Friday, August 19, 2011

THE BEST/WORST DAY EVER!!!

So Sunday (8-7-11) we were with both sides of our families so we decided to have everyone write down what they thought the baby would be and when the baby would come. Never in a million years did I think Paislee would be the winner!When we got home Sunday night I was getting Paislee out of the tub and I thought I peed my pants. Then I realized it was probably my water, so I grabbed the phone and called the doctors office. Even though I was 99% positive my water had broke, I didn't want to be the crazy pregnant lady who just peed her pants. As I waited for them to get a doctor to talk to, I stood up and knew it was time to head to the hospital. As we drove up there we were so anxious and excited, we still didn't have a name but decided we would both guess what we thought the baby was. I said I thought it was a boy and Chad thought it was a girl.
After they got me admitted we started to get a little frustrated because they weren't doing anything to get my labor to progress. Finally the nurse told us they wanted to hold me off as long as possible because they wanted all the doctors and pediatrician team there for the delivery. Looking back now a blessing in disguise!So bright and early Monday (8-8-11) morning this is what my room looked like. We were full of excitement and energy. We were having a baby and couldn't wait to find out what it was.The doctors had told us that because the baby was so early we wouldn't be able to hold it because it would have to go right to the nursery to get evaluated. So we decided that we would wait to have family come up to the hospital to see us until the baby could come back to the room. At this point I was dilated to a 4 and the contractions hurt but they were the contractions I had been having for weeks now. I did everything I could to get the doctors to give me an epidural. No luck with that or ANY other pain medicine, for some reason they had decided against giving me anything. Once again another blessing in disguise.
Since I was only at a 4 and 80% effaced and wasn't doing anything on my own they decided to start some pitocin. The contractions started to hurt to the point I wasn't sure how to control them. So Michelle, who is a nurse sent from heaven came in and talked me through the contractions and pushed my legs to help with the pressure. I was doing great with the painful contractions, I hadn't scream, yelled, cried or swore yet. They started my 4 bags of plasma, and the last time they checked me I was at a 7 and fully effaced. So after getting checked I needed to go potty, as I got to the bathroom I knew something was wrong. They checked me and said I was okay so after I was done, I stood up and was in the peak of my contraction. I told them something was wrong and I just felt like a needed to push. But they had just checked me and I was only at a 7, or so they thought. They wanted me to stand up and walk through the contraction. But I had lost control over the contraction and I told them I needed to push. They laid me down and saw that the baby was crowning and by this point I was hurting really, really bad. The baby was on its way out and now I was screaming at the top of my lungs, "Get it out of me!" Chad had ran to get my mom who was giving my dad an update. They could hear me screaming down the hall and came running and by the time they got there the head was already out. Now since this is my blog and it is the only funny part of the story I am going to tell this next part. So as Chad ran in and walked around my legs the baby came out and out it came with all its juices which ended up all over Chad's face and shirt.After the baby came out he was doing great, better than they all expected. Chad even got to hold him. However, I was not doing great and was still screaming in pain as they tried to get my placenta to come out. I was starting to hemorrhage and they couldn't get it out. At this point I remember looking up at my mom and saying I didn't feel good and then I passed out. From that point on I only remember bits and pieces of what happened. As they were getting my placenta out my uterus turned inside out and came completely out. The doctors in the room went from 9 to 18 and they were saying we have to get her out of here now. It all happened so fast that Chad turned around still thinking the concern was on the baby and said, "It's a boy, not a girl." They looked at him and said, "No we need to get her (pointing at me) out of here." Chad said he looked down and I was white as a ghost, passed out covered in blood with two doctors holding my uterus in the best they could. So he handed the baby to the pediatrician and started following them out the door when they turned to him and said he couldn't come. As they pushed me down they hall he heard them say, "She's not breathing." Chad collapsed and my mom and him just held each other crying because they didn't know if I was going to make it.After telling my mom I didn't feel good the next thing I remember was being slapped in the face, then I heard them say "She's not breathing." At that point it felt like I was watching a movie and I remember thinking, who me I am not breathing. They rushed me into the operating room and by this time I had lost more than 50% of my blood and my blood pressure was 60/20. They couldn't put me under or I would have never woke up, they couldn't give me anything for pain or I would have gone brain dead because my blood pressure was so low. The team knew they needed to raise my blood pressure or I would have died. So four doctors at the same time shoved my uterus back up inside of me while turning it the right way, then two doctors pushed down on my belly to make it contract. I remember this pain very well, I was screaming and yelling in pain and they said I even swore at them. I had just done natural childbirth and this pain was ten times worse. This pain is what raised my blood pressure until I would pass out. Once I passed out they would give me medicine to make me forget what was happening. I remember them doing this about 4 times and then the next thing I remember is waking up being stitched up. They had to give me 3 more units of plasma and 4 units of blood. I don't remember very many things from that day. I didn't even know I had a boy until the next morning. I have no memory of Paislee telling everyone in our room what the baby was. The doctors said that I don't remember about 35 minutes of what happened in the OR, which is also a blessing in disguise.Chad and both of our families had no idea how I was doing for about 45 minutes, Chad said it was the longest 45 minutes of his life. Chad was a wreck and couldn't stop shaking until the next day. The team that saved my life said they have read about this happening but have never seen it actually happen. They have seen where uterus would rupture or part would come out but nothing like my uterus turning inside out and coming completely out. The other lady that it happen to somewhere else had to have a hysterectomy. I was lucky and my uterus did go back up and contract, so I didn't have to get cut open or have a hysterectomy.The next day my hematocrit (blood count) was still a 24 (should be between 36-42) and I was really sick and very weak. They gave me two more units of blood and with lots of rest I started to feel better. The team of doctors all came to see me and told me how just lucky I was to be alive. That is a conversation that was really hard to hear and very hard to hold back the tears for Chad and myself.My doctor said that what happened is so extremely rare and my blood disorder had nothing to do with it. The chance of it happening again would be like getting hit by lightening twice. The doctors didn't know what to even tell me about my recovery because they haven't dealt with this before. I guess my nickname of Miss 2% just went to Miss 1%. All the doctors and nurses did say I have done way better with my recovery than they thought I would do. My doctor trying to make light of the situation pointed out that my delivery story will be able to top any story told at any party.
I can't help but cry when I look back and see how lucky I really was. How lucky was I that I was at the University of Utah with doctors that knew what to do. I guess I am a Utah fan now. How lucky am I that I was at a hospital that had a blood bank. How lucky am I that Chad and my Dad were able to give me a blessing before I delivered. How lucky am I that my Heavenly Father was watching over me and had his hand in small miracles that saved my life. How lucky am I that my sweet little Prescott was perfectly healthy. How lucky am I that both sides of our families rushed up to the hospital as soon as they heard. How lucky am I that we had family and friends all sending prayers our way. How lucky am I that my sweet Prescott is the best baby ever, I know it is because I deserve a good baby after that delivery. How lucky am I that we got our girl and boy and as of now we feel like our family is complete. I am so lucky and so blessed to have the sweetest little boy who reminds me everyday how lucky I really was.

