Caitlyn Elizabeth Rodriguez

[I'm in and out of wireless availability, so I'll edit later. Sorry for any typos!]
[Ok, edited a little more. Somehow the end of the third paragraph ended up at the end of the last one, my bad]
[Also, CJ_ATC is dead on, the halloween costume is Princess Leia circa Episode VI, Scene 1 - not Episode 1 as previously stated ... I was mistaking real world chronology for plot chronology]

Well, long story long. We're still at the hospital. I'm home for a second before symphony rehearsal so I'll try to tell the story as succinctly as possible.

I'll apologize first for the brevity of my last post, I totally didn't mean to sound so vague.

Anyway, Crystal awoke on Tuesday around 5AM with early labor contractions. We kept them timed and when they dropped to under six minutes, so we decided to head to the hospital around 10AM. Over the weekend we had already been there because there were some preeclampsia fears, though all our lab work has come up negative. While there, her blood pressure was high only while lying down on her back, but nevertheless they decided to go ahead and admit her. The staff didn't feel comfortable letting her go home given the fact that there was no real explanation for the high blood pressure.

After a quick cervix check, it was decided that they would go ahead and induce pregnancy. So at 1:50PM Tuesday they inserted the medication, which induced natural labor over the course of 12 hours.

Sure enough roughly 12 hours later, at 1:00AM Wednesday morning, she was contracting steadily about every 3-5 minutes, sometimes as close as 1 minute apart. The pain of course, was driving her insane, and I can't imagine how any of you women do it. The induction insert was removed, and she continued to contract normally. Around 2AM the baby began pushing fiercely (already positioned head first) downward on her cervix, causing her ridiculous amounts of pain. The only difference was that there were no breaks, just a constant pain more severe than her contractions for about 10-15 minutes. So we called to the nurse's desk to request some medication, to which they happily obliged. The medication greatly reduced the pain, allowed the contractions to continue more relaxed, and gave her and I a couple of 5 minute naps between 2 and 4AM.

Around 6AM, the pain-killer was wearing plenty thin, but by 7AM on Wednesday they were already switching the staff out, and we were just waiting then for the Midwife and the Anesthesiologist. The Anesthesiologist administered the epidural (which we had decided on a long while ago), and 30 minutes later she was numb from the waist down. Relaxed, she slept for a couple of hours, waking only for fluids, labs, and blood pressure checks. Around 11 AM the Midwife checked her dilation, and decided it was time to start pushing. The room was prepped, delivery procedures were given to Crystal and I, and we began.

Labor was incredible. At first, I was rather intent on standing by her side, but as per the Midwife's request, I held one of her legs for a birds eye view of the action. The whole delivery thing wasn't nearly as bad as I though it would be. You're so amazed and intent on making the environment safe and comfortable that you will yourself to be desensitized to the rather graphic nature of the whole thing. Not only that, but with the epidural, I wasn't subject to the probable cacophony of explicatives I had received the night before. Crystal was comfortable and diligent with her breathing and pushing, which you have to do mentally since you cannot feel your muscles.

The top of the head was visible, but as she was pushing the head through the monitors were detecting too much stress on the baby, so the midwife chose to perform an assisted delivery with suction. This was a bit scary, as in rare cases applying suction to the head of the child can cause subgaleal hematoma, causing the blood from the brain to pool in the head, effectively ending the life of the child. However, the chances of that were explained as rare and she let us know that she had never failed at successfully delivering a child in this manner.

We proceeded, and though scary, the head of the child soon popped out. She quickly suctioned the nose and mouth (as there were some Meconium issues) and then completed delivery. The body of the child slipped out with relative ease, all compact and not unlike a transformer before you transform it (everything fitting together neatly). Caitlyn instantly cried and flailed her arms, eyes open, with a sort of "Where the fuck am I?" look on her face. On the warmer next to us she was cleaned, though they had to remove her to do more detailed work due to the Meconium having passed while in the uterus.

The baby spent about 5 seconds with Crystal before they rushed her off, and then the Midwife continued delivering the placenta. The placenta looks alot like what you'd imagine a Ziploc™ freezer bag would if it were filled with dark liquid, contained but fluid like.

Here's where things get weird. The placenta came out clean and smooth, passing rather easily. There was blood loss, but nothing unusual, by my estimation. The Midwife continued removing debris from the delivery and massaging Crystal's uterus. Upon inspection, however, the Midwife's expression changed just enough to concern me, and she simply stated "I think we have an inverted uterus."

