Saturday, June 21, 2008

june sixteen - twenty-one :: my birthday & Mack's arrival!

Mack’s Birth Story

As you all know, I blog daily before I go to bed for the night. My blog is my journal, I write for me, but love that I have an audience that follows it. I used to journal daily in a “paper journal/diary” but that got neglected when I discovered blogging. Anyhow, as you all know, I haven’t blogged since Sunday night, June 15th, 2008 and for a very good reason!

Monday morning, June 16th, we all woke up for a day of work for Jamie and some doctor appointments for Sean & I. First my mom picked us up and we went to my 37 week OB check-up. Everything looked fine, and I was still no where near starting to dilate. My doctor told me that he’d see me the next week at my next appointment.

We then went for lunch at a mall with my grandmother. Nothing fancy, just food court lunch (easiest for the time we had before Sean’s appointment). I ran 2 errands in the mall as well, and then we headed off to Sean’s doctor’s appointment.

Sean got his 18 month shots on Monday, the first one he squirmed out of my lap and the second one he was a little bit better, but then started to cried. He was easily distracted though and forgot about his pain from the shot.

He weighed in at just under 25 lbs, (half a pound up from his last check up), and in weight he was just under the 50th percentile and for height, he was just over the 50th percentile. However, when she measured his head, it hadn’t changed in size from the time before, or even from the time from before that. She said it’s possible that one of those readings were wrong, as Sean squirms when getting checked out by his doctor. However, she double checked it and her reading was still the same, the same number that we could have sworn that we double checked last time as well. So we’re going back in 3months to re-check his head size. (Otherwise he wouldn’t have to of gone back to see her for Sean until his 2nd birthday this December). When I booked the appointment in 3 months from now, I also booked an appointment for myself to see her as well, for a physical. I don’t really have a family doctor, and want to keep her from having to switch back to Sean’s original doctor at the clinic (who went on maternity leave before his first birthday check up). So I figured that if Mackenzie has only seen her, and I’ve only seen her, and Jamie has only seen her (he went for a physical in May), then she’ll have to keep us on as patients, and honestly, Sean’s new doctor will have seen him longer than his previous doctor when she finally returns from her maternity leave in January 2009. So, since I like his new doctor a LOT better, I plan on sticking with her, with her, but she was worried about “stealing” another doctor’s patients. But really, in the end, only Sean was her patient for about 10 months. From 10 months on until he’s just over 2 years old, he’ll be longer with her longer as a patient. Call me nuts, but when you feel more comfortable with a doctor, you want to stay with them. And that’s how I feel. Sean’s first doctor, as I’ve talked about before on my blog, was nice, but very quiet and I didn’t ever feel 100% comfortable with her. Ever since she went on maternity leave, and getting to see Dr. F, I’ve not wanted to switch back. Dr. F. really listens to you, makes you feel like no question is stupid, and really is caring. And that’s the way you should feel with a doctor.


After the doctor’s appointment we went back to my parents place and changed into our bathing suits. We went swimming with my mother for about 2 hours.

In those 2 hours, my water broke in the pool. It was around 4pm. We were in the pool until 5pm. I must have had about 5 gushes of water, the first two times I thought maybe Sean had peed on me or something, because he was being held by me, or near me at those times. Then when it happened again and he wasn’t on me, I knew it wasn’t him, and it hit me, “Oh no, I think my water just broke”. I dripped more on the side of the pool when I got out, and then again on my parent’s kitchen floor. It just kept happening and I knew that my water had broken. Sean stayed at my parents house with my dad, brother & sister, and my mom drove me to my house to get my hospital bag, and throw some stuff into an over night bag for Sean. Jamie had ball at 7pm, and was already on his way to the field. I told Jamie to leave his cell phone on the bench with his best friend who usually does play ball but is currently injured and can’t play, so incase I call and Jamie’s in the outfield, that I could keep him posted. I told him I’d call him as soon as I knew anything.We pulled into the parking lot of the hospital at 6:45 pm. By 7 pm, I was in a labor room waiting for a nurse to do my pre-check and then to see a doctor. It took hours before the nurse even came to check me out, and then more hours to wait to see the doctor. I caught Jamie after his game and told him to go home and change and then come to the hospital, that they were admitting me, and I was in labor and we were going to have a baby!


