Bryce Michael

BRYCE IS HERE!!!

(birth story)

Thursday May 7th- I woke up at 5:30am so I could have something to eat and drink. With a c-section you can't eat or drink anything 6 hours before. With Danika we got bumped for a few hours- and I was hungry- so I decided getting up early would be worth it- and thankfully I did.

We got ready- said good-bye to mom and Danika and headed for the hospital at 10. We got to foothills and got admitted. Up to the 5th floor we went. They asked us to wait in the waiting room- and wait we did. At around 1 I told Brett to go get something to eat- because who knew how much longer we would be waiting. As soon as I told him that, and he left- they called me in. They put me in a room- and told me to get the gown on. Our room was just another waiting room- they had 2 lazy boy chairs in there and some TVs and videos- but we didn't want to start watching because we thought we would be going in soon.

At about 3 two nurses came in to get some info, and start my IVs- so we were sure it was going to happen soon. Then they left. And we heard nothing. At about 4 another nurse came in to talk to us- she told us that there were 2 emergency c-sections ahead of us. Each one takes about 1 hour- and then they are in recovery for an hour and a half. At that point we knew that he wouldn't be here until after 8- I was thankful that I ate- but still starving.

We called to update everyone- and told them all they would not be seeing Bryce that night- because he would be here as visiting hours were over- and we would be in recovery and not in our rooms until about 11 at the earliest. It was hard on me- because I wanted to see Danika.

At about 7:30 the next nurse came on- she was really good. Making us laugh, and giving us good info. Then she told us she was going to find out when we were getting in. She came right back and told us that we were going right in- to get ready. I had to drink the yucky drink and away we went.

They had to try my spinal a few times- with the local anesthetic- which hurt. And was annoying because you have to keep yourself in a curled up slouch position. Once they got that in- they brought in Brett, and covered me up. We talked and tried to pass the time- neither of us remembering what we talked about. Then the drs started PUSHING on my chest- 2 male doctors- it hurt so much. (I was pretty bruised the next day). They were just saying that they may need to try something else when Bryce's head popped out. The anesthesologist told us that he had a big head. (we laughed when we saw it- because he is tiny compared to Danika).


So then Brett went with Bryce to the warmer and got him all cleaned up, and the drs worked on tying my tubes, and getting me sewn up. They were talking to me about what happened to my right ovary- apparently it was twisted and dead. So right away Brett and I knew Bryce is a miracle baby- it took us 2 years, 2 ovaries and fertility drugs to have Danika (which was a miracle too), but 10 days, and 1 ovary to get pregnant with Bryce.

They measured and weighed Bryce- he was 7 pounds 7 ounces, 19 inches long. He was born at 8:39pm.

After everyone was ready we headed for the recovery room- it was about 10 by that time. We spent about an hour and a half in there- they kept checking me out- and Bryce. Everything was looking good. They had mentioned bringing the peds in a few times for him- but thought he was fine- so they moved us to post partum.

We got a good room- on the corner, semi private- but the WORST nurse ever. (all the others were great- but she was horrible!). That is when everything went down hill. I think I fell asleep after they got me on my bed. When I woke up I had a migraine. The nurse was trying to get me to try to feed Bryce- but I didn't want to hold him- I couldn't see- and thought it would not be safe. So I laid there a bit longer, and waited out the migraine. It finally went away- and I held Bryce- for the first time. It was great- but the nurse was pushing nursing him- so I asked for a nursing pillow- well she brought in 3 regular pillows and was going to tuck them at my belly! HELLO- I just had surgery! So I just tried to do it on my own- but it wasn't working. I also started to get really hot and sweaty, and felt sick- so I asked Brett to take him back- then pretty much demanded the nurse bring us a bottle for him. Brett finally got him to eat- and then we decided to put him in the nursery.

We asked the nurse to take him- and she said okay- and disappeared. Brett was tired, I was tired- so Brett took Bryce to find the nurse and go in the nursery. She was apparently a pain to deal with then too. But Brett demanded he go in the nursery.

