James David Hudec was born on Tuesday, July 19, at 10:27 AM! He was 7 lbs. 9 oz, and 19 inches long, and had a good, strong cry when he came out! And what a beautiful, perfect baby (as I'm sure his grandparents will attest).
The surgical experience was really far less nightmarish than I had feared! I was set up in a preparation room, where they did some preliminary blood tests and got me set up on an IV (and, of course, put me into the standard favorite hospital gown). At around 10 AM, they invited Jay to get into his outfit for the surgical room, and they took me into the OR to get the epidural going, which happened super quickly. As did the rest of the surgery, once I was numb and ready for surgery - really, JD was out and sounding off within 15 minutes! After sewing and stapling me back up, they returned me, with Jay and JD, to the same prep room (now, the Recovery room), to encourage JD to nurse immediately, and give us a little time to see family (everyone was there and excited to see the big guy) and spend time together before we were moved to the postnatal room.
The hospital stay was such a great one - the nursing staff was amazing, and everyone was so responsive and helpful! Jay and I had JD stay in our room with us, which made changing and nursing so much easier (not to mention prompt - Jay has become a MASTER diaper changer!). Once I was moved to the Postnatal room after recovery time (which was about an hour long - unbelievable), we stayed there Tuesday afternoon through Friday lunchtime, when we were discharged. We had an extensive menu from which we could order our meals (I did have to consume a liquid diet for the first day and a half, but at least Jay could enjoy something yummy, and he was given some meal passes, which allowed him to eat at least two meals at day with me in the room).
Our first weekend home after discharge was such a wonderful one - Jay and I spent all our time with JD, and enjoyed visits from proud grandparents. And, beginning on Monday, an angel moved in (you all know her as my Mom) who spent the entire week with us in the house, helping me with changing and allowing me to rest as she spent time snuggling and taking pics and videos of JD. You've probably seen some on YouTube . . .
Today is my first one alone with JD, who has just laid down (and is making noise - I'm SO wanting to spend time with him that I'm cutting off this entry now!). I am so enjoying every moment with him during these next few weeks before I have to return to work. It's amazing how much he changes daily! I just can't keep my eyes off him!!! Jay and I are absolutely falling in love with JD.
In the OR, when JD was getting cleaned up, the nurses put three wristbands on me. One was my identification wristband (everytime they gave me medication, they would scan this one, to keep records), the wristband which paired me with JD (and Jay had a similar one, too), and then one with the big letters "FALL RISK", since I had received an epidural and couldn't walk for the first day.
Is there a risk of falling after giving birth? Heck, yes.
