Better late than never, right? Lincoln arrived on September 29, 2010 at 12:15 p.m. via emergency C-section. It was a wild ride, let me tell you. I went in for a normal, routine check up at 36 weeks. My urine test the week before had been abnormal, but I wasn't showing any of the signs of a bladder infection, so my doctor didn't think much of it. This time my urine test was again abnormal, and again I wasn't having any bladder infection symptoms. So that was odd. Then my blood pressure was elevated, and it has never been elevated. My doctor decided to have me walk over to the hospital labor and delivery department for testing. They took my blood and several urine samples. They monitored me for contractions and took my blood pressure every 10 minutes. No one was telling me much, and my doctor hadn't seemed too worried...he just wanted some tests, right? Then they had me do an ultrasound and Lincoln was doing great, but he was in the breech position. (Not a good thing for someone planning a totally natural, drug-free delivery). After the ultrasound, I thought they'd let me leave (I didn't have Elliott come at this point because I was just going to do tests). That was not the case though. I soon found out that I would not be leaving that night because my liver enzymes were elevated and my blood platelet levels were dropping. They wanted to keep me overnight for yet more TESTS. Then early in the morning on the 29th, my doctor called me to tell me I had Hellp Syndrome and that he had to deliver the baby as soon as possible for both my own health and for the baby's health. Hellp Syndrome would eventually cause liver failure for me and would prevent me from being able to coagulate blood. With my rapidly decreasing platelet levels, Lincoln would have lost blood supply to the placenta. I was in a state of shock, needless to say. I wasn't expecting to have a baby for another month and we had nothing at the hospital since I thought was there for TESTS. By 11:00, I was being prepped for surgery and was taken to the operating room. I was not prepared mentally for that experience! I was planning a very natural childbirth and really didn't want an epidural. Three tries later, the epidural was in (ouch!) and my reaction: violently shaking on the table. I was crying when Elliott was finally let in. The worst part was hearing my doctor ask for the scalpel! After much tugging and pulling, they said "Ok dad, time to get the camera!" Uh...what camera?...we didn't even have that because who needs a camera for TESTS? Then I heard the most beautiful scream I have ever heard from my little baby. My tears quickly turned to tears of joy and I couldn't wait to see him. I got to see him for like one minute while they tried to nurse him and then he & Elliott were taken away to the nursery and I was sent to recovery. I was in recovery for like 5 hours and I was finally insisting that I go see my baby (he needed to eat!). I finally got to go to my room and Elliott and baby Lincoln were there waiting for me. I was a mom. Finally. Oh what joy! It is the greatest feeling in the world and we are so happy to have him!
