Cooper's birth story - part 2

So, I left off and our son was born, but things definitely weren't going the way we thought they would. Hubby wasn't given the option to cut the cord, Coop wasn't put to the breast, and he was whisked away to the corner of the room for awhile. We knew there was an RT in the room for a reason, (meconium in the water) but things seemed to be taking longer than it seemed. 


As I mentioned, I had some stitches, so I was trying to see what was happening and get my son's stats while going through some pretty awful pain. Hubby was staying by my side and looking as well, so I encouraged him to leave me and go check out our babe - plus he wanted verification it really was a boy!


Next thing I know, they announced Coop's weight - 9 lbs, 13 ounces! I was knocked over by this - we figured he would be 8-8.5 lbs, definitely not practically a 10-lb. baby! As I worked to deliver the placenta, etc., the doctor also noted how healthy and strong it looked, which made me immediately proud, that I was able to grow a baby that healthy and large. 


Cooper was brought to me shortly after and I finally got to hold my little cutie! Shortly after, they came to take him to the nursery to check some things out and clean him up and the nurses were still working with me, so it wasn't a big deal. I remember commenting on how hungry I was - sort of ironic considering what I'd just seen/gone through - and the nurses assured me I could eat in about an hour. 


After that, the afternoon was kind of a blur. I called my parents to share the news. We had lunch. My parents arrived just before Coop was brought back to the room. We sent out tons of text messages. 


To our knowledge at this point, it was a normal delivery. The end was pretty crazy but seeing as we had never been through it before, we thought that was the norm. 


The next day, we learned that Cooper's delivery and entrance into the world wasn't as seemless as the doctor and nurses (thankfully) let on. As some of you may know, an APGAR score (Activity, Pulse, Grimace, Appearance and Respiration) is given immediately after birth and again at 5 minutes after. Babies receive 0-2 points for each category. Cooper's first score was a 2 - not so great. 


It turns out that our little boy's shoulders were pretty big and got stuck in delivery. So he had no color and wasn't breathing or moving when born. When we asked a nurse (although she wasn't ours at delivery) she said that with what she could see of our son and had been told, we were very fortunate to have such a great team on hand to suction everything out of him, etc. She also pointed out that, by five minutes, Coop's score had improved to an 8, so we should be thankful to have such a great little fighter. 


Regardless, we are totally in love and think our son is the most perfect thing ever! Even if he hadn't recovered so well, we would think the same! We often find ourselves exclaiming at how beautiful and perfect he is and are just in awe that we get to keep him. 

Here he is later on his birthday, wearing his "brand new" onesie. Definitely can't tell he had a somewhat traumatic birth :)


And that wraps up Cooper's birth story. Congratulations if you've made it this far. 


I hope to be back later today with a little recap of Cooper's first week! I can't believe it's passed by so fast! Next thing I know he'll be a month, then a year, then a teenager. AHHHH. Excuse me while I go cry my eyes out.