This birth story may not be as eventful as others, but I still thought it would be worth sharing for the sake of others who might end up going down a similar path.

Beginning around week 35, I started having issues with elevated blood pressure readings. Before this I had no issues with my pregnancy at all. I was tested for pre-eclampsia and thankfully did not have it. I was then moved to twice weekly visits to the doctor for monitoring of my blood pressure and the baby. The first doctor visit sent me back to the hospital due to a sluggish baby and I was admitted for monitoring, which included another pre-eclampsia testing. My blood pressure dropped while I was resting in the hospital and the test was again negative. The baby's movement picked up and we were sent home after 36 hours of monitoring. At my next visit to my doctor's office I was again sent to the hospital, this time for a very high blood pressure reading. We were able to get a lower reading at the hospital and because the baby was doing fine, so they sent me home. They told me afterwards that there was a good chance they were going to take the baby that day but my blood pressure dropped so they really wanted to wait until I hit at least 37 weeks if they could. Rather than admitting me (which I did not want) they agreed to let me go home as long as I came in every day for monitoring. They also made the call to schedule the c-section for 37 weeks as I had had multiple "severe" level blood pressure readings. We needed a c-section because our little one was breech, and so I left that appointment knowing in a week we would have our baby!

I was so anxious the morning of the c-section and couldn't sit still. Our scheduled time was 2:45pm, which meant no food or water for a good portion of the day. That was tough - I was so thirsty! We got to the hospital about 2 hours before our scheduled time and all was very relaxed and low key. They had me in a pre-op room, took some blood and urine samples, and got me prepped for surgery with an IV and belly wash. The doctor came to visit and to check that our baby was still breech, which she was, and we were ready to go!

They wheeled me into the OR and had me move onto the operating table and sit upright for the spinal. I will not lie, the spinal was not fun and it hurt quite a bit. They kept asking me if I was ok and I would tell them yes, and that I knew this was a lot easier than labor. They chuckled, agreed, and also commented that it not only easier but much quicker. I have to tell you though that I was EXTREMELY nervous and was fighting back tears the entire time. I was scared of the spinal, scared of the operation, and scared to finally meet our baby and make sure she was ok.

The spinal took effect almost immediately and I had crazy pins and needles from my chest down. It was a very weird sensation. They were moving me all around and then checked to make sure I couldn't feel anything when they used a sharp object. I couldn't (thank god - I was scared about this too) and they quickly put up the big blue curtain and started. Someone, thank god, said "has anyone gone to get the Dad, we don't want him missing this". I couldn't believe they started before he was there, but within a couple of minutes he came in and sat by my head. I was still so scared and almost in shell shock. The drugs made me feel funny and I definitely had some nausea. They gave me some meds so I wouldn't throw up and that made me feel better, but I definitely was a bit "druggy" even though I was awake.

I could feel pressure and movement and while it was uncomfortable, it wasn't painful. My husband kept looking at the curtain and then me with this kind of shocked look in his eyes. I told him to cut it out because he was making me nervous. haha! Afterwards he told me there was so much movement it was like a cartoon. He could see the top of my belly and it was moving back and forth a ton, the curtain was moving, and he could hear instruments, etc. We heard them say "we are in utero" and a nurse told DH to get the camera ready. They had some issues getting her out, in that she was wedged in there good. They finally pulled her out and we heard her cry. What a sweet, sweet sound that was. They immediately started commenting on her hair and how chubby she was. They held her up for us to see and then brought her over to be checked by the pediatricians. I was hawk-eyeing them the entire time because I just wanted to make sure she was ok. She checked out great, and they brought her over to see us. DH held her and we got our first family pictures taken. I didn't get to hold her until I went into recovery but honestly, at the time it did not bother me at all. I was just so relieved that she was ok and I knew she'd be with DH and that made me feel good. They went off to recovery and I remained while they put me all back together.

Once I got to recovery the nurse immediately put her on my chest for some skin to skin contact and we attempted to get her to latch. She did for a little bit but she mostly slept. I loved this time together. In a few hours we were sent up to our room (once I could move my legs enough to change from one bed to another) and then our families came to visit us. It took about 4 hours. When we got up to the room I was sweating profusely. I have no idea if it was from the drugs or the hormones or what, but I couldn't stop sweating. I tried to have some water and ended up dry heaving. This happened twice before I was able to tolerate small sips of water.

DH spent that first night in the hospital with me and we let the nurses take the baby for a few hours that first night so we could sleep. Funny thing was that I could not sleep at all. I got maybe two hours of sleep max. DH went home the second night and I was terrified. I was not scared of taking care of the baby, but scared of being able to get in and out of bed when she needed me. It was tough as I was in quite a bit of pain, but we were fine. DH came back bright and early and would wait on me and our LO all day. As far as recovery from the c-section, the first few days were uncomfortable but by the 4th day, I felt great. I did go home taking the pain medicine but within a week of delivery I was completely off the pain medicine. Bleeding has not been bad - definitely less than a normal period. I do get tired physically if I do too much but overall recovery has not been bad at all.

I am proud to introduce Abigail Elizabeth, born on 7/5/12, measuring 20 inches and weighing in at 8 lbs 12oz! She is absolutely the light of our lives and the feeling is indescribable. I thought I understood how it would feel, but I didn't. The love I feel for her is more than I could ever imagine. I love taking care of her and love being her mom. She is undoubtedly the best thing that has ever happened to me! Here is our little girl.