15 posts tagged “baby”
My due date...wow, today I was due with Jaylon. Instead I have a 4 week old newborn who is getting chubbier by the day and who's cheeks are so squishy puffy I can't get enough of them. A newborn who sleeps pretty well at night but has gas and tummy issues during the day; who loves to be held and cuddled but also loves his "alone" time and time in the car. A newborn who rocks my world every day and who totally fits with our family already.
I had the usual doctor’s appt that Tuesday. I had the NST like always too. While hooked to the monitor Jay wasn’t all that active so they had to wake him up. After using the little vibrating thing he was awake and doing great. I had mentioned to my doc that my discharge had changed; I told him I probably just pee myself and that’s what it was. He laughed and agreed but decided to check anyway. I was right, just pee. While the doc was there he checked me and I was not dilated and only 25% effaced.
Things changed when my blood pressure was taken. I had been flirting with pre-eclampsia the entire pregnancy and unfortunately my pressures that day were too high to be ignored. 139/93 was the highest they’ve ever been and my doc didn’t feel comfortable just letting me go on my merry way. So, he sent me to the hospital for a 24-hr urine collection and a liver enzyme workup to rule out the pre-e.
I called Sean, which I never do after an appt, so he knew something was up. I explained that I was just headed to the hospital for observation for 24-hrs or so and to just take Kenna to softball practice like normal. I called my mom and explained to her what was going on and that the doc said that we wouldn’t have a baby today; depending on how the tests came back it may be Thursday though. I asked her to call my sis because I was just getting to the hospital and needed to go to triage and get checked in and such.
When I got to triage my blood pressure was wonderful. But since my doc sent me they had to keep me anyway. I was sent to put on a gown and get on the monitor in the little triage curtained area until a room opened on the maternity ward. This is where my time gets off a tad, so please forgive me. After a while on the monitor a doc came in and asked if I was feeling the contractions that were showing up on the strip. I explained that I was and they were pretty painful. I could talk through them though so I didn’t think much about them. The doc went ahead and did an u/s to see how Jay was laying then she checked me to see if the contractions were doing anything, and they were. I was now 1cm and 50% effaced. Not a huge change but enough to warrant some wondering if something was going to happen. My doc then came in, so now it was after 5, so I had been there for about 1 hr. He asked about the contractions but we both shrugged them off since they weren’t too painful. He said again that I was just there to pee in the hat for 24 hrs and check my liver functions, and off he went to another patient.
The contractions kept coming every 2 minutes and started to hurt pretty badly. It wasn’t the contractions themselves; it was the burning between the contractions that got me. Finally at 7:30-ish (I say this because shift change had happened) a new intern and resident came in to check on me. I explained to them that I was now in pain and having to breathe through the contractions…having to stop talking to them during the contractions they were hurting so badly now. They decided to check me again to see if they were changing me anymore. Yip…now I was 2cm and 50%. Then I started hearing the resident call the anesthesiologist telling him that there’s a repeat c-section in curtain 3 that is in labor…wait I was in curtain 3. How did I go from no baby just peeing in a bucket to repeat c-section at 36wks in a matter of a few hours? The intern and resident came back into my curtain and explained that the contractions were causing cervical changes so we were going to do the section that night, so I wouldn’t labor with my history. I told them that my husband was about 30-45 minutes away and he needed to find a sitter, so if we could hold off until he got there that would be awesome. They agreed and called my doc to explain the changes and what was happening. The c-section was all set for 9:30 or 10pm. I called Sean at 7:45-ish when Kenna’s practice was over and told him that I was in labor and we were going to have this baby tonight. He kind of freaked out a little, although I can’t blame him. Part of me was freaking too…this wasn’t how it was supposed to happen…it wasn’t Monday the 27th yet and I wasn’t full term yet. But the burning between contractions sucked and I was quite happy to get rid of the pain.
I called mom, sis and dad to explain to them the goings on and what had changed. Meanwhile, Sean called some co-workers to see if they’d come up to the hospital to watch Kenna so he could be in the OR with me.
