Maya Harper G was born at 12:51am on August 27, 2010 after an emergency c-section. I went into the hospital on my birthday, August 25th, with severe hip pain. I was in so much pain that I could not even walk. They checked me in to Labor and Delivery, and wanted to keep me for a week until the pain subsided. (A side note, I went to L & D for the same pain a week prior. I was told that my sickle cell flared up due to the stress of pregnancy, and if the pain returned they would medicate me for the pain and hydrate my body.)
The monitor was showing I was having contractions, but I didn't feel them. They were right on top of each other. I also noticed that my blood pressure was rising, but everyone thought it was due to the extreme amount of pain I was in. Around 11:30pm on the 26th of August my water broke. At first I thought I might have peed myself. B was only concerned about his pillow that was between my legs during that time. There was meconium in my water, so the nurse had my doctor paged.
Doctor S came in with a plan of action. After talking to my hematologist, they agreed the best plan was for me to have an emergency c-section with blood transfusion. To put me through the least amount of stress possible, I would be put to sleep for the procedure. They explained that the blood transfusion will help with the joint pain brought on by my sickle cell. It will help my blood cells return to their normal state. Being put under for the c-section would put less stress on my body than it was already under. So a catheter was inserted, I went to sleep, and soon after my baby girl was born.
No real exciting labor and delivery story, but it is my story nonetheless. Recovery has been challenging. For a person who is so used to doing and being independent. It was hard for me to give in to bed rest and relying on others to help me walk and move.
Here are more pics of the love of my life.
