Birth Story of Sophia Jayne!

On April 20th, I had an appointment with my OB at 9 am.  We were taken in and I was hooked up to the NST.  The previous night was very rough on me, I was getting terrible back pains and my sciatic nerve was absolutely killing me.  So laying on a hard table hooked up to a monitor was not fun for me.  By the time the doctor came in to check on me, I was fighting off tears, I was so uncomfortable!  He asked how we were doing and I just lost it.  I couldn't help but cry.  He asked what was wrong, etc and I explained everything to him.  He gave me some tissues and told me to relax and he'd be right back.  I composed myself and he returned a few moments later.  He asked what I would think about being induced.  I told him I was ready to have the baby, so I was fine with that.  He then checked me and I was 1 cm.  I looked over at Sal and we both were expecting the doctor to plan an induction for later in the week.  Well, Dr. Molina surprised us both when he said "Okay, what I want you two to do today is go have some brunch, walk her around a bit and be at the hospital this afternoon at 4"  I was shocked!  I honestly didn't think he'd schedule it for that afternoon!

So, we left there completely elated!  We went and ate at the new diner by our house (I had pancakes and pork roll!) then walked around the mall for a bit.  We were home by 12:30 or so and finished up loose ends.  Last minute packing, wrote out some bills, made our phone calls, etc.

We got to the hospital by 4 and were settled into our room.  Dr. Lehnes was on duty and he came in and put in the Cervadil at 5:30 and of course I immediately had to go to the bathroom!  Too bad for me, I had to be horizontal for at least 2 hours before I was allowed to get up.  They did offer me a bed pan, but I declined.  I'd rather squirm with the need to pee than attempt a bed pan!  Around 9 the doctor came back in to check my progression and I was 2 cm, so the Cervadil was doing its job!  At 10, the nurse came in to check me and she removed that damn shoe string- it was really bothering me for some reason; very scratchy!  She gave me a sleeping pill to help me get some rest and I dozed off for a bit.  At midnight I woke up with some serious contractions, the nurse checked me and I was 3 cm.  She called the doctor and he said I could have a shot for the pain.  Well, Sophie's heart rate wasn't high enough to give me the shot- we tried for about 2 and a half hours to get it up- rolling me over left and right, etc.  My nurse called the doctor again and he said if I wanted the epidural, that I could have that.  So at 3 am I got my epidural and by 4 am I was fast asleep!  At 7 am the doctor came back in to check me and I was 5 cm, so he broke my water and ordered for the Pitocin to be started at 8 am.  From there, things seemed to move pretty quickly, I was fully dilated by 11:30 according to the nurse, who wanted to confirm that with the doctor.  Dr Molina came in and confirmed that and told the nurse to "teach me" how to push.  So at noon we did "practice pushes"- 3 per contraction.  Well, I only needed the one contraction to confirm I knew how to push- in fact, with my practice push, Sophie was starting to crown.  My contractions were pretty far apart- about every 6-8 minutes, and by 12:38 pm I had Sophie Jayne!!  

Quick sidenote:  the epi worked so well, I didn't feel a THING.  Literally, nothing at all.  It was a little weird pushing without feeling what I was doing, but hell, I did it! 

I ended up having to have an episiotomy because her head didn't fully rotate and came out sideways.  No big, ya gotta do what ya gotta do.  Dr Molina stitched me up and then they turned off the epi.  That's when things went downhill fast.  The withdrawal was horrible for me.  I began to feel EVERYTHING.  The nurses had to keep coming in to push on my belly, etc. to get all that extra gunk out- which I know is their job and is totally necessary, but HOLY HELL did it hurt!  They gave me a motrin and darvocet combo, which kinda eased things.  I thought I could handle that..until the nurse came in to get me up and into the bathroom.  It was time to clean me up and get me padded.  I sat on the edge of the bed and felt dizzy; so she put my arm around her and started to help to to the bathroom.  Then, the tunnel vision started and I thought I was going to pass out.  The nurse grabbed the chair and sat me down and whipped out her smelling salts.  She called for another nurse and they both tried to get me up when I said I felt a bit better.  A few more steps and I almost went down again- everything started to go black and I couldn't hear- the nurse had to pull the emergency lever.  Now I had 3 nurses and they got me on the toilet somehow.  I remember one squatting down in front of me holding me up and one behind me putting cold rags on my neck and forehead- the third nurse kept sticking those freakin' smelling salts under my nose.   Meanwhile- Sal is locked out, they wouldn't let him in to see me.  I don't know how long this all went on, but by the time they got me back to the bed, Sal was a bit frantic.  THEN I had to get up again to get in my wheelchair to move to my postpartum room- at least this time Sal was there and he caught me when I started to get whoozy while the nurse was coming at me with the smelling salts again (seriously, I now know why they use them- so nasty they can probably bring you back from the dead!)  

