At The Hospital

After we had our new little guy, I had to stay in the hospital for 2 more nights. It seemed like longer than that because I pretty much spent an extra night there the day he was born. I was very ready to go home and pretty much begged the doctor to let me leave a day early. He was going to have me stay one more night into Saturday, but I had managed to control my pain level and my incision was looking good, so he let me leave on Friday. Having a room in the hospital right by the nurses station would not be my first choice of rooms, you can hear everything!! I didn't get much sleep while I was there and thought if I'm not going to get sleep here, I might as well be home getting no sleep. There was even one night that someone was vacuuming at 10:00 at night, right by my room!! Are you kidding me!! That really made me mad! Anyways, I am glad to be home with our little boy and that everything is going well. I am still adjusting to not getting very much sleep and somehow my body is surviving on 3-4 hours of sleep a night. Matt might not agree, I know I am a bear!

The night my water broke I called my mom and had her come over and stay with the kids that night since they were already in bed asleep. Mom said that Paige came into the bed during the night and just climbed right in and went back to sleep. She didn't even realize that it was grandma instead of mom. When she woke up in the morning and saw that is it was grandma she looked at her and said "grandma!" with surprise. My mom told her that we had to go to the hospital and that we had the baby. She then told her it was a little brother. Paige immediately said, "No, a baby sister" She really wanted a baby sister and this news was devastating to her. She started crying and had a little melt down. My mom told her that she would love the little brother and that she would be able to see him later in the day. I don't think she was convinced yet. I talked to Paige a few hours later and told her how cute Paxten was and that he had a lot of hair and that when she came to visit she would be able to hold him. That peeked her curiosity and she was excited to be able to do that. When the kids arrived at the hospital and got their first glimpse of Paxten, they both feel in love. All of the disappointment Paige had vanished and she immediately went to give him a kiss and a hug. SO GLAD!!!!

The kids have been super good helpers and love to hold the baby whenever they get the chance. Parker has especially been a good big brother and loves his new little brother. He sings him made up songs and tells Paxten how he will protect him and watch him when mommy and daddy can't I am so glad that they are adjusting well and that they don't seem to have any resentment towards him. Let's hope that continues!

Your what???

Tuesday started like any other day on bed rest, other than Matt now is off of work for the next 5 weeks. He decided to start his time off early to be around to help me out. We still had a few things we wanted to get done before the baby arrived and Matt was now home to help. I wanted to get all the bedding changed and washed in both the kids rooms and our room so I did 6 loads of laundry that day (which really isn't bed rest I guess, but laundry isn't too exhausting...so I though) That filled my day in between resting and watching some television. That evening my groin area (sorry if that is too much info) was feeling very sore, like I had pulled a muscle or something and I was really uncomfortable. But I just thought it was the usual pregnancy pains. Matt and I went to bed and had just turned out the lights when I felt like I had peed the bed a little. I had just gone to the bathroom and was like man I can't believe I have to go again. I went into the bathroom and there was green liquid in my pants and a big gush of water....I couldn't believe it MY WATER BROKE!! Matt and I had talked about what we would do if that happened. Guess we would find out soon. I went back into the bed room and turned on the light and said "Matt, my water just broke!" he looked at me and said "are you sure?" Yes I was sure!!! He jumped out of bed and started getting ready. I called the Drs. office and got Scott who was on call. He told me to get to the hospital and that he would call Dr. Leavitt and let him know I was on the way. We then called my mom who came over to stay with the kids, who where already sleeping. It was about 11:00 before we left for the hospital thinking this is it!! I hadn't really been having contractions, but as we were driving to the hospital they started and continued to grow. Before we arrived they were coming about every 3 minutes and we starting to get more and more uncomfortable. We finally arrived at the hospital where they were waiting for me. I got all settled in, IVS started, and ready to go. The Anesthesiologist came and talked to me and assured me that this c-section would be way more comfortable then my last and he answered all my questions and we were ready to go. The Dr. came in, made sure I was ready and then they realized that my blood count was way off. My platelets were extremely high and they didn't want to do a spinal if my blody was fighting off an infection somewhere that we were unaware of. Well after some talk, they decided that it was probably from my blood condition, spherocytosis, and that it was probably normal for me. So we went ahead into the operating room. I received the spinal and then was numb. Dr. Leavitt and Scott started the c-section and about 10 minutes later our little BOY Paxten Wayne was born. 1:34 in the morning. He weighed 6 lbs. 11 oz. and was 20 inches long. He was rushed into the NICU to clean him up because of the presence of meconium in the water... the drs. finished sewing me up and I was wheeled into recovery a little after 2:00 in the morning. I was able to hold Paxten and to nurse him right then and was so excited that everything went smoothly and well. It was a whole lot different than any of my last 2 deliveries and I was so happy about that! We stayed in the hospital until Friday and were able to come home. We are enjoying having the newest member of our family with us. More to come later!

