I like to record (in writing) my children's births because I don't want to forget my emotions or what happened.
On September 17th I had trouble sleeping so I didn't get much sleep. I was so excited, but also very anxious. Luckily we didn't have to leave the house until 9:00 a.m., so I was able to pack the last minute things and spend time with Canon before we left. My dad and my sister stayed behind with Canon while Jess, my mom, and I went on to the hospital.
Right before walking out the door to drive to the hospital.
We were met at the hospital by Jess's parents and a few of the Rainer's family friends. We checked in and then headed to the waiting room for a few minutes before the nurse came and got us. Jess's dad led us all in prayer as we gathered in a circle and held hands. Our first nurse was Katie and she was very sweet and caring. We then had a nurse Joy who was my nurse the rest of the time until we headed to my post partum room. Joy was also one of my nurses when I was in the hospital after Will was born. We of course had so many people in and out of the room asking questions and giving us all the risks involved with a c-section. The closer and closer it got to noon, which was my scheduled time to have the c-section, the more and more emotional and anxious I got. The water works started when Dr. Collins came in to say hi. He was the maternal fetal specialist that took on our case with Will and also saw me when I was pregnant with Harper. When I was admitted into the hospital with Will (three days before he was born) he was the one that explained everything to us and was so kind, gentle, and compassionate to us. He had heard that we were getting ready to have Harper, so he wanted to say hi and check on us. He grabbed my hand and told us that today was going to be so much different and he was happy for us. I immediately started crying and told him I had held it together until he walked in the room. :)
Shortly after Dr. Collins came in we were headed to the OR. Again, I started losing it. I am not usually a crier like that, but I was nervous about Harper's health due to her being 4 weeks early and the memories were flooding back of being rushed to surgery not knowing if our son would be alive or already gone when Will was born. I was fine during my spinal and there were lots of jokes in the OR before the surgery, but once the surgery started I lost it again. The nurse anesthetist, Dawn was one of my life savers. She was so good at calming me down and letting me know what was going on. My OB was also very good in talking with me during surgery and of course Jess was my comfort as well. The c-section was much different than Will's and was a totally different experience.
As soon as my OB delivered Harper she commented about how cute she was and I remember asking why she wasn't crying. She just told me to give her a second, she was barely out. Once she was completely out Harper let out lots of cries and I couldn't have been more relieved. The neonatal nurse immediately started checking her out. She was a little concerned about her breathing, but not enough to rush her out. She brought her to me, so I could see her. She was perfect and looked just like Canon. They then weighed her and tried to clear her lungs out (they had to do the same thing for Canon when he was born too). They brought her to me one more time before the transition nursery nurse took her to the transition nursery. Jess went with Harper while I finished with surgery.
Luckily I was taken back to the room I started in because on that side of the hospital you could have up to 5 visitors in your room at a time instead of just one that couldn't be switched out. By this time my dad and sister were at the hospital with Canon, so all of our family was able to come back and switch out visiting me. It was so nice to be able to talk with them and keep my mind of missing Harper and not being with Jess. I wanted Jess to be with Harper though. Jess was able to use his phone in the transition nursery to text me updates. Harper had fluid in her lungs and was grunting quite a bit, so they continued to keep her in the nursery for five hours. After four hours in the transition nursery they are supposed to take the babies to the NICU, but they gave Harper one extra hour. During the last hour of her nursery stay I moved to my post partum room. On the way to my room they wheeled my bed into the transition nursery right up to her bed and let me see her. I wasn't able to touch her, but able to talk to her and stare. :) It was so good to see her. I couldn't wait to hold her and love on her!
In transition nursery
Finally once I was settled into my room and our family made it into the room Harper was brought to us. Jess and I were finally able to hold her. Canon was next in line after we got a few minutes with her. After about ten minutes they wanted to give her a bath before shift change, but we were all able to witness it because they bathed her in our room. After her bath we were all able to love on her again.
Canon seeing Harper for the first time.
Jess holding Harper for the first time.
Canon getting his turn at holding Harper.
I can not tell you how thankful we all were that Harper was healthy and didn't have any major immediate health issues due to being born early. Her birth truly was a great experience and the day was perfect. The Lord gave us so much grace. We had mixed feelings having Harper in the same hospital Will was born. Even though we had some of the same nurses and there were mixed emotions from Jess and I in the OR, we still truly enjoyed Harper's birth and can not thank God enough for entrusting this precious life to us!
Right before walking out the door to drive to the hospital.
