It has been way too long since we have blogged. Our son, Ellis John Haggmark, was born on March 24th here in Hong Kong and our life has looked wonderfully different since that day. We are so thankful that he is a part of our lives.
The birth of Ellis had its ups and downs. Well actually, mostly downs. Ellis joining us was most definitely the highlight. I ended up having an emergency c-section. The c-section went without any problems. It was the few days after that were tough.
I had gestational hypertension and because the doctors were afraid I might get preeclampsia they decided to induce me at 37 weeks. I was admitted to the hospital on the morning of March 23rd to begin the process. On the 24th they said my cervix was ready to begin the induction. That evening I was wheeled into the delivery room and given an epidural. I immediately began vomiting. I did not have a good reaction to it and apparently Ellis didn't either. His heart rate dropped so low that the doctor said we must have a c-section immediately.
Niel was not permitted to be in the room with me. At this point I insisted that he be informed that this was about to happen. The doctor eventually gave in and allowed Niel to come in the room for 5 minutes to tell him what was going on. Niel prayed for me. He left and I was wheeled into the operating room.
The c-section itself was a blur. I was so drowsy. I vomited again and fought hard to keep my eyes open. I did not want to miss my son being born. I remember the anesthesiologist putting a mask over my face right before Ellis was born and I realized it was gas to put me to sleep. My arms were tied down so I shook my face really hard to let her know that I did not want the gas. I wanted to be awake when he arrived. Not long after that I saw them take the baby over to a table in the room. Ellis did not make a sound and I was worried. Finally after what seemed like an eternity to me, (I’m sure it was merely seconds) I heard him cry and saw his hand move. I started to cry. My son was alive.
They brought Ellis over to me and let me kiss him. As they were about to wheel him off to the nursery I asked them to make sure to let Niel see him. The nurse looked over to the doctor for approval as this is not their normal procedure. She agreed so they wheeled Ellis out to the hallway where Niel was so he could get a glimpse of him. He took this picture.
After they wheeled me to the recovery room I begged the nurse to let Niel come in to see me. They said this was not possible. I kept insisting and finally they did. Niel came into the room and they brought Ellis in for some skin to skin time and to try to nurse. They were going to take Ellis away again without letting Niel hold him and once again I had to insist that it was important that Niel got to hold him too. Niel was able to hold him for a few brief seconds before he was escorted out of the room.
Ellis and I were then taken to the postnatal ward. I did not know then that the following days would be some of the hardest days of my life...
No comments:
Post a Comment