Sean finally got there at 8:30 or so (again, times may be off a little). As soon as he walked into my curtained area I felt a gush. I thought my water had broken so I asked him to tell the nurse/intern/resident of what I felt. Then the flurry of activity started. In this little tiny “room” there was me in a huge bed, Sean, nurse, resident, intern and the u/s machine. The bed was broken down to do a sterile exam to see if it was my water and the nurse started another IV. The intern sucked…she was so rough that I swear she checked my cervix with her entire arm, she was so forceful that she shoved me upwards on the bed when she rammed her hand up there…OUCH! All I heard was that there “was 2cc”. I thought she was talking about amniotic fluid. The resident ran out to call my doc and the intern did the u/s to check on Jay again. That’s when I saw what a placental abruption looks like on an u/s. I knew what I had seen and knew what it meant. I could hear the resident, whose name btw was Melani, tell my doc that I was abrupting again and we needed to have the section done quickly. The resident, Melani, came back in and explained that my doc was almost there. Suddenly the anesthesiologist was there explaining spinals and what to expect. I signed forms Ok’ing a transfusion, a form about not having an advance directive, signed forms for Jay to get medical help, etc. I asked if Kenna could come back so I could give her a hug and kiss, since she was under 14 she wasn’t “allowed” back there but they said sure. She looked a little freaked seeing all the flurry of activity around me, but I tried to be calm and told her that Jaylon was coming tonight. She was excited by that thought, and then off she went back to the waiting room. Then poof, there was my doc. He laughed and said he was shocked but “let’s have a baby”. Then off I was wheeled.
The spinal was given and I was laid down on the horribly uncomfy bed. That’s when I realized how much blood I had lost, we moved the pad underneath me and there was quite a bit on it. One nurse joked that I wanted attention, but I didn’t laugh…after losing 2 kids and abrupting once I didn’t want to laugh. I think she got the idea. The shaking began and an oxygen mask was placed on my face. Then my doc walked in, I hardly recognized him with a mask on. But he patted my head and told me that it’d be OK. I believed him. I was wheeled into the OR at 9:04, spinal at 9:07 and section started at 9:20. I remember hearing the times being called out. The anesthesiologists (I had two) kept asking how I was. I told them fine but “where was my husband”. They finally brought him in and he was there for just a few minutes when Jay came out. I never heard “it’s a boy” or “here he is”, I just remember feeling a “lightening” and knew he was out. Then after a few seconds heard the most pitiful cry ever. Jay never needed oxygen, never needed help breathing or never went to the NICU, he was just fine. Jaylon Reid was born at 9:33pm, 6lbs. 8.8oz and 19 ½ inches long. Apgars were 8 and 9. I got to see him for what seemed like a few seconds then off he and Sean went. I got my blue band and smiled happily. I was given the versed (I don’t give a shit shot) so I was tired and kept dozing a little. I remember my doc telling me afterwards that they could only find one tube, so they tied it. The other was so “mixed in” with the scar tissue from the c-section with Jackson that they couldn’t find it. So, in 5 wks I will have to make an appt to have another procedure done to close up that tube, since we’re not doing this whole pregnancy thing again!
After the section I was wheeled into L&D and monitored. I was awake most of the time and kept trying to make my legs move. I had to be able to move my legs and hold my butt off the bed before I could be moved to the floor. Sean came in and told me how Jay was doing and gave me his stats. He told me that he was taking Kenna home since it was after 11 now. I was wheeled into my own room at mid-night-ish. I still hadn’t seen Jay but for a few seconds. Finally at 4am the nursery brought me my son, who I got to finally hold and love on. He was perfect, tiny and perfect.
Visiting hours began at 10am and by 10:30 Sean, Kenna, Mom and Chris were at the hospital ready to meet Sweet Baby Jay. Kenna was smitten. She just had this smile on her face that I hope I’ll never forget. Mom, although moving slowly after her 2wk stay in the hospital after a botched heart cath, looked so happy and relieved.
We were released on Thursday (yes, that’s less than 2 days after having a c-section). My sis and dad decided to join the fun early too and they came in early Friday morning, upping their trip by a few days, since Jaylon upped his arrival!
At his one week appt Jay was already up to 6lbs 13 oz and 20 inches long. He’s such a quiet content baby, which is nothing like his big sister was. He’s sleeping 3-4 hr chunks at night and right now still sleeps quite a bit during the day. I’ve been doing good too. It’s nothing like the last c-section I tell ya.
