Meet Otto

Introducing...
Mr. Otto Wesley Hess
May 24, 2012
7 pounds 14 ounces
20 inches long

We are now a family of 5. It's been a really fun 3+ weeks.
Here is my really long story.
(read at your own risk. It might be boring for you.)


My Decision on delivery:
There was a lot of fear and anxiety around delivering this 3rd baby. Both of my deliveries prior to this one didn't go as I had hoped. I am grateful for easy pregnancies. However, I have trouble getting these babies out! My doctor took my history and nerves into consideration and suggested I consider having a C-Section. She told me that if this is my last baby, I need to have a really good experience in giving birth. I talked to several friends who knew my previous situation and said that having a c-sections would for sure be easier. At the beginning of the pregnancy, it sounded great. I figured there was no way it could be worse than my other two deliveries. Knowing this was a boy, I also took into consideration Blake's broad shoulders and didn't want to risk another Shoulder Dystocia for the baby's sake as well as mine.
I would be lying if I said this was an easy decision. I would wake up several times a night in tears, fearing the delivery all throughout my pregnancy. Either way, this baby had to come out and I was nervous for whatever route I had to take to get there. In the last few weeks of my pregnancy, I had 3 different priesthood blessings to help me with my decision. The first 2 said that I would "make the right decision" whatever it was. I was a little sad that I still wasn't 100% sure. Finally, on the morning of the delivery, (at this point, there was no turning back with my decision) because of the blessing I received, I was comforted knowing that this was 100% the right decision for me.

The delivery:
My mom came to town to take care of the girls while we were at the hospital. We left for the hospital around 10am. When I arrived, I was talking a million miles a minute and could not stop coughing. I loved my nurse. I loved my anesthesiologist. In fact, my anesthesiologist called me the night before the delivery to introduce himself. Talk about customer service! I was very impressed by him. Anyway, they both did such an awesome job to make me feel comfortable. We waited about an hour longer than expected for the doctor to show up. Around 1:00 in the afternoon, it was time to head in to the operating room. Matthew had to go get dressed while I was being prepped.
When I walked in the room, it was nothing that I had expected. Tiny bed. Bright lights. Freezing cold. No ocean view. It was pretty ugly. To say that my nerves were out of control would be an understatement. The fact that Matthew wasn't with me made matters worse. I sat on the bed and remembered the advice my sister gave me to just take deep breaths. That was the only thing I could do to relax. Breathing like a crazy person as I hugged the pillow while getting the drugs injected into my back. I'm pretty sure that the doctor gave me a little "extra" sedation to calm my coughing fit and shakes. At this point, I was pretty convinced that this might not have been the right decision. I really tried hard to think about that blessing I got that morning ensuring me that this WAS the right decision. I really had to keep reminding myself to have faith. It was tough.
I wish I could have had a picture of Matthew when he walked in to the room. By this time, I was much more "comfortable" and all prepped on the table with blankets around my head and arms to keep me warm. As much as I wasn't prepared for the room to look the way it did, I think Matthew was far more shocked as he saw me laying on the table just judging by the look on his face. The second we made eye contact, we both had to look away because the tears started coming.
By 1:26, they pulled my little guy out and soon after I was holding him with a very happy heart. I thanked my Heavenly Father for a safe arrival and continued to do so as I recovered. My favorite moment of that day was when this little guy was screaming his head off. The second they laid him on my chest, he instantly looked up at me and was calm. It was such a tender moment with my son.

The recovery:
The first 2 days were tough. I honestly wasn't convinced that this was a better option at this point. Somehow, I forgot that I was having major surgery and didn't consider that there still was going to be somewhat of an uncomfortable recovery. That second night at about 2am, I had a breakdown to Matthew in frustration that I couldn't walk at a normal pace. That I still was feeling pain and nausea. In hindsight, it really is silly that I was so frustrated. Of course I wasn't going to be running laps around the hospital by day 2. To be honest, the absolute worst pain that I experience was in my right shoulder of all places. "They say" that when you are opened up in surgery, air gets trapped inside you and builds up in your shoulder. If someone would have told me that was the worst pain, I would have thought they were a huge wimp. How could that be THAT painful. Seriously...if I didn't have that darn shoulder pain...I think those first 2 days would have been a hundred times easier.
By day 3, I was feeling really good. Finally, I was 100% sure that having a c-section was the best decision for me. It took a little time to convince me, but I knew that by that day, I already felt better than I did with the other 2 deliveries. Is a c-section for everyone?...certainly not. However, I do feel like it was the best option for my situation.
I will say that my recovery wouldn't have gone as smooth without the help of my mom who took care of my girls while we were away so Matthew could stay with me the whole time in the hospital. The girls had so much fun with her and it was so comforting to know that they were in good hands. One day, she even came to the hospital and had made the most adorable dresses for the girls. She's pretty great.
My sister who came a week after, cooked the best food and cleaned my house like a live in housekeeper. We were so spoiled by her. She was awesome.
And of course my Matthew. I have a good husband. He takes great care of us always. However, when I have babies, I fall in love all over again with this man. He is seriously amazing. When we are in the hospital, he usually turns into Mr. Comedian. I'm not sure if it's his way of coping with nerves or what. I told him this time, he wasn't allowed to be funny because it hurt too bad to laugh. When we are home from the hospital, he is working his little fanny off to make me as comfortable as possible and take the older kids away so I can rest. He does all the laundry, dishes and keeps the house clean. He is seriously a dream. I am one lucky gal.

The baby:
This boy is a dream. He melts my heart. He is seriously the easiest baby. Sleeps like an angel. Loves to snuggle. Eats on a schedule. Has his sisters wrapped around his little finger. What more could a mom ask for?!
I am in heaven.