I was still not dilated or anything, and they started me on cervadil to help with starting that out. It was a gel that took 12 hours. So we had 12 hours to kill as the doctor wasn’t going to check on me until the 12 hours were up, from 10:50pm to 10:50 am. Jamie & I played Cribbage and then he napped and I worked on my misty garden scarf. (It’s the only knitting I had with me). I also read some in Knocked Up by Rebecca Eckler. (I’m about just over half way done the book now and loving the book.

The nurses in the labor ward were pretty much all the same nurses from when I was in labor with Sean back in December of 2006 and they all pretty much remembered me, and Iremembered them. They were all great to me. I had a really good experience this time around.


After the long 12 hour wait, I was only 1.5 cm dilated and about 50% effaced. Mackenzie was still in the -3 station for descent. My contractions were about 5 minutes apart at that point. I was actually contracting on my own this time (unlike my labor with Sean, were they needed Pitocin to induce my contractions). My contractions were mild and controllable through breathing. They decided to start cervadil again and hopefully not need it for 12 hours again. (That would have been brutal).

It sent me into a more active labor, and I was at 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. I was in so much pain at that point, that I asked for the epidural. That was around 3pm on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008. After getting the epidural it unfortunately killed all my natural contractions that I had to be put on a drug to induce the contractions. I can’t remember what it was called. It wasn’t Pitocin this time, but another one. It took a long time to start getting me contracting, and then eventually it stopped working. They did another internal and I was at 5 cm dilated at that point, and they realized that there was still a pocket of water that they had to break and hopefully that would help further along my labor. That did help – a lot. I started contracting again on my own and Mackenzie started dropping further down his route to coming out.

At about 11:15 pm, my contractions were about 1 minute apart and every time that I had a contraction, Mackenzie’s heart rate dropped from the normal 160-120 beats per minute range and were in the 60’s. NOT GOOD.

I was put on oxygen immediately and about 5 nurses and a handful of doctors came running in. They monitored my next few contractions. At one point they were like “we’ll monitor one last contraction” as his heart rate was going back to normal as soon as my contraction was over. And then the next contraction, it got even worse, so the chief resident made the call and said C-section, NOW. Within minutes I was prepared, consent form signed and being wheeled two floors below to the OR.

I had started crying when they started me on the oxygen as I was not sure what was going on. I was scared that everything wasn’t going to be okay. I was really upset and emotional at the same time.

When I was wheeled into the elevator, the anesthesiologist was in the elevator with us administering a second dose of epidural and at that point I started shaking. It was both nerves and the drugs that made me shake. I shook during the entire surgery. I was still awake through the whole thing, they thankfully did not have to put me under completely. I actually had full control of my legs during the entire surgery. Jamie was prepped in scrubs and was able to be there while our son was born. One nurse in particular stayed with me the entire time I was in the OR and was holding my hand at the times in there that Jamie wasn’t allowed to be there. I was honestly scared shitless. I’d never had surgery before, let alone been awake while they cut me open. She was my night time nurse in the labor ward and she kept saying that my son was going to be born before her shift ended at 11:30 pm that evening. She was really good to me, and really attentive (unlike some of the other nurses). I really owe a lot to her for getting me through this.

31 hours and 28 minutes after my water broke, Mackenzie Riley was born at 11:28 pm on Tuesday, June 17th, 2008, 6 pounds 4 ounces and 19.8 inches long. He is an absolute joy.

We found out after he was born that the reason his heart rate kept dropping was because his umbilical cord was around his torso and his foot. So every time that I had a contraction, and he was trying to come down to come out, he was squeezing the cord around himself.

I am really happy that the chief resident (whom I had a VERY BAD experience with when in labor with Sean almost 18 months ago), made the right call this time, and that Mack is doing well, because of her. Who knows what could have happened otherwise.