I’m so thankful that my doc sent me to the hospital that day. Someone (God, Avery, Jackson or all three!) was watching out for us because it could have been nasty if I were at home and started abrupting. I think it all happened for a reason. I’m also thankful to have a healthy son who, although technically a preemie, hasn’t had any breathing problems, no problems with his sugars or anything. Just a smidge of jaundice but what baby doesn’t have that a little?! And I'm so thankful for my daughter, who won't stop petting her baby brother!
Our family finally feels complete, just the four of us, and it's amazing!
Ya know, it's nice knowing (with some certainty) when your baby will arrive. Yes there's the chance that he could come early (and some days I feel that way with the contractions and loss of part of my mucous plug), but for the most part I think he'll stay put for 10 more days. I like knowing that on that Monday morning I'll wake up, take a shower and put on a smidgen of makeup with waterproof mascara, get dressed with my burgeoning belly one more time, hug my only child one more time and take the 30 minute drive with my husband as a family of three one last time. It's bittersweet in a way. Kenna's life will totally change, as will ours as a family. I like being a family of three, it's fit us perfectly for 7 years. But at the same time I'm ready for the "upgrade" to a quartet and I think that we'll make a damn fine foursome as well.
I hope I know what I'm in for. I haven't had a newborn in forever and never a boy newborn at that. When I was pregnant with Jackson I didn't want a boy. I admit it. I didn't really know he was a boy until the day he died. I didn't want to know because I think in my heart I already did know and didn't want the disappointment. I'm being honest here people, it's not pretty and it's not "right" but it's the way I felt back then. As soon as I got my positive pregnancy test this time I knew it was a boy again. But this time I was totally stoked that it was a boy. Yes I joked that I wouldn't know what to do with his "parts", but inside I was bursting that I got my healthy son! Kenna's pretty happy it's a boy too, I thought for sure she wanted a girl, but she recently told me that she's happy with what we've got. Sean has yet to say that he's excited also. Not a guy of a ton of words, those who know him will attest to that, but I think he's pretty durn happy that his name will go on, at least for another generation.
It just amazes me that in a little over one week I'll be thrown back into diapers and bottles, crying and no sleep, cooing and drool. I never thought that we'd be there again, and I have to admit it feels damn good!
As you can tell, we're not on the countdown at all around here...nope not even Kenna. My appts lately are so boring that it's wonderful. Nothing new to report, amazing enough. I have NSTs weekly and Jay did great today. Played and had fun for the first part so well that they didn't care that he tuckered himself out and slept through the last half. My blood sugars are awesome, better than my docs is what he says. The nausea that plagued me for the first 2/3 of the pregnancy has now come back again. Which makes eating horribly hard, but I just take my meds and eat when I can.
I did find out a bummer today though regarding my c-section. Previously we were Ok'd to have my sis in there with us taking pics. Well, the hospital has a new policy (apparently due to litagation) where you cannot take a picture of any procedure at all, so they won't let sis in. I'm totally bummed because not only was she my photographer (my paparazzi), she was my support when/if Sean left with Jaylon. Now I'll be stuck on the table by myself, well and about 15 other people but they won't "care" about me and talk to me like sis would. Sis took the news wonderfully, I, however, wanted to cry.
But on some brighter news, Kenna lost another tooth last night, on the way to her softball game. She was really trying to get it out before we left but kept on trying in the car and suceeded. She now looks like a jack-o-lantern, I'll have to get a pic today. Also, Kenna went 3 for 3 at bats at the game! Her first hit in a game, then followed that up with two more at bats and two more hits! For those not into baseball stats (like mom!), that means she technically batted 1000! I'm so proud of her. She's also reading so much more and better. I can't get on the computer without her over my shoulder reading about the latest gossip from People.com!
Anyway, all is perfect in these parts. I have contractions all the time and they hurt my c-section scar, but doc said that's just the nerves that were cut during the previous one. I'm totally uncomfortable and don't sleep much, but I'll take it 'cause that means I have a healthy baby, for once! Oh and those asking about me and checking in...you are TOTALLY not bugging me. I just love that I have people who care in my life and your checking in means alot to me!
BTW...13 days!
It's March 27th...in one month (April 27th) I will be holding my son! HOLY SHIT! LOL...that was an excited holy shit, btw. I know that he could come sooner, but I really think he's holding out and quite happy, so I just don't feel like that's gonna happen. I talked to my sis today, she and my dad will be flying in on the 26th (Sunday) then leaving on Tuesday...this is all probably, no flights have been booked or anything yet. I wish they could stay longer, but really...why? I mean for the first 4-ish days I'll be stuck in the hospital and my sis has plans to come down again this summer and spend more time, which is perfect! My mom will be there, and has said she'll stay at the house with us for a bit after we come home. Thank goodness. I have no clue what Sean's plans are, so I'll totally need help, especially with running Kenna to and from school, cooking and helping me with my newly reopened c-section scar. Thank God for family.
