Sunday, November 24, 2013
Weeks 37-40 - Post-Belly Epilogue
November 9, 2013 - The Belly Week 37 (Post-Belly Epilogue Week 3)
Snapshot of Our Life
Music that we are listening to lately: 80's, Pop, What Does the Fox Say, the Gummi Bear Song.
Recent movie I've seen: Killing Kennedy
Book I'm reading: The Kingdom Keepers #6
Top news story right now: Phillipines Typhoon
Things are still going very well.
You officially came home yesterday!! Yay!
It was a really crazy day. We were so very happy to bring you home, and your brother was super excited to be able to hold you for the first time!
It still seems so very surreal that you may not be born yet under normal circumstances. We will never know why you came early, but we are very thankful you are strong and healthy.
November 16, 2013 - The Belly Week 38 (Post-Belly Epilogue Week 4)
Wow, you're almost a month old already! I can't believe how quickly time is passing. You grow more and more beautiful with each passing day. You rarely smile - you are so serious! You have an absolutely breathtaking smile, when you do use it.
You are so beautiful, and we are so very lucky to finally have you home!
November 23, 2013 - The Belly Week 39 (Post-Belly Epilogue Week 5)
Holy cow! I can't believe you're a month old already!
You are growing so fast! It has been so amazing to watch your growth and development.
A month ago, I was still trying to get your nursery set up and thinking about who you might resemble most... until we were surprised with your early arrival! Today, we've already heard your first laugh, watched as you scoot, lift and turn your head, hold your bottle, reach for toys, play with mommy's hair, and smile.
It is so fun to watch you grow and develop. It's almost indescribable.
Saturday, November 9, 2013
The Belly - Weeks 33-36 Mid/Late Third Trimester
October 12, 2013 - Belly Week 33
Our intimate time together is passing so quickly. I can't believe we're already in the last 6 weeks!!!
One month to go! this is what I'm doing to prepare for your arrival: making things! (Crib dust ruffle, window valance, etc.) Washing your clothes and bed linens, rearranging the nursery, and cleaning. I think they call this nesting....
Yep, I think I'm officially nesting!!
October 19, 2013 - Belly Week 34
Things still appear to be moving along rather smoothly. Nothing major to report.
October 23, 2013 - Belly Week 34 and 4 days
Today, we had a bit of a surprise.
I woke at 2:30 am with back pains. I just shifted positions, hoping that would alleviate the issue. At 3:15, I awoke again... still in pain. By 5am, I figured I would get up and take a shower, maybe the water would help. When that did not, I broke down into tears of frustration and fear.
I had a doctor's appointment at 8am, so we proceeded to continue getting ready to go to work. The doctor assured me that everything was fine, she saw no signs of labor. So she told me to try some different comfort measures as the baby (you) was just really low and that was causing stress on the muscles of my lower back. Everything else looked fine. The back pain had begun to subside, so I went to work.
We had lunch (chili) at around 12:45. At 1, I went upstairs to try to relax a bit and see if the back pain, which had returned with a vengeance, would go away. We called to the l&d unit, and they urged us to come over so they could check things out.
At 3, we checked in. We heard the doctor outside the door stating it was just 6 hours prior we'd seen the doctor... and they thought it was probably preterm labor. They were going to check it out and give me some medication if needed, then I'd be free to go home.
Apparently, SA had other plans.
At 3:15, the doctor came in and wanted to examine me. Officer Dad took the time to point out that these back spasms were happening every 3 minutes and lasting about a minute. Such an interesting pattern. The resident began to talk to us about what could be happening. The nurse, at some point, told OD he might be more comfortable if he only let me hold two of his fingers instead of his entire hand... especially if he didn't want his wedding ring permanently etched into his fingers.
The resident asked if I could try to lean back so he could take an ultrasound and see what was happening (as he wasn't able to get a good angle with me sitting up). I shook my head, and OD told him I was in the middle of one of the spasms... to give it a bit. He asked again, and I told him he didn't have any time to do that. When he asked why, I let him know my water just broke.
Resident: Are you sure it was your water, and not just your bladder?
