“What does that mean? I don’t want a C-section.” I cried, feeling another contraction taking over my body.
“Char, we’re going to try another position. It should help the baby come out easier. We will not do a C-section unless you have to but you can do this.” Barb instructed.
“Do you want her to get on all fours?” Megan asked, looking at Barb.
“I think that would be a good start.”
“Char, do you remember the momma elephant stretch we practiced in class?” Megan asked.
“I do.” CeCe said anxiously.
“Yes, will that get her out—I want her out! I can’t do this.”
“Yes, it should help. Slowly cross over your left knee over the right to turn to your side so we can help get you into position.” Megan said.
“The gravity in this position can make a baby quickly slide out and we want to be ready to catch her.” Barb said.
“Okay, please hurry though.”
“Okay, good job. Go ahead now and bring your other leg around and push onto your knees.” Megan said.
I felt a small sense of relief as I got into position. The pain lifted, slightly, from my back and I felt her even lower in my crotch.
“Oh this is perfect, her head is much lower now. Does this feel better Char?” Megan asked.
“Yes, it feels better on my back.”
“Okay, we’re ready for you to push. Are you ready to meet your daughter?” Megan asked happily from behind her blue face mask.
“Yes,” I cried. The time had finally come that I had been waiting months for. I was suddenly overcome with emotion and could not control the tears from falling.
“Okay, push.” Barb instructed ready and waiting to catch Lucy.
“Ahhh.” I screamed feeling fire from below as I gripped the sides of the bed, sinking my head deeper into the soft pillow.
“Oh my gosh—there’s her head!” CeCe cried.
“You’re doing great. I want you to just breathe now and not push.
“Is she almost out?” I asked when suddenly I heard a tiny little cry rise up into the air.
“We are suctioning her mouth and nose Char—you’re doing great. You’re almost done. When I say push again, this will be it. I want you to give me one strong push to get her out. As soon as she’s out, we will help to turn you over. We still need to deliver your afterbirth, but we always strive to get baby as close to mom as possible. So we will put her on your chest and work on delivering the afterbirth right after, Okay? Are you ready?” Megan asked.
“Yes, I just want her out now. It burns; it really hurts!”
“Okay, push.”
With one final vigorous push, with my nails dug into the pillow, I felt her slide out and a tremendous sense of pressure and pain relieved. I could hear her crying. She sounded pretty mad.
“Oh she’s so beautiful honey.” My mother cried as I turned around and saw this tiny little, loud human being for the first time.
“Oh my goodness—look at all her hair! She’s so cute Char!” CeCe elated.
As the other nurses in the room helped me to turn around all the way, I sat up in bed. Megan moved towards me with Lucy, still voicing her presence wrapped in a white, pink, and blue newborn hospital blanket. She laid her on my chest with her face starring up at mine. I felt tears begin to gush uncontrollably. She was so tiny and so loud and all mine.
“I want you to rub her to help get her circulation moving and keep her warm.” Megan said as she wiped the blood and wetness off Lucy.”
“She looks like you Char—she has your nose.” My mother said stroking Lucy’s hair.
“Awe, she’s got dimples just like us mom.” I said, still teary, watching Lucy yawn.
“In just a minute, we will move her over to the table in the corner so we can weigh her, do an Apgar test, and keep her warm. We will return her as soon as she’s done and Barb has delivered the afterbirth. It won’t take long.” Megan added.
“Okay.” I couldn’t believe she was here. For months I felt her rearranging my insides and keeping me up at night. I was so tired and sore but all I wanted to do was stare at her. Her nose and lips were so little. As she squirmed in the blanket I saw her tiny little neck and her deep dimples as she yawned again.
“Are you going to be breastfeeding?” One of the nurses asked as she came closer to me.
“Yes,”
“Okay, I’ll send the lactation consultant down to meet with you. It’s good, especially for first-time moms to have some extra support with nursing. She’s really nice and can give you a few helpful tips that should make nursing your baby easier.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry to ask but I’m so tired but really hungry. Is there any way I can get some food to eat?” I said, feeling almost lifeless.