38 Weeks

I had my weekly Doctors appointment on the 7th of February. I had been in the previous Thursday for a followup from the last Monday. On that Thursday I had a blood pressure check and an NST to check on the baby. Everything looked good, blood pressure was still a little high, but not high enough that the doctor was too worried. My appointment on the 7th went well. Blood pressure was a little elevated but still alright. The NST that day showed good movement with the baby and the ultrasound showed that everything still looked good. My amniotic fluid level was down to a normal range, 16, and everything else looked right on track. I was measruing 38 weeks and the baby was guessed to weigh about 7 lbs. 8 oz. If so this will be our biggest baby yet. I was dialated to a 1 and 50% effaced, so not much happening on that end. So the doctor once again sent me home to stay on bed rest. I had to to another 24 hour protein count and some more blood work, but he thought he would see me on the 15th the scheduled day for the c-section.

37 Week

I forgot to post of picture of me at 37 weeks. Better late than never. January 31, 2011.

37 Weeks...Is There An End?

I had been feeling pretty good and was looking forward to the end of this pregnancy and was so glad that I have made it this long and that the baby is looking good. Then last weekend I starting feeling more uncomfortable and then I started noticing some swelling in my feet, hands and face. I know that is not a good thing. I kept thinking "I wonder what my blood pressure is?" But I held off calling the Dr. because I had a regular appointment on Monday. Sunday was the worst of the swelling and my hands and face weren't as swollen when I woke up on Monday, but my feet were bad! I went to the Dr., and wouldn't you know it, he had left to do a delivery!! Just my luck! I opted to wait and see if he came back soon because my blood pressure in the office was 158/83 or something like that the first time. So she let me rest for a few minutes and took it again. It was 138/100 or something just as bad. So she switched arms and it was 143/96...something that was still pretty high. So I knew I wanted to visit with the Dr and see what he wanted me to do (secretly I was hoping he would say see you in the morning for delivery....ya right!) So he made it back pretty quickly and did the regular checkup. Baby looked good, he was just concerned about the blood pressure and swelling. So he was going to put me on blood pressure medication asap and wants me to start having bi-weekly appts. Also for that day blood work, 24 hour urine protein, and a non-stress test. WOW!!! It was almost 5:00 at this point and decided he wanted the lab work as soon as possible so off I went to the hospital to have the labs done and the non-stress test.

Matt was a little freaked out when I called and told him I was on my way to the hospital for some tests. But I wasn't too worried, the Dr. was calm and I knew I would have been able to tell if it was serious. I got to the hospital and the nurses in Labor and Delivery looked at me like I was crazy walking into the unit telling them what I was there for without a Drs. orders. But the called him and quickly verified why I was there, hooked me up to the machine and drew my blood (again!) The baby looked good, very active and I was having regular contractions...could I be in labor on my own?!! I wish!! The Dr. checked on me after about 1 hour and my blood pressure was way down, in the 126/60 range so what did he tell me?....BED REST for the duration on my pregnancy!! What?? How am I supposed to be on bed rest and still take care of 2 other kids and my house and all that other stuff?? Also still having bi-weekly appts for non-stress tests and blood pressure checks. I am currently filling a jug for the protein count and we will see what the lab results are on that. So we are still looking towards the 15th for the delivery, if all goes well the next few weeks. I just once want things to work out how I imagine them! So for now I am home all the time, relaxing and being bored. Trying not to see the mess and destruction the kids are making and just trying to get some sleep. Wish me luck...I am not one that sits still for long, I hope I can do it! Next appt on Thursday.

