Keller 9 WEEKS

Keller 8 WEEKS

Keller 7 WEEKS

Keller's birth story

Writing Keller's birth story means I'm having my first glass of wine in over a year.  I need a little liquid courage to get me through this one...

It was a normal morning at 37.6 weeks pregnant.  I woke up around 8ish and laid in bed playing on my iPhone like I always do.  Around 9 am I decided it was time to get my lazy butt out of bed.  As I was walking to the bathroom, it felt like I had a major accident.  However, it was obvious that this was something different... yep, my water had broken.  I was home alone.  Jeremy was in Gallatin, TN at a training.  I texted him, "water broke, 911."  He texted me back, "are you sure?"  Yes, I am sure!  My hospital bag was only 50% packed.  I grabbed what I could and drove my leaking self to the hospital.

I parked the car as close to the front of the hospital as possible.  When I walked in, I waved down this poor woman behind the front desk.  I was leaking everywhere, making a huge mess.  It was as dramatic as they show in the movies.  I told her my water had broken and I needed a wheelchair.  She was so sweet and took me up to L&D.

I arrived in L&D and quickly realized I had yet to register at the hospital.  I told the lady that I had spent three weeks there during my pregnancy... do I REALLY have to register???  The answer was unfortunately YES.  So in a nervous wreck and husbandless, I filled out tons of paperwork.  Thankfully, my dad met me in registration and helped me fill everything out.  By this point, I had completely lost all my marbles and even asked my dad if Keller needed a social security number:) Whoops!

After surviving the paperwork, we got in the delivery room fairly fast.  My mom and dad were with me and Jeremy was not too far away.  The nurses contacted my doctor and he ordered pitocin.  My contractions were not picking up after being on the monitor for an hour.  I couldn't believe after weeks of contracting like crazy, I was making zero progress:)  Jeremy arrived at the hospital and we made a list of things for him to bring back.  I told him not to worry about leaving because it would be awhile before Keller comes... boy was I WRONG!!

Keller and I decided to end our crazy pregnancy with a bang!  Around noon, my doctor came in to check my progress.  During the exam, I had a massive hemorrhage.  This is everything I remember during the scariest 11 minutes of my life...

I already knew before my doctor said anything... I could feel the blood.  Dr. Chesney looked at me and said, "you are bleeding and we need to do an emergency c-section."  I told him I needed to call Jeremy because he was at home getting our bags packed.  Dr. Chesney grabbed my phone and called Jeremy...
Jeremy:  Hey babe
Dr Chesney:  Hello, this is Dr. Chesney
Jeremy: What's up doc!  (yes, he really said 'what's up doc')
Dr. Chesney:  Rachel is bleeding and we have to do an emergency c-section.  You need to come back to the hospital and don't get in a car wreck.  Click.

Tons of nurses rushed into my room.  There was lots of yelling and everyone was hurrying.  Within seconds, they had my bed in drive and we were running through the halls.  The trip to the OR was an amusing one.    Guests were in the hallways and the nurses were screaming at them to move.  One nurse even yelled, "this is why we ask everyone to wait in the waiting room!!!".   I remember we almost took out an entire Hispanic family.  :)

We we got to the OR one of the nurses asked me to move onto the OR table.  The CRNA took one look at me and said, "I don't think she will be able to do that."  That's when another nurse picked me up by herself and threw me on the table!  They still had Keller on the monitor and kept telling me the baby was doing great and not to worry.  Dr. Chesney was suited up and told me the baby was going to be fine.  I asked him if I was going to be okay, he said yes.  By this point the OR was full of people prepping me.  I remember someone kept asking if we had a razor yet... yikes!  That's when I looked at the CRNA and asked for my epidural.
Me: I am ready for the epidural!!!!!
CRNA: Oh sweetie, we are knocking you out!
Me: Okay, well I am ready for you to knock me out...
CRNA: We have to do it last minute so the baby doesn't get any of the drugs.

DAMN IT!

Finally, it was time to put me under.  They took Keller off the monitor.  The last thing I remember was praying... 

