Many people have asked me about my c-section experience, so I will go over what happened in not so graphic detail here. Im also including some random photos of his first days, as requested. First of all, my doctor and I discussed the possibility of having a C from the beginning. Before some of you start complaining that I was trying to do a "Hollywood" style birth, you should know that m
y doctor only brought it up because I have Crohn's disease, so get off my back about it. Guess you can tell I'm a little defensive about it, but i seems like everyone is all about having a baby at home or underwater or some other big "Experience" birth. I was just hoping on a healthy baby when it was all over, by whatever means possible. The experience was not my top priority. So anyway, back to what my bro calls my "stupid" colon ( he has other less pc terms for it that I won't repeat here). Its an autoimmune disorder where your digestive system just doesn't work so good. My OB worked with my Crohn's doc to make sure that I was healthy enough to try to have a baby, and that I stayed healthy throughout my pregnancy. They certainly did a good job, because Davis was gigantic for someone like me- 8lbs.3 oz- two pounds bigger than we expected. So both docs said I could try for a "regular" style birth if I wanted, but that a C would be more controlled and less likely to damage my insides. Since I preferred to have my hair and make-up looking good right after the birth, I knew the C was for me ;) Who wants to be all sweaty and tired a gross when you know that everyone is going to photographing you? Not me. But it really didn't matter what we decided ahead of time because Davis was breech and would have certainly been a c- baby anyway and his health was my number one priority. 
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)-The Beach Boys (They tested my numbness during this song)
Say a Little Prayer for You Aretha Franklin (I just like this song- I don't remember what was going on in he surgery, but the song reminds me of our wedding.)
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes Paul Simon (Ditto for this song- I had Rhinestones on the bottom of my wedding shoes)
One Sweet World Dave Mathews & Tim Reynolds (Tim was checking out Davis as they made sure all was ok)
That's How Strong My Love Is Otis Redding ( The nurses brought Davis over for me to touch his head. It was the most incredible feeling) 
I can't believe its already been a month. What a great month!
y doctor only brought it up because I have Crohn's disease, so get off my back about it. Guess you can tell I'm a little defensive about it, but i seems like everyone is all about having a baby at home or underwater or some other big "Experience" birth. I was just hoping on a healthy baby when it was all over, by whatever means possible. The experience was not my top priority. So anyway, back to what my bro calls my "stupid" colon ( he has other less pc terms for it that I won't repeat here). Its an autoimmune disorder where your digestive system just doesn't work so good. My OB worked with my Crohn's doc to make sure that I was healthy enough to try to have a baby, and that I stayed healthy throughout my pregnancy. They certainly did a good job, because Davis was gigantic for someone like me- 8lbs.3 oz- two pounds bigger than we expected. So both docs said I could try for a "regular" style birth if I wanted, but that a C would be more controlled and less likely to damage my insides. Since I preferred to have my hair and make-up looking good right after the birth, I knew the C was for me ;) Who wants to be all sweaty and tired a gross when you know that everyone is going to photographing you? Not me. But it really didn't matter what we decided ahead of time because Davis was breech and would have certainly been a c- baby anyway and his health was my number one priority. 
So now is the time when I shamelessly promote my awesome docs at Shands. My Crohn's doc, Dr. Valentine, gave me my life back when he figured out what was wrong with me a few years ago. You might have noticed his name in the birth announcement as well as my OB's name. Under his care, I was able to get healthy enough to get pregnant and I am so grateful. To show my gratitude, I have agreed to assist in fundraising efforts to create the Southeastern Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (S.C.I.B.). This center will provide a location for research and patient support for those who are suffering with Crohns, Ulcerative Colitis and Celiac Sprue. The fundraising efforts are just now starting up and donations can be made at the following link.
(https://www.uff.ufl.edu/onlinegiving/FundDetail.asp?FundCode=008463 I will include more fundraising info as the fundraising efforts progress.
