I’m finally sitting down to update my blog. Sienna turns two weeks old today and my parents left two days ago after two weeks of fun and training. My mom was a great teacher - I have a lot to learn being this is my first baby, but so far all is well.To update you on the details of the birth, I’ll start from the beginning. Although if you received my KodakGallery photos, you probably feel as if you were in the delivery room with us.
My mom, dad and I arrived at Hospital Esperanza at 8:00 a.m. and were shown to our room. A guy came in to fill out a form on my medical history and I was given a pros
taglandin tablet to start the dilation process. Things progressed well and I dilated to a 3 in three hours, but then didn’t dilate for the next two hours, so I was given oxytocin, or Pitocin, to get things going again. All day my doctor had been saying that Sienna was going to arrive at 8:00 pm, so she’d be born on 8/8/08 at 8, but I was doubtful that the pace would pick up that much.
At 6:30 pm, my water broke and I couldn’t wait to finally say, “Me rompio la fuente,” directly translated as “the fountain broke,” to my doctor. He was literally dancing around the room saying, “You’re at a 5, you’re at a 5!”
Things really took off at this point. Up until now, my contractions were no worse than menstrual cramps, registering up to 60% on the monitor, but the new contractions were stronger, regist
ering anywhere from 70% to 100%, and could actually take my breath away a bit. Still, it wasn’t the excruciating pain that I had anticipated. I was given an epidural and after the medicine kicked in, the contractions went back to their weaker state. I always thought that an epidural numbed the lower body, but I didn’t feel any sensation whatsoever of the drug, other than being able to tell that the contractions were weaker.
I continued to watch the monitor that displayed Sienna’s heart rate and the strength of the contractions. When a contraction began, Sienna’s heart rate would drop until I took a deep breath and got her the oxygen she needed to bring her heart rate back to normal. It was amazing to watch
how quickly the oxygen got to her and be able to make sure she was in a healthy state. An hour after my water broke, I was dilated to an 8 and was whisked off to the delivery room in my bed on wheels. I was transferred to a different table and my doctor, pediatrician, anesthesiologist and nurse buzzed around getting ready for delivery. My doctor was so excited, we were all laughing and having a good time. He had told me this would be the case, but I thought he was crazy and that I’d be in much more pain.
My parents and friend Michelle were given surgical gowns to change into because they were going to be in the delivery room and my friends Jaime and Jen were stationed just outside of the curtain, well within earshot of all of the excitement.
I dilated to a 10 by 8:00 pm and started pushing, with the help of the pediatrician who had his arm pressed across the top of my uterus and would push down when the contractions started. On all of the baby shows I’ve watched, I’ve never seen this done, but it was helpful. The anesthesiologist checked Sienna’s heart rate between contractions and after only about four pushes, the doctor told me two or more and she’d be here. This was very encouraging. Although the pain was less than I thought, the pushing was much more exhausting than I had anticipated. The doctor was right again and after two more pushes, he had Sienna hanging by her ankles and he was yelling to my dad to come and cut the cord. My dad had a video camera in his hands, so I told my mom to scoot over and she cut the cord. I was so proud of my mom for not getting lightheaded - she said it was because I wasn’t in any pain. It was great to have her in the delivery room with me!
The doctor, who resembles Dudley Moore and is pictured below to the left of Michelle holding the video camera, glanced over at the clock and started yelling OCHO VEINTIOCHO! OCHO VEINTIOCHO! He was delighted that Sienna arrived at 8:28 pm on 8/8/08.
Even though I saw Sienna come into this world, I still couldn’t believe she was my daughter and it was her that I had carried for 9 months. It was a surreal experience that I can’t describe.
She let out a healthy cry right away, but settled down immediately when the doctor placed her on my chest. I was surprised at how calm and mellow she was after such a traumatic experience and of course I thought she looked beautiful. Michelle did an awesome job recording everything on my camera. She was there at every turn and I love the candid shots she got.
They cleaned Sienna up and everybody headed out of the delivery room while my doctor began his “work of art,” as he called it, sewing the episiotomy.
All in all I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect birthing experience. Eight years ago, I was able to witness my niece’s birth and see the amazing strength of my sister - who wasn’t able to have an epidural. I was so thankful to be lucky and have a similar experience without excruciating pain. I have the doctors to thank for making me laugh and creating a relaxed, yet professional environment throughout the delivery. Sienna is healthy and happy and turns two weeks old today!
**Oh and the pediatrician pierced her ears in the hospital - very common in Latin American culture - so Sienna has cute little pearls from her grammy in both ears (Michelle did us a huge favor and ran out to buy them, so it could be done in the hospital).