The Birth

So after a couple "just to be safe" trips to the docs and a good 34 week checkup, we figured Brent was cooking safely. We hit the 34 week mark Friday, 3/9/12. The next morning we were awoken at 8:30 am to a fire drill at the Nugget House. At first, it was pretty annoying since we were used to sleeping til noon, but later we realized it was a sign from God because as it turns out, my water had broken when I was sleeping.  Off to the hospital we went.

After an exam, the doc told us he was going to keep me overnight for observation. Within a half hour, they were back in to let me know they didn't want to wait and risk infection. In went the IV (took 4 tries and I nearly passed out) and out I went to the OR. This time, the epidural only took one try (after again almost passing out). Brian was able to be in the room for the whole c-section and I did my best to not freak out or pass out (both were not successful). About 2 hours later I was done and  Brent was whisked away to another room where Brian cut the cord. They brought him out to me and I got a quick glance and off he went again.

Brent Alexander was born 1:02 pm 3/10/12. 4.4 lbs (exactly 2 kg) and 18 inches long.
Due to the anesthesia, I wasn't able to make it down to see him until about 2:00 am. As soon as I made it downstairs, of course, my IV literally fell out of my hand. But after another trip upstairs and a new IV, I finally held my little man. He had a CPap for oxygen and more tubes than I did. He was so tiny-like holding a bag of sugar. I could hardly see his face and, at that point, it felt like I was holding someone else's baby. Kinda weird to think he was actually mine. I had just gotten used to being pregnant and now I have a teeny tiny baby.

Over the next 3 days while I was recovering, Brian made trips to see him almost hourly. Recovery was way easier than the first surgery. I was out of bed in a day walking to the bathroom and even showering. The pain wasn't as bad and they were able to use my first scar for the c-section.

Over the next week Brent made huge progress. His CPap was removed, off all fluids & IV and trying his hand at bottle feeding. He still was working on his breathing technique and was put on the nose cannula-but was down to just "air flow" in a few days.  The first brain scan showed his ventricles increased a little but nothing that overly concerned them. His second scan was also stable. His head was normal size, his legs were kicking and he was coordinated enough to try to pull off the cannula with both hands. Every trip to see him resulting in positive results and a day closer to going home. He even started to latch for breast feeding and moved up to 40 ml of feeding (the max) by day 7.

He's pretty content in his little heated bed and barely cries. Aftet his CPap was removed we finally got to see those gorgeous blue eyes. He had to "tan" twice under the lights because his bilirubin was low. But as of now, his heartrate is steady and he's looking awesome.

Our little miracle is proving that he is just that-a miracle.