While I was laying on the operating table waiting to get the word on whether I’d be awake for my daughter’s birth, Dr. Risky came and sat near my head. She started talking to me about my scar and laid out some options. As I’d mentioned, my former OB left me with a crooked scar from Madeline’s c-section. Dr. Risky wasn’t wild about it being crooked, so she said she could even it out, leaving a bit of the old scar, or try to make the crooked line work. I elected to keep a bit of the old scar. I have the best of both worlds now – an even scar (which, really, I couldn’t care less about) and my two girls’ scars now connect and intertwine on my belly.
After Annabel was born and my surgery was just about over, I was breathing into my oxygen mask when I suddenly heard an unmistakable noise. It was a STAPLE GUN SOUND! I shouted, “That is the creepiest noise I have EVER HEARD!” I don’t recommend shouting on the operating table, by the way. The doctors did not appreciate it. I looked at Mike and said, “I am going to barf OMG,” I also don’t recommend saying that unless you actually mean it, because the anesthesia resident jumped up to adjust my IVs before she realized I wasn’t entirely serious. Just thinking about the noise of the staple gun is making me dry heave.
Now I have to be clear about something – I was never worried about staples actually hurting. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to feel much – if anything – down there. It is all mental. I had a dressing on the incision for the first 36 hours, but when an OB resident came to remove the dressing early Sunday morning I freaked a little. I couldn’t believe they were just going to leave it exposed! And then I had to go home before they were removed. I REFUSED to look at the staples – I had Mike check them to make sure everything looked OK. When I went in to Dr. Risky’s office to have the staples removed, I seriously had to go to my happy place. Unfortunately, I could still hear her drop each staple onto the paper draping…all fourteen of them. GAG.
Something that no one warned me about after my first c-section was the terrible gas pain. I know, you hear gas pain and you’re like, TOO MUCH INFORMATION. But it’s not your typical gas pain from eating a burrito. This is drop me to my knees, make me scream pain that comes on really suddenly as it moves around in my intestines. It. Is. Awful. I am taking medicine for it, which helps a bit, but MAN. I did remember how bad the gas was after my first c-section. The first time it hit I was standing at Madeline’s incubator and I honestly thought I was dying. Luckily there was a nurse nearby that recognized the signs and told me it was normal. Thanks for the warning, Former OB (yet another reason why she is my former OB).
Annabel is doing great. She had the tiniest bit of jaundice when we left the hospital, but it was just about gone when she went for her first check up with Dr. Looove. Unfortunately yesterday it came roaring back, so we had to take her to get some blood work. She needs to repeat it again today so hopefully her bilirubin numbers will be on the way down instead of up. Fingers crossed!
What’s that, you want to see a picture of a naked yellow baby? Well I will give you one.
She is my little Lemon Head.
EmmieJ says:
I forgot about the gas pains but O!M!G! YES! Gah! I never had staples (had dissolvable stitches instead). Just remember (and I say this also having been through it twice and ignoring it both times) your body deserves time to heal so take it easy. Can’t wait to see you (and maybe even little Annie???)!
.-= EmmieJ´s last blog ..I’ve Been Keeping Something From You =-.
Nancy Smego says:
I remember those pains from 27 years ago with my c-section. Also, last week I had abdominal surgery and I have 6 little wholes all over my belly. Nothing like the c-section thing but they still pump you with gas and it still hurts!
The baby is so cute. When you said yellow baby I thought of the Simpsons.
Kayla N. says:
A friend used to call her little one Bart because he had jaundice, so I thought of the Simpsons too. Still a cute little Lemon Head besides!
jen says:
She’s gorgeous!
Sounds as though now I have yet another reason that I escaped c-section with both of the boys’ births. Ouchie….
Rest as much as you can! I know, I know…..
(((Hugs))) from here!
.-= jen´s last blog ..thankful Tuesday- speechless =-.
Noelle says:
And a beautiful Lemon Head at that
I haven’t had a C-Section but I did have the gas thing when I had my gallbladder removed. My husband pulled my finger and I actually, well, you know! HIGHLIGHT of our marraige for him!
.-= Noelle´s last blog ..Active doodie =-.
Carolyn says:
And a beautiful lemon head she is!!!
I heard about those horrific gas pains while watching Sheri Bayles laugh and learn about childbirth DVD. Highly recommend that to pregnant mamas. It actually was pretty entertaining for my husband and I, since the lady was sooo annoying and a little pervy to watch, but VERY informative.
Cheers to no more staples in you!! YAY!
PS: thanks for not posting a pic of the staples.
.-= Carolyn´s last blog ..O sun, sun, wherefore art though sun? =-.
Michelle W says:
I’m glad you were given some options and that you still carry that physical reminder. Hope your recovery continues to progress forwards. You are a real trooper Again I am here soon after a post, guess it comes from being impatient for more of Annabel, staying up long after everyone else has gone to bed, and being a stalker!
Michelle W says:
And speaking of recovery, you are a Super Trooper, I seemed to take forever to get back to some kind of normal after delivering my daughter (no C-section) and would have been lost without a dear friend who had come stay with us for the big event. I can’t imagine how I would have fared if I had a C – Section, I must be a wuss.
Superjules says:
She is gorgeous! Congratulations!!
GatorMaid says:
Pink or yellowish-pink she is just beautiful. Praying for the numbers to go down.
Sara K. says:
Just beautiful
Thanks for the update about the staples – I was wondering how you fared And like the above poster stated, thanks for not posting pics!