Most people interchange the terms inverted uterus and retroverted uterus. Before I continue, you should know that an inverted uterus is NOT the same a retroverted uterus, the latter being a reversal of the uterus's position before pregnancy, which is of no real concern. The former is more like a sock being flipped inside out. The inside of the uterus protrudes through the cervix into the vagina, occasionally becoming exposed externally. Unfortunately, the uterine wall is lined with blood vessels, and these continue to actively bleed while the uterus is inverted. The blood loss involved is rapid, and coupled with her level 2 laceration from delivery, required emergency attention.

From what I hear this is rare, how rare I don't know because I can't find any numbers regarding the rarity. Soooo, ipso facto ... let's just say it's rare. One nurse we had said it was only her second, and from what I've read on some medical discussion boards, one doctor stated in the 35 years he had be delivering, he had only seen 20 such incidents. An internet search revealed the line I attached above, but no real detailed information.

At this point, what concerned me the most was the urgency of whatever situation this was, coupled with the fact that blood was still actively flowing from Crystal. Before I knew what hit me, there were people rushing in and out, surgeon's called, anesthesiologists called, OR's prepped, etc. My parents and hers were removed from outside the delivery room, and taken to the waiting room. I myself simply stayed composed and out of the way, which as it turns out was the only reason I was allowed to stay in the room as opposed to joining the others. An OB/GYN was rushed in, and instantly began the process of flipping the uterus right side in. Numerous nurses attached more IV's, and gave Crystal some injections to decrease the flow of blood.

Crystal herself was fine at first, but kind of afraid. Still, the blood loss had her going into shock for a bit. She was pale, eyes rolling, disoriented ... so much so the nurses gave her a couple of slaps to keep her awake. Later on, one student nurse would later comment to us that she was definitely near coding, as in Code Red ... or Blue ... or whatever Code you never want to hear.

Fortunately our outstanding OB/GYN flipped the uterus back into place and the medicine slowed the bleeding. Crystal recalled later that the instant the uterus had been put into place she immediately felt better. Three hours later, once stitched up and cleanded, she was able to finally hold Caitlyn.

I think the OB/GYN said it best this morning. You are able to intellectualize the situation, in that Crystal is ok, and Caitlyn is ok, and everyone is ok. Yet, at the same time we were still very traumatized by the experience. It was in so many ways surreal, knowing that I was as close to losing my love as I ever want to be.

But onto happier times, she and the baby are recovering fine. One more night in the hospital and Friday morning or afternoon we should be out and home again. Just in time to try on Caitlyn's Princess Leia costume (circa Scene 1/Episode 1).

I'm glad so many of you tuned into my posts. I apologize that yesterday wasn't more eventful on the blog... but that usually means it was eventful outside of it. Look forward to seeing her meet you all someday. Then she'll know what kind of people she should be hanging out with.

Then again...

Much love,
Jimmy Crystal and Caitlyn.


Here's a snippet:

Unimaginable

I mean this in the most sincere way when I say today was both the best and scariest day of my life. My wife and the baby are healthy and happy. The rest I'll talk about when it doesn't bother me so much.

Just for you all, the first picture. Many thanks for your words and kind wishes. Somebody was looking out for us today.

On a side note....

I apologize for the flurry of McCain supported advertising on my blog. It drives me nuts, but at the same time I suppose clicking on them as an Obama supporter would have a positive effect, given that the McCain campaign has to pay for it. So it's a small inconvenience. I've redundantly added an Obama site link, since I know you are all well aware of who you're voting for and where/when/how to vote.

Again, thank you for your time.

Jimmy

VOTE OBAMA!!!!

Baby Update #6 - Smooooooooooth

Ok, time to be serious. The epidural is in, and now it's just a matter of waiting. Ideally, the most painful part is over, which is outstanding. The new shift of nurses is in, and the midwife should be here between 8 or 9 AM. At that point, they'll determine dilation and then hopefully we'll have a more solid ETA. If she's around 4cm dilated, it averages about 1cm per hour after that, with 10 being the magic number I believe. So I'm hoping noonish or two in the afternoon at the latest. I'm pretty sure we might even see ourselves overnight again, so I'm not getting my hopes up too much in terms of being home again. The good news is that post delivery, the stream of family/friends should be constant enough to make this room warm and inviting. And she'll have someone to keep her company so I don't miss my Las Cruces Symphony rehearsal tonight.

I tell ya, any more delays and this will be game five of the World Series.

