Baby boy birth story: Part 2

Welcome baby Isaac Charles Shaul! Born at 11:08pm on July 28th weighing in at 5 pounds, 1 ounce and 17.75 inches, he came into our lives crying and enjoying his new found breath.

What is it like to give birth to a Chilean?  We have been so fortunate to have a wonderful experience here at Clinica Alemana.  I had heard nothing but good things, and now have seen for myself how great they are here.  The doctors, midwifes and staff have all impressed us by their caring attitude and personal attention.  This experience has been quite different from the one in Minneapolis when I gave birth the first time, primarily due to the severe health issues I experienced with the first delivery.  Specifically, I was able to be awake this time for the birth.  What an experience that was.  I will spare you the details, and just say that one of the most incredible experiences of my life will being able to feel life being pulled out of me and then almost immediately hearing my baby's cry to let me know he had been born.  Words can't describe my emotions.

Steve said the operating room was almost identical to the one in Minneapolis (i.e., medical practices for C-sections seem to be quite similar between the US and Chile), and remember I wasn't awake so I don't remember, although he mentioned that it felt more personable here in Chile - like the doctors were in a way more caring of their patient instead of more distant as you oftentimes find in the states.  I think this is a cultural thing.  For example, my doctor who performed the C-section kept looking over at me and nodding and my anesthesiologist kept coming over and reassuring me how great everything was going by giving me shoulder squeezes, etc.  A little more hands on if you will.  And, of course Steve was there by my side the whole time telling me how beautiful my guts were.  After the operation Isaac was wheeled away to the NICU for hypoglycemia, and the recovery process began.

OB Care:  Over this past week, I have been completely hands down impressed by my OB.  He comes to visit me every day not only to make sure I'm feeling ok, but also to discuss how I feel the treatment has been for both myself and my baby.  He is so patient and listens, and has been making calls to the pediatricians/nurses in the NICU on my behalf to make sure we understand what is going on with the baby.  I feel like I can truly count on him and he really cares about my well being as opposed to just get me through the medical part of delivery and be done.  A very impressive man.

NICU Care: I will be honest here and say I have been unimpressed and frustrated.  I don't think it is the care that I have been unimpressed with as I know Isaac is being well cared for.  What I have been unimpressed with is the communication and direction they have given us about what is happening.  I believe there are two major factors at play here - culture and language barrier.  There is not one doctor I can call and ask about Isaac's condition.  They change every 12 hours and I have only found 1 or 2 that speak English enough that I can understand.  My Spanish is getting better, but when you are put in a high stressed medical environment, it been difficult to communicate since I can't really ask the questions I want to and I'm understanding about 75% of what they are telling me.  It also seems the nurses are very hierarchical and do not like to say anything to the parents of the patients unless the head nurse or doctor is present.  It has left me feeling like I have to demand to talk to someone every time I go just to get a very blase answer like "well we don't really know much yet.  still waiting 24-48 hours to monitor improvement.  His recovery will depend on xyz".  I do think the experience would be somewhat similar in the states since Isaac's condition is dependent on many factors, and no one really knows how long the hypoglycemia will last (it's a waiting game), but the language barrier and cultural differences would be null.

That said, I have been going to the NICU every 3 hours to see him and feed him, and I am truly falling in love.  I can't believe how much he looks like Sadie when she was born.  They have the same face and facial expressions.  I keep getting deja vu.

So, we are hoping for a discharge of tomorrow for me and hopefully Isaac will come home with me or will not be far behind.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers!