgery. However it was hard to not be able to hold Joaquin the first day because of the constant nausea and vomiting. The shaking of my arms in the operating room was also a little much. But really, the good won out with a great hospital, a supportive husband and I don't even remember the pain of the epidural!

Khaleesi's ceasarean yesterday was quite different. Let's start with the good news. My friend, Anjela, is a doula and introduced me to something called gentle caesarean or family centered caesarean. There are new approaches to help moms experience something closer to a natural birth and less like a surgery. I learned so many cool things and came up with a birth plan implementing things to do differently and my Anesthesiologist and Doctor were on board with all of it! For a couple examples, Jesus got to be with me for the epidural and they didn't strap my arms down during the surgery. So I was very appreciative of all the understanding.

I also wanted skin to skin ASAP in the operating room but because of my low tolerance for drugs, that did not happen. Everyone on the team was made very aware of my nausea and they tried so many things to help me not have a 24 hour nauseous experience like I did with Joaquin. The good news is, my nausea did get under control and I was able to hold Khaleesi more than I held Joaquin by evening time. I was even able to speak and get words out during yesterday without almost hurling every syllable! The bad news however is how many drugs they gave me to keep the nausea at bay. While it was better by night, it did not stay at bay during or after the surgery. I threw up several times in the operating room and then even more in recovery. Recovery normally takes 45 minutes but I was there almost 4 hours while Jesus and the baby were back in their room. Not only did I have nausea but my limbs were shaking uncontrollably from all the narcotics. Then my blood pressure was too low so they gave me medicine for that. By now I've had an epidural, nausea meds, blood pressure meds, and meds to stop the shaking and this was clearly too much for me! Next thing I knew was the feeling of my heart beating out of my chest and hearing the beeping of my heart monitor racing in pace with red lights flashing. Suddenly there were three nurses at my side and the doctor was called immediately to get to me! While my heart rate is normally in the 80s-90s, it spiked to 212! All I can say is how grateful I am that I am alive and that I didn't die in the recovery room while my husband and family were somewhere else!

Oh another tidbit of the surgery was a shooting pain through my shoulder, into my neck and at the base of my head. Like a torn muscle or something. The anesthesiologist said sometimes this happens when there are tools going into your stomach causing pain to travel to higher muscles...or something. The doctor however never saw this happen with someone's shoulder. While the pain was excruciating, it was finally put under control too but only after they refused me more drugs to not cause more nausea. I also really do love my doctor. As she was sewing me up after the baby was out, she begged her co-workers to play some music and she was so funny making sure it was "good" music that she or I would like. I thought it was a sweet consideration.

So now I don't know what to do for a future caesarean. Whats's worse? 24 hours of nausea without holding the baby or 4 hours in recovery and a racing heart rate?! I don't know but it is clear that I have drug sensitivity and there is no magic cure so good luck to me I guess!

It's day 2 and I feel so much better! I've been keeping food down and my hear rate is normal! And...we have a new baby! She is beautiful and I'm so so happy to give Joaquin a little sister. He was a bit nervous at first to see me in the hospital and it was difficult to understand that baby was no longer in my tummy. But again by day 2, he did so much better while visiting the hospital and even brought Khaleesi a toy.

I love my little family! Newest member: Khaleesi Jane Gonzalez. 6lbs. 15 oz. 19.5 inches long. Born 7-29-15.