“Absolutely, there’s a menu beside you. In a few minutes, if you want to look in there you can order from the kitchen downstairs and they’ll bring up your food.” She smiled nicely.
“Thank you so much.” I said as I held little Lucy close.
“She’s so cute, I just want to smooch her.” CeCe said, rubbing her blanketed feet.
“She’s so perfect.” I starred at Lucy as she was now quiet and seemed to be sleeping.
“I can’t wait for your father to see her. She’s really beautiful Char. You did a great job honey.” My mother said kissing the top of my head.
“Thank you mom.” I sniffled as I leaned my head into her side, from the bed.
“Okay Char, we’re going to take Lucy over here and Barb’s going to finish up with you. Then you can order some food and hang out with Lucy. Sound Okay?” Megan asked.
“Okay.” I said, handing my little sleeping bundle to Megan.
“What a pretty baby.” Megan said as she carried her over to the small weight scale enclosed with clear see-through plastic sides.
“Alright, I’m going to need you to push, just like before. You’re going to feel some pressure. I will also be applying some pressure on your stomach to help bring it all down.”
“I’m so tired. Is it going to hurt more?”
“It’s not going to be comfortable but it’s much smaller and just tissue with fluid so it’s not as difficult to push out.”
I pushed and worked with Barb to deliver my placenta while my mother and CeCe stood near Lucy whispering, pointing at her small body, and smiling. I couldn’t get past how small she was and yet still her own little being. I began tearing up again as I couldn’t believe the miracle I was witnessing.
“Alright, she weighs 6 lbs. 3 oz. and is 19 ½ inches long.” Beth, the RN said proudly.
“She is really little.” My mother said smiling at her first grandchild.
I could see Lucy’s fingers flexed out with her arms waving in the air as they continued poking and prodding her.
“Just about done Char; you did a wonderful job.” Barb grinned.
“Thank you. Can I have Lucy back?” I asked feeling a wave of fatigue rolling over me.
“Almost; are you feeling okay Char?” Barb asked.
“I’m just so tired and I feel like all my blood just drained out of me.”
“You’re looking a little pale. We’re going to get you on some Iron supplements right away. You might want to order some red meat from the menu too. It will help to start replenishing your red blood cell count from the blood loss during delivery.”
“Okay.”
“I’m going to get some ice for your bottom, some tucks pad and some numbing spray—this will help with the soreness. The good news is that you didn’t need any stitches. Your skin is very elastic and should stretch back to normal because you’re young and healthy. But you’ll be feeling some discomfort for a week or two so I want you to take it easy. No sex or exercise yet-not at least for the next six weeks anyway. Okay?”
“Not a problem.” I smiled facetiously, looking at my mother as she smiled back at me, nodding her head, with one eyebrow raised while CeCe smirked.
“Can I have
her dad come in now?”
“Oh sure. We are all done and so is Lucy.” Megan said as she handed me Lucy back.
“Make sure to get some red meat, Okay Char.” Barb said. “You did great, enjoy that precious little one, she’s a looker.” She smiled as she patted my shoulder before heading towards the door.
“I’ll be right back. I’m going to get your dad.” My mother said.
“Thank you Barb and Megan so much.” I said as they both opened the door to exit the room, followed by all but one of the nurses.
“Is there anything else I can get for you?” A nurse, whose name badge read Joyce, asked.
“Can I get a cup of ice water?”
“Sure, or we also have grape, apple, or orange juice?”
“Oh, grape juice sounds really good.”
“Okay, I’ll bring you some ice water and some grape juice. Would you like anything?” She asked kindly looking at CeCe.
“Oh no, that’s okay. Just worry about her.”
“It’s okay, I’d be happy to get you something too.” She pressed.
“Well okay, since you’re so pushy.” CeCe said jokingly. “I’ll have a grape juice too please. Thank you.”
