*This is a long and somewhat graphic post, but I wanted to write this down for myself and for little E.
Thursday, May 2, 2013 (38 weeks, 5 days): I went in for my regular weekly OB visit. My blood pressure was "high" (140/89) and I was at 1cm with no effacement. Dr. put me on the fetal monitor to check baby's heartbeat and contractions, but after an hour, I had no contractions and baby had a few dips in her heart rate. Dr. checked my amniotic fluids and noticed that fluids were perfect, but with the high blood pressure she was concerned with preeclampsia. She put me on bed rest until baby's arrival.
My first thought when she mentioned the word "preeclampsia"- What did I do wrong? Did I gain too much? -No. Dr. said my weight gain was perfect (30 lbs). Did I eat the wrong things? -No. Did I exercise enough? -Yes. Unbelievably, most women don't exercise while pregnant and they take it as a free ticket to enjoy the couch and Olive Garden All-You-Can-Eat pasta and breadsticks. The Dr. reassured me that women that gain too much, eat the wrong foods and don't exercise are at greater risk, but there is nothing one can do to prevent this from happening.
Friday, May 3, 2013 (38 weeks, 6 days): I woke up with leaking fluids. Called the Dr. and she asked me to go to the hospital to be evaluated. After an hour on the fetal monitor and having my blood pressure checked, she was still concerned. Baby's heart looked great, but my blood pressure was still high. I was still at 1cm and no effacement. No amniotic fluids leaking. They sent me home and asked for me to come back on Monday, May 6, to further evaluation.
Saturday, May 4 (39 weeks) and Sunday, May 5 (39 weeks, 1 day). Bed rest, but D made me go to lunch in exchange for a pedicure. I was BEAT, but could not really sleep because I was so uncomfortable, so, why not? Lunch and a pedi- OKAY!
Sunday, May 5, 2013: Started reading Divergent. Great book!!
Monday, May 6, 2013 (39 weeks, 2 days) (10am): We arrived at the hospital at 10am to be evaluated for blood pressure, effacement and dilation. My blood pressure was really good this day- 127/76. Due to no effacement and little progress in dilation, Dr. started the induction process by giving me one dose of gel to my cervix. My blood pressure was down this day, but she was afraid that it would creep up if I got closer to my due date. After 20 minutes on the monitor, the gel was applied and I had to lie on my side for 1 hour.
Monday, May 6, 2013 (6pm): We came back to the hospital for the second dose of the induction gel. My blood pressure was a little high (137/80) and I was having contractions five minutes apart (I was not feeling them at this point). After 20 minutes monitoring baby's heart and my contractions (1.5 cm and little effacement), gel was applied and I was monitored for one hour while lying on my side.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013 (39 weeks, 3 days) (9:20am): My regular weekly OB appointment to check for dilation and effacement (2cm and a little more effacement), PB 139/78. Dr. stripped my membranes (SO PAINFUL) and put me on the monitor because of decreased fetal movement. After 30 minutes on the monitor, baby's heart looked great and I was having regular contractions (still not painful). Dr., again, mentioned the word preeclampsia and I shuttered. My protein levels were normal, but my labs were indication that if we waited too much longer to have baby that it would certainly set it. Due to my high blood pressure Dr. put me on the "medical induction list" for Thursday, May 9th at midnight. The annoying thing about being induced, even under medical necessity, you don't get called in until they have a bed available; Just because you're on the list for Thursday, May 9th does not mean that you will get a call on May 9th. So, we wait... on an exercise ball. Until then, Dr. recommends sex and nipple stimulation... HAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Daniel was extremely patient and sweet the ENTIRE process. I cannot thank him enough for being such a great caretaker and husband. Not to sound sappy or cliche, but I got really lucky with this one.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013 (39 weeks, 4 days): We wait.
Thursday, May 9, 2013 (39 weeks, 5 days): Waiting on the phone call from the hospital for our induction. No phone call.
