Chuck and I proudly announce the birth of Maleigha Claire Boyles. Born Nov 17, 2009 at 5:22pm, St Vincents Hospital, Birmingham, AL. She weighed 9 lbs, 6 oz, and was 21 1/5 inches long.
We were scheduled for induction on Nov 17 at 5 am. Dr Davis broke my water at about 5:45am and labor began. My contractions began almost immediately at around 4 minutes apart. I had dilated to 3. Doctor gave permission for epidural whenever I requested. At 8 am, I requested! Contractions were pretty hard at 3-4 minutes apart. I was dilated to 4. Besides Chuck, Mom, Daddy, Lisa, Beth (Chuck's Mom), Jim & Sherry (Chuck's dad and wife) and my cousin Kendall were all there. Kendall had to leave (she works at St Vincents overnight and had stuck around to see how things progressed in hopes they woudl progress quickly). Our nurse was Valle and she was awesome. Around noon, Dr Christine came and checked me to say I was dilated to 6 but baby was not dropping as they had hoped. In fact, she was very high and she would have to drop drastically for pushing to begin. I napped off and on, much to my mother's amazement. That eipdural was the BOMB! Around 3, Valle called Dr Christine back because there was some kind of concern with baby's heartrate. I was put on oxygen and Dr Christine said I was still dilated to 6 but may have dropped some, so she wanted to wait til about 4:30pm and would reassess. We all became very concerned at this point. It was a bit scary. Not knowing exactly what it all meant was frightening. We asked about the possibility of a C-section and Valle and Dr Christine had concerns with that due to my weight and the risks of a major surgery at this point.
At 4:30pm, Dr Christine reassessed me to say I had dilated to 7, but had not dropped. She called for a 5 pm C-section. The next 30 minutes went by so quickly I don't recall all of it. They took Chuck out to dress him in a gown, mask, hat and booties. The anestistiologist (or however you spell that), Valle and another nurse began prepping me. I started vomiting, from nerves I assume. All of our famil, including Chuck's brother, Michael, who was able to come after work and made it in time, came in quickly to kiss and hug and reassure us that all was ok, and baby girl would be here shortly. Dr Christine said that once we got to the OR, she would be here within 10 minutes. So in my head, I kept saying 5:10, 5:10, 5:10.
We arrived in the OR and the entire staff, all what seemed 50 of them!, were absolutely fantastic! The anestistiologist and his assistant stood behind me and prepped me explaining every step in advance. They put the sheet up so I couldn't see and brought Chuck in to sit beside me. He held my hand and rubbed my head. I heard Dr Christine come in and say hello and tell me it would just be a minute or two. They kept telling me I'd feel tugging and pressure but I never did. I did feel them put the clamps on when they opened me up. I thought it had been just a couple of minutes since we had gotten in there, but then the doctor said 522. I looked at Chuck and said what's that mean? and he didn't know. Then she said it again---"Cara, she's here, birth time 5:22 and she's a big girl!!!" We both started crying, and I started asking to see her. The nurse said she was bringing her around shortly. And she did and oh my gosh, there is no feeling in the world like the first time you see your child. Even all gooey and bloody, she was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen. All I wanted to do was hold and kiss and hug and be her mommy. The nurse said she's being her back, they had to clean her up and weigh her. Chuck and I were absolutely elated. I did feel some pressure and tugging then as they began sewing and stapling and doing all they were doing. I found out later that the incision was much deeper and larger than usual, partly due to my size, her size, and her position in me. I've learned that the doctor almost had to climb up on the table with me and basically uncurl her out of me. She was in at an odd angle and being her size, was very difficult to remove.
I was thinking it had been about 10 or so minutes, but then found out it was almost 6:15 when they were finished and Maleigha was brought to Chuck to hold and for us to admire. Shortly after, he ran out to tell the family that were anxiously waiting.
I finally arrived in my room, baby girl in my arms, around 6:30. By 7, the family was allowed to join us. Needless to say they were all elated at the sight of this beautiful little girl.
Sadly, Jim and Sherry had to leave because they had to drive back to Mobile for Sherry to work on Wednesday. I so hated to see them leave. They are coming back Thanksgiving.
We were all so exhausted, but she is so worth it all.
I can not express in words what the entire pregnancy, birth and motherhood has meant to me. I have developed more emotions and feelings than I ever thought possible. Chuck and I have become much closer, not just as spouses, but as best friends and now parents. We have a bond, that is the most amazing thing ever-we created a child.
There are times she looks a lot like me, a lot like him. She has a lot of both of us, depends on the minute you look at her. I also see my brother, Tony, in her too. She has long fingers and long feet, lots of dark hair, beautiful eyes, sweet little ears and chin, and the most precious little lips ever! She has a little birthmark on her belly. She doesn't like diaper changes and is growing to not mind her feet being touched. She doesn't like to stretch her legs out just yet, so she stays in a frog like position most of the time. She loves sleep and has to be awakened to eat. We luckily, knock on wood, haven't heard her cry a lot yet. She's had some gas bubbles but they quickly resolve. She loves being in her daddy's arms, and he's pretty fond of it too!
On a side note, the staff at St Vincents was absolutely the most amazing bunch of people I've ever experienced. Valle, our delivery nurse was so wonderful. The entire C section staff was so nice and each made a point to come to us in the OR and congratulate us. The floor nurses, Jacqueline & Imagene especially, were phenomenal. They answered all our questions, especially being first time parents, with enthusiasm and patience. We had many other nurses and staff, but these stick out in our minds.
Today, we got the ok to come home and I was so happy. I had had just enough of that hospital bed that I could stand. Maleigha passed all her labs and hearing tests with flying colors. All of my labs were ok too, except for hemocrit, which I was told was due to losing as much blood as I did during delivery and that I needed to up my green leafy vegetable intake to correct. We left the hospital at 9 am today, made a couple of stops to pick up Chuck's check and go by the bank and through a drive-thru to get some lunch and we were home by 10:30. She did great in the carseat and slept the whole way home. I even dozed off myself, having had about an hour's worth of sleep last night.
Once home, greeted by Nana (chuck's mom who is here for a few day to help out) Maleigha met Garfield and Sassy. They didn't react, Sassy sniffed her hand but then ran off. Garfield looked, with amazement it seemed and then walked away. The next few days will be interesting I'm sure! We ate while she continued to sleep in her carseat. She and I then went to the bedroom to attempt breastfeeding which was partially successful, Chuck brought in the back up bottle and after feeding, we all laid down together for our first family nap! Although Maleigha had other idea and decided she would stay awake with hiccups! Nana was able to get her so me and Chuck could nap.
Then Chuck cooked an awesome lasagne dinner, Granny, Pawpaw and Uncle Tony came over for dinner and for him to meet Maleigha.
As of now, with this posting, Chuck is holding Maleigha and they are both sound asleep on the couch, and all is good! I love family!