I am betting you probably already know this, but when I was born and then came home from the hospital a zillion years ago, I had terrible jaundice. The Dr.'s told my parents to put me in the sunlight for a while each day…my parents put me in a basket and let me nap in front of the window with lots of sun shining down on me. I'm guessing today's sunlight isn't like it was a zillion years ago, (ok, only 32 yrs ago) but maybe a few minutes each day wouldn't hurt. I really hope her numbers come down quickly!
xoxox~
Sara K.
.-= Sara K.´s last blog ..Emotional and Busy Week =-.
Lisa says:
Both my kids had jaundice (2 and 6) and they still tell you to do that.
Jo says:
She is just gorgeous and so, so precious.
I am so glad you have the physical reminder, even though it is all so painful in many ways right now.
Imagine having that gas pain a lot/all the time. Welcome to Crohns. You described it better than I could but!
Jo
Kerri says:
Oh you poor thing! Great remedy for gas pain is to make a VERY strong cup of peppermint tea. Let it steep for 10 minutes and then drink it. It’s disgusting but it works really well! Maybe even use two tea bags!
.-= Kerri´s last blog ..gratitude =-.
Barbara says:
I work as a nurse on a postpartum floor and a trick we use is ginger tea about 4 times a day….heat up a cup of ginger ale in the microwave (instead of water) and then dip a tea bag in it like you normally would. I’ve been told it works wonders by my patients. Oh and water and walking…and more water and walking. Hope it helps!
Justine says:
Congrats on Annie! She’s GORGEOUS!
Jennifer says:
She’s adorable.
My boy was yellow for rather a while after he was born. At least you live in Cali and can nap her in the sun.
Kate @ UpsideBackwards says:
Awww, she’s adorable. What, did I say that already? Staples, eww. I wouldn’t have looked either. Good luck with the jaundice, hopefully it will just go away with sunshine and regular(ish) feeds.
.-= Kate @ UpsideBackwards´s last blog ..Adoration =-.
Rebecca says:
Now I am earwormed by “It’s a shame about Ray”…
She is divine. I love little yellows, had a couple myself.
& ow yes things ain’t so grand when all the pain relief wears off. I didn’t realise my tummy would be like jelly for so long either.
edenland says:
You Spohrs certainly do breed BEAUTIFUL BABIES OMG.
Mate …. you should have just got Dave to get those staples out, he’s got a staple gun for his work … you know, as a BUILDER.
*shudder*
You look so so gorgeous.
XOXOX
.-= edenland´s last blog ..Eight, Eight, I forget what eight was for =-.
Krissa says:
I had jaundice when I was a brand newborn and one of my nieces did too. It must be at least kind of common. Don’t worry Annabel, you won’t be a lemon head for long and you’re still gorgeous anyway. … I am so happy for you that your C-section scar is the way it is. Sounds like Dr. Risky did a wonderful job! … Ok, just like with your past posts about needles, this staple thing made my head start spinning. I’d freak if I were there in person whether it were happening to me or someone else. And it’s so unpleasant to think about that I’m going to move right along and put it out of my head. … Here’s to a continued speedy recovery for you and a pain free day very soon!
noL says:
Fingers crossed for lower numbers!
and, if I keep coming back for baby fixes and seeing that stunning baby, I may have to drag my husband back to reverse a certain procedure!
amanda says:
Someone was just telling me yesterday about the gas pains after a c-section. Sounds sucky! But man oh man, what a CUTE pic!
xo from CT,
Amanda
.-= amanda´s last blog ..easy like Sunday morning =-.
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
Ah, yes…. c-section gas … I remember it well! But 14 STAPLES???????? Yowza Owza!!
Here’s hoping for better bilirubin numbers for cute little Annie!
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..I’m mad at my husband =-.
Sue says:
Annie is absolutely gorgeous,,,, no matter what color she is!!! I hope that everything clears up quickly!
habanerogal says:
Oh the gas that was the worst, I later found out that if the doctor takes their time moving all the intestinal bits around the gas is a lot less. Second time around was much better. Hope the numbers are good and you get to stay home and just enjoy family time.
.-= habanerogal´s last blog ..On Resolutions =-.
Jenn says:
OOHH, I remember my 3 little lemon heads! Unfortunately for them, my son was born 4 weeks early on Nov.12th and my daughter was born in January…both cold, damp, snowly, GREY months. Tried as we did, we never did mustard up enough sunlight to heal them as quickly as we would have liked but thankfully, all worked out in the end.
I hope you don’t have our problems in LA . I hope it’s really sunny there so you can sun those yucky bilirubins right outta there!!!!
Any time we get to see a picture of Annebel is a good day! She is so incredibly sweet. I just want to reach through the screen, pull her through on my side for warm, a little snug & then of course, return her to you safe & sound!
Have an excellent day with that beautiful little one! My thoughts will be with her as I hope her blood test isn’t too hard on her & those numbers drop!!
Mim says:
Just to echo what others have said. My doctor told me to lay my kids naked in the sunlight while they slept to help with the numbers. God luck! She’s beautiful
.-= Mim´s last blog ..Dreaming =-.
Karen says:
And a beautiful one at that. I also gave my babies “sun” time for the yellow. Just a safe amount.
.-= Karen´s last blog ..Two Treasures =-.
Meredith says:
She is soooooo beautiful, congratulations again!
mary c says:
She is so cute. I hope her numbers go down too! When I had my baby he was so jaundice it looked like he’d spent months in a tanning bed. (you know the people that spend so much time in there they look yellow!) He was like that for a week. Then he turned so white I could have lost him in a snowbank. The doctor also said to lay him naked in the sun, just remember to cover her eyes.
Coder says:
Annabel is so beautiful, I can already tell she will be a girly-girl! Your jaundice comments made me think back. My son will be 22 next week and when he was born, he had jaundice so bad that when my cousin saw his baby pic at my grandmothers house, she asked who the little African-American baby was!?!?