I still can't believe it's getting closer. I knew this pregnancy would "stick" and all would be fine. Around the 26 week mark that confidence started to flee. I still knew that it'd be ok, but I just had to get past that point. And I did, for only the second time in six pregnancies. I'll never forget the release I felt after that week, I could breathe again, although not for long since Jaylon loves my ribs! Then with the whole vag bleeding and contractions scare a few weeks ago I thought I'd for sure be on bedrest until he got here. I am on a modified bedrest, but I still go places, I just know my limits and I got the magic steroids. Once that second shot of 'roids were deposited in my ass I knew, again, that we were fine. Now...it's just waiting. I'm not worrying anymore. Yes I still do kick counts and counting of contractions, but I just know that it's all ok at this point. I will finally have my son...and my daughter a brother!
It's funny really, every time I complain about being pregnant I feel guilty. Like I shouldn't be annoyed that I'm miserable because I'm doing so well and so is Jay. I should feel blessed that I'm pregnant and for once having a "normal" pregnancy. And trust me, I am blessed, but a girls gotta complain sometimes, right?
Even with all the kicks and the moves that make me smile and bring a tear to my eye it's hard to be completely happy all the time with this. I'm miserable. I feel huge, when Jay moves it hurts now. The constant BH contractions and irritated uterus hurt like hell (it's like my uterus is getting tired of all this too so any movement takes the pain over the edge). The unrelenting searing back pain combined with pelvic pain make it almost impossible to sleep and get up to pee a gazillion times a night doesn't help. This gestational diabetes sucks, even though I'm "cheating" more (it's not really cheating, I'm just learning what I can eat now and still have great BS numbers under 100). There are days I just want to cry, hell I had one the other night after hearing from mom (she had to have another stint put in under "surprise" conditions), I just went to bed and bawled for a few hours...I needed that. I'm anxious for Jay to be here so I don't have to worry about him moving or lack-thereof. My belly feels like it's going to explode, it's so tight. Jay is nestled in under my ribs so eating is almost impossible except for a few bites here and there and when he moves it feels like he's going to break a rib. None of my other kids have been this "high" before and damn it hurts. Then when a contraction comes it feels like he's going to come shooting out of my vagina or my ass hole...either one.
I'm almost 32 weeks...will be on Monday. 32 weeks, I never thought I'd make it this far ever again and now that I've had my steroids I'm ok with Jay making his appearance a little early (not THIS early though). I'm so thankful that I've been truckin' along for 32 weeks now. I mean, with my history that in and of itself is a frickin' miracle. I'm thankful that Jaylon is doing good and so far liking my womb, even though he is constantly rearranging the furniture, aka my ORGANS. Inspite of the little scare a few weeks ago, I really feel like he's going to stay put until 37 wks. I say 37 weeks because I feel like my water will break and totally ruin the 38wks c-section we'll have scheduled! LOL...He gets the hiccups all the time, at least 3-5x a day! I can feel it right under my sternum, where his little butt is. When his hiney is hitting my ribs, his head is banging against my cervix making for some seriously funny times and what I'm sure are funny facial expressions made by me. On a good day my "kick counts" are easy...10 movements in 2 hrs...yeah try 10 movements in 2 minutes. The boy has ADHD. These movements I will miss soon. When I start to realize I'm missing them is anyone's guess...it may be May or it may be a few years down the road. But I'll miss them. I've never had them with my other babies...never like this, I never knew what to miss.
