From the time we started dating, John and I had always discussed having four children. He from a family of four, and I from a family of 3 (and then some....), it just seemed to fit. Gabriella Faith was first. She arrived in our early twenties, a little unexpected, but very welcomed. Then came John Macardell IV, you all know him as Jack! In John's world, it was perfect, a girl and a boy! Complete! Me, not so much. I knew I wanted four. I "talked him into it" and he agreed. However, that pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at nine weeks. Nearly a year went by, no baby.... Finally, along came Madelyn Grace! We talked about the "fourth baby" often, and sort of decided, if we are going to do this, now is the time. This is the start of Aubrey Hope's story....
We waited a long while to tell family (about 14 weeks along), and friends (around 20 weeks). When you have had a loss, no matter how far along, you are always a little apprehensive. The pregnancy was textbook. Doctor appointments were spent mostly talking to the younger kids, showing them toys in their office and listening to the heartbeat. In and out. We knew we were having a repeat c-section. I had my first c-section with Jack, he was rather large, and wanted so badly to have a VBAC (vaginal birth after a Cesarean) with Madelyn, but it didn't happen. It was ok, as the cord was around her neck, and I felt blessed we decided to go with the c-section. We also knew that this fourth baby was it! John and I decided that I was getting my tubes tied, we are finished!
October 6, 2011.... D-day!
We had to be up at BNorth at 10 am, the babysitter arrived around 9 am, we kissed our three kids goodbye and headed off to the hospital to have our fourth. I had already set up my L&D nurse (I worked in maternity at BNorth for a few years as a Unit Coordinator), I wanted the best, and I had her! I also wrote some facebook friends/ nurses about trying to reserve "the good room" on the Mom/Baby Unit (I got that, too!). I was sure to request awesome day shift and night shift nurses, and it seemed my door was constantly revolving with staff wanting to say "hi." I LOVED IT!
As I was being prepped for the c-section, I noticed my blood pressure was elevated, in the 150 range, high for me. During delivery, and after, it was slightly elevated, too.
John and I sat in the recovery room, just the two of us, listening to our baby's heartbeat, and chatting. We discussed our thoughts on whether it was a boy (Ethan Xavier) or girl (Aubrey Hope), and how the others would feel if we brought home a boy or if we brought home a girl. All of our pregnancies, the sex of the baby has been a surprise. I wouldn't have it any other way!
Dr G came in, we chatted a little, then it was time to roll on back to the OR....
When I had Jack, I had a horrible experience with the spinal. It took them six tries to get it in, and I was unable to lift my head for a few hours after delivery to prevent a spinal headache. The spinal with Madelyn was uneventful, in fact, I made it clear I was terrified and the anesthesiologist was so gentle, I didn't even know he had done it. Of course, I was apprehensive about the spinal again this time, but I had the very best anesthesiologist! She was great. Before they began the surgery, I did sort of freak out. I had some trouble breathing and felt very nauseated. They sat with me and calmed me down, then John came in and it was go time!
My little secret about the above moment of panic.... it was in part due to the fact that I was now numb from the nipples down, that I was about to have my stomach sliced open and anticipation of the safe delivery of our child.... But the biggest part, was I knew this would be our last one, my last time experiencing that moment in time when the world stands still and everyone in the room announces.... "IT'S A ______!" Bittersweet! So, I held John's hand, closed my eyes and cried (I am tearing up now just thinking about it).
Surgery began at 12:04 pm.... and at 12:08 pm, they announced "IT'S A GIRL!"
Aubrey Hope Walton entered this world at 12:08 pm, weighing 7 lbs 1 oz and 19 3/4 inches long! She was perfect! We are now a family of six! We joked how Jack will have his hands full protecting his three sisters! A job I know he will graciously take on (and he has)!
Our plan was to keep the sex of the baby a secret until Gabriella, Jack and Madelyn knew. We arrived to the second floor, and within minutes, the room was filled! The kids wouldn't come near me, but sat and took turns holding Aubrey. They were in love! Jack didn't seem to mind that he is going to be the only boy.
My life couldn't be more perfect! An amazing husband, and four beautiful, healthy children! We are also surrounded by gracious friends, The Tudor's, who stepped up to the plate to make sure I didn't have to worry about a thing while I was enjoying time with Aubrey at hotel BNorth! Stacey, Greg, Chance and Marley added Gabriella, Jack and Madelyn to their family for four days, three nights without a second thought. When I was trying to figure out where they were going to go while we were at the hospital, Stacey sent me a message and said "I got them! Go! Enjoy!" WOW!!!! There are no words! (tears again)
We arrived home around dinner time on Sunday. I was shocked at how difficult this recovery was in comparison to my other three births. Holy cow! I was beat! I went to bed, and really didn't move from there, it was not good :( Little did I know what was really happening....
Before we left the hospital Dr L stopped in and mentioned she was concerned about my blood pressures since I was admitted. She told me to watch for symptoms of upper gastric pain, blurred vision and headaches. She asked me to monitor my blood pressure, call with high readings or any of the previous symptoms. I checked my blood pressure before falling asleep, it was in the 170's. I took some pain medicine, and tried to rest.
I woke up in the middle of the night to feed Aubrey. I felt A-W-F-U-L! I even wrote on facebook, "This fourth baby, third c-section is no joke." I was having all the symptoms Dr L described and I was terrified. I decided to try a nice warm shower, maybe that would help.... as I stood in the shower, I thought to myself "I am not ready to leave my babies, I am so scared." I went to bed and lay there praying to God that I would make it, I knew something was wrong. A short time later, the alarm went off, it was time for Gabriella and Jack to go to school. I told John that I was not feeling so hot, and that while he was taking the kids to school, I would call the doctor. As I waited for the return call, I started getting ready and gathering a diaper bag, I knew I was headed back to the hospital. The phone rang, and Dr L said to go back to L&D....
John drove to BNorth, and I told him I would take Aubrey, go up for evaluation and would call him to pick me back up.... it was just anxiety, hormones, right? Wrong! My blood pressure reached as high as 200/102 mmHg, and I was staying. Staying alone! Aubrey was no longer a patient, I was, she wasn't allowed to stay :( John stepped up, took four kids (10 years, 4 years, 21 months and newborn) home alone! And he did a fine job, I might add! I stayed in the hospital for 2 1/2 days and was sent home on blood pressure medicine two times a day. This wasn't what I was used to. I have always bounced back in about two weeks. Not this time. It was about 6 weeks before I felt like me again.
Aubrey is now 9 weeks old, and growing so fast! My blood pressure is back to normal, and I am feeling great! Gabriella is adjusting to being the BIG sister of three. Jack aka The Smother Brother, can't keep his hands off of Aubrey. Madelyn is transitioning into the Terrible Two's, and would be happy if we took Aubrey back to where she came from! Mom and Dad don't sleep much, but we are happy and very blessed!
Lots of Love,
The Walton Family