I so happy things are going well for all of you.
Sarah P says:
Gah! Those gas pains are the worst!
Hope you and Annabel recover quickly!
Jenny says:
I don’t remember the gas pains as much as sneezing. A little warning in that department would have breen grrrreat! I hope your recovery goes well.
Your little lemonhead is too cute.
.-= Jenny´s last blog ..Hippos and Baldies =-.
Mary @ Holy Mackerel says:
Never had a c-section, but I can imagine the pain.
Little Lemonhead is adorable, even if she is yellow.
.-= Mary @ Holy Mackerel´s last blog ..Porn In 3-D?! Wait ‘Til Mr. Handsome Sees What He’s Missing! =-.
charlane says:
Keelyn was jaundice too. I hated taking her for the blood work and cried overtime they pricked her little foot. SHe dd. not cry, she in fact slept through it. She is more resilient than me I guess. Fingers are crossed for Annabel!
.-= charlane´s last blog ..The Stats =-.
Michelle W says:
When my son got his foot pricked my and started crying his big (little) sister got in between him and the nurse to protect him, didn’t like at all that they were making him cry. Both my kids were jaundice, my daughter more so than my son. I have a great picture of her under the billy lights with the eye protection on, totally lounging as if under a suntanning bed.
Kelly says:
She is beautiful! Even yellow!
Java says:
Ewwwww I never thought about staples that way!! I feel bad for you! Gas like that doesn’t just come from C-Sections either….I had terrible gas with my first and second son’s….I had no idea way….but its awful! Ugh!!! Love your little Lemon Head!!
.-= Java´s last blog ..Engagement Photos! =-.
cj says:
she is simply stunning.
Tami says:
You craack me up.!! You are so much like me, when it comes to things they have to cut ,staple on my body and even the sight of my own blood I would be passed out. I will keep Annie and all of you in my prayers and they do her blood work today.
Hugs
Lindsay says:
OMG! The gas pains! I had forgotten about the gas pains! Yet another thing to dread this time around.
Hope Annabel’s numbers go down…bloodwork with a baby is no fun :0(
.-= Lindsay´s last blog ..Scary Stuff =-.
Mary says:
Here’s hoping the bili’s go down! Yay for no more staples. I don’t think I would handle that very well, I’m totally squeamish when it comes to stuff like that.
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Routine =-.
Kim says:
Heather,
I had the gas pains in my shoulder blades of all places. Lasted about a month after my C-Section. The pain was horrible. Hang in there.
Shannon Kieta says:
So,so preci sous! You defineately outdid yourselves w/ Annie here!All babies are born w/ Jaundice. Some a little more noticeable than others. My son had it more-so than my daughter! I was freaked out when I had my son..”Why is he yellow?” Will it go away? Yeah, the doc said. In about a week or less. And it did. Some take a little longer. You did great mama, considering your tollerance to the medical world of no-no’s! Give yourself a BIG pat on the back!
nkc says:
I had a little jaundice baby who had to be readmitted two days after we went home to bake under the lights. Jaundice babies unite!
I have never heard of horrific gas pain post c-section but good god, that sounds awful. Thanks for sharing!
maya says:
Oy the gas pains. I had them after EVERY.SINGLE. one of my surgeries. So counting the c-section, that would make it 4 times. It was worse than the surgeries itself, esp when the air would find it’s way into my shoulders. It was baadd. Plus side- it’s just about to be over! yeahy!
i love my little lemon head.
.-= maya´s last blog ..Meet the Newest Member of My Family =-.
Miche@CoordinatedChaos says:
The cutest lemon head ever Actually, both my boys had really bad jaundice and we had billi-rubin lights we brought home for them. The glow worm look was pretty cute
.-= Miche@CoordinatedChaos´s last blog ..Three Kids =-.
Rachel says:
She is simply divine.
Lauren says:
Couldn’t agree more.
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Pork. It’s What’s for Dinner. =-.
Lisa says:
I’ve had 2 kids with jaundice and you’ll get through this. Worse case, they will send a blanket home with you that you’ll have to put her under. If you are breastfeeding, you could be passing it to her also (my sister had that and I for the life of me I can’t remember what they called it).
Courtney says:
The gas pain is HORRIBLE. That was the worst of recovery for me. I loved seeing my little yellow babies, as I enjoy seeing your little lemon head!!!
Deborah says:
Mmmm, searing gas pain. Blech. Hope you start feeling better soon! Love your naked yellow behbeh!
(((hugs)))
Kara @ His, Hers, and Ours says:
And a GORGEOUS little Lemon Head at that!
I hope all that gas escapes your body soon. I don’t know the feeling, bur from the sounds of it, I don’t want to.
Congratulations to you, Mike and Rigby. Little Annabel is simply beautiful.
.-= Kara @ His, Hers, and Ours´s last blog ..Friday Fragments =-.
Nikki says:
I love that she sleeps with her arm up by her head. Such a little princess.
Make sure you get plenty of rest! Before long, you’ll be as good as new !
XOXO from GA!
Katie C. says:
I love lemon babies!
Tia says:
I have a thing for chubby cheeks Even if there tinted yellow.
I’ve never had a c-section. And to be honest none of my friends that have never mentioned the gas pain. Poor girls were just thinking they shouldn’t of ate that burrito. Anyway I hope it goes away soon, sounds sucky as hell!
jenni says:
I love me a yellow baby, yum.
.-= jenni´s last blog ..Two Things I Never Knew Before Becoming a Parent =-.