Me: If that was my bladder, we have an even bigger problem than preterm labor.
So he looked, and I was whisked off to the delivery room. This was around 3:30. In delivery, they were prepared to examine me and get me hooked up and prepped for a c-section.
Doctor: You are an excellent candidate for VBAC. Have you ever thought of trying a vag. birth?
Me: No. I prefer a c-section if possible.
Doctor: Ok. Let me take a look. (looking at anesthesia team) Get prepared to administer the nerve block.
Anesth.: Ok. We are prepped and ready to go.
The doctor did an examination...but an alternative plan was made.
Doctor: We don't have time for a c-section.
Me: Why? What do you mean?
Doctor: He is right here. You're completely dilated, completely effaced plus 2. His head is crowning. There is no time for a nerve block.
Me: Ok. So?
Doctor: Well, you are an excellent candidate for VBAC.
Me: Yay, me!
Doctor: The bad news is we don't have time to get any medication in you. It won't take effect. We need to get you into the delivery room now.
Me: Joy. Well, get your catcher's mitt on, and let's git r done!
Silence.
Geeze. Haven't you guys ever dealt with someone who makes jokes when they are in pain?
There were the usual... "don't push" comments.
"It's okay, you're doing great."
Me: Just stinkin' help me, please. OR
I'm trying not to push, but my body has other plans.
All in all, at 3:43 pm, Sweet little Snow Angel was born. Healthy, but 5 weeks and 2 days early. Pitosin was administered after the little angel was born - to help with pain (which, ironically was no longer a huge issue to me - once SA's head was out, the pain/pressure simply vanished).
I had no medication. Birth plan went out the window. But it ended well... and my precious little boy was here. (In other news, I apparently deal with unbearable pain by becoming a comedienne.)
October 24, 2013
It is really strange to be in the postpartum unit, in my room, alone. When Little Monkey was born, he was able to room in with me. Snow Angel is not able to do so, as he is in an isolette. Talk about frightening! When I first visited the ISCN yesterday, it shocked me. I almost started to cry. I know SA is fine, but all of the wires, tubes, and hooplah are intimidating.
On a plus - they have a video camera hooked up in his room. I am able to connect to his room via closed circuit television feed and watch him day and night. Therefore, I know when he's starting to wake up, and I can go to his room and see him. That is absolutely the best.idea.ever.implemented. Not that I would recommend this arrangement to anyone, but for those who have to endure it... well, let's just say it really makes the situation a bit more bearable.
October 26, 2013 - Belly Week 35 (Post-Belly Epilogue Week 1)
I was released from the hospital yesterday. It was bittersweet... because I didn't get to take Snow Angel home. No, we have to wait indefinitely until you meet the goals that have been laid out for you.
People say that my belly looks: right on target... a.k.a. great. I apparently look awesome.
Snow Angel was born 3 days ago. I still look down from time to time and sigh - I miss being pregnant. Perhaps, had we gone to full term together, my opinion would be different. Leaving the hospital to go home without him in my arms was so difficult... I can't wait until he gets to go home. Making several runs to the hospital every day is definitely starting to wear on us both, trying to balance time spent with SA and time spent with LM is tough at times. Especially with LM not feeling his greatest.
November 2, 2013 - Belly Week 36 (Post-Belly Epilogue Week 2)
SA is almost two weeks old.
He continues to grow quickly and eat very well. He's up to about 50% oral feedings now - keep up the good work little man!
I can't believe how well he is doing! We love him so much, and still wait anxiously for the day they tell us it's almost time for him to come home. :)
November 7, 2013 - Post-Belly Epilogue Week 2 and 6 days
I got a call from your nurse this morning.
Message:
"Hi ____, this is the nurse taking care of SA today. He is doing just fine. He is actually doing very well, so well that I'm wondering when you guys come this afternoon if you could bring his car seat because he has been taking all oral feedings since yesterday at 10 am. I am thinking this is looking very good for you all... so when you come bring the car seat with you.... you don't need to call me back, all is well... I'll talk to you soon. Bye-bye."
