Surgery Prep

Looking back, I'm glad I didn't know what the surgical procedure would be like. I remember
9:00pm came and went. Dr. Bass, my obstetrician had yet to arrive to the hospital. Nervousness set in as I imagined Dr. Bass would be flustered, rushing into the room, making a hasty mistake or two that would leave me permanently paralyzed.

Although Dr. Bass was late, his nurses were on time. Tilda, a Haitian American nurse in her late thirties introduced herself, "I should I have called in sick today. I do not want to be here." I smiled weakly and shot a glance of disbelief in my husband's direction. "Ok everyone clear out," she ordered. My mother, father, and husband stood up and watched my eyes for approval. I tried to make them say, "STAY, I'm scared!" I thought it had worked when my husband started in my direction. Instead he swooped in and popped a small kiss onto my forehead. "Good luck, Babe. I'm going to go get dressed."

I watched him walk out of the room, smiling, clutching plastic green hospital couture, and cloth booties.

Catching Up

Making a commitment to brush my teeth everyday during the first month would have been a challenge. So, since I have anxiously started this blog yesterday, January 14th, I now have 44 days of catching up to do.

To accomplish this, I will post twice a day.

One post will be about a topic experienced in the first 44 days of c-section recovery.

The second post will be that day's reflection.

December 2, 2009, a C-Section is scheduled!

On December 2nd, I waddled into my recently renovated doctor's office. I say "waddled" to help you imagine me, thirty-eight weeks pregnant, 54 pounds heavier, with swollen legs and feet. If I could see past my stomach, I would have noticed my ankles were missing underneath a few pints of water that had accumulated down there.

During the checkup, my doctor had observed that Baby Elle's estimated weight was 8 pounds 8 ounces and felt that my formerly petite frame couldn't handle delivering a baby that could be anywhere from 7-9 pounds.

A c-section was scheduled for 9:00pm.

Saying I felt "disappointed" at first, would be a serious understatement. I had spent the last 9 and a half months convincing my husband I was strong enough to have a medication-free birth. I was so sure of myself I even skipped the chapter on epidurals in the childbirth book provided during labor and delivery class (more on that later).

But after a few minutes of contemplation, as I put on the delivery gown from the hospital, I realized, I'm going to meet my daughter today.

Nothing could dampen my mood after that.

About the Blog

The Assignment: To blog the first one hundred days of recovering from a c-section delivery, and thoughtfully reflect on the birth of my first child, Elle Elizabeth Lawrence.

The Due Date: March 11, 2010

The Objective: To entertain readers with the reality of c-section recovery. To record the thoughts that go through my head as a woman learning to become a Mother.

The Student: Angela E. Lawrence, 9th grade English teacher on maternity leave from Fort Lauderdale High School.