36 Weeks!

I had my regular Dr. appointment yesterday and all went well. I am 36 weeks along and the baby looked great. The Dr. had been concerned about the size of the baby last appointment and had me schedule an ultrasound for yesterday. I wasn't complaining...I get to see the baby again bigger this time. So Matt was able to go with me and we had a good ultrasound! The lady that does them is very knowledgeable and very thorough in the exam showing us where everything is and why that is important to see. So we saw the kidneys and the bladder and knew then knew things were working in that area, that the baby can eat and swallow. We also saw the heart beating and the 4 chambers, good news, no heart condition! We saw the umbilical cord with 3 vessels, that is good because most babies that have Chromosomal Deformities only have 2 vessels. So overall our baby is healthy and strong. It is measuring about 6 lbs, 9 oz. so a good size. My blood pressure was a tad high, but nothing to worry about. I have 2 more appointments with the Dr until the baby is here. Next week and the 7th, then the birth will be on the 15th. Can't wait to meet the newest member of the family!!! Oh by the way, still don't know the sex, we reminded her that we didn't want to know so it is still a surprise!!

34 Weeks

I went to the doctor on Monday...and I actually saw the doctor. That was quite a miracle in itself. I have had bad luck this time around when it comes to getting in with Dr. Leavitt. I have now only seen him twice this entire pregnancy. Two other times he had to leave for emergency c-sections and wasn't going to be back in the office and the other time he was home sick. So I was excited to keep my appointment with him for a change. Although he has a great P.A and he has taken good care of me the rest of the time, I was just glad to visit with the doctor since he will be the one doing the surgery and delivering the baby. I was lucky that I got to see him too because after waiting in the room for 45 minutes I wondered if they had forgotten about me. I was about to poke my head out the door and see if they had when the doctor came in and said he just got back from delivering a baby. So lucky me that I didn't have to reschedule!!

Anyways, Monday I was 34 weeks and I am feeling alright. I am bigger than I have ever been (weight wise) and am hating that. So my body is really hurting from the extra pounds. I haven't been able to sleep good lately, my lower back has been sore and I have been getting heartburn in the evenings and through the night. So I know I must be getting close to the end. My appointment was good, I was measuring 37 weeks instead of 34 so next appt on the 24th I get to have an ultrasound to check the size of the baby! Yay for an ultrasound!! The doctor also checked my blood count to see if I was anemic so they could put me on iron if I needed it before delivery. The test came back fine other than I had elevated platelets and white blood cells. Which usually indicates an infection of some sorts, which I have no symptoms of signs of. I was just on an antibiotic for the same thing 3 weeks ago, so I don't think anything is wrong. Good news!! The doctor had me schedule my c-section with hospital so I am on the books officially. D-day is Tuesday February 15th at 7:30 A.M! I will be 39 weeks and a day that day and will be more than ready to have the baby here. That is less than 5 weeks away! Can't hardly wait. Now the doctor did tell me if I went into labor on my own before then they would go ahead and do the c-section when I started labor, but if not then I will have to wait until the 15th. So we will see what happens. We are still unsure of a boy name....the ongoing debate between Matt and I. We might just have to wait and see if we even need a boy name!

28 Weeks & Counting

I went to my monthly Doctor's appointment on the 1st and everything was looking good. My blood pressure was lower than it had been and there wasn't protein in my urine (I know TMI) so the aspirin and calcium regimine the doctor put me on last month must be helping. I was glad to hear that! So I am 28 weeks and 3 days here and have officially started my countdown in days. I can't wait to have this baby here and to be able to sleep on my stomach again. What is also interesting is I can't wait to go back to the gym! I never thought I would say that, but I miss it! I have had no energy with this pregnancy and a horrible gagging reflex so I stopped going to the gym in October and I do miss it, so hopefully I can still have the desire to go back after the baby gets here and get some of this weight off quickly. I have bags packed for a boy and a girl all ready to go, the car seat is washed and ready as well. All I need to do is get my back packed and we will be ready as soon as the baby decides it is ready to come. My next appt is on the 22nd and after that I will be going every 2 weeks, that means it is really getting closer!! We are still unsure of a boy name...with a P so any suggestions are welcome!!