Monday, August 29, 2011

The Unexpected - Labor Pains


Not quite as terrible as the last one, but still had an unexpected outcome. So here goes:
Tuesday (2 days overdue): I went to my doctor's appointment and my doc lovingly suggests he induce me the next evening since my blood levels are doing so well (my platelet counts were being monitored after they dropped back in May).
Wednesday (3 days overdue): Went in and started the cervix softening thingy that should start things up within 12 hours. My parents flew in from the 5 week vacation and I was so happy to have my mom there.
Thursday morning (4 days overdue): Things were not progressing as planned so they changed to a different type of cervix softener and by mid-morning I started having contractions. The nurse checked and I was to a 3 and said she could feel her little head. Now were were getting somewhere.
Thursday afternoon: They started me on pitocin to really get me moving and this is where time gets a little muddled. It was maybe around three or four when my water broke on it's own (weirdest sensation) and then the contractions immediately became super painful and were minutes apart. The nurse checked me again and I was to a 5 and then ran to find the anesthesiologist to get my epidural started cuz there was no way I was going to get to a 10 without it. I don't remember how long it took, but they were back and had the epidural in and I was good to go. Hooray! The nurse checked me again and found baby poo (there is a fancy term that I don't want to look up the spelling for) on her glove and realized this baby was no longer head down. She checked again and then got my doctor (who was the on-call doc that day - awesome he planned for me to come in so he could deliver me). He checked and found that little baby girl had turned and was breach. Since my water had broke already it's not so easy to turn them and my option was to have a c-section. What?! This baby turned and I didn't even notice?
The doctor talked to me and told me how everything was going to go and so did the anesthesiologist (everyone at Providence was super awesome). I don't think it was even 15 minutes that went by and I was wheeled into the operating room. I think there were 10 nurses in there, but I couldn't tell as I was laying on my back the whole time. There was a curtain up so Chris didn't pass out from all the the stuff going on...they make the husbands sit down anyway. The anesthesiologist pumped my epidural full of heavier drugs and little Aria was born at 6:02pm, 8 lbs 8 oz, 20 inches long. Practically perfect in every way.
Once I was stitched up I was wheeled into recovery where I got to hold little Aria for the first time. She was a doll. All my fears of ugly baby outcome were forgotten. After a few minutes my family members came in 2 at a time to see me and the baby. Luke came in with my dad and we told him this was his little sister that grew in mom's tummy. His first response, "Let me see the whole". I guess that's a reasonable question to a 3 year old because how else do baby's come out of mommy's tummy? We laughed and told him he'd have to wait because right now it has a big band-aid on it.
After recovery, I was transferred to another room and floor which was great since the room was bigger and the bed was softer. C-section patients have their own floor which I didn't realize. I did not miss my hold room because the beds are way too small for me and my feet hang off the end which is really uncomfortable.
I was released on Saturday evening and Chris had the whole following week off to help with my recovery.
Now, if my first delivery had been an easy recovery I'd choose that every time since you're up and back in action almost right away. C-section compared to my previous childbirth? I'd choose C-section again. This has been a lot easier...still lots of pain and discomfort, but I'm able to get around.
Luke is adjusting to his little sister. He has his sweet moments, but I dare not leave him alone with her. He hasn't wanted to help as much as I thought he would. One car ride to the doctor's office proved it. Aria was screaming and we were telling him to give her the binkie and he didn't want to. I'm hoping he comes around.

Aren't I Glamorous?


Right after Aria was born.


Me all glamorous again.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Ready Set


Our house is ready for the baby's arrival. I finished getting everything ready on Saturday. The garland Christina had made for my shower and I loved the bright colors so much that I wanted to hang them above the crib. The other wall looks a little bare, but I've got fun idea to pull off if I can before little Aria arrives, but I'm already 2 days overdue so we'll see.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

It's the final countdown

We're a week away from the baby girl's arrival and it couldn't come any sooner. Last weeks appointment showed little progress so I know I won't be early. Bummer... I've still slotted myself one more week of work which needs to happen since those covering for me still need major help. I'm more nervous about things going well while I'm gone from work than I am going through labor again. Is that sad or what?

Since this is partly a journal I must document how I look at 39 weeks prego.



I believe I've hit the weight gain mark I had with Luke. The doctor predicts I'll have an 8 or 8 1/2 pounder this time. Not looking forward to giving birth to a larger child; Luke was only 7 lb 10 oz. With this pregnancy came the swollen ankles and feet. Even with our mild summer I can't seem to stop this crazy swelling. My doctor advised me to take off my wedding ring. I don't want to be one of the women he's had to cut a ring off of. The swelling gets pretty bad by the end of the day, but my feet and ankles are back to almost normal by morning.
I did become anemic and needed to do my iron infusion. I went in every Friday for four weeks and received the rust colored water. Got my energy back just in time to lose it with a newborn baby. At least I'll start our fully charged instead of already drained.