Finally get to my room after almost 3 hours!   I had no idea that much time had passed.  I was so delirious with pain and withdrawal, I didn't realize that I didn't get to see my baby (other than the 10 minutes right after birth when she was still in the room)!  Unfortunately for me, the room was filled with visitors.  I know they were just excited to see her, but I was REALLY not up for a room-full.  I hardly got to hold my own kid.  I actually had to kick everyone out to breast feed- no one got the hint.  

I opted for the nursery to keep the baby that night, I was in so much pain and so exhausted, I really needed rest.  I hardly slept in the past 48 hours- between the night at home with terrible back pain and then the night in the hospital in labor I had about 7 hours total.  Well, I didn't sleep much this night either.  I was up every hour and a half to use the bathroom and clean up.  Sal is such a champ; he prepared my "diaper" (as we got to calling it) every time.  I couldn't get comfortable at all, even with my motrin/ darvocet combo.  The next night though the nurse offered me a sleeping pill; she could see I was working on practically no sleep (I guess the black circles under my eyes gave it away!)  That worked wonderfully!  

The next day we found out the baby was jaundice.  We were okay with that, she was going to spend the day in the tanning bed, we were going to go home that night.  Or not.  Her levels kept going up and they decided she had to stay over night.  Okay.  Then the neonatal doctor tells us he wants to check for other infections because her levels are too high.  He explains there could be a problem because I was Group B Strep + and RH-.  Two things that can really harm the baby.  I did receive my antibiotics for the GBS and my shot for the RH-, but he still wanted to check.  At this point we were really worried.  Then I got discharged and they said we could go home (yeah, that wasn't happening) or we could use the hospitality suite.  We said we'd take the suite.  The hospitality suite was disgusting.  Once we got in there, I had a meltdown.  I was worried about my baby, we were in a 10x10 room that was one step up from a jail cell and I no longer had anything for all the pain I was in.  It was awful.  Then, we went back to the nursery to say goodnight to Sophie and I got a little emotional, I couldn't help it, we were supposed to be home doing this.  Well, one of the nursery nurses comes out and starts talking to Sal like I'm not even there about postpartum depression!  "You really need to keep an eye on her.  It's normal for new mothers to be a little emotional, but she really shouldn't be breaking down like this.  You may want to consider calling one of the counselors we have on hand.  It's just jaundice, the baby is fine."  HELLO?!  I'm right here and NOT depressed!  I just wanted my baby.  I didn't get to see her but for an hour all day!  We didn't have results from the tests the doctor was running, we didn't know that it was "just jaundice", it couldn't have been a serious infection!  Sal was furious.  We were both a mess.  And to top it off we were cut off from L&D; the gift shop was closed and the cafeteria was closed.  Thankfully Nicole was on duty that night and she gave us some snacks and stole some Motrin for me :-)  It was nice knowing she was just down the hall if we needed her.

We found out the next morning that there was no infection and it was just jaundice.  Thank God.  But we had to go 12 hours without that answer.  And to top it off they wanted to keep her longer to test again!  So, Sal forced me to get dressed and insisted on leaving the hospital to go get some breakfast.  I practically had an anxiety attack the whole time.  We went to some diner on the Lakewood/Howell border and then to Walgreens to get me Motrin and flip flops (my feet were so swollen I couldn't wear my sneakers).  We got back to the hospital and checked on Sophie- her levels went up again, they were going to do another test at 12.  Those results went up too- but they still released her under the condition we'd bring her back the next day as an outpatient for another test.  We ended up having to bring her back both Saturday and Sunday, but her Sunday results went down a bit and the doctor said it seems she "leveled-off" and should be fine.  He told me to bring her outside for some sun periodically for about 2 minutes at a time, etc.  She had her first pedi appt on Wednesday the 29th and her doctor said she looks great- yay!

So that's my very long story.... now you're all updated!

