I honestly don't know what happened. These are some of the most powerful and infuriating words I have ever had the pleasure of allowing to keep me awake in my entire life. These are the words that came out of Nicole's ob/gyn's face after Audrey got out of the ICU. Apparently the c-section went fine. I took pictures, (as you can see on my page) and then they bundled her up in the cute little hat and the cute little blanket. They brought her past the curtain that myself and my wife of 24 hours were wedged in behind in between anesthesia equipment and crap all over the floor. The conversation went as follows.<br><br>Nicole: Awwwwww, shes's so cute.<br>Brian: .......**Watching**<br>Nurse #1: Is she as cute as you had anticipated dad?<br>Brian: She would be if she were breathing.<br>Nurse #1: Well she's...... (at this point Audrey is rushed back over to the warming table and it was confirmed, nope she's not breathing.<br>Nurse #2: Pulse ox is 27.<br>Brian:....(At this point I was fuming and stepped in.) Did anyone suction her?<br>Nurse #1 and #2 look at each other, Nurse #1 flips Audrey and whalla. Black liquid spews from her nostrils and spontaneous respiration begins.<br>Nicole: What's happening?<br>Brian: Everything's under control, a minor oversight.<br>Nicole: How is Audrey not breathing a minor f***ing oversight?<br>Brian:......... (Looks at #1 and #2)<br>At this point Audrey is being suctioned out and the pulse ox is up to 57. I personally after 15 years as an emt have never seen human life below 55. Audrey is hand rushed to icu where there is a NICU team waiting. Neonatologist A, excellent surgeon and good friend takes over. I now go back to Mom knowing that at least one person in this hospital knows what they're doing and Audrey is now out of the hands of amateurs. He gets her warmed up and on 100 percent O2 via non-reb mask. Blood gasses are taken along with a chest x-ray. As I feared, poop staining, but not bad and all should flush out of the lungs within 24 hours. Audrey is weened off of O2 over the course of 24 hours and eventually back to bouncing baby girl. She is released from ICU with a clean bill of health and HUNGRY AS HELL.<br><br>After two days and questioning of the nursing staff, Nicole's ob/gyn came into our room, and said the following. In a nutshell, I honestly don't know what happened. Now i'm not the brightest tool in the snowbank but I know a thing or two. I know how but I don't know why. Maybe I do but I just don't want to see it. The fact that Her first breath wasn't taken until 1 minute and 38 seconds after birth burns me to the core. After so many medical advances over the centuries, medicines to cure almost everything, vaccines to rid the world of the worst of them and technology that is the envy of the rest of the world, what happened here? Number one, the pooch was screwed. Number two, the pooch was unscrewed, for the most part. Number three, a Doctor and well-respected fellow came into our room and flat out lied to all of us, in an effort to cover her dairy air. Anyone else have a story of a very sudden insurance change forcing us to abruptly find a new doctor? I apologize for being quiet, as many of you know, the strike took it's toll on us financially and emotionally as well.<br>Anyone else have a reason to thank God?<br><br>I hope all of you had a Holiday Season that was memorable in only good ways, and lady luck shines down upon you, wherever she is.<br><br>Next time around, I hand pick the team and she's comfortable with that.<br><br>B.

*W*O*W* !!! I'm so sorry! What a horrible experience. Soooo glad she's ok! I guess my reason to thank God is that I don't have any reason at all like THAT to thank God... Peace to you and yours.<br><br>and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

B--<br><br>What a hair raising story. Your daughter is incredibly lucky to have you around. You protected her in her first moments of life. How cool is that? You got your Super Dad badge before she was dry behind the ears. Imagine a how it might have gone if it weren't for your experience and awareness. Should serve as a reminder to all dads that they need to do their homework and keep their eyes open during the entire delivery.<br><br>Our oldest was delivered by emergency C-section at 31.5 weeks gestation. A bashed-up preemie, Bubba flopped upon delivery and required brief resuscitation. His skull was dented and his feet folded over backward. We was bright orange. And I really didn't know any better than to think everything was just grand. He was in the NICU for three weeks.<br><br>I do have to say that we had the good fortune of having the same medical team that we started out with, and their performance was miraculous to my eyes -- though everyone was on high alert from the start because of the pre-term delivery. I'm more grateful for that today.<br><br>B -- it's great to have you back. I hope that things have settled down a bit.

Finding a good operating team is as important if not more paramount then finding a lifelong mechanic, so-to-say. There are ASE certified technicians, but don't ever be fooled by a piece of paper. The paper just says that they took a test and passed, and gives no assurance or guarantee that those people have any idea of what they are doing. Those lessons are worst-off self taught. My assurance has never been through trial by fire, but the was the first go around. I appreciate all the welcome backs, as it's good to see familiar faces and and topics to stir the creative mind.<br><br>The only other thing that I learned is that no matter what color, race, religion, preference, handicap whatever. There are only two places on the face of this earth where all are equal and will hurry up and wait just like the next clown.<br><br>1.)Hospital Nursery.<br>2.)The Department of Motor Vehicles.<br><br>The team you had i'm guessing was experienced, trained and sharp. Maybe fresh after a Starbucks...lol On the real side, it's good to see a team for lack of a better term, the great white shark of the delivery room. They are at the top of the food chain in their niche and can get no better, nor will there be better, at least anytime soon. I say a toast, to the great white sharks.<br><br>Bri-

Welcome back Sutts!

Uncle Sutts,<br><br>Whew! Great to have you back.