She started feeling contractions this morning around 5 or 5:30. By 7:30, the contractions were getting more painful and closer together. But, since the doctor was concerned about an abruption (the tearing of the placenta from the uterine wall), she decided to do an emergency c-section.
As was the case with Cece, the doctors/techs had a hard time finding a good vein for an IV or to draw blood, which just added to the stress of the situation. By about 9:30 or 10, they had the OR prepped and wheeled Bridget away.
Fifteen minutes or so later I was able to go in the OR and sit with Bridget while they performed the operation. She was cold so we walked about warm things -- Aruba, hot tubs, etc.
At 10:30, out came the baby. They held her up over the sheet and I got my first look at Margaret Josephine, or Maggie. Her eyes were wide open and she looked beautiful! I got to cut her cord and follow the convoy of doctors into the NICU while they checked her out.
OK so stats. She was officially born at 31 weeks, 2 days. She weighed in at 3 pounds 5 ounces and is 16 inches long. Despite being a preemie, she breathes just fine on her own (some babies born this early need the help of a respirator). She scored a 9 out of 10 on her Apgar test. Just like her big sister.
She'll likely be in the NICU for a month or so in order to make sure she can do three things without help: eating, breathing, and regulating temperature.
After hanging out with Maggie for maybe a half hour (and getting her to wrap her tiny little fingers around my finger), I went over to the post-op recovery room to check on Bridget. Her heartbeat was a bit "tachy" and she had low blood pressure. She's since been given lots of fluids and a unit of blood which has helped with the blood pressure and her heart rate looks much better now. They have to get the blood pressure regulated before they can give Bridget any pain medication, so needless to say she was not feeling too hot. She just recently was given some percoset, so that's helping.
Judging from our experience with the first c-section, I know the first day is the hardest in terms of recovery, so keep Bridget in your thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. And keep Maggie in your thought and prayers for a relatively short stay in the NICU.
Thank you all so much for your continued prayers and support. We love you all and can't wait for you to meet our new little girl.
Jeff, Bridget, Cece and Maggie
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