Brett came back and said good-bye to me. And I fell asleep.

About half hour later- at around 2:30am- I was woken up by a NICU nurse- telling me that Bryce turned blue- they are trying to figure out why- and he was okay- they were just going to keep him. And that they would update me.

I called Brett to let him know- and then tried to sleep. At 4am my nurse came in asking when I wanted my pain meds because she was going to get my up to walk soon. I asked her when she thought I should take them- because I didn't know. She told me to let her know- really she was a pain. And then while doing my vitals told me it was a good thing Bryce was in the nursery- because if I was sleeping when he turned blue what would have happened?! WTH- at this point I had had enough with this nurse.

I had also asked her for an update. Then she was gone- I thought to get an update- but NO. At 5 some other nurses came in to give me my other meds- so I asked them for an update- they told me they would get my nurse. AAGHHH- at about 7 my nurse brought me the phone number for the NICU- WOW- could have used that hours ago!

Brett came in and they tried to get me up to walk- and then take me to the NICU. My nurse this day was good- she brought me toast and told me when I was ready to get up we would go to the bathroom- and then they would take me to the NICU.

Everything is a blur for Friday- I know we went to the NICU and got some info. Then we came back and mom brought Danika down- so I took her to the NICU to see Bryce while Brett took Danika down to the cafe for a treat. No one believed us when we said he was small- but as they all saw him they realized. After Danika and mom left Brett and I had some time to ourselves. We had lunch, and talked, tried to walk etc.

Around dinner time- is when things got emotional. Dad, and Sharon showed up- so we took them in to see Bryce. That is when we were told that he may need to be on a ventilator soon. As we were coming out of the NICU- mom and Danika were back. We went back to the room so I could have my dinner. Talked for a bit- while Danika ate my dinner- then Brett tried to take mom down to see Bryce. They got in- and were told to get out- because they needed to get him on a ventilator right away. They came back in the room with no info. Everyone decided to leave so Brett and I could have some time.

We talked again for a couple minutes and then Bretts parents showed up. We talked and explained what was going on, and that we didn't really know much. So they went over with Brett to find out. They came back- all in tears and that scared me. They explained things (I will explain everything in the next post). And then left Brett and I for some quiet time.

We were worried. We got back in to see him at about 10pm. And decided that we both needed sleep too- so after that I took my tylenol 3s and went to sleep and Brett came home.

I slept from 10 until about 4- got up and went to the bathroom, then fell back to sleep until almost 8 when I woke up to Brett in my room! We ate, and then went over to see Bryce.

After that the dr came in asking me if I was ready to go home- I said NO. She explained that they needed the beds, but she would put me at the bottom of the list- so if they didn't need to- they wouldn't send me home.

Mom and Danika came to visit- and play in the room for awhile. After they left we had lunch and then went over to see Bryce. I asked the nurse if he would be coming home with me- or if we should buy a parking pass. She said to buy the pass. So I knew that he wouldn't be coming home with me- and that I needed to go home.

I thought about it all the way back to my room- and told Brett when we got there that I was going to go home. It would be easier to leave that day- then be up all night and told on mothers day that I had to leave him. We agreed that time would go by faster, and I could be with Danika. It was hard being in the hospital not being with either of my kids. So this way if I wasn't with one- I would be with the other.

Bretts parents showed up again to try and see Bryce- which they were able to then. And I stayed to talk to my nurse about going home. She told me that was fine- and brought in my papers. Bretts parents got in a short visit with Bryce, then Dad and Sharon brought Holly in. They brought us cookies and slurpees- and stayed for a bit- but then left so I could fill in all of our papers. Then we were out of there around 4. We stopped in to see Bryce. And then left. That was the hardest thing I have ever had to do- but the NICU gave me the phone number and told us to call whenever. Brett and I can also visit 24 hours a day.

Although it is hard- Bryce is in the best place he can be in- and he is getting better.

(I will update about his stay in the NICU and why he is there later- it is time to get ready to go see him)

We love him so much!