“You are welcome ladies,” she smiled, “I’ll be right back with your drinks. Don’t forget to look at the menu and order some food for yourself.”
“Thank you Joyce, I will.”
“I’ll be back shortly, ladies.”
“I hear I have a really pretty little granddaughter with dimples a mile deep.” My father said in a reserved voice, as he slipped through the open door behind Joyce leaving.
“Hmm…Yes, she’s gorgeous. She looks just like me.” I joked.
“Well, let’s hold her and compare.” My father joked back, walking over to my bedside.
“Where’s mom?” I asked, noticing that she didn’t follow him back in.
“She’ll be right back; she had to get something.” My father said, pulling a chair over to the bedside.
“Come here little one. Meet your papa.” My father said as my eyes filled up with tears all over again.
“Sweetie, I’ll be right back. I’ve got to go get something.” CeCe said excusing herself.
“Okay, I’ll see you shortly.” I heard the door close behind CeCe before whispering to my father, “She’s so little, isn’t she dad?”
“She’s beautiful.” He said without taking his eyes off her. “She looks just like you did when you were born but with a black wig. You were bald for at least the first two years.” We laughed.
“Thank you dad,” I said feeling a heaviness in my heart.
“It’s true.”
“Dad”…I started but struggled to continue.
“Dad…I”
“I’m sorry Charlotte.” He interrupted before I could muster up the strength to finish my sentence. “I’m sorry that I ignored you and that I hurt you honey.” He said with a single tear dropping onto Lucy’s blanket.
Fighting back the tears, “I’m sorry too. Dad, I never meant to hurt you. I’m sorry.”
“Charlotte, you’ve always been the apple of my eye. I just want the best for you and your brothers. I was mad that you didn’t listen to us—you know I worry about you. I just didn’t want you to have this responsibility all on your own. But she’s absolutely perfect. You couldn’t have done better than her.” He said stroking her tiny pink cheeks, all nestled in the bundled blanket in his arms.
“Thanks dad.” I said wiping my eyes.
“I love you honey.”
“I love you too dad.”
“Knock, knock.” I heard my mother’s voice behind a bouquet of bright pink and orange flowers.
“Awe, they’re pretty mom.” I said feeling a wave of drowsiness sweep over me.
“I thought you could use some pretty flowers. Did you order your food yet?” She inquired as she set the flowers down by the sink.
“No, I’m going to right now. I think I’m going to have a big juicy burger.” I’m so hungry.”
“Good choice—the nurse said red meat would be good for you right now.” My mom said pulling a chair over to be closer to Lucy.
“Isn’t she beautiful? Her little nose and tiny mouth are perfect. She’s got our dimples too dear.” My mother said to my father.
I looked through the menu quickly so I could order and take Lucy back. I just wanted to hold her and kiss her small oval face. I thumbed through and found a cheeseburger, fries, and chocolate pudding for dessert. I picked up the phone and pressed three for the kitchen and ordered my food.
“They said my food should be up in about fifteen minutes.” I said, feeling starved and sleepy. “Can I hold her?” I, shyly, asked my dad.
“Oh sure, sorry.” He said, standing up slowly to place her back into my arms.
“Hello.” I heard an unfamiliar female voice.
“Hello.” I said, peeking around the curtain towards the door.
“Hi, I’m Amber. I’m a nurse from post-partum. I’m going to help transfer you to your new room and get you out of labor and delivery. Just stay there—when we have all of your things ready to go I will get a wheelchair and take you and your little bundle over there.”
“Okay, will they know where to deliver my food? I’m so hungry and they’ll be up soon.”
“No problem; I’ll call them from here and let them know your new room number. It should probably be waiting for you once we get everything packed and ready.”
“Oh good; I’m hungry and so tired.” I said, yawning while rubbing one of Lucy’s tiny fingers.
“Once we get you over there and you have a chance to eat some I’ll call the lactation consultant to come and meet with you. I’m sure that when this pretty little baby wakes up, she’s going to be hungry.” Amber said sweetly, while getting things ready for the move.
