Updates!

I haven't updated much, because not much is happening. Brett is hard at work trying to get the renos done. The carpet guys are coming on the 9th to put the new carpet in (finally- don't buy carpet- or anything for that matter at home depot!). We think we are ready for Danika- but don't want her to get here early- we still have so much to do before her arrival.

As of today there are 12 days left until she gets here. We had our meeting this morning about the c-section. It was very helpful and informative. I think both Brett and I feel much better about the whole thing now. Before it was just something we had seen on tv- in shows like ER etc. It isn't like that at all. And now that we have seen where to go, and understand what to do- we are more excited than nervous.

We arrived at the hospital just after 11 to meet with the nurse. We found a room that wasn't being used- they weren't that busy today- so we didn't even hear anyone in labour. We were in a very nice labour and delivery room- but seeing all that stuff is enough to scare anyone! We did some paper work- and seriously one of the questions on the paper work was FOR WOMEN ONLY: Are you Pregnant? We were laughing at that- it was the last question on the last page- the other 4 pages were questions about your pregnancy! Go figure!

The nurse went to give us the paper work to get my blood done- but you have to do it 96 hours before the surgery and at a hospital- she felt sorry for us, because of how far we will have to drive- so she said just to come in 1/2 hour earlier (we already have to be there an hour early), and they would do it when they do my IV- so I only have to be pricked once! So that is good news for me.

She then went on to talk about what will happen the day we come in. We have to come in an hour and a half early- so we will leave the house around 9:30ish. We go to admitting, tell them we are there for a scheduled c-section, and at that point we can ask for the private room. After we are done there we go up to the unit and tell them at the desk that we are there. We will be put in triage to do the IV and blood work. Then at noon I will be taken into the operating room and Brett will be in the little waiting room beside it. In the operating room I will be wiped up (on my back) and they will do the spinal tap- the anesthesiologist will put the disinfectant on my back, and then put the needle in to numb the area- apparently that is the one that hurts- and the nurse said she was told it feels like a mosquito bite- but when she had it done all she could think of was that it was one huge mosquito. She said they will have me sitting on the edge of the bed- and ask me to curl over- we all laughed- as if a pregnant women can curl over! But it is done- so maybe I should start practicing now! She said as he is doing the actual spinal I will start to feel numb in my bum, and then legs. When he is done they will lay me on the table and tilt it to one side. They will then put the curtain up, and disinfect my belly. They will then WHEEL Brett in (we explained the whole thing, and she said just to be safe they will wheel him in in a wheel chair!). Once he is in place by my head they will start to cut- she said it takes about 5 minutes to get to the baby and get her out! They will hold her up for us to see her, and then take her to clean her off and wrap her up. At that point if Brett is okay- he can go take pictures- or the nurse will for us. (I am planning on the nurse). She said they will then check the placenta- get it out, and double check the cyst and then stitch me all up. My doctor- fortunately does a inner suture- so I wont have to go get staples taken out- or stitches, they will just dissolve. She said there is only about 4 layers to do- so it takes about 15 minutes. From start to finish the whole process is about an hour. So if they are on time we will be in recovery around 1:00. We all get wheeled to recovery- Brett can walk if he wants. We will be in recovery for about 2-3 hours- they will watch my bleeding, and the incision, and make sure the spinal wears off properly. Once that is done we will get taken to our postpartum room. In recovery I can breastfeed, and we can just lay with Danika- we can do whatever we want. Once I get to postpartum they will get me something to eat- Jello or something, if that goes well I can have dinner.

She talked to us about visitors- ONLY grandparents of the baby are aloud to come and visit- and they will only be aloud to stay for 15 minutes- then they will be kicked out. She said they strictly enforce these rules- so they look like the bad guys- not us- and we can get our rest. She also said they have changed the rules about the dads too- Brett will have to be out by 11:00 each night- so we can rest- and also so he can come home and sleep too!

We asked her about how long I will be in the hospital for. She told us the average was 48 hours. We can go home whenever we want- and feel we are okay too! As long as I am eating and going to the bathroom fine, and Danika is eating fine. Also- the surgery has to go perfect- if they have to do something that isn't routine then I may have to stay longer- depending on what happens. So I should be home by Friday afternoon.

With visiting at home- Brett and I have decided, I will be coming home on Friday- but we would like this day to get ourselves together- so are asking that no one stops by on Friday. I mean you can show up- but we will ignore you! HEHE! Saturday we will have visitors, but please call us first before you come, and please do not stay to long- we will have many people coming and going to visit- and we will still need our rest.

We talked to the nurse about the general anesthetic- where I would be asleep. Which isn't ideal- but sometimes it has to be done. She said some women want this instead of the spinal- so I thought I would ask about the difference- because I hate needles. But- with the general- I would not be awake- and may not get to hold Danika until she is many hours old. Also- you will be able to feel the catheter go in, and they give you the general threw a tube down your throat- which you are awake for! NO THANKS!!!!

That is the update for that. We will be able to make calls from the pay phones at the hospital- but unfortunately will not be able to call everyone- if you want an update- please call one of our parents. We are not aloud to use our cell phones in the hospital! Once we are home- we will call people back- but please be patient!

Other than that we are waiting probably not so patiently- but still waiting. There are 12 more days left, and that also means there is only 12 more days to get things done around here. I really wish Nesting would set in- so I could do some of the things on my list- and not just keep adding to it!

I will keep everyone as updated as I can- but we don't think there will be much exciting news for 12 days (also give me a couple days to update the blog- I don't think I will be doing it for awhile after she gets here!). But if anything exciting happens between now and then we will let you know!

Happy waiting!