We were met at the hospital by Jess's parents and a few of the Rainer's family friends. We checked in and then headed to the waiting room for a few minutes before the nurse came and got us. Jess's dad led us all in prayer as we gathered in a circle and held hands. Our first nurse was Katie and she was very sweet and caring. We then had a nurse Joy who was my nurse the rest of the time until we headed to my post partum room. Joy was also one of my nurses when I was in the hospital after Will was born. We of course had so many people in and out of the room asking questions and giving us all the risks involved with a c-section. The closer and closer it got to noon, which was my scheduled time to have the c-section, the more and more emotional and anxious I got. The water works started when Dr. Collins came in to say hi. He was the maternal fetal specialist that took on our case with Will and also saw me when I was pregnant with Harper. When I was admitted into the hospital with Will (three days before he was born) he was the one that explained everything to us and was so kind, gentle, and compassionate to us. He had heard that we were getting ready to have Harper, so he wanted to say hi and check on us. He grabbed my hand and told us that today was going to be so much different and he was happy for us. I immediately started crying and told him I had held it together until he walked in the room. :)
Shortly after Dr. Collins came in we were headed to the OR. Again, I started losing it. I am not usually a crier like that, but I was nervous about Harper's health due to her being 4 weeks early and the memories were flooding back of being rushed to surgery not knowing if our son would be alive or already gone when Will was born. I was fine during my spinal and there were lots of jokes in the OR before the surgery, but once the surgery started I lost it again. The nurse anesthetist, Dawn was one of my life savers. She was so good at calming me down and letting me know what was going on. My OB was also very good in talking with me during surgery and of course Jess was my comfort as well. The c-section was much different than Will's and was a totally different experience.
As soon as my OB delivered Harper she commented about how cute she was and I remember asking why she wasn't crying. She just told me to give her a second, she was barely out. Once she was completely out Harper let out lots of cries and I couldn't have been more relieved. The neonatal nurse immediately started checking her out. She was a little concerned about her breathing, but not enough to rush her out. She brought her to me, so I could see her. She was perfect and looked just like Canon. They then weighed her and tried to clear her lungs out (they had to do the same thing for Canon when he was born too). They brought her to me one more time before the transition nursery nurse took her to the transition nursery. Jess went with Harper while I finished with surgery.
Luckily I was taken back to the room I started in because on that side of the hospital you could have up to 5 visitors in your room at a time instead of just one that couldn't be switched out. By this time my dad and sister were at the hospital with Canon, so all of our family was able to come back and switch out visiting me. It was so nice to be able to talk with them and keep my mind of missing Harper and not being with Jess. I wanted Jess to be with Harper though. Jess was able to use his phone in the transition nursery to text me updates. Harper had fluid in her lungs and was grunting quite a bit, so they continued to keep her in the nursery for five hours. After four hours in the transition nursery they are supposed to take the babies to the NICU, but they gave Harper one extra hour. During the last hour of her nursery stay I moved to my post partum room. On the way to my room they wheeled my bed into the transition nursery right up to her bed and let me see her. I wasn't able to touch her, but able to talk to her and stare. :) It was so good to see her. I couldn't wait to hold her and love on her!
In transition nursery
Finally once I was settled into my room and our family made it into the room Harper was brought to us. Jess and I were finally able to hold her. Canon was next in line after we got a few minutes with her. After about ten minutes they wanted to give her a bath before shift change, but we were all able to witness it because they bathed her in our room. After her bath we were all able to love on her again.
Canon seeing Harper for the first time.
Jess holding Harper for the first time.
Canon getting his turn at holding Harper.
I can not tell you how thankful we all were that Harper was healthy and didn't have any major immediate health issues due to being born early. Her birth truly was a great experience and the day was perfect. The Lord gave us so much grace. We had mixed feelings having Harper in the same hospital Will was born. Even though we had some of the same nurses and there were mixed emotions from Jess and I in the OR, we still truly enjoyed Harper's birth and can not thank God enough for entrusting this precious life to us!
3 comments:
What a beautiful display of how God redeems! We too are so thankful for Harper's health. She is such a precious girl! I cannot get over how much she looks like Canon! Praying you are enjoying each day with your newest blessing.
Love this! The picture of Harper on your chest immediately after the surgery reminds me so much of Canon. We are so happy for you guys!
Congratulations Jess and Rachel! She's so cute and does look SO much like Canon! We're thrilled for you guys and can't wait to see pictures as she grows! Praising God for Harper's life!
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