Mandy says:
I just found your blog through a friend on facebook. I also was never warned about the post c-section gas. I only had one major incident with it. It happened 2 weeks after my surgery. I was in PAIN for about 4 hours and actually ended up vomiting, not from nausea but just because the pain was SO intense. I didn’t eat for 2 entire days after that because I was so scared it would come back. Not fun. Hope you feel better soon.
MommaLionessMichele says:
The gas pains after a c-section…oh, I so feel for you. I made sure to warn my girlfriends about it because nobody warned me and it was awful! I hope you are resting as much as possible.
I am so sorry to read Annabel has some jaundice and has to go through blood tests. Fingers crossed it all clears up soon! She is such a gorgeous lil girl, thank you for the pics!
Thinking of you across the country,
Michele in Staten Island, NY
.-= MommaLionessMichele´s last blog ..Baked =-.
Lisa says:
I didn’t have a c-section with Maya but I did have abdominal surgery about 5 years ago and the gas pain was insanely painful. I hope that goes away for you soon.
Annie is so precious and adorable (even yellow!!!).
Love and hugs.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Common Pregnancy Complaints: Leg Cramps =-.
Julie from Michigan says:
Heathre & Mike Annabel is GORGEOUS. I am so sorry your feeling the gas pains Heather, that has to stink (figuratevly not literally), I hope it gets better soon. Keeping my fingers crossed that the jaundice is gone soon, I went through that with my little one, its no fun.
Marie says:
You know how everyone thinks their baby is the most beautiful thing they’ve ever seen. Well yours is!! She is so very beautiful and looks like Mike.
Congratulations!!!!!!!
I went away for a week and came back to see your new baby.
Wow just Wow
Hugs,
Marie
J says:
She’s just beautiful. Doesn’t look the least bit lemony to me!
.-= J´s last blog ..Point and shoot =-.
Judy says:
OMG! She is so cute!!
Jodie Brooks says:
I had that same gas problems with BOTH of my C-Sections. A nurse told me that drinking HOT apple juice would help. I didn’t have this information with my first, but it was welcomed with my second. It soothes your stomach. You may want to try it! Good luck!! Your Lemon Head is BEAUTIFUL!!!! Enjoy!
Rhonda says:
I had those pains when I got my tubes tied!! Yikes! That hurts like hell!! Baby is adorable!!
Trisha Vargas says:
I didn’t think it possible, but Annie is getting cuter everyday.
You and Mike make some beauties!!
(((HUGS))) from Florida
Tina says:
Lemon Head
So cute.
Now I want candy !!
Laura says:
I remember that gas pain all too well!! In fact, I remember asking my hubby if I has fallen out of bed after or before my c-section when I was doped up, because I was SO sure my shoulder was broken!! The nurse then told me it was gas pain- I was like “Gas, in my shoulder?!?” (and I was all embarrassed that she had said I had gas in front of my hubby! LOL!) She explained that it just gets trapped anywhere in the body after a surgery like that~ I swear that gassy shoulder was the most painful thing of the entire birth process!!!!
Our little angel had jaundice as well- VERY common in breastfed babies, as I’m sure they have told you already. We had to take him back to get his blood drawn MANY times, because his bilirubin kept going up, not down. I was completely freaked out, but like everyone here has mentioned, the sunlight helps. Just strip her down to her diaper and let her sleep in the sun. If that doesn’t work, they might have to put her under the “tanning bed” lights at the doctor, but then she will get better right away, so don’t you worry about a thing!
She is the cutest little lemon head baby girl I have ever seen!!! (My son is the cutest lemon head baby boy!)
((Hugs and love to all!))
ps. I am not even going to address the staples, but thanks A LOT for painting such a vivid picture of the staples being dropped on to the paper- GAG. I am so glad you are done with those yucky things! You are a brave girl!!!
pss. I laughed out loud when you said you SHOUTED on the operating table! You are too funny!!!
psss. I am soooooooooooooooo glad that you got to keep some of Maddie’s scar. Having a reminder of both of your girls’ births being intertwined and connected seems absolutely perfect and fitting, don’t you????
xoxo
Andrea says:
That sounds so painful. I have never experienced a c-section (my one and only birth was natural) but I can honestly say your description is making me hurt :). You guys seem so happy!!! She is so beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing the pics!
Andrea
Melissa in Ohio says:
She is beautiful!!!! A true blessing!
I remember the gas pains from an emergency c-section. On top of it… nobody told me what to eat or drink after the surgery and I was extremely thirsty so I drank an entire can of Sierra Mist while recovering… and then the next day ate a salad!!!! And then couldn’t figure out why I was in so much pain and still looked 8 months pregnant!!! NICE!
cindy w says:
Catie had jaundice too. I remember the lab tech telling me that it’s better if they cry during the blood draw, because it makes their heartbeat go faster, and then it doesn’t take as long. I wanted to punch him.
The little hand up by the face… Gah. So freaking sweet.
.-= cindy w´s last blog ..Not-so-Wordless Wednesday: Three =-.
Erin says:
I know your gas pains! I didn’t have a c-section and I had those gas pains with my second son. It was horrible! I thought I was going to have to go to the ER! Glad things are going well for you and Annie is absolutely adorable!!
cee says:
Lots of nursing and sunlight! I bet the doctors will tell you to supplement with formula to help the jaundice, but breastmilk is all she needs.
MommyNamedApril says:
oh, the gas pain is TERRIBLE!!!! just thinking about it makes my insides hurt
and i know how you feel about the staples. i had them with my first two sections and could NOT bring myself to look. fortunately i don’t remember hearing them in the OR. with my most recent section i got self dissolving sutures. PHEW!
btw, your little lemon-head is gorgeous
.-= MommyNamedApril´s last blog ..Outtakes. =-.
