All Stitched Up

Week 14 started with a pre-op appointment for the cerclage.  I was hoping for an ultrasound and a chance to look at Baby again, but no such luck.  It was just a discussion with the nurse about the procedure followed by the doctor looking at the outside of my cervix, which really hurt.  I haven't been that uncomfortable with an examination since I was about 21.  I'm thinking it is because of the increased blood flow in my body. I'm just a little more sensitive right now.
Tuesday brought us surgery day.  We had to be at Good Samaritan Hospital at 11am for the 1pm surgery.  We weren't sure exactly where to go, so we arrived about 15 minutes early.  I got set up in Labor & Delivery with all the fun stuff--the cute gown, the bed, then all the really fun stuff--the IV.  Once again, it really stung going in.  I hate getting IVs, but usually they don't hurt that much.  Before surgery, they take blood to check red and white cell counts and when the lab guy took blood, that hurt, too.  He and Matt both said it was very clean, but it still stung. :(

When 1pm finally rolled around, both Matt and I were ready to get it done.  They didn't move me over to the OR until about 1:10pm and it seems the doctors weren't ready to go yet.  The anesthesiologist was a pro and helped walk me through the spinal.  I think of all the parts of the surgery, the spinal scared me the most.  I hate needles and after the spinal I had for the cerclage with the twins where the doctor missed about 7 times, I'm not too keen on having it done.  Luckily it went easily enough and only took one poke.  My butt went numb almost immediately.

In about 15 minutes they had me all stitched up and ready to go back to recovery.  I couldn't believe how easy and fast it went.  I was so happy it was over, but found out that the worst was yet to come...

Upon arrival back to the L&D room, Matt was smiling and waiting for me.  I had told them that I was feeling a bit nauseated, so they wanted to check my blood pressure right away.  It had dropped down to about 80/40, so it was no wonder I wasn't feeling well.  I had little color in my face and would probably have thrown up if I had anything in my stomach.  They kept a close watch on me for about an hour, but soon enough my blood pressure went back up to 102/65, so I had color back in my face.  At 3pm they let me order lunch (yay for hospital food!).  When it arrived at 4pm, I ate it so fast that I made myself sick to my stomach.  It wasn't the best grilled cheese sandwich (Matt makes those), but it was a welcome relief after not having eaten for almost 24 hours.

I was numb from the waist down and had to wait for the feeling to come back.  They don't let you leave the hospital before you can empty your bladder, so we had a bit of a wait to go.  At 5pm, the nurse tried to help me to the bathroom, but my legs were still like clubs, so it was a no-go (literally).  It was getting a little boring for both Matt and I after so many hours.  We had a TV in the room, but afternoon TV isn't that great.  I wasn't in the mood for reading, so even though I had my Kindle, I didn't use it. 

When 6:30pm rolled around the nurse helped me up again.  This time it worked!  My legs carried me all the way to the bathroom!  I don't think I have ever been so grateful to empty my bladder. Then we got to go home!

My legs were a little unsteady the rest of the night, but by the next morning I felt fine.  I was still a little tired, but no pain and very little spotting.  Just a little pink, but nothing to concern me.  I had far worse with the twins early on.

So, my cervix is all stitched up and Baby can't just open the door to get out.  How sad that I have baby-proofed my uterus!  I'm doing whatever I can to help this little one stay in as long as possible.  Matt is making sure I don't do ANYTHING that might hurt the baby, either.  Matt gets after me for everything--I'm not allowed to pick much of anything up, which should make me happy because I don't have to do laundry, but I still have to do laundry, just without being able to do it all by myself.  Oh, well...in about 6 months I will be so busy that I will be happy to have had a little break.