10 comments:

Layne Bushell said...

Wow Amanda. I've been waiting for the "rest" of the story and I'm glad everything turned out "perfectly"...meaning, you're here, the baby's doing great, and you're recovery has been rock star status!

That is a very scary story and you are one very lucky and special person to have survived such an ordeal! Congrats on that cute baby boy!

The Sadler Crew said...

So glad everything worked out. Love you tons.

Danielle said...

thank heavens for the miracles of modern science and being watched over by a loving heavenly father. i'm so glad both of you are all right. i hope you're getting lots of snuggling in with both your babies. congratulations on your handsome son (who, in my opinion, looks JUST like your dad and your brothers)!

Kristine and Ryan said...

Holy cow Amanda. That is quite a story. Scary. SO glad that everything is alright. Your story tops all!!!!

mh said...

Holy cow! That is so scary. Your post brought tears to my eyes. I am so glad I was reading it after I knew you were okay. I can't imagine what Chad was gong through when they took you away and he had no idea what was happening! I am so so so glad you are okay, and Prescott is okay. Wow! I am glad you got one of each! He is beautiful.
Marintha

The Jensen's said...

OK so I bawled my eyes out reading your story....You are so very lucky. I am so glad to see you doing great and baby Prescott is a beautiful baby boy. Love you so much friend!

Momberger said...

Amanda, I am so glad to hear you are healthy and happy with your adorable family. Congratulations. I hope you are feeling well.

Amanda said...

Oh you poor girl! I'm glad to hear everything is well and I hope this little one is a wonderful baby to make up for all the trials he put you through while getting him here.

bjarnason family said...

I know exactly how you feel about the U and the doctor's there, not for myself but for our little Aaron! I'm so happy that you are still here with us! Ben asks about your little guy every day. He also tells his Kinder teacher how wonderful his preschool teacher was! You and your family are in our prayers.

Amy Jenkins said...

Hey Amanda - This is a blast from your past. Amy Gardner - I'm so glad to hear everything turned out okay and that you can now enjoy your new little one. You'll love having a boy, I promise!