Your birth story

Hi Alexander,

You have been full of surprises since day one. At our 34 week appointment, I found out you were transverse or sideways. I worked for weeks to move you head down. I bounced on a yoga ball for hours a day and went on walks twice a day. It worked! You were head down at our 37 week appointment. I was happy that things were going as planned. The next week you were still head down but I was not dilated. Our doctor, Nestor Delgado, decided we need to induce at 39 weeks due to my diabetes. He didn't want to risk you being too big. You were measuring at about 8.5 pounds at the last ultrasound. I came in Monday, April 27, for a check up and decide whether to start the process that night or the next morning but you had other plans. In that one week, you had move back in the transverse position. Dr. Delgado decided we needed to do a c-section. I was prepared for a c-section if induction didn't go as planned but I was hoping to avoid surgery. We scheduled the c-section for Wednesday, April 29. I had a few days to wrap my head around the major surgery ahead. My friend, Sarah Lehocky, said it best though. A c-section means the least amount of stress on you and honestly, that's all that matters. Due to the pandemic, only your father was allowed to be at the hospital with me and no visitors during our stay. While I was nervous about the process, I was confident in Dr. Delgado's ability. My friend, Ashley, who I went through pregnancy with, actually elected to have a c-section. She help calm my nerves as well.

We went to the hospital Wednesday, April 29 at 8:45 to register and get prepped for surgery at noon. I got all washed up, hooked up and was ready for surgery. There were quite a few monitors on me and you. Just a few hours in, I noticed your heartbeat slowing. I asked your dad to check the monitor and seconds later, alarms went off and nurses rushed in. They believe you may have squeezed your umbilical cord causing your heart rate to drop. Talk about a scare. 

At noon, they wheeled me out of the room to get the anesthesia and start the operating. Your dad were to follow a few minutes into surgery. He told me, when he walked in the doctor and nurses were side stepping the shots of blood coming out of my incision site. It took the team just 13 minutes to get you out of the safe place you called home for nearly 10 months. Your dad saw it all and took pictures. He was telling me you look good but had your umbilical cord wrapped around your neck. Beaux always said he had his umbilical cord wrapped around his neck too and was afraid of the same circumstance with you. I didn't hear you cry at first. The doctor barked - go bag him. They whisked you away and called your dad over. They had to pump some liquid out of your lungs then the sweet sound of your cries filled the air. I did not realize how emotional I would get upon hearing those cries. For me, it was indication that you were alright. In the end, I am thankful we decided to go with the c-section. You actually had your umbilical cord wrapped around your neck and your body. If we were to induced, I had no doubt you would have been under stress during the process. 

Alexander Thien Johnson

Born: Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 12:13 p.m.

Weigh: 7 lbs and 10 ounces

Length: 19.25"

Mom: Linh Thi Dong Ha

Dad: Beaux Allen Johnson

Check out our first family photo. I can't even begin to tell you the joy I felt at this moment. You are everything I could have dreamed of and I was actually holding you in my arms. The nurse asked Daddy to hold you and take you back to our room while they finished stitching me up. 

Because I was basically still numb from mid torso down, your daddy did a lot of the skin to skin. This was the first photo I took of you two. I love you guys so much. The first few days at home were challenging as we adjusted but I wouldn't trade it for the world.