Well, I didn't quite make it to my cerclage removal or to a scheduled c-section. My water broke unexpectedly Friday, September 30 at 10:15 pm. My husband (you should have seen his eyes pop when I told him my water broke - lol) and I went to the hospital where they confirmed that I did indeed break my water - although there really wasn't much question of that as i felt it gushing and soaked any chair I sat in. They administered some antibiotics as they hoped my body would stall labour for a few days so that I could get to 34 weeks
(i was 33w4d when I delivered). But the babies had other ideas! The contractions kept coming stronger and harder - at one point they were 2 minutes apart and so painful! I have a new respect for women who labour naturally - I was dying. This went on for about 5 hours. They asked me if I prefered to labour and attempt a vaginal delivery but I ended up going with my doctors recommendation of a c section. Although the babies had tolerated the contractions really well and never showed any signs of fetal distress - I just felt the last thing I needed would be to have a placental abruption and end up in an emergency c section and knowing my luck this would have happened! So I was prepped for surgery where they would also remove the cerclage. They actually asked me if I wanted to leave the cercalge in for future pregnancies - I have never heard of leaving in a TVC and thought that was weird and realistically I don't want a stich in my cervix indefintely so I asked them to remove it. I figure IF I ever decide to do this again I can just have it put in again but next time I would have it placed earlier before it was an emergency situation.
The c section was performed early Saturday morning on October 1st and Mario Alan Giovanni was born at 3:21 am weighing 3 lbs 15 ozs followed by his sister Amelia Henrica Francesca one minute later weighing 4 lbs 5 ozs. They are tiny but perfect. Both babies cried when they came out - they showed them to me quickly before they took them away to be assesed. They got my husband shortly thereafter and he was allowed to see the babies and cut their umbilical cords (they had already cut them in the OR but left them a little longer so he could have a chance to cut them too). I saw them briefly while I was in the recovery room - they brought them to me and I was able to hold them both for a few minutes before they took them to the special care nursery. Both babies are doing great - lungs are fully developed and they never requred any supplementl oxygen. They are out of their incubators and are now sharing a crib in the special care nursery. Their only issues seems to be feeding because they are small they tire out really easily trying to feed and then need to be tube fed. Once they are feeding better and putting on weight we should be able to take them home. The nurse thinks probably by the end of next week!
I am so exhausted - the bed rest coupled with major abdominal surgery has taken alot out of me and I feel it will take several weeks before I feel myself again. But it was all worth it! I want to thank all the wonderful and incredibly brave women I have met on this forum who have supported me and offered comfort when I was down. It was a really difficult journey and it has been nice to share it with people who really and truly understand!
My warmest thoughts to all of you,
Laura
