Riley's Debut

WARNING.
This is going to a VERY long blog post. This is probably the only place I will ever record Riley's story so don't feel you need to read the entire blog. I'll try to keep it organized so you can read the parts you'd like.

How it began.

After waiting 41 weeks and 1 day we finally had everything scheduled for Riley's stubborn arrival. Of course he was not going to have that- we already knew no one was going to tell him when to come! At 2:30 AM Thursday January 28 my water broke. It was a bit like a TV moment except not as cool- I hope my water never breaks again because it doesn't stop until he arrives! I contemplated for about 10 minutes what I should do. Craig and my mom were sleeping and I was trying to decide if I should wake them or hold out a bit longer. I finally decided I should call my midwife and wake Craig.

We arrived at the hospital around 4:00AM and I was examined etc and a room was arranged. I was still only dilated a mere 1 cm.

Labor.

After no progress around 9AM I was given Cervidil which is used for about 12 hours before beginning Pitocin. It was a slower route to labor that's a little more natural for your body and we opted for this since there was some concern about his size and the ease of a vaginal delivery.
After about 10-11 hours I was 100% effaced although still only 2-3cm. The Cervidil causes contractions to begin but slowly so I was never in too much pain until the end and I was becoming fairly uncomfortable. Around 9-10PM I was started on Pitocin and Antibiotics due to my water haven been ruptured for so many hours. They started the Pitocin slowly while I waited my turn for my epidural. (My nurses and midwife were awesome!) It was a crazy night- I think 11 babies were born. I heard it was b/c the moon was full. I got my epidural- which was actually more painful that I thought it would be and it spread really fast. I was having some heaviness in my chest and throat and had to take oxygen for a little while but was soon okay.

Delivery.

Around 4AM Friday January 29 it was time to push. They allowed his head to drop really low in hopes of pushing being shorter. I was completely numb, but amazingly able to push which seems odd. However, Riley was stretching himself out and causing me a great deal of pain in the upper abdomen, making it very painful to lean forward and push. Everyone was so encouraging, but I became very frustrated about halfway through and stopped and declared I wasn't even doing anything. I tried to think of some ways out of this situation, but it seemed pushing was the only route- so I was back at it. 45 minutes of pushing and about 26 1/2 hours since my water broke Riley was here!

Stats.

Riley Chet Copeland
8 lbs 9 oz
20 inches
4:59AM January 29th

Postpartum.

The Grandmas were waiting anxiously in the waiting area because Craig and I had decided we wanted it to be just us for the delivery. It was a pretty special experience.

Later that evening we were moved to a knew room to rest up and recover. Del, Rachel and Michael came by to meet Riley and bring us some decent food and we played the oh so proud parents! While they were there Riley started spitting up and neon greenish/yellow fluid. I thought it was odd since he spit up more than he had even eaten at this point, but we didn't think too much of it. Our friends left and Riley continued to spit up...Alot and we knew that something wasn't right. When the nurses came they too knew something was wrong and Riley was suddenly whisked away from us.

The turn of events.

We went from showing off our perfect little baby to being scared out of our minds. we quickly followed Riley to the special care nursery where they began inserting a tube down his throat. It's amazing how fast you fall in love because my heart was breaking as he screamed. I couldn't watch and began pacing the nursery and crying while Craig had to stay by his side and help hold him for the tube and IV. I knew it wasn't any easier for Craig and I felt so guilty that I couldn't pull it together for Riley. It was just the saddest sight.

They were concerned the substance could be bile or perhaps an infection. No one really knew, but of course I could only imagine the worst. He was started on antibiotics that would take 48 hours during which he could not eat. They did xrays to check for blockages and problems internally and blood work. As the next 48 hours went on we patiently waited for each result- each one indicating no problems. I sat in the nursery for hours into the night holding him and trying to comfort him. I don't think I've ever gone so many days without sleep.

The results.

Everything seems fine. All the test looked good and after draining more of the substance from his tummy he didn't spit up any more. They think if it wasn't some sort of infection it was just amniotic fluid or something he swallowed that had to come out. Also, by the time we left they couldn't hear his heart murmur anymore...I forgot to mention he was born with a murmur. So Monday evening we got to bring our baby home!

Mushy stuff.

We feel so blessed that he is healthy and everything is okay. Looking back it doesn't seem like too big of a deal especially since it ended so well, but at the time there was nothing bigger in the world. It made us realize very quickly how precious this little boy is and how only hours after birth we couldn't live without him.

Of course I've attached some pictures for your viewing pleasure!

On our way to the hospital

One night while Riley was still in the Special Care Nursery I came back to the room around 2AM and this is what I found.

The Copeland wrist- the Sister-In-Laws know what I'm talking about.