Susan (woo222) says:
My mother had a C-section with me and STILL talks about the gas pain as the worst pain of her life. Scares me to death. Oy, your staple description was so good it had the bile rising in the back of MY throat, lol. Much love to all of you, and I’m hoping Miss Lemon Head’s blood tests show improved results! ~Susan
Janeen says:
Oh, I can feel them all over again when you mentioned the gas pains. Awful. I had 2 c-secs, and no doubt, while I’m done having children anyway, those various post-birth/post c-sec issues to deal with further cement my resolve I’m just not going through it again.
And both of my boys had jaundice, under the phototherapy lights at the hospital for 1-3 days (while we were still there for their births, that is). I think that was overdoing it, even our pediatrician thought so @ the newborn office visit. I hope A’s numbers are down by now, or if you have to do phototherapy they just send you home with the little blue light blanket and it’s all done there.
.-= Janeen´s last blog ..Everything I Needed to Know, I Learned in 2009 =-.
Tammy says:
Oooooo, I remember those gas pains! They made me feel nauseous on top of the pain. Ugh! Warm showers seemed to help me.
You and Mike sure do have gorgeous babies. I remember wondering how any baby could be as beautiful and sweet Maddie, but you two did it…two impossibly beautiful girls!
I’m so happy for you.
MamaCas says:
The c-section gods must have been smiling on me, because I never had gas pains. However, I DID experience constipation after my 4th child was born and, holy sweet jesus, that might have been the worst thing I’ve ever encountered.
ONE CRUSTY MOM-E says:
UGH!! THE GAS!! I forgot all about part until reading it here. I remember thinking my intestines were tied to the incision of the csections. I lived on some minty pasty type of otc that my ob suggested. I cant tell you how happy I was when, 3wks later, I finally pooped..but as you know, that’s an entirely different story.
poor lil Lemonhead. I hate seeing their lil feet pricked..and it hurts too. But she is a tough, beautiful cookie!! Soaking up the citrus colored sunshine.
Feel better soon!
E
.-= ONE CRUSTY MOM-E´s last blog ..Time Moves Forward =-.
jen says:
crazy what your body does after getting a baby out, huh?
my little guy (born on 1.26) has a bit of the yellows too. his numbers are slowly dropping … thank goodness … but isn’t watching them take the blood out of their poor little heel just awful? you’d think there would be a faster easier way. or they could just take less of it. geez.
.-= jen´s last blog ..public service announcement. =-.
ONE CRUSTY MOM-E says:
Ps. IF they send you home with the biliblankie then she can be your glowworm!
.-= ONE CRUSTY MOM-E´s last blog ..Time Moves Forward =-.
Amanda says:
Gas Pains – OH MY GOSH! That was worse than anything else related to my CSection!
Glad you’ve faired pretty well with the staples – what happened to glue? Did Dr. Risky forget or what? I’m also so glad that you were able to keep a part of your first scar.
We had the billi lights and got the little sunglasses – hopefully Annabel’s numbers will be better today.
She may be yellow but she’s awfully cute and I bet she smells heavenly!
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..The Hardest 12 Steps – Step 1 =-.
Katie says:
My kids were yellow. I just nursed them constantly and tried to get as much sunshine as we could. : )
Jess says:
Lemon head, I love it.
My cousin Jake was jaundice. He was born in Texas (all the other kids were born here in PA) and they sent me a picture and I was horrified b.c I didn’t know about jaundice or anything, I just thought he was yellow. And my grandma (bless her) said, “isn’t he cute?” And I replied “He’s YELLOW. He is not cute he is YELLOW. When he turns a normal color I’ll let you know if he’s cute.” She was not amused with my answer, but I’m happy to say, except for his bright blond hair the kid got his normal coloring back, Lol.
Danielle says:
I had a little yellow head baby too. Too bad it is not good for them, cause it is kind of a cute color.
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..The damn thing lied to me =-.
Aly says:
You and Mike could be paid to breed!!! :o) You two make the most divine babies ever. Annabel is stunning! Congrats!
Jamie says:
Is it weird if I say I’m glad you goT to keep some of Maddie’s scar? I never really expressed gladness at someone having and keeping a scar, but I’m glad that part of her stays with you.
All three of mine were jaundiced. Number two needed lots of phototherapy. She was fine, but it felt like it took forever to get it to go away. I would sing them that crappy 70s “Mellow Yellow” song. The hubby said I was mean, but it was the only song about yellow that I knew.
Courtney says:
She is the cutest lemon head ever!! Feel better and God Bless!
Kellee says:
My only experience with gas pain has been through my gall bladder issues, and OMG if that was not the scariest thing ever. At least I was able to contort into strange positions to alleviate it a little, I imagine you are not so fortunate. I hope it passes for you soon.
I’m very proud of you for braving the staples! You description is creeping me out a bit. Glad that’s all over for you, though.
And I’m VERY happy about your scars. Definitely the best of both worlds.
The THE BABY. YAY! SO CUTE. I can never get enough of those pictures!!
.-= Kellee´s last blog ..Seasoning the Homeless =-.
suzy says:
annabel is so adorable! i totally feel you!! i had gas pains too – shooting up to my shoulder..(i don’t know why it does that) with both kids & also both babies had a beautiful tan our first went away with a little sunlight, our second became a warm little glow worm with some special light thingy that went inside his jammies…easy as pie except the needle pricks
love love love the pictures!!!!
Heather says:
She is just precious!
JonJon had jaundice when we left the hospital too and by the time he went back for his check up he was good to go!