As I listened to this message, I literally broke down in tears. Not sad tears... very happy tears. The news in this message may seem mundane to you, but to someone who has been anxiously awaiting bringing their beautiful baby home, this is the best message you can receive. As a matter of fact, it equals the best news you can ever dream of hearing.
You see, when they ask for the car seat to be brought in, you are merely a single day from bringing your beautiful baby home. You are a single day away from their graduating from the care of ISCN because they no longer need the extra special care.
We brought SA home on November 8, 2013.
It was easily one of the happiest days of my life.
Our intimate time together is passing so quickly. I can't believe we're already in the last 6 weeks!!!
One month to go! this is what I'm doing to prepare for your arrival: making things! (Crib dust ruffle, window valance, etc.) Washing your clothes and bed linens, rearranging the nursery, and cleaning. I think they call this nesting....
Yep, I think I'm officially nesting!!
October 19, 2013 - Belly Week 34
Things still appear to be moving along rather smoothly. Nothing major to report.
October 23, 2013 - Belly Week 34 and 4 days
Today, we had a bit of a surprise.
I woke at 2:30 am with back pains. I just shifted positions, hoping that would alleviate the issue. At 3:15, I awoke again... still in pain. By 5am, I figured I would get up and take a shower, maybe the water would help. When that did not, I broke down into tears of frustration and fear.
I had a doctor's appointment at 8am, so we proceeded to continue getting ready to go to work. The doctor assured me that everything was fine, she saw no signs of labor. So she told me to try some different comfort measures as the baby (you) was just really low and that was causing stress on the muscles of my lower back. Everything else looked fine. The back pain had begun to subside, so I went to work.
We had lunch (chili) at around 12:45. At 1, I went upstairs to try to relax a bit and see if the back pain, which had returned with a vengeance, would go away. We called to the l&d unit, and they urged us to come over so they could check things out.
At 3, we checked in. We heard the doctor outside the door stating it was just 6 hours prior we'd seen the doctor... and they thought it was probably preterm labor. They were going to check it out and give me some medication if needed, then I'd be free to go home.
Apparently, SA had other plans.
At 3:15, the doctor came in and wanted to examine me. Officer Dad took the time to point out that these back spasms were happening every 3 minutes and lasting about a minute. Such an interesting pattern. The resident began to talk to us about what could be happening. The nurse, at some point, told OD he might be more comfortable if he only let me hold two of his fingers instead of his entire hand... especially if he didn't want his wedding ring permanently etched into his fingers.
The resident asked if I could try to lean back so he could take an ultrasound and see what was happening (as he wasn't able to get a good angle with me sitting up). I shook my head, and OD told him I was in the middle of one of the spasms... to give it a bit. He asked again, and I told him he didn't have any time to do that. When he asked why, I let him know my water just broke.
Resident: Are you sure it was your water, and not just your bladder?
Me: If that was my bladder, we have an even bigger problem than preterm labor.
So he looked, and I was whisked off to the delivery room. This was around 3:30. In delivery, they were prepared to examine me and get me hooked up and prepped for a c-section.
Doctor: You are an excellent candidate for VBAC. Have you ever thought of trying a vag. birth?
Me: No. I prefer a c-section if possible.
Doctor: Ok. Let me take a look. (looking at anesthesia team) Get prepared to administer the nerve block.
Anesth.: Ok. We are prepped and ready to go.
The doctor did an examination...but an alternative plan was made.
Doctor: We don't have time for a c-section.
Me: Why? What do you mean?
Doctor: He is right here. You're completely dilated, completely effaced plus 2. His head is crowning. There is no time for a nerve block.
Me: Ok. So?
Doctor: Well, you are an excellent candidate for VBAC.
Me: Yay, me!
Doctor: The bad news is we don't have time to get any medication in you. It won't take effect. We need to get you into the delivery room now.
Me: Joy. Well, get your catcher's mitt on, and let's git r done!
Silence.
Geeze. Haven't you guys ever dealt with someone who makes jokes when they are in pain?
There were the usual... "don't push" comments.