Friday, May 10, 2013 (39 weeks, 6 days): We wait some more. Around 6:30 pm we were heading out to get stuff to make dinner and as we were pulling out of the drive way the charge nurse called to say "we are ready for you to come down for your induction... oh wait, I am looking at the wrong chart, you're next on the induction list." Weird, I was "next" on the induction list for 48 hours... Finally, at 11pm (after many tears of frustration) the charge evening charge nurse called to tell us that our room was ready and they were going to get started on the pitocin at midnight. Ah! Finally, we got the call and suddenly I was nervous and felt guilty for leaving our dogs overnight. After heading to the hospital, my wonderful nurse started the pitocin and encouraged me to get some sleep. RIGHT! Nerves and excitement took over, but D was able to sleep through the night- just like the last nine months. ;)
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| Soooo excited! |
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| Daddy is excited too! |
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| And, we wait! |
Saturday, May 11, 2013 (40 weeks): I was finally able to drift off into sleep as the sun was coming into the room- maybe 5am. After sleeping for 90 minutes I could begin to feel small contractions, but nothing painful. Daniel went home to feed the dogs and to play fetch. While D was gone, Dr. O's partner came in the room to break my water because I was still only 2cm after 8 hours of pitocin. Yes, I had to have this done without D in the room- SO SCARY! But, it totally didn't hurt. Once Daniel got back to the hospital (and two movies later) my contractions began to increase in pain. The nurse informed me that a "happydural" would need to be taken soon as the contractions were getting closer together and I was finally starting to dilate. After "coping" with the pain, I finally caved. I got the epidural and began to feel more comfortable and relaxed- I was even able to squeeze in a little nap. Throughout the day I was not able to eat or drink anything, but I was certainly making a list of the things I would want to eat after the delivery. At 5pm the contractions were beginning to become very intense (which I could not feel) and the baby's heart rate was decreasing to dangerous levels (around 80bpm). The nurse turned off the pitocin to let my body recover and to allow E's heart to gain more strength. Finally, after an hour, the nurse resumed the pitocin starting from "2." E's heart was able to recover, but I had to be rolled from side to side because she was lying on her umbilical cord. By the way, it was super neat how they were able to monitor her heart by placing a monitor on her head through the birth canal- science and technology continues to amaze me. After shift change, which I was really bummed about (our day nurse was wonderful) the evening nurse seemed uninterested and never checked me to see if I was progressing. Around 10pm I paged the nurse to tell her that I was having a lot of pressure and I felt like I was ready to push. The nurse never answered. Finally, after what seemed like forever, a new nurse came in to resume my care as my previous nurse was with another patient. Thank goodness for this new nurse- she was EXCELLENT. She checked me at 10:15 pm and I was certainly ready to push- 10cm, 100% effaced. After an hour and a half of pushing, Ellison Ruby finally made her presence known with her strong cry and her beautiful full head of hair. I vaguely remember specific details as I was losing quite a bit of blood and I was absolutely exhausted for pushing for an hour and a half. But, I remember seeing and feeling her little warm body and knowing my life would never be the same. The details following her measurements I hardly remember, but the doctor did mention that Ellison's umbilical cord was in a true knot and could have been causing her distress earlier in the day. (No knot pictures, sorry- kind of inappropriate). However, at 11:49pm (just 11 minutes shy of Mother's Day), Ellison weighed 7lbs, 7oz. and was 20 inches long (D guessed she would be 7lbs. 6 oz. I guessed 7lbs. 12 oz.).
Sunday, May 12, 2013: Moving to couplet care just shortly after delivery was another foggy memory- I felt like I was coming out of anesthesia. The nurses were phenomenal and provided the most gentle care to my fragile body and to my new little princess. E received her first bath after getting additional measurements- She was SCREAMING and the second she was placed in the bath, she became perfectly silent and content- felt like momma's womb. Needless to say, I was not able to sleep through the night because my adrenaline was through the roof- I just did the most incredible thing the human body will ever endure- I gave birth to a sweet baby girl! Ellison slept pretty well the first night, waking up to eat only twice (but the feedings were two hour feedings).
My very first Mother's Day- It is impossible to describe the feelings of becoming a mother on such a holiday. Mother's Day never really jumped out at me as a "fun" holiday- until this moment. I just sat and looked at her beautiful face for hours thinking to myself- I am such a lucky mom. Ellison Ruby was perfection. Our guests on Mother's Day included: Kim, Heather, Stephanie Fullerton, Samantha Fullerton, Joyce Abbott and Alex Becker.
Sunday night was a challenge as E was not getting enough to eat. I was not producing enough colostrum to keep up with this growing baby- so she CRIED and she CRIED and she CRIED (and I cried because I felt so bad for her). The night nurse informed me that I was able to supplement with formula to help top her little belly off, but would not take the place of breast feeding. I said NO! Until my baby girl lost her voice from crying for so long. I caved- sorry hippy friends. After a few formula feedings my milk came in and E hasn't stopped since. :)
Monday, May 13, 2013: Shout out to nurse Jackie- she was great with E, but I still could not sleep because of the adrenaline (I was able to squeeze in about an hour). P.S. Sorry to anyone that wanted to come to the hospital and were turned away- I was EXHAUSTED and attempted many naps throughout the day. SORRY!! I finally gave up and put E in D's arms, lying down for a quick nap before discharge. Nani, E's great-grandma eventually stopped by the hospital to give E her very first birthday present and D a bouquet of candy. Thank you, Nani. Nani sat with us until it was time for discharge around 2pm. At discharge E hated her car seat at first until we realized her tummy was upset after spitting up blood- not her blood, but blood from breast feeding (my poor boobies couldn't keep up). And, of course she spit up rust colored as we are putting her in the car for our ride home. Needless to say, I was on the phone with the pediatrician within minutes. Dr. said this was normal with new babies as their mom's breasts are bleeding from baby trying to eat and mom not producing the milk at baby's pace. Luckily, my milk came in that night and little miss piggy hasn't stopped since.
Sorry for the long post- I wanted to write everything down before I forget. :) One Week post coming soon. :)
