Hi all,
As I promised in my last post, I thought I would post some photos of Esther's journey, with a little story to tell about each photo. I hope to start getting in the habit of this, making this blog about documenting the continuing journey of our little girl. In coming years, I want to be able to look back on this and show Esther just how much she has achieved, and to encourage her to go strong with God. Here is the first installment. God bless!
Corallie
 |
| Just after the epidural. It all went downhill from here. |
Our little girl made a very drastic entry into our world. At 9lbs 7oz, she was a BIG baby to deliver with someone of my slight frame. I put on a whopping17kg during pregnancy, which meant that finding clothes to fit me (especially in the last few weeks) was very difficult. Ultimately, I began raiding hubby's wardrobe of tshirts, as most of mine didn't fit me anymore.
Unfortunately, because of the size of our little bubba, I ended up needing the vacuum suction cup to help get her out. Even with the full weight of the doctor tugging on the vacuum, she still would not come out. We soon discovered that her cord was around her neck twice VERY tightly, and her hand was squished up against the side of her face. Even with intervention, there was no way she was coming out naturally. A quick thinking midwife quickly grabbed what she could get of the cord and instructed my husband to cut it, as it was considered a highly dangerous and possibly lethal situation for both mum and bub.
After the cord was out of the way, we then proceeded to deliver her the rest of the way. But because of her head size (37.5cms, JUST inside the allowable range before they will do an emergency caeserean), the doctor had to perform an episiotomy (which is a minor cut to allow more room for the baby's head to come out). Unfortunately, when she came out she caused a 3rd degree tear (from top to bottom, with a gaping hole the size of a decent melon). I also began hemorraging immediately after birth and lost 1L of blood. I had to be rushed into emergency surgery and stitched up under general anasthesia.
 |
| First cuddles |
The operation took 2.5 hours to complete, due to complications with the epidural. I came out completely zonked, and with an extremely sore throat because of the tube they had to put down my throat.
 |
| Cuddles with grandma while mummy was in surgery |
|
|
|
I felt absolutely terrible for days, and wasn't allowed to get out of bed until day 3 after the operation. I was attached to a catheter bag for that entire time as well. During that time, I received 3 bags of blood, was on strong painkillers, stool softeners, antibiotics, and medication to increase my milk supply. Every time the midwives came in, I felt like the owner of a drug store as all the drugs were lined up for me to take with my meal.
 |
| The morning after the birth and major surgery |
Finally, 6 LONG days after birth we were allowed to go home. Apart from some major breastfeeding problems initially (she just would NOT go anywhere near it and screamed for nearly 2.5hrs one feeding time), things have been on the up since then. She now weighs a healthy 5kg, and is 60cms long, making her a very big bubba!
 |
| Going home from the hospital, yay! |
She is such a special little treasure, and although getting her here was extremely difficult, she has been worth every minute of it. I love being able to share life with her!