Tomorrow is my due date

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and nothing has changed.  My cervix is still closed, but it's low and her head is "right there" (whatever that means!).  I had to have a NST because her movement has decreased significantly, but thankfully everything was okay.  I have to do kick counts through out the day until she's born.  If 3 hours pass without movement, I have to call and go back in.  So far, everything has been alright though.  I had to make another appointment for Monday the 20th, I'm hoping we won't have to go to it though!  If we do, I may have to begin the begging and crying routine.  I really can't go 2 weeks passed my due date.. that would bring me to April 29th!!!!!  Oh I could cry just thinking about that!  I know my body knows what it is doing, blah blah blah, but seriously?!  I've suffered long enough, anyone who knows me knows this has not been an easy pregnancy for me by any means!  I'm just so grateful my Crohn's didn't flare up during it, that is one highlight at least!  But it seems everything else has gone wrong!  It's almost over, it's almost over, it's almost over....

11 days to go...or 25 days..

So, let me update my last couple of appointments- 

At the high risk doctor: had another sonogram, she was still head down, face up (grr!), but growing well!  They said she's 6 lbs 2 oz so far.  So we can expect at least a 7 lb 5 oz baby!  Scary, but my mom delivered me at 8 lbs, so I know it can be done! LOL  That was my last high risk appointment, they released me :-)

At the OB: I had my first internal exam (ouch!)  There isn't any dilation yet, but he said my cervix is low- which is good!  From what I am told and what I have read, your cervix drops before it starts to thin and dilate.  So, we're making a little progress!

At this point I'm just waiting really.  I'm getting a little bored being home everyday, but I'm afraid to go out alone, so I just have to deal.  I've done little projects around the house- finished putting together some of the nursery things (diaper genie, breast pump, etc), cleaned the bathroom (this actually took 2 days because I got tired), straightened the office, made address labels for the announcements, etc.  Nothing too big, but at least I feel productive when I get some things done.

I didn't feel too hot yesterday though, very sick to my stomach and crampy.  I laid down on the couch for a while and then moved to the bed, it took a while but it eased up a bit.  I'm not feeling 100% today, but I am up and about.  We're having some of the gang over tonight for dinner, so I want to make sure the house is presentable!  Speaking of.. I should get up and finish vacuuming.

23 days...

Just over 3 weeks now from my due date and I feel like hell.  I just stopped working this past Thursday and have felt like crap since!  I thought stopping working was supposed to make me feel better!  I guess work was a distraction for me...

I've been having random contractions the past few days, lots of sharp pains "down there" and really bad headaches and backaches.  Last night was rough, I was up most of the night trying to find some form of comfort.  I ended up using the heating pad and taking 2 Tylenol PM's.  Didn't help much though, I was still up at 6:30.  Tylenol PM doesn't work like it used to I guess.  I actually took 1 around 11:30 am today to try and get a bit more rest.  I ended up sleeping for 3 hours.

I have an appointment tomorrow morning with the high risk doctor, so I'm hoping we'll see how things are going in there.  I'm really hoping she's face down, last appointment she was sunny-side up and I really don't want back labor!  I'm also curious to see how far down in my pelvis she is, feels like I have a bowling ball between my legs lately!  If all is good, this should be my last appointment there (keeping fingers crossed!)

My sister and Brian are leaving tomorrow for Vegas to get married!  I made her bouquet yesterday, it looks so pretty!  I wish we were able to go, but there's just no way.  I'll be there in spirit though!  I can't wait to see the pictures, I know Kim will take about a million!  Here's to wishing them a beautiful wedding day!

And that's about it for now... feels like a contraction is coming...

35 weeks 3 days

Less than 5 weeks until my due date!  Hallelujah!  I am so ready to meet our little girl- and some days  it feels she's just as ready!  I've been having lots of Braxton Hicks lately along with some pain and cramping.  The swelling of my feet and ankles has gotten a lot worse!  I can't even wear shoes anymore... just slippers and flip flops.  Thankfully I only have 4 more days of work left, I can hardly wait!  I just need some rest and comfy clothes!

I've been washing/folding baby clothes for what seems like FOREVER.  The nursery is a slight disaster area at this point.. there isn't a place for everything and everything is not in it's place!!  It'll get there eventually, I hope so anyway!

I've devoted today to doing nothing at all.  I worked all week, 8 hour days with a hospital tour and child birth class thrown in there too.  I'm beat!  We may go out with the gang tonight though, I'd really like to, but we'll see if I can gather some energy to go!  I'm hoping maybe an afternoon nap will do the trick.

