My Perinatologist arrived just before 9:00 for my procedure and he and my nurses wheeled my bed to the operating room. They had me walk up to the table for my spinal block which I was already familiar with. The nurse who took care of me was so wonderful; when the anesthesiologist had me lean over for the shots she wrapped a warm blanket around me and cradled my head. Before I could even lay down my feet were already going numb. Then they hooked me up for heart rate and oxygen monitors, and gave me nasal oxygen.
After all of this it finally turned 9:00 and my specialist came in to start the procedure. There was a radio playing music and I was awake for the whole time, but within 3 songs he was already finished! I barely felt anything at all, maybe a few dull sensations here and there but there was no pain. When they were finished with clean-up they lifted me up and put me back onto my bed and wheeled me back into my room. The entire time I was out of my room was literally only about 20 minutes.
The recovery time from the spinal is what kept me there for another 6 hours though! My lower body was completely numb and it slowly wore off. I was only going to be allowed to leave if I could stand up/walk steps on my own and use the bathroom, which took forever. They also monitored my belly for contractions which thankfully there were none. I was FINALLY able to eat and drink. They started me off with ice chips and water and after I devoured that I moved onto a muffin and decaf coffee, amongst many other things :P. They then listened to the baby's heartbeat a second time and little one was still doing great. Finally around 3:30PM I was feeling ready enough to get discharged. They gave me a wheelchair and my awesome nurse brought me out of the hospital.
Overall the entire procedure and hospital experience was much nicer than I expected it to be. I did have some flashbacks when on my way to the bathroom I thought my water broke (which was a false alarm of course), and then seeing a little blood afterwards was very hard for me. Thankfully I had a LOT of loving and supportive nurses there for me whenever I had a concern.
I did have some pain but I was given some pain medicine at the hospital and I took just one Tylenol when I got home. I am going to be on mostly bed rest this week and I'm not allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds for now. I have a wonderful man in my life that has taken great care of me so I am very grateful :).
This picture was taken on Sunday at 14 weeks:
And just before Easter dinner at my mother-in-law's place :).
I have been feeling some small flutters here and there this week. I also have another ultrasound/post-op appointment on this Thursday and I'm so excited to see our little one again. The very next ultrasound will be to find out the gender and for that one Dylan will be taking off work early to be there. Also that week will be the beginning of my progesterone shots (17P) and those will be given at the specialist's office weekly to help prevent preterm labor/contractions. Whatever it takes for a healthy baby!
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