It was a really scary experience but I’m glad that it’s over with now. Because I had a C-section, the hospital keeps you 3 days. Since my 3 days technically ended at 11:28 pm on Friday night, they decided to let me have the option to go home on Friday afternoon or if I wanted, on Saturday morning. I decided to choose Saturday morning, as I didn’t want to go home too early after just having surgery and also, I wanted to make sure it was the nurses here at the hospital that took out my staples and not the CLSC nurses, who they said would pay a visit to my house on Day 4 if I’d gone home on Day 3. I’ve been having such a great experience this time with the after care (and help breastfeeding – last time was a huge disaster) that I want the nurses here to take out the staples. I felt more comfortable.






Enjoying his new Baby Surprise Jacket & hat (though the hat is a tad too big for now!)



Mackenzie even got his brother a gift, which Sean loved a lot. The first day didn't go so well Sean meeting his brother, but every day after that got easier and easier, we'll see how it goes now that I'm home.


Mackenzie's very first bath! The nurses had to give it to him because
I wasn't allowed out of bed for 12 hours after surgery.


The proud daddy & his 2nd son!

More to come soon! xoxo

74 comments:

Amelah said...

I love this little guy as much as Sean! Thank you for giving me 2 beautiful nephews!!!! xox

gaspe knitting gal said...

ther baby is so cute , i also has a c section or 2 but that was 46 yrs ago, things have changed . so keep healthly and all the best i know sean will love his little brother ,

kristo said...

Congratulations! Little Mack is so adorable. It's going to be so neat having two little boys so close together in age, they'll be real buddies!

Anonymous said...

Mazel Tov Robyn!

Barb said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! he is too cute!!! glad everything ended well, take it easy and get lot's of rest :)

Caroline said...

Thank you so much for sharing your birth story! Your new little man is so cute! I can't wait to see new pics already!

Mojavi said...

I am sooooo glad you and baby are ok and healthy and here. An emergency c-section is very very scary! I had one as well... I was petrified!

Enjoy your baby and rest up!

Alicia aka... mojavi :)

morkirlan said...

Congratulations to all 3 of you. Mack is absolutely beautiful. Take care and enjoy these precious first days.

RoxanneZYG said...

Congrats! He's adorable :)

Christy said...

Congrats! I guess the packing of the hospital bag worked its magic! He looks beautiful.

Casey said...

he's adorable! congratulations! that sweater looks so cute on him :)

Christine said...

He is so cute, major congrats to you all!

Trish said...

He's beautiful!!! Congratulations. Can't wait to watch him grow up! I love reading your blog and just knew you were in the hospital when you didn't write. Mack looks sooo cute in his surprise jacket.

I hope you are feeling well and healing quickly. Sorry it was a tough ordeal for all but glad it ended so well!!

Cetta said...

What a beautiful boy! Congratulations to you all!

TROIS OISEAUX - Kimber said...

I just KNEW you were in labour! I am so happy for you all Mackenzie is gorgeous! I'm sorry you had to have a c-section - that must of been scary but I am so thrilled that the both of you are ok! I'm so happy for you - I've been so grumpy wanting this baby out that this news has cheered me right up!!!!

Welcome baby Mack!

Jofrog said...

Wow, what a long haul! I'm so glad Mack is healthy and breastfeeding is going better this time!

What good luck that you were at your parents' house when your water broke.

Looking forward to seeing more pics of Mack and Sean.

Let me know when the new little guy needs some shoes! http://kayaskloset.com

Kitten With a Whiplash said...

Congratulations! I've been hoping all was going well. Glad to hear everyone is ok.

Hattie said...

SO glad you guys are both ok! I would have freaked out too. ;) He's a cutie!

Ammerins said...

Congratulations! He looks absolutely adorable! I had already been missing your posts, but thought it was just because of birthday business... And WHAT business! Well done! Big kiss to big brother as well!

Bertha said...

Oh hooray! I knew when you didn't post for so long that you must have had the baby, I was thinking about your every day, dying for pictures (I'm such a baby whore!)! He is absolutely ADORABLE, congratulations!!!

I hope you're healing up nicely!

Cynthia F said...

Congratulations!!! I wish you a speedy recovery and all the best to you, Jamie, Sean & Mackenzie!!

Joanna said...

Congratulations! Mack is absolutely adorable...

Ann-Marie MacKay said...

oooh he's just gorgeous!!!

Congrats.
What an experience that you've had--I'm glad it's over and you can be home enjoying your boys.

