Born, Friday, May 9th at 3:50pm
7 lbs & 10 oz - 20 inches long
Happy Mother's Day Eve. We are so blessed to know that we will be celebrating this very special day tomorrow with our little boy- Jackson Thomas Rife. Many of you heard about the long ordeal this past week, but I look back now and think how worth it, it all was. We came in Tuesday night ready to be induced. My doctor felt it necessary, due to my swelling, constant blood pressure going up and a headache for three weeks straight. We were eager and excited, and a little bit nervous, but nothing prepared us for what was about to happen. By Friday morning they had given me two doses of medication to help me dilate, and I had been on petocin for more than 24 hours as well. I was only slightly dilated, and not showing any signs of picking up. On top of that, Jackson's heart rate was dropping slightly every time I got up to use the washroom or sit up for a bit- we were frightened for him and growing very fatigued. We were given the choice of either going home and coming back when my body went into labor itself, or we could opt for a c-section. We had been so adamant against a c-section before this, but after three and a half days of medication, nausea & vomiting, contractions and not being allowed to eat or drink anything the entire time- there was no way I wanted to go home without that baby boy in my arms. We reluctantly, and tearfully, chose to go through with the c-section and the doctor's quickly got ready for the surgery. I was so scared! Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not tolerate a pinprick of a needle, let alone a huge one in my spine as well as being cut open. This is a very serious abdominal surgery! I went into the O.R. sobbing, trying so hard to keep it together, but all I could think about was the fact that I was going to be cut open in a few minutes. After I was numb from the waist down and the curtain was up, Matt was escorted in and stood next to me, holding my hand. I looked up to see that he was crying, right when I had stopped. He thanked me for having the baby and for everything up until this point. It was the sweetest moment of my life. Then it was all over before I knew it had really started. I had a rough surgery, most likely because I hadn't eaten for three days and was already feeling nauseous, and I was violently ill for most of the c-section. When Jackson was out they kept trying to get me to look at him but I couldn't stop getting sick long enough to enjoy the moment. Matt and my dad rushed to the nursery to be with Jackson and the doctor's continued to sew me up and finish the surgery. I was then taken to recovery and I had to wait TWO HOURS before they would let me see Jackson! It was the longest two hours of my life. As soon as they brought him to me I started smiling this huge grin that only God can grant- and I haven't stopped smiling since. The past couple of days have been the most amazing days of my life. I'm happy to share it with all of you!
4 comments:
Oh honey! What an ordeal! I was wondering why we hadn't heard anything (I've been monitoring your blog and facebook all week). I am so relieved that everyone is ok and that Jackson is here. Welcome to the world little one! Keep us posted on your recovery. I wish I could be in Chicago to help you carry groceries and all that. Enjoy your amazing new son, dear one.
Congratulations!
Baby Jackson is so handsome and the very image of Dad. There is no happiness equal to when your child is first put into your arms
and everything is OK.
I'm so happy for you all.
LaVonne O'Shields (Lauren's Mom)
It was so worth it! We are the happiest we've ever been. I'm doing well- pain killers are good :)
Congrats and thank goodness Jackson is here. He is just the cutest! Rest up and and enjoy. Sorry you had to go through so much but isn't it just amazing that you soon forget about all of that when you first set eyes on your little one. It's amazing the love that we can have for someone so new to our life. Congrats!
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