Hoping that her levels are on the way down!
Susan A says:
You and Annabel look fabulous. She is adorable. It is so great to see you and Mike so happy. LOVE IT!!
Kim says:
I am sure you know this, but take her out in the sunshine, that will help with her jaundice. If it’s too cold out (in LA does it ever get very cold?) you could just lay her in the sun through a window…like a cat
Oh I remember the gas pains after I had Emma…OUCH! And the staples freaked me out a bit too.
Tara. says:
She’s a beautiful lemon head! Sit next to her nekkid near a window with sunlight, curtains drawn back. The good ole’ sun is a great cure for jaundice! I hope it will resolve itself.
I really hope your gas pains subside soon. I’ve not had a c-section before, but have heard the pain afterward in unbearable. Hang in there!
.-= Tara.´s last blog ..In a Fog. =-.
Glenda says:
GORGEOUS! Hope you’re feeling a lot better and hoping Annabel’s #’s are low, low, low! XXX
Jen L. says:
Sweet yellow baby. She’s a beauty.
Oh, God, those gas pains. I’d forgotten those! The staples grossed me out, too, but I DID look at mine. (bad idea, that)
.-= Jen L.´s last blog ..Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright =-.
Chrisie says:
OUCH!!! I don’t remember the gas pains? Maybe I was lucky! I love that lemon head!
(((HUGS)))
Sandy says:
Hopefully the gas pains will subside soon OR as they say “this too shall pass.”
Your “little lemon head” looks cute in yellow.
Marin D says:
I actually did start to get sick during my first c-section. And whatever they gave me knocked me out. I could hardly stay awake for the rest of the surgery. My spinal block didn’t work for my second c-section so I went under general and wasn’t awake for anything.
I couldn’t look at my staples or wound either. I had my husband and sister check them out for me to make sure all was okay. There is something freaky about it. I still can’t touch my scar. Not only does it hurt but it freaks me out. LOL. I make my husband put my cream on it. :o)
And the gas… The worst part is knowing how much you need to get it out but not being able to do it. My friend was visiting me in the hospital when I had a really bad one come on and she couldn’t believe how much pain it caused. She told me she was then grateful for her three days of labor and vaginal birth. LOL.
The baby is beautiful. I am so happy for you and that you were awake for the delivery. I’d give anything to have been awake for baby number two!!! Congrats!
Marti from Michigan says:
Hey Heather – – all this stuff shall pass! I never had a C-section, but I had a scare with a ruptured ovarian cyst that the medical team thought was a ruptured appendix – so they cut me vertically! Years later when I had a hysterectomy, they went through the same incision……I know what gas pains are after surgery, yuck!
My daughter had jaundice too – and even thought she was born in January, there was some sunshine outside in early February when I took her home, and I put her in the window whenever there was sun coming through. I put a small bandana around her eyes. It helped a lot! The jaundice went down quicker. I’m wondering if you might want to do that when Annabel is sleeping – just put some protection on her eyes and put her on a pillow in the sunshine. The sun’s natural rays will break down the bilirubin.
She is so pretty! You look very pretty in the pictures of your belly too, on the other blog post.
You and Mike are very beautiful people and you make beautiful babies.
defendUSA says:
Gas pains suck. I am not a person who can burp, belch, or any near figment. Instead, you might hear what sounds like a growl in my throat. Occasionally, the gas pains occur and they do bring me to my knees. I drink hot stuff and swallow lots of gas-x.
When I taught birthing and baby care classes, and moms would call because the babies were jaundiced, the best recommendation I could give was (call the doctor) use the sunshine and that as long as they nursed, pooped, were gaining not lethargic, it would work it’s way out of their systems. My first was subjected to needless poking and prodding for days. All four of mine had jaundice. And each kid came earlier, so it was always worse. Pumpkins, they looked like pumpkins.
Well, I hope all’s well that ends well, there. Annabel is adorable.
Darlene says:
She is absolutely GORGEOUS! The reproductive organs are hurting from all the cuteness! lol
I worry all the time that I’m going to have nothing but c-sections when I have kids simply because my mom had to have them with all 4 of us kids. Oh man!
Kristin says:
She is just amazing!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Oh the weather outside was frightful =-.
(another) karen says:
and what a beautiful little lemon she is…….
statia says:
Ugh. The gas pains. I don’t remember having them that bad the first time around. The second time, I could barely move. It was awful. The nurse came in and asked me if I wanted a milk and molasses enema. I passed, because well, I just didn’t want that kind of relationship with my nurse, thanks.
.-= statia´s last blog ..Like Sands Through the Hour Glass… =-.
Anjie says:
The gas pain is horrible! I had staples as well after my second c-section.
You should see some of Miranda’s newborn pictures. She was so jaundiced she was orange. I’m still surprised they let her go home with me, lol.
.-= Anjie´s last blog ..The rest of January’s pictures =-.
Jenny @ http://motherlawyercrazywoman.blogspot.com/ says:
Staples! . I hear ya.
.-= Jenny @ http://motherlawyercrazywoman.blogspot.com/´s last blog ..True Romance =-.
Jenny @ http://motherlawyercrazywoman.blogspot.com/ says:
Meant to type – Staples! SHUDDER! I hear ya.
.-= Jenny @ http://motherlawyercrazywoman.blogspot.com/´s last blog ..True Romance =-.
Scottish lass says:
Gas, GIANT granny pants – it’s all SO glamorous.
Enjoy!
.-= Scottish lass´s last blog ..All The World’s A Stage. =-.
Lea says:
Sunlight, sunlight, sunlight!!
.-= Lea´s last blog ..P.S. =-.
Mary says:
And a beautiful lemon she is!!
