Introducing Liam John Ripp!!!

We arrived at Sacred Heart in Pensacola at 9:30 am to check for our big day! I got all prepped for surgery and even had a few moments to greet Riley, Steve's parents, my mom and brother. We were supposed to start surgery at 11:30a but the pediatric surgeon was tied up in another procedure so we lost our slot and had to wait to get worked back into the schedule. There were SO many babies delivered that day!

Finally got back to the OR at 12:30p and started the surgery prep. The room was a little intimidating (especially since Steve had to wait outside until I was done being prepped). A lot of equipment, a lot of people, etc. Got a spinal block and epidural, laid down and was draped- ready!! Steve sat with me and was able to stand up to get some pics over the drape- and he didn't pass out!

When we heard the first cries of Liam John Ripp I was overcome with relief. His cries sounded so strong and healthy. I could not believe he had come this far and was doing so well! He was born at 1:18pm weighing 6 lbs 8 oz and measuring 19.5in long. His APGAR scores were 7 and 8. The NICU team and pediatric surgeon immediately assessed his intestines. It turns out the small and large intestines AND his stomach were all out. The peds surgeon said the whole in his ab wall was small which would make it easier to pull close, but it could prevent the guts from going back in or it could cut off blood supply, causing tissue to die. So far everything is a healthy pink and his guts have already made huge steps going in by itself!

Liam has a head full of blondish hair w a bit of reddish brown in it. He has blue eyes (for now but they probably won't change), and fat rolls on his arms and legs- AWESOME!

Once his intestines got bagged in the plastic silo that will suspend above his bed to feed the guys back into his tummy, they put him in an isolette for transport. They stopped long enough for me to reach in and hold his hand and rub his cheek. He seemed content enough. Steve walked out with Liam while I got stitched back up and prepped for recovery. The family got to stand in the hallway between the OR and NICU where the nurses stopped long enough for everyone to get a peek and Ri to introduce himself to his little brother. Only got one picture (and Ri's eyes were closed!) before they had to whisk Liam away from NICU work.

Once I was resting in recovery, family got to come back and visit for a while. Then they took Ri to the mall to celebrate with lunch and games. While I was in recovery I got a little sad because I saw a new dad walk by holding his baby and I could hear the baby cry in the next curtain over. I'm sure part of the emotion was the drugs and experience I just had, but I got teary because I didn't have my baby to hold and hug. The nurse and Steve were great about comforting me, reminding me Liam is doing head and shoulders better than we could have imagined and that I'll get my turn soon.

We got settled into a private room but haven't actually gotten to rest with all the nurses and departments coming in and out throughout the afternoon and night. Pain was minimal with the cocktail I was on and the nurses are great. I was told I'd get to see Liam at 1am after the epidural wore off, but the night nurse made me wait until morning- BOOO.

Tried pumping to get some colostrum which has the most vitamins, etc that he needs in the beginning. Had a little luck. I'm told things are slow to start after c-section because of the drugs, but keep trying to encourage your body to make more. Liam can't have any milk until after he has some bowel movements post surgery (hopefully mid-next week). So I'm pumping and storing as my milk will be better for him than any formula out there. Your body naturally makes the combination necessary for your particular baby0 just depends on the ailment. Cool huh?

Steve got to visit Liam tonight and got some more pics for me (because I couldn't go up until I had feeling in my legs- even though I was going up via wheelchair). He got the low down on how baby was doing, what the machines are for, etc. We have a room to ourselves right now which is great to be on our own. We can stay there unless a more serious baby comes in. Not that Liam is serious, but some parents might be put off by seeing his guts out. The room opens to the main NICU baby room, but we have our own corner. Liam has already started pooping and peeing- AWESOME SIGN!! He'll probably stop with the pooing post op until his bowels recover. When he starts dirtying diapers again we can begin light feeds! But it's so ecouraging he's already got his piping working! Another obstacle overcome!

Long night ahead of people in and out of the room checking on me (and Steve's rollaway is quite terrible!), but we're thrilled to have closed the chapter on pregnancy and are starting the new chapter of getting Liam healthy and home.

More tomorrow!


Liam John Ripp joined us at 1:18p on 27 Jan 2011. He weighed 6 lb 8 oz!
Intestines look really healthy, he's resting in NICU and mom in her room. Csection went well. More to come later