Nursery is DONE!

We finished the nursery last weekend!  Yay!  I love how it came out, it's fabulous!  We have some minor touch ups to do, but the bulk of it is complete.  We have a chandelier coming to hang from the ceiling- how awesome will that be?!  Very princess :-)  Also not in the picture is the ottoman that goes with the glider- it was just picked up the other night- Sal had to go to West Windsor to get it!  That's absurd.  The Babies R Us near us was completely useless.  I was willing to buy the floor model- it was still wrapped in the plastic and they refused to sell it to us!  WTF?!  Whatever, we have it now and that's all that matters to me.

Had two doctors appointments on Tuesday.  First was the OB at 8:45, then the high risk at 9:15.  Well, we got to the OB by 8:30 and weren't taken in until 9.  Then the doctor tells me I need to strip from the waist down for an exam/to test for Strep B, followed by a HIV test.  No one else could tell me this?  I couldn't have my blood taken first?  I made Sal call the high risk office and let them know we would be late (I hate being late for anything, it makes me all twitchy!)  So we finally get to our 2nd appointment at 9:30.  I was due into work for 10:30 just as an FYI.  They take us in to the ultra sound room within 10 minutes and the tech did all her measurements and whatnot within another 15 mins- now it's 10 am.  The tech leaves and says the doctor will be in shortly, he's across the hall with another patient.  Okay, fine.  Now, I'm laying on the table with gook all over my belly from the ultra sound, waiting for him to come in.  We can hear him trying to wrap things up with the other patient, but she and her husband keep asking questions- NOT medically relavant questions!  They wanted to know about insurance and hospital stays and private rooms, etc- CALL BILLING!  I was sweating bullets at this point, I was going to be late for work!  I texted Dawn and gave her a heads up and of course, she said it was no big deal, but to me it was!  FINALLY the doctor comes in at 10:15!  He read the tech's measurements and made a few of his own- in the end we found out that Sophie is 4 lbs 5 oz, she's in the 50th percentile and she's head down/ face up.  He reviewed all my measurements from previous appointments and said Sophie will probably be 7 - 7 1/2 lbs at birth.  She's been measuring very average- which is good- not too big, not too small.  So we were thrilled with that information!  By the time all was said and done we didn't get out of there until 10:30- there was no time for us to go home and get my car, my lunch, my stuff for work, etc.  I dropped Sal off at work and then sped my way to the office.  I was 45 minutes late to work.  Oy!  I was all sorts of flustered and worked up.  And to top it off, I had no food!!

The rest of the week went okay though.  My ankles have been perpetually swollen though and that's gross.  I just don't have time to sit with my feet up!  Soon I'll be on maternity leave though and I'll get some rest.  My sciatic nerve has also been killing me- literally, I think it's killing me!  Last night I came out to the kitchen to take my pills and it shot down my leg/butt and brought me to my knees.  I screamed for Sal (he probably thought I was going into to labor with the panic in my voice!) and he had to carry/drag me to bed.  I've had every pregnancy symptom so far... this better be one healthy child.  I can say though I've been blessed with NO STRETCH marks (so far anyway, 6 more weeks to wait and see)!  

Alright, I'm tired of typing.... tomorrow is my baby shower, I'll update some day soon and tell ya all about it!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Love is in the air....

Happy Valentine's Day all!  Unlike most people these days, I still enjoy the silly mushiness that is V-Day!  I'm not as cynical as most and don't think of it as a Hallmark Holiday.  I do believe you should show the people you love that you love them everyday, but I still think it's nice that there's a day dedicated to it :-)  Sal and I are going to The Melting Pot this afternoon for our little celebration.  He gave me a beautiful card this morning and one adorable one "from" Sophie. He also got me a Baby Hawk Baby Carrier!  I've been drooling over them since my cousin mentioned them in her blog!  Now I have my very own!!  He also got Sophie a pair of Baby Legs- pink and brown stripe!  So cute!  I gave him a book called "Why I Love You- 100 Reasons" and a silly card with monkeys on it LOL

My momma is coming over this morning to start painting the nursery!  We're doing two walls a darker pink and two walls a lighter pink.  Then we got a chocolate brown border and chocolate brown peel and stick polka dots!  I think it'll look adorable when all is said and done. 

Well, I better cut this short- Momma is on her way and I need to let the dog outside otherwise she'll never shut up! LOL