Baby Update #5 - Dawn of the Dead .... Tired

Well, the night has been long, and for the woman in the bed it's been unbearably long. As she approaches her second day of labor pains her intermediate pain medication is wearing thin. With luck, the morning will bring the necessary dilation, and subsequently the necessary epidural, followed by the necessary baby.

While it pales exponentially in comparison, my night was pretty sleepless too. Easy work though, a sip of water here, a friendly voice there.

Well, the nurse is here, fixing the monitoring equipment for what must be the seventh or eighth time. I know they're busy, but considering the reason they kept us here was to monitor her blood pressure, it's a tiny bit disconcerting to know that the monitoring equipment was at one point or another:

1. Shut off.
2. Not turned on.
3. Not connected.
4. Not attached right.
5. Not loaded with paper.
6. Not printing.
7. Not picking up a reading.
8. Jamming, i.e. paper ... not strawberry.

That being said, it's a far far greater thing they do, than I have ever done.
I think that's from Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties, don't hold me to that.

Ahh, what's this? Nurses? I.V.'s? Anesthesiologists?


Here we go!

The Blog is Profitable

Bling bling, Motherfather's!!

Awwww yeeeeeah, boooyeeeee. After some careful calculation, it seems that JRTW may turn a profit when it hits its one year anniversary in August of the 09'.

Given gross profit estimations based on fourth quarter advertising revenue results minus production costs, marketing costs, overhead, and labor. Jimmy Rules the World stockholders should see a net yearly profit of....



.33 ¢


Hmm.

Crap.

Does that even buy a stamp still?

Oh well, if you love it, you do it for free right!

Just like your mom!

That's right, that just happened. What are you going to do about it. Nothing is right.

If you want compassion, that was last week. Stay tuned.
Jimmy

Baby Update #4 - Spicing up the Benign

Alas, the walls are closing in. Fortunately, only five more hours to go until we move on to progressing labor overnight. And by fortunately, I mean it's good for the labor process, and excruciatingly painful for her. Fear not, my love, the epidural is on the horizon!

Right now, watching House, then Fringe, then whatever....

Her dinner consisted of the following: 2 little cups of grape juice, Incredibland™ brand chicken broth, a cup of tea, and hospital-grade orange gelatin dessert.

TV is basic cable, and it makes me miss TiVo. The inability to fast forward through McCain's divisive propaganda is making me contract. I start to break out in cold sweat, my fists are clenched, and I mumble "obamaobamaobama" until the pain goes away. Which is hopefully November 4th.

Well, friends, this is baby update number four, and probably the last for the night. Not to say I won't post later but it will probably have some relevance unrelated to sitting in this hospital room. I will spare you from the monotony we're currently experiencing.

Until we meet again....

Baby Update #3 - The Fellowship Leaves the Shire

Stopped by the house real quick to pick up some stuff to entertain myself. Sixteen hours in a hospital is not exactly my cup of tea, albeit Crystal will have a much worse time than I will. Nevertheless, a magazine or Nintendo DS couldn't hurt. As it is, the connection at that hospital is flaky at best. More updates to come, and hopefully a picture or two.

By the by, these entertaining baby instructions are from the book Safe Baby Handling Tips by David and Kelly Sopp. Very entertaining indeed, and a great gift for any expecting moms and dads. It's not a hint, just a recommendation. I know we're not the only ones with a baby on the way.

Baby Update #2 - The Long Road Ahead

Well, we're here and admitted at Memorial Medical Center, Room 219, working on getting this baby stuff going. Right now the Mrs. is enjoying a club sandwich and some fruit whilst I attempt to connect to a random assortment of low-signal unsecured connections. Labor is pretty early on, but they're keeping a close eye on her blood pressure so we're here for the long run. She has been "implanted" with some new age cervix-blaster, meant to progressively increase the strength and frequency of the contractions at a normal, healthy rate. This process could take up to 12 hours, so we're already settling in to stay the night. Around 1AM, they'll probably switch her to some induction medicine. From there, we're looking at delivery on or around 7AM MST, which means around 6 in the morning for Elwood and the West Coasters (same for you Arizona, since you refuse to see the light on this whole daylight savings thing). Y'all in the District will probably see some action around 9 in the a.m. Either way, enjoy your afternoons and evenings, watch some House, and keep tuning in for the latest baby action ... or inaction.

Baby Update #1 - The Awakening

Contractions coming at about 6 minutes apart, lasting about 45 seconds to 1 minute. We're pretty much prepping for the hospital visit. Camera batteries charged, clothes packed, car seat installed. News available as it comes.

Oh yeah, still don't have a middle name yet.