Nesting has also kicked in. I seriously need a maid, to scrub scrub my house. Sean and I can "clean" it, but I want someone to scrub it...I mean SCRUB...get it...do you think I mean scrub?! LOL I washed baby clothes today and ooh'd and ahhh'd over how small they are. You forget. Even Sean was ahh'ing over the baby socks! And he's not an ahhh'er! We finally got baby stuff, a pack-n-play with a basinette. We all know Jay will not sleep in a crib in his own room for a while, I'm not gonna lie. So a PNP is a great compromise, he's not with us in bed, but he's right next to me. We also got the travel system with car seat, 'cause ya know you can't leave the hospital without a carseat. We do have a few onesies and sleepers now, we have some onesies that Ma got too. We have a few packages of diapers and wipes. We also have bottles and some formula even though I'd really like to exclusively pump. I'm very turned off by breastfeeding the more I think of it. Kenna did it to me. With my freaky nipples (sorry about the nipple talk again Dad), they are inverted, and with Kenna having GERD it was the most horrible experience. While I know each kid is different, etc...I don't want to even try to breastfeed. I do, however, want to pump all of the feedings. I have the formula in case I can't pump, can't get a supply going and I need to suppliment, I have no problem with formula whatsoever. But have you priced a good hospital grade pump recently...HOLY SHIT! I may try and find a place I can rent one but I have no idea what price renting one is. So I may just go with a professional grade one (I'm liking the Playtex Embrace, or something like it) for the beginning to see how I do. So, I do feel prepared if he comes soon. We have what we need, nothing extra right now and I'm OK with that. I'd like more clothes and burp cloths and blankets but that is stuff I can pick up a package of when I head to the store each time.
So, basically this hellatiously (is that spelled right?) long post is me rambling. Seriously, if you made it to the end you deserve a frickin' medal! I hope the post doesn't come off as me whining the entire time. Yes I'm miserable, but in a strange way, I'm so stoked to be so damn uncomfortable!
I'm past the original milestone of 26 and 2, thank goodness. I'm still nervous and will be, I'm sure, until I finally hear Jaylon cry. He's moving less but I think he's running out of room, weighing in at 2lbs 5oz (ish) already. And Sean has decided that he will be JDawg! LMAO!
My docs are awesome, doing anything to help me get through this. Even printing off a pic of my placenta so I can "sleep with it" since it's so pretty! The only thing wrong with me is my history, is what my doc said last time. It's strange really, things are going so well. I have my glucose tolerance test next week and my rhogam shot should be coming in the next few weeks. Also decided for sure is that I will have a repeat c-section, no VBAC for me, which is good. I'm all for VBACs but not with my history. I will keep seeing the docs every week until delivery and I'm perfectly fine with that!
Thanks for all the well-wishes and thoughts. I still need 'em, 'cause boy have they helped! Also coming up, now that we're getting past this...shopping for everything baby, touring the L&D and enrolling Kenna in the sibling class!
Yes, I'm blogging about my hoo-hoo. I feel bad for complaining but I can't take it much anymore. I have a belt (thanks Mom!) but it's not helping as much as I hoped. I can't sleep because of the hip/hoo-hoo pain, I can't sit and I can't walk. I'm already waddling. I also have the sciatic nerve pain in full force.
When I sleep, my hips and legs burn. They feel like they are on fire. Never in any of my other 5 pregnancies have I done this. I'm still puking too. At least once a week pretty much. Which I'll take once a week instead of 5-6x a day!
On the up side, the boy is moving like crazy. Some days he punches or kicks so hard it hurts. Even that pain I'll take. Being able to feel your child move inside you is something that I will always cherish, even with the shitty pain everywhere else. He had the hiccups yesterday, man I miss those!
Ooooh and he's got a name. It's Jaylon. I love it, so does Kenna and Sean. Sean's actually the one who found it on the internet, like we did with Kenna's name. Jaylon just seems perfect for this big guy!
So, there's a small update for you. I won't go back to the doc until after the first of the year, but right now there's no need for an appt...all is going well!
The baby looks GREAT!
The baby is measuring at 19wks 2days, so a week early and is 10 oz. The placenta is even looking good. I won't know the actual report for 3 wks when I go back in but the tech told me that all looked good.
The new 3d/4d machine was broken so I was stuck on the crappy machine so the pics suck, but oh well...
here's the face and tummy:
And here's the money shot...I KNEW IT!
I'm 14 weeks today...yipeee. 2nd tri and I should be feeling better, but I don't. Even with the meds there are days that I just feel like shit, all day long. Today is one of those shitty days.
The whacko dreams of pregnancy have begun. And there's a central theme to all of my dreams; death. Don't have to psychoanalyze myself to find the meaning of that, huh?
The baby is the size of a lemon...3 1/2 inches long and weighs 1 1/2 oz. Awwwwwwwwww!
That is all for today...
