Skip to main content

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.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Strange times: Coronavirus pandemic

Hi Alexander, It has been quite a while since I wrote to you here but these are strange times. You're actually strapped to me right now as I type this but that's how it goes these days. We are living in a pandemic. The coronavirus that causes the illness COVID-19 has caused much of the country to shut down for months. Your dad and I have been self-quarantining since mid-March. States are just reopening after officials shut it down to help slow the spread of the virus. Businesses were shuttered, schools closed and classes - for all ages - transitioned to online. I am sure you will learn about this time in school later on. It is an once in a century event. I wasn't planning on taking maternity photos but with all the time on the world on my hands I figured why not. I got dressed up, set up my phone on a tripod in the backyard and convinced your dad to take the photos. It turned out pretty good if I do say so myself. I know I will cherish them as time goes on. Here are some of...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hey baby!

Hey baby! You can definitely tell I am growing a human these days and not just having a food baby. Your daddy had been trying to feel you kick again for weeks. One night he was cuddling with my belly when he heard gurgling noises. He said I was mistaking gas for your kicks. It is definitely not the case. But you, little man, is a slippery one. You would be kicking and as soon as your dad puts his hand on my belly you would stop. He would leave and you would start up again. It is quite funny. Tonight oh, I was laying down when I felt you move. When I place my hand on my stomach and pressed. I felt your heartbeat. I went over to your dad and had him press his hand into the same spot. He was able to feel you as well and bonus, you kicked for him. You should have seen his face. He had the biggest grin. He's going to be a good daddy.. I had a funny experience this week. You still have a lot of room to move and it seems like you take advantage of it. I had parked th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Stud Muffin

Hi Alex, I got to see how you're doing today at our 26 week ultrasound. Memaw was there since your daddy had to work. I was so excited to see you. You seem to already picked up my habit of putting my hand on my face while sleeping. You had your little fingers around your face, yawning much of the time.  The tech tried to get you to move your hand so she could take a picture of your face for me but it took a little work. I did get a good look at your limbs. Take a look at the muscle definition on that arm right there. The tech pointed out that it looks like I have a strong little man. While we were focused on your face, your foot made an appearance too! Apparantly, right now your favorite position is folded up. Your head down so I'm getting headbutted, kicked and punched all in the same spot. I'm not very surprised though. I have a short torso so if I'm sitting for long periods, you really don't have room to stretch. I do try to lay out on the couch when I'...
Post a Comment
Read more