So- back to the birth. I
was a little bummed that we wouldn't have the surprise of "oh my water broke" or "Yikes- I think this is a real contraction", so we did a few things to make the birth special and feel less clinical. It wasn't a big "Experience" birth- nothing like that Ricki Lake movie or anything, but even when having a C-birth it is possible to make it feel alittle more special and little less out of your control.
was a little bummed that we wouldn't have the surprise of "oh my water broke" or "Yikes- I think this is a real contraction", so we did a few things to make the birth special and feel less clinical. It wasn't a big "Experience" birth- nothing like that Ricki Lake movie or anything, but even when having a C-birth it is possible to make it feel alittle more special and little less out of your control.The Music- Tim and I always have music playing in the house and Davis would sometimes move around a lot before he was born when we were in the car listening to music. After asking our doc if it was ok, we made a CD to play in the operating room. This ended up being a really good idea for me, because Tim wasn't able to come into the OR while I was getting my spinal block- and I was terrified. I found that concentrating on the music helped me relax (a little) while they stuck the gigantic needle in my spine. I was a mess of fear, anxiety, and anticipation, and pain killers, so it would have been easy to get a little lost on how much time had passed. The music gave me a time reference so that I would k
now about how long we had been in there and when to expect Davis to be out and when it might be over. So here is the list of songs we played and I have noted when the big events happened.
now about how long we had been in there and when to expect Davis to be out and when it might be over. So here is the list of songs we played and I have noted when the big events happened.Birth Songs
Just the Two of Us-Bill Withers & Grover Washington (This is one of our songs, and we knew we wouldn't be just the two of us anymore. The OR crew thought this was a funny/cute song to play, so we talked about that while I tried not to shake off the table in fear of the spinal block)
When I Grow Up (To Be A Man)-The Beach Boys (They tested my numbness during this song)
No Woman No Cry (Live) (Tim came in the OR during this song and I tried to stop crying. Tim said a quick prayer before the docs got started)
Caban La Ka Kratchie Georges Fordant ( The docs liked this song too- its really upbeat and we choose it remind us how the worst was over and we would soon know weather we were having a boy or girl)
Say a Little Prayer for You Aretha Franklin (I just like this song- I don't remember what was going on in he surgery, but the song reminds me of our wedding.)
Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes Paul Simon (Ditto for this song- I had Rhinestones on the bottom of my wedding shoes)
Lullaby Billy Joel (When this song came on, I knew that they should have the baby out soon. It is a very special song because my dad and I danced to it at my wedding. During the last verse, Billy Joel says, "Someday we'll all be gone but lullabies go on and on, they never die, that's how you and I will be." And then Tim said, "Its a boy!"
One Sweet World Dave Mathews & Tim Reynolds (Tim was checking out Davis as they made sure all was ok)That's How Strong My Love Is Otis Redding ( The nurses brought Davis over for me to touch his head. It was the most incredible feeling)
Build Me Up Buttercup The Foundations ( They weighed Davis and announced to everyone's surprise that he was 8lbs.3oz. I was thrilled because I finally knew after 9 months of worry that he had gotten enough nutrients.)
100 Years Five for Fighting ( They got Davis all "burritoed" up and let Tim hold him next to me the rest of the time. This was a big surprise because my doc and the nurses had said he would probably have to go straight to the nursery. Since he was so big and healthy, they let him say in with us, which was good because I had dreaded what it would be like when Tim and Davis left).
Shaking Through- R.E.M.
Anyone Else But You- Michael Cera & Ellen Page
Yahweh- U2
New Slang- The Shins
The Three of Us- Ben Harper
The Scientist- Coldplay
Somewhere Over the Rainbow -Iz
Anyone Else But You- Michael Cera & Ellen Page
Yahweh- U2
New Slang- The Shins
The Three of Us- Ben Harper
The Scientist- Coldplay
Somewhere Over the Rainbow -Iz
We made it through the whole CD and it was just a few minutes before they wheeled me out. The next few hours were a blur of extreme joy as we introduced David to all our family members who were anxiously waiting.
I can't believe its already been a month. What a great month!
Jenn