:)

Karine said...

I can't believe you were knitting again in the delivery room! Congratulations Robyn to you, the Mack Baby, Jamie and Sean.

Anonymous said...

Congrats! Mack is sooo adorable!!

Bea said...

He's so cute! Congrats Robyn and family. I'm glad the right decision was made. I was so sure you were going to have a birthday baby too! Well at least you guys can have your own day now.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations. I am so glad everything went well. Enjoy settling in to your new routine.

Lynn

Kerry said...

Oh sweetie, he is absolutely gorgeous!!! Congratulations on another beautiful baby boy!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! I was getting a bit worried, not seeing a post. This was an awesome one for a mom just home from a C-section.

Now the fun begins! The first year with two so close will be a challenge from an energy standpoint, but once you are through that, it will be wonderful.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and Happy Birthday! What a gift!!!

Robin said...

Congrats Robyn! He is very cute. Glad everyone is doing well!

Dreams of Yarn said...

There is nothing more original to say than 'CONGRATS!' to you and the whole family.

Balkan Style Bloggers said...

I just knew that Mack must have arrived! Congratulations! He's bee-you-ti-full!!

Kim said...

Congrats, Robyn!! He is a handsome little guy :)

It is definitely scary when things start moving fast because they need to do an emergency c/s. I'm so glad you had good support during the surgery and that Jamie was allowed to be there.

It won't be long before Sean steps into full-on big brother mode, teaching Mack all kinds of rotten things ;)

Rest up and enjoy your guys.

Zonda said...

Awesome!Congratulations! What a little cutie in his new outfit! Daddy looks pretty proud too! Gosh I thought you had been quiet!!
Sean will get used to his brother, at least he's closer in age then mine (5 yrs) they'll be best buds!

Take care of you too! Can't wait to see more pics!

Amanda said...

I had a feeling...he's beautiful. What a wonderful birthday gift! I'm sorry you ended up with the C-section, but I'm so glad Mom, Baby, and family are all well and settling in. Looking forward to those weekly pics of Sean AND Mack!

(You two make gorgeous babies....hee!)

Ali P said...

Oh...My...G!~!!! What an experience! I would have been shaking and crying just like you chickie boo. So helpless on that frigging table and distracted by the pain, its easy to panic. I am so glad it went ok in the end and all is well and now you have a house full of HANDSOME MEN!!! What more could a girl want? Besides self cleaning bathrooms (especially when one has a houseful of handsome men). Welcome to the club. Hugs and kisses to you all, cherie.

Jennifer said...

Omgosh - he's so adorable and seeing the pics while reading your story brought tears to my eyes. Congratulations and I can't wait to read all about your new little bundle...what a beautiful baby boy! xo

Mathgirl said...

Congratulations Robyn! He's absolutely adorable and came out before July, already pleasing his mommy ;)

halloweenlover said...

What a scary ride!!! I'm so glad everything turned out well, and Mack is gorgeous, of course!

I hope you heal quickly and that everyone adjusts easily.

Many hugs!

kate-the-enabler said...

Congratulations Robyn - he's beautiful, and you're a trooper - what a story!
Looking forward to meeting the little man 'soon' - in the meantime, sending best wishes.
xox

Anonymous said...

Both boys are adorable! Aren't you glad you packed your bag when you did? I'm glad Mack was a healthy little boy! Congrats

Kelly said...

Congrats! He is such a cutie. I have been reading your blog for quite some time now. I just knew that you must have had him since your last post was on Sunday. I am so happy for your family. I hope you recover quickly. Gets lots or rest. I'm sure you'll need it!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Robyn! I was thinking that you might have had your baby when there was a few days between posts! I also finally got to meet my little man this past week - he was born on Father's Day - 5 days 'late'. I hope you are able to take it easy as you recover (what a ride!), that breastfeeding comes more easily and that Sean falls a little bit more in love with his brother each day. Robyn (in Ontario)

Carrie said...