I haven’t had a C-section but I’ve had surgery on my ovaries & uterous 2x. The 2nd time was a laproscopic procedure…no one warned me that while they fill you up w/gas in order to have more room to work, they don’t actually removed it again. I don’t get it. I was a gassy lassy for way longer than I expected. And passing copious amounts of gas while already tender ain’t fun!
Here’s to hoping the wind is taken from your sails quickly!
.-= Mary´s last blog ..Reading Ready =-.
Holly says:
Put her in a sunny window and hopefully you can avoid a billi bed or lights! She’s beautiful.
Kate says:
She is the cutest little lemon head EVER!
Em says:
oh man, i hope you are feeling better soon!!!
Staples are just the lazy way to put in stitches :::shudder:::
I hope Annie is a little less yellow soon!!
.-= Em´s last blog ..Snow! =-.
Molly says:
Gorgeous! And you sound quite cheerful, despite the gas and staples :-). I’m glad you got to keep a little of Maddie’s scar.
Katie says:
She is just so cute. Makes me want another one.
nami says:
i haven’t had a chance to comment, even though i’ve found the time to read everyday (it’s a must on my daily to-do’s!!) in fact, it’s one thing i look forward to during my little breaks in the day.) i can’t tell u how happy i am for u. i’ve laughed, cried, screamed, and cheered for months reading your blog. i talk to my hubby about you, even as he rolls his eyes when he can’t understand how i could be so excited about a ‘stranger’ (he says congrats, btw!). just wanted to send u a big congrats and a big thank u for sharing your stories. sending our love to your growing family!!
Lisa says:
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Random Bits of Information =-.
megryansmom says:
My Google Reader is overflowing and fortunately I decided to click over here. Congratulations! Your little lemon head is absolutely beautiful!
.-= megryansmom´s last blog ..Sunday Silence =-.
binkytowne says:
Me too. Those staples gave me the willies. The super perky resident Dr kept telling me it was a “smiley face with braces”. I wanted to punch her in the mouth. (Still do, actually)
.-= binkytowne´s last blog ..It’s Cold =-.
Java says:
Trying putting Annie near the window in the sunlight! That’ what we did when ours were “yellow!!” It works! Doctor recommended!
.-= Java´s last blog ..Engagement Photos! =-.
Rebecca says:
Precious baby!
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..The Sunny Sun =-.
Issa says:
Bleh on staples. I can’t even think about it.
Okay, look at her tiny little self. Oh I just want to kiss her cheeks. Sigh.
.-= Issa´s last blog ..Things I don’t understand #2 =-.
Laurie says:
Seriously, I think Annabel is the most attractive, cutest, adorable, precious *you get the picture* baby I have ever seen (next to my precious daughter, of course!). Wow, so beautiful.
Your story made me laugh so hard, and I’m at work right now so all the more it was THAT funny. I’m so glad that you’re able to find laughter through the difficult parts of labor & recovery – or at least you make us laugh Thanks for bringing joy to my day with your story and photo of Annabel.
btw, did you take photos of your staples/scar? I would be interested in seeing that if you dare post them.
Katrina says:
All mine were a bit yellow in that first week. I just kept the window shades up and put them in the sunlight for a few hours. I was told that my blood and their blood mixed during the birth through the umbilical cord, and our types aren’t the same, which caused them to be a little jaundiced. I have no idea if that’s actually what happened or not, but it wasn’t ever a big deal.
She looks so sweet in that photo, just so peacefully sleeping. Ahhhh…newborns. So precious:)
.-= Katrina´s last blog ..Seventeen =-.
rosie too says:
Congratulations on your beautiful girl! Your staples story is giving me flashbacks to when my mother had her thyroid removed. She had staples all across her neck. Uncovered. Did I mention across her neck? I stayed in the hospital with her and had to feign nonchalance while they removed them one by one the next day. Yack.
Tracey says:
OMG! I made my husband take me to the ER with gas pains after my first – and no one even there ever told me the C-section caused them! Wish I would have known this was common….. anyway – sorry you had to go through them!
.-= Tracey´s last blog ..Ode to the changing table =-.
Karen Chatters says:
Oh my, I love little naked (yellow) babies. So adorable!
.-= Karen Chatters´s last blog ..Someone should revoke my parenting license =-.
Jennifer L says:
I’m thankful to have not had a C-section (well, so far no c-sections)…that kind of gas sounds about as fun as my pre-term labor-inducing kidney stone episode.
I thought Annabel looked like she had a bit of a tan, as one of the nurses put it when my son kept needing his bili levels checked that jaundiced babies look like they have a nice tan already. As long as the numbers stay stable and on the lower side it’s not a big deal. My son is an end of November baby and finding ways to expose him to sunlight was pretty difficult because of how cloudy it was just about every day.
.-= Jennifer L´s last blog ..The first rule of Fight Club… =-.
Lizzie says:
I think I had bulldog clips. Which left a pretty pattern of dots on either side of the scar. Two babies, one scar – a long time ago, and I miss it now it has faded to invisibility. It was a visible reminder of the preciousness of my daughters. Fortunately, I am very unimaginative, and found the whole thing quite fascinating.
Haley-O (Cheaty) says:
Oy! So happy for you and your family. Annabel has no doubt brought joy back in your lives. The perfect balm for all you’ve been through. xoxoxoxo!
.-= Haley-O (Cheaty)´s last blog ..“I Yuf Buhds”: Florida Trip Recap =-.