"It's okay, you're doing great."
Me: Just stinkin' help me, please. OR
I'm trying not to push, but my body has other plans.
All in all, at 3:43 pm, Sweet little Snow Angel was born. Healthy, but 5 weeks and 2 days early. Pitosin was administered after the little angel was born - to help with pain (which, ironically was no longer a huge issue to me - once SA's head was out, the pain/pressure simply vanished).
I had no medication. Birth plan went out the window. But it ended well... and my precious little boy was here. (In other news, I apparently deal with unbearable pain by becoming a comedienne.)
Birth Weight: 6lb 1oz
Length: 18 3/4 inches
Time of Birth: 3:43pm
Now it was time to sew me up. A while into the procedure...
Me:Ouch, ouch, ouch. That hurts.
Doctor: What does it feel like?
Me: Bees stinging. Definitely bees stinging. Not cool.
Doctor: I'm going to need more... (whatever they use to numb).
They liked my descriptions.
As we were on the way back to recovery, we saw the nurse who was with us in the triage room.
Nurse: Wow, that was quick.
Resident: Yea, that was what we call a drive-thru.
*Laughter
I'm glad we all appreciate a sense of humor.
October 24, 2013
It is really strange to be in the postpartum unit, in my room, alone. When Little Monkey was born, he was able to room in with me. Snow Angel is not able to do so, as he is in an isolette. Talk about frightening! When I first visited the ISCN yesterday, it shocked me. I almost started to cry. I know SA is fine, but all of the wires, tubes, and hooplah are intimidating.
On a plus - they have a video camera hooked up in his room. I am able to connect to his room via closed circuit television feed and watch him day and night. Therefore, I know when he's starting to wake up, and I can go to his room and see him. That is absolutely the best.idea.ever.implemented. Not that I would recommend this arrangement to anyone, but for those who have to endure it... well, let's just say it really makes the situation a bit more bearable.
October 26, 2013 - Belly Week 35 (Post-Belly Epilogue Week 1)
I was released from the hospital yesterday. It was bittersweet... because I didn't get to take Snow Angel home. No, we have to wait indefinitely until you meet the goals that have been laid out for you.
People say that my belly looks: right on target... a.k.a. great. I apparently look awesome.
Snow Angel was born 3 days ago. I still look down from time to time and sigh - I miss being pregnant. Perhaps, had we gone to full term together, my opinion would be different. Leaving the hospital to go home without him in my arms was so difficult... I can't wait until he gets to go home. Making several runs to the hospital every day is definitely starting to wear on us both, trying to balance time spent with SA and time spent with LM is tough at times. Especially with LM not feeling his greatest.
November 2, 2013 - Belly Week 36 (Post-Belly Epilogue Week 2)
SA is almost two weeks old.
Weight: 6lb 7.4oz
Length: 19 3/4 inches
He continues to grow quickly and eat very well. He's up to about 50% oral feedings now - keep up the good work little man!
I can't believe how well he is doing! We love him so much, and still wait anxiously for the day they tell us it's almost time for him to come home. :)
November 7, 2013 - Post-Belly Epilogue Week 2 and 6 days
I got a call from your nurse this morning.
Message:
"Hi ____, this is the nurse taking care of SA today. He is doing just fine. He is actually doing very well, so well that I'm wondering when you guys come this afternoon if you could bring his car seat because he has been taking all oral feedings since yesterday at 10 am. I am thinking this is looking very good for you all... so when you come bring the car seat with you.... you don't need to call me back, all is well... I'll talk to you soon. Bye-bye."
As I listened to this message, I literally broke down in tears. Not sad tears... very happy tears. The news in this message may seem mundane to you, but to someone who has been anxiously awaiting bringing their beautiful baby home, this is the best message you can receive. As a matter of fact, it equals the best news you can ever dream of hearing.
You see, when they ask for the car seat to be brought in, you are merely a single day from bringing your beautiful baby home. You are a single day away from their graduating from the care of ISCN because they no longer need the extra special care.
We brought SA home on November 8, 2013.
It was easily one of the happiest days of my life.
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