He's a gorgeous baby, congratulations!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! Mackenzie is so cute and adorable!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!
What an adorable boy!
I seldom read long passage, but yours is just very touching to me!
You remind me about my labor last year! (OH well, mine is very different, only 2 hours labor and my baby was out! At that time, she was only 4pounds 9 oz...!)
GOod luck to you and your baby! ANd hope you are doing fine .....
I and my daughter are also June birthday girls too!!
I hope you will have energy to pick up your sticks again! :D

Nicole said...

congrats!
hes adorable!
and that second picture of him by himself, it looks like hs playing an invisible stand up bass... or a violin, or something!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Robyn and Family!! He is absolutely adorable!

Laura said...

Congrats, Robyn. I also missed your daily post, so figured you were too busy with Little Mackenzie. Glad everything is well with all of you. Sean will get used to little brother it may just take a little time.

Jenn said...

I knew it!! Congrats. I'm glad everything turned out okay. I'm so happy for you, he's adorable. You called it right..and knew you'd have this baby before the due date your doctor gave you. :-)

lauriec said...

Congratulations! He is absolutely adorable!!!

Tara said...

Cograts again, Robyn. It's truly amazing to be able to share such a personal experience with you through your blog. Mack's birth is a precious, scary, exhilirating thing you've all gone through as a family. Take care of yourself and enjoy it.

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Awww, Robyn, he is gorgeous!! Congrats to you, Jamie, and Sean! Wow, your whole labour/delivery experience sounds scary, especially with the heart rate dropping. I'm glad everything turned out well for you both!!

Glad you liked your gift :o)

LizzieK8 said...

Congrats to you all. He has such a nice little round head! Take care of yourself and let Jamie and the rest of your family wait on you. Remember in addition to a new baby, you had major surgery! It takes a bit longer to recover!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh !! Congratulations !! You have a beautiful family with two wonderful sons !!! I am very happy for you :-)

Yosemite said...

Mazel Tov! I am so happy for you. The little one is adorable. Sorry you had such a difficult time but glad everything was fine with the little one.

Turtle said...

what sweet pictures!

craft-chick said...

Congratulations on the new arrival! We're on vacation and I had to find an internet connection so I could check your blog, I just knew Mack had arrived! I'm so happy for you and your famiy, and glad that all are happy and healthy! And I love the knits!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! He's a doll!

Maggie said...

Congratulations! He is absolutely beautiful!!

What a scare you had during your labor. I'm glad everything turned out ok.

Hope your recovery is quick!

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!!! He is so adorable!!!

sharon said...

hurray - so glad everything is okay and he is beautiful.
Sean will get used to Mack and everything will work out....
Get your rest, cause I think you may need it!!!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the new little one. He is very, very cute. I'm glad all is well and the baby and you are ok. Sean will love his baby brother in no time. Especially when they're both running around driving you crazy.

a friend to knit with said...

oh! congratulations on another precious boy.
hope everyone is adjusting nicely! :)

twins2005 said...

Congratulations! I was watching & wondering where you were, figured you had gone into labor, but thought you'd be back sooner. Glad things worked out good.
Having major abdominal surgery is no fun, take care of yourself during this time. I had a c-section with my twins & recovered quickly because I rested a lot.
Post more photos of your beautiful son when you can, they are both so cute!

Lindsey said...

oh robyn! congratulations! he is adorable! i am glad everything turned out so well! those emergency c-sections can be so scary! have a great time with the new one!

Drea said...

oh my gosh! you had him... im so behind Robyn! Any how he is BEAUTIFUL!!! Im going to go catch up on your blog now....

Anonymous said...

Congrats - he's a cutie! Glad to hear that the breastfeeding is going better this time around, too.

KJ said...

Congratulations!!! I haven't been by in a while & just thought of you and wondered if you had the baby yet! He's GORGEOUS. I'm glad everything worked out and that you're home and happy. Hope Sean is doing well with his little brother now.

g-girl said...

first of all, congratulations! goodness, 31 hours of labor??? You're amazing! :) I would've freaked too. I'm glad to hear everything ended well though. You had me worried for a second!

RobynR said...

Wow! So much to catch up on after vacation. Congrats on Mack's safe arrival Robyn. He's a beautiful little guy.

Jenny said...

Congratulations and welcome to little Mack! I am glad that despite all the scariness of having a c-section, that everything worked out and you have a gorgeous baby boy in your arms.

Anonymous said...

thanks amigo! great post!