Dear God, please let me meet my baby boy!

Jeremy arrived just in time to meet his son.  In fact, they wouldn't have let him meet Keller any sooner.  Miracle from God, my sweet man somehow remembered the camera.  When I woke up, I was able to see everything I missed out on because of all the pictures he took.  I was out of it during our son's first two hours of life.  Kind of makes me sad but when I put it in perspective, I realize that I am ALIVE and my baby is ALIVE!   I get to see Keller grow up and that's what matters.  My Dad also suited up and went into the OR with Jeremy. After seeing I was going to by okay, he gave Keller a head to toe inspection.  Jeremy was thrilled when my dad said Keller was a healthy baby!  It warms my heart knowing my dad and Jeremy were with Keller those first couple of hours when I couldn't be. 

An hour after my c-section, I woke up in recovery in tons of pain.  Jeremy said I laid there for another hour moaning and groaning from the pain.  Then finally it was time for me to meet my miracle baby.  The most wonderful moment in my entire life.  Yes, I was very drugged, but it was still so amazing! Keller was a healthy baby boy weighing 7 lbs and 7 ounces born at 12:59 pm.  Dr Chesney called Jeremy at 12:48.  That's how we know it took 11 minutes to save both our lives. 

I have to brag about my little guy... The LC came in to help me nurse and Keller latched on right away.  It was so special to finally be able to bond with my baby.  I take that back... Keller and I had been through so much together we had already bonded long before he came into this world. :)

I was as white as a ghost because I lost two liters of blood from a placenta abruption.  Also, baby Keller had a knot in his umbilical cord.  Something we did not know about.  It was a true miracle we both made it.  I truly do believe God intervened that day and saved us both.  Dr. Chesney and I have had many conversations about how unbelievable everything was that happened that day.

After two units of blood, I felt so much better.  Thankfully, the rest of our stay was uneventful and we went home three days later as a family of three!  I am one proud mama.  Yes, I have an ugly scar but it's MY battle scar.  I fought for Keller from the beginning... through all the sickness, contractions, and scares.  My baby was in my arms.  

AND

God answered my prayer... I met my baby boy!  

Now on to the goods... pictures!

MY very first picture...

NOW, that's one proud papa!

Hi daddy!

 I was born with some crazy LONG hair!!!!

Getting my prints made!

Getting my first bath!

 

Meeting my baby for the first time...

My favorite picture!  I look horrible but it is so telling of everything we went through that day!  We were exhausted but finally back together again.  Pure heaven!

Time to meet everyone!

I love my DADDY!

Time to go home with my mommy and daddy!

Pregnancy week 30-38

I actually enjoyed the last 8 weeks of my pregnancy.  I stopped having those horrible contractions.  I also gained some weight because I was finally able to eat!  I still only gained a measly 11 lbs in total and had a 7.7 lb baby, but I did gain weight!  I spent most of the last 8 weeks nesting and crafting in anticipation on the arrival of our baby boy.  Most everything in Keller's room was made by me.  When I finish his room, hopefully soon, I will post pictures.  There was a lot of love put in that boy's room:)

First time leaving the house after bed rest.  29.5 weeks

We went swimming at 30 weeks!

At my parents, celebrating 32 weeks!

  

Made it to our goal.  34 weeks!!!

37 weeks!

Made it full term!  Oh happy day!!!

At 32 weeks, we had our maternity pictures taken!  I LOVE how they turned out.  I am so thankful I got my act together and got maternity pictures done.  I would have been really bummed if I had not captured this special time.  I think I had a pretty cute belly:)  Thank you Candice Stevens Photography.

My favorite!

Will I ever do it again?!?  If God willing, I would do it in a heartbeat!!!   I couldn't imagine only having one baby.  Now, I do think my body needs to rest and heal before I get pregnant again.  My doctor thinks the likelihood of having another pregnancy like I did is slim to none.  The only thing I am at high risk of having again is the horrible hyperemesis/ morning sickness.  Keller was worth every second!