“Okay. Hey mom—where’s CeCe? Did you see her downstairs?”
“I saw her run out to the parking lot. She said she’d be back in just a bit honey.” My mother said packing up my purse, clothes and shoes.
“Oh, that’s weird. Mom, is grandma coming?”
“Yes dear—Rose is watching Evi and will bring her shortly when the boys are done at the farm.”
“Good, thanks.”
“It looks like we have everything ready. Char, I’m going to help you into the wheelchair. Can we have your mom hold baby?” Amber asked.
“Sure, I’d love to.” My mother piped in.
“First, I want you to sit up slowly and then we’re just going to slide your legs over the edge of the bed and let them dangle. I don’t want you to get up just yet. Sometimes with all the blood loss after delivery people are just a little weaker at first. If you feel dizzy or lightheaded just let me know.”
“Okay,” I said as I sat there with my legs hanging.
I looked over at my mother and caught her rubbing Lucy’s cheek as she swayed slowly from side-to-side, humming softly. My father stood beside her, smiling, watching Lucy as she squirmed slightly when my mother stroked her tiny pink cheeks.
“Are you ready? I will help you down and into the wheelchair.” Amber said.
“I’m ready. I’m ready for my burger too. I have never been so hungry in my life.”
“I’m sure it will be there just as soon as we get to your room.” Amber reassured me.
Amber rolled me down the hall and into my new room where I would stay for the next two days. I had a private room with a sea-green loveseat that pulled out into a small bed. There was a large window with the late afternoon sun peeking through and a small white board that read Welcome, today is June 1st. Below it read Amber, RN will be your nurse and Kirsten will be your nurse’s aide. Amber rolled me close to the bed and put the wheelchair locks on each wheel. She helped me up and onto the bed in a sitting position, again, with my feet dangling over the edge.
“Ughh.” I murmured.
“Are you Okay?” Amber asked?
“I’m kind of hurting down there. It’s reall
y sore.” I quietly said as I didn’t want my dad hearing all the personal details.
“I’m going to check you in a minute and get you set up so you can be more comfortable.” She said.
“Good, it’s really uncomfortable.” I said in a low tone.
“Grandma and Grandpa, I’m going to have you step out of the room for a minute. You will need to put her in this little bassinette here while you step outside.” Amber said as she helped to pivot my legs up and into bed.
“Oh that’s fine.” My mother said laying Lucy in the bassinette.
Amber waited until the door closed behind them and pulled the curtain around putting a barrier between me and the door. “Okay, so I’m going to get an ice pack for your peritoneum and some spray that will help numb the area some. We will check you every few hours today and will change out the ice packs then too. Getting the swelling down from the trauma of having a baby will help to ease the pain. We will use some tucks pads too to help cool the sting.”
“Will it feel better soon?” I asked hoping for something to take away the pain.
“Yes, Barb also ordered some Ibuprofen to help with the pain and inflammation but the ice should be a nice addition.” She added as she prepped the ice-pack, tucks pad, and spray to relieve me.
“Oh good.” I said, lying back as she eased the mesh-like disposable hospital underwear with ice pack up my legs.
“This will be cold at first but you should start to feel pretty good soon. I’m going to spray this numbing spray on you before I place the tucks pads in place. I’m going to get the Ibuprofen and,” she paused as she read her sheet, “it looks like Barb ordered some Iron supplements too. Your mom and dad can come back into the room now.” She said pulling open the curtain.
“Wow, that’s cold but it feels good.”
“Hey honey, we’re back.”
“Hello, Charlotte?” I heard another unfamiliar voice behind my dad say.
“Hi.” I said, seeing a petite blonde-haired lady standing in the doorway. “I’m Teyah, the lactation consultant. I am getting ready to leave for the day and wanted to see you and your little blessing before I do. Is this your first baby?”
“Yes and her name is Lucy Grace.” I said feeling a burst of pride roll up from the depths of me.
Southern Belles, a Novel About Love, Purpose & Second Chances (9781310340970) Page 19