Amy S. says:
My gas pains from my second c-section were awful too, odd. I took lots of mylicon:)
When my son left the NICU, jaundice was still a small problem. He had been under the bilirubin lights for 5-days but they made me SWEAR to put him in the window as a condition of his discharge. So, I just put the swing in the window and put him in there when he napped. He was a July baby in Texas though. Anyway, it took about a week but it all went away.
I sure do love yellow babies though!
Dawn says:
I’m lovin’ your little lemon head!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..All About MEme Monday:…all that and a flock of birds =-.
Amy says:
Little Lemon Head is Lovely
Karen says:
Thank you for posting a lovely picture. I was afraid you were going to post a pic of your staples, and almost didn’t scroll down.
Beth says:
Oh yes, the gas pains were horrible.
The beauty of nearly bleeding out? You don’t hear them put the staples in ;). Seriously, my OB does these beautiful stitches that are amazing. Then had to rip the damned things out in a hurry to fix me and apparently couldn’t manage to restitch, so I was stapled.
Getting them removed was a HUGE trauma for me (well, I was already massively traumatized.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Top Ten Cheap/Free Things My Family Loves to Do =-.
Mecca says:
Take her into the sun and it might help the jaundice. We were told that by NICU and who dosen’t love to hold a baby in the sun! Congratulations to you all, I’m happy for the blessing in your life.
Jennie says:
C-section recovery is no fun, but she is just the cutest little thing!
.-= Jennie´s last blog ..…And it’s only Tuesday! =-.
steph says:
heather, congratulations on your beautiful annabelle. i have been following your blog for some time now and have been thinking of you and mike and praying a lot for you guys. blessings on your newest addition. so so happy for you.
.-= steph´s last blog ..heard around here, every day. =-.
Kristi says:
Gas pains are the worst after a c-section… plus coughing or sneezing! YIKES!! I’ll be having my 4th C-section in May… already dreading the pain!
Do lots of walking, it gets the gas moving!
Ashley says:
Your little Lemon head is so sweet! I had a pumpkin head, who I didn’t realize was a pumpkin head until i looked at her photos about a month later. Up until then I was all, “Oh she is so NOTE jaundice, it’s your eyes, and his eyes and her eyes….” Then I saw the photo of my sweet girl, in a blue sleeper her father insisted we use, with a large orange monkey on the front and I thought, “Oh. She matches the monkey, maybe she was slightly jaundice.”
Sorry to hear the gas is bad. Hope it’s better soon!
.-= Ashley´s last blog ..The Words I would Say =-.
Marisol says:
I’m glad for you that you got to keep a little of both scars!
To be honest this blog scared me from EVER getting pregnant, but then I reached the end of the blog and seeing beautiful little Annabel brought back all my “I WANT A BABY!” feelings. =)
.-= Marisol´s last blog ..Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage =-.
Teresa says:
She is beautiful…..Nothing like a baby….
.-= Teresa´s last blog ..OUR SNOW GET AWAY =-.
Ray says:
I hope the blood tests come back saying that Annabel is fine. And OMG that photo! She is so beautiful. Such an angel.
Deborah says:
My husband called our little jaundiced girl his “little pumpkin.” She had such a big round head and she was a vibrant orange color. He still calls her that 2 years later.
Kelly says:
You sure do make ’em pretty!! Yellow or not, she’s heart-wrenchingly adorable.
Hugs
.-= Kelly´s last blog ..Our new cat! =-.
Maria Delgado says:
I am in love. She is beautiful!
Expat Mom says:
Yikes, gas? I guess I am glad my kids came out the usual way after all. At least it got most of the pain over all at once.
Hope you’re feeling better soon . . . how long does that last anyway?
.-= Expat Mom´s last blog ..“Where Do You Find the Time?” =-.
Becky says:
Ok, once again I feel that I cannot control my urge to offer unsolicited advice. I don’t know why, but I have to share! My son was also jaundiced as a newborn (and breastfed), and they also did the heel tests, and the doctors at that time told me to place him in a diaper ONLY and let him sleep on a blanket in the sun for as much time as he would take it every day until it was resolved. Not sure if they have suggested it to you or not, but like I said it’s a compulsion at this point to share! Maybe it will help little Annie. Who is GORGEOUS, btw.
.-= Becky´s last blog ..Late nights =-.
katie says:
thanks for the reminder. no one told me either after my first c/s. the gas is the WORSE! here i am having c/s #2 in 5 days…yikes! it’s been fun to follow you. annie is so cute, congrats!
Alicia @bethsix says:
She totally looks like Mike to me in this picture!
.-= Alicia @bethsix´s last blog ..If You Put Enough Monkeys with Enough Typewriters in Enough Rooms, Someday, Somewhere, One of Them’s Gonna Reproduce Othello =-.
Al_Pal says:
SO adorable.
Sorry to hear about the pain!!!
Thinking good thoughts for plenty of sunshine to take away the jaundice!
pixielation says:
I had gas pains when I had my gallbladder out last year. I was amazed at how awful they were! But with the addition of the C-section, I am sure your pain was at least twice that of a gallbladder op done via keyhole.
But that beautiful end result – she’s worth a bit of pain isn’t she!
She’s so gorgeous.
.-= pixielation´s last blog ..Going for birthdays, bolting and bling =-.
Bec says:
oh oh! Can I just say lalalalalalalala NOT at all what I wanted to read at this point lol.
I have to ask though, do staples hurt coming out?
.-= Bec´s last blog ..Blogging Peeves =-.
amy says:
Congratulations!!!..Annie is Beautiful..so happy for your whole family…About the gas pain after a c section…I had it too!!!…My question is WHY OH WHY does no one warn us about it!!!!!!…I really thought I was dying a horrible death!!!…it is certainly a very important piece of info that should defnately be shared, so one can prepare for it!!!!:))