Baby Colton's Birth Story

Hi Everyone!

I am so excited to share this very special story with you all. Robert Colton Carroll is here! I thank God everyday for my amazing pregnancy, wonderful labor and delivery and terrific son!

How things got started

On February 21, 2018 at 1:50 am, I was woken up while lying in bed by a popping feeling. I went to the bathroom to find I was leaking blood and clear fluid. Yes, my water broke 3 weeks early. I called the doctor and was told to come straight to the hospital. Rob and I got dressed, packed our things and left. We made it to The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in 25 minutes. Normally it can take close to an hour. Lets just say Rob was flying! As we pulled into the emergency / valet parking, I felt a huge gush of fluid. The security guard wheeled me up to Labor and Delivery. As I changed into a hospital gown I was hooked up to IV’s and wheeled into a delivery room. I was in labor! Here we go!

Labor

My contractions weren’t terrible but they were 2 minutes apart. I was checked at 3:30 am and was 1 cm dilated. After that experience I decided I needed the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in at 4:30 am, which felt like forever. As he gave me the epidural he missed and I ended up having a wet patch. This is where the needle has gone in to far making a small hole. Spinal fluid will slowly leak and can cause a spinal headache. The epidural worked but hurt like no other, I ended up crying. 10-15 minutes later I was numb. It was a weird feeling but I didn't mind. They gave me Pitocin to speed up my dilation and Penicillin for my Group Strep B.

My mom came down and the three of us waited. It was a gorgeous 70-degree day in Philadelphia and we had a great view of the city. At 10 am the doctor checked me again and I was 10 cm dilated and ready to push. We all were in shock. I decided to sit up straight and wait an hour for Colton to drop down.

Delivery

At 11:23 am I started to push. Rob held one leg while a nursing student held the other. There were two doctors and one nurse in the room. I pushed for 15 minutes and Colton came down even further. I felt the baby’s head as he was coming out. It felt like a pop once his head did come out. I pushed for 31 minutes total and Robert Colton Carroll was born at 11:54 am.

Rob cut the cord and Colton was immediately put on my chest. He weighted 6 pounds 15 ounces and was 20 inches long. Rob was amazing, coaching me on the entire time. About 2 hours later we were moved to the postpartum floor.

After Delivery

While being moved to the postpartum floor we noticed Colton’s lips were blue. He was immediately taken to the NICU. Where they determined he needed some help breathing, IV fluids, IV antibiotics and he was jaundice. After a day or so he was moved off all of these things and was eating formula. After 4 days in the NICU he was moved to the Well Nursery where his bilirubin level (jaundice) were finally well enough to go home.

Going Home

I was released two days after he was born. I called Rob to come pick me up. Rob had gone home because he was sick and didn't want to be around the baby incase he had the flu.

I was told I was going home at 10 am Friday morning. Around 9:30 am I was packed and ready to go until the spinal headache set in. It was awful. All I could do was lay on my back. If I sat up I was in extreme pain from the top of my head all the way to my butt. There are two things that can be done when this happens: one is to have a blood patch; the second is to wait it out. Waiting it out can take weeks so even though I was completely afraid of having the epidural all over again I decided I needed it. About an hour after getting the blood patch I felt so much better. My back was sore for a few days but nothing I couldn't handle.

I finally made it home. It was bitter sweet because I got out of the hospital but our baby wasn't with us. I was pumping and visiting him anytime I could. On Sunday February 25, 2018 we brought our son home.

Baby Colton is amazing; this experience is one I am so happy to have. I think having a child is not only a huge life change but it makes you want to be a better person. It makes me want to start my interior design company, get in the best shape of my life and stay on top of my game. I know I won’t be able to do it all but Colton makes me want to be the person I know I can be.

I couldn't have done this without Rob. He seriously has been the best support person and we have really bonded with each other. We are working together as a team and he is already an amazing father. I love him more than I ever have.

Robert Colton Carroll

February 21, 2018

11:54 am

6 pounds

15 ounces

20 inches

Below he is 1 month old, sorry it took me that long to get this post up!