oof. WeeC is born. Born 5:01 pm, 1/16/09, 8 lbs 5.8 oz.
She's fine, perfect, 10 toes and fingers, bright red when angry for some nursing, and sing-songs when she's contented. She was born via scheduled c-section.
UPDATED: The photos are now on Flickr. Enjoy.
The c-section was a bit 'hospitally', even for a c-section. A lot of machines that go ping, continuous monitoring, and things we didn't really need. We were, expectedly, delayed by two emergencies. I had no problem with that, but it was annoying that given 4+ hours of delay, they were not willing to let me off the machines while we waited.
The spinal tap for the epidural was pretty painful and I had a hard time sitting still. Then we went in and, honestly, there is not much that I recall after that. Instead of a smooth, painless experience, I was in quite a lot of pain. They supplemented the epidural with ketamine - a strong hallucinogenic as well as pain killer. But I did not know this - I just knew that I was gone, checked out, on a trip like none I've ever taken.
I spent what felt like an eternity fighing my way back to reality - thinking more than once that I'd died on the table and that was why I couldn't find Bill or the baby. Some images remain vivid now - spirals, snails shells and the Golden Mean. Groaning in pain in cadence to the spiral - Ouch instead of Ohm. Telling the pain doc that I could sooner make an art installation than explain what hurt - then falling back into this surreality where everything hurt, in patterns and shapes.
When they brought me Charlotte, I apparently asked for an eye patch because I could not focus with both eyes. I was too loopy to hold her or understand much of anything.
But then it was over and I was back in recovery. The effects faded very quickly and I have never been so grateful to behold solid walls. Charlotte had fluid in her lungs and was taken off for observation - Bill followed her. Gradually, I put together what had happened.
Finally we got settled. They kept WeeC in the nursery for 4 hours, until finally Bill asked them if she was going to NICU or not, because I had not seen her for 5 whole minutes. They conceded and I finally got to get to know her starting at 9 pm last night.
A bit of an adventure - but today I'm up and walking, eating, typing this. She's been a champ at nursing. We move onwards and upwards from here.
A big congratulations to you! Glad to hear she's nursing well - I remember from reading your blog that nursing didn't go so well with Elisabeth, so I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that it works well for you this time (if it's what you want - I'm a year in with Ava and have really enjoyed it)!
Congratulations and rest well! Enjoy this time together - and enjoy watching the inauguration from home (?) instead of the hospital - at least you won't have to fight with stupid tourist emergencies!
Posted by: Dale | January 17, 2009 at 08:04 PM
Welcome Charlotte! We look forward to meeting you!
Posted by: Michael and Susan | January 18, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Charlotte Isolde. That is rad. Excellent use of L, O and E. I love it!
Hope everybody is doing fine! I am very sorry your doctors sent you down a K-hole! But at least it makes a good story!
Posted by: Goaty | January 18, 2009 at 06:59 PM
I think you should get an eyepatch because you would make a fierce and dastardly pirate. And it would look cool. And then eyepatches for all the wee pirates you have birthed. The Pirate Family Hanff. ARRRRRH!!! Anyway, I am glad to hear Lotte beat the new president, so that you can get home before DC comes to a screeching drunken halt. Stay indoors! Hide the valuables! Welcome to the crazy thing we call life, little girl. Miss you and yours lots.
Posted by: Emily | January 20, 2009 at 01:01 AM
Congratulations to The Family Hanff! Two daughters named after empresses...how wonderful to see you are all doing well.
Posted by: Susanna | January 23, 2009 at 05:20 PM