On Thursday September 29th I went to the hospital for another routine BPP (bio physical profile) ultrasound and monitoring. It was being done weekly starting the week before because I had Gestational Diabetes. Everything looked great until they took my blood pressure. It was higher than normal. It had been creeping up little by little and I guess last week was the last straw because my OB said I was staying and being induced. He wasn't happy with the direction my pressure was going and it was better to deliver now than wait.
I sat around waiting to be admitted and have a blood draw and then they let me go home for lunch and grab my bags (that were already packed and waiting). I called my mom and told her the news and since she was planning on coming up on the weekend anyway she decided to come a day earlier .. thankfully! She would be here to get Rianne on and off the bus on Friday.
I got back to the hospital a little after 1 PM and was taken to my Labor/Delivery room where I sat around bored, doing nothing until 10 PM. My OB arrived at that time to insert the Prostin Gel to ripen my cervix and get it ready for delivery. Five minutes after I got the gel I started having some contractions. Nothing serious but they were regular so I was progressing. I had to stay in bed hooked up to the monitor for an hour after getting the gel and then I was unhooked and I could do whatever I wanted. I took a warm bath and relaxed a bit. I was given a shot of Morphine and Gravol to help take the edge off to see if I would sleep. Yeah, that didn't work well at all. I contracted throughout the night and got through them by rocking back and forth in bed or swaying if I was standing.
Around 8:30 AM on Friday (September 30th) the nurse came to start the Oxytocin IV and my OB broke my water. Things progressed pretty fast after. Contractions were coming on fast and strong. I was checked and was 3-4 CMs dilated about an hour after starting the drip. I was breathing through the contractions, the baby's heart rate would go down and go back up when the contraction was over. The nurse couldn't understand why there would be pressure on the baby's head already. Ummm maybe because she was entering the birth canal ALREADY!!
The medical staff were warned several times that I deliver fast due to my experience with Rianne but they were still meandering around the room. One nurse was teaching a St. FX nursing student how to get things ready and so forth. I was checked again and I was 8-9 CMs and the pressure was causing my body to push on its own. That's when they took me seriously. Nothing like a last minute frenzy to keep them on their toes. The OB arrived back in my room, I was pushing, the nurses were frantically getting the doctors tray ready as well as the baby warmer and whatever else they thought they had plenty of time left to accomplish.
I think I only pushed a few times. I was given a mask for Nitrous Oxide which in my opinion didn't do anything for me at all. I was beyond laughing gas at that point anyway.
Autumn Alexis was born at 10:03 AM and is perfectly healthy with a head of dark hair
As you can see on the scale she weighed 7 lbs 9 oz and she measured 18.5 inches long. Ten fingers, 10 toes and 1 anal opening. Funny story ... Jon asked the nurse if she had an opening when they were tending to her in the warmer cleaning her off. The nurse looked at him like he had two heads and then he explained to her that Rianne had an imperforate anus and that's why he asked. She sympathized and checked right away to confirm she was okay.
After delivery I had to get one stitch, they gave me an ice pack for the swelling and I was able to hold and nurse Autumn. Not that I was producing much of anything at that point but it was a great bonding experience. One that I missed out on with Rianne.
I took a bath later on and got freshened up while Jon held Autumn and then I was taken to another room where Autumn was in with me. My responsibility immediately after delivery. Again, something I missed out on with Rianne since she was in the NICU. So this is what it was like to have a perfectly healthy baby. Amazing!!
She had to get several heel pokes to keep an eye on her blood sugar which was all normal. I felt bad that she had to go through that. Such tiny little feet to be poked at so much.
The next day (Saturday) we were allowed to go home. One day early, because apparently they keep you for 2 days after a vaginal delivery. I asked to leave though because we were both fine and I hate hospitals. My OB said we could leave but had to return the next day (Sunday) for a weight check and blood work.
Even though my labor and delivery were similar both times with regards to how fast it progressed and there was no epidural both times. My experience at the Aberdeen Hospital was 10 times more positive than at the hospital where I delivered Rianne. It makes me wish I we were living here back in 2006. I would recommend my OB to anyone. I was told he was fantastic but now I know that for myself.
Autumn is breast feeding like a champ and thriving. She nurses a lot but she's a growing baby and she's helping me burn calories in the meantime. Bonus! She's been a wonderful addition to our little family and I feel blessed that she is healthy and happy.
Rianne still refuses to hold her because she's squirmy :) I was hoping to get a picture of her holding her baby sister by now but this is the best we have for now.
As I sit here sniffling in the glory of my head cold I thought I'd take the time to update my blog. I have been neglecting it lately .. well, since June!
Summer was decent. Rianne and I went home for a week in July for Gathering Week and had a good time. Took in some festivities, visited with friends and family. The weather was terrible most days so we didn't get to the beach unfortunately.
Since I failed my Gestation Diabetes test in June I have been poking my finger several times a day and haven't been allowed to eat anything fun and tasty. Now, on top of the finger pokes I have to add belly shots to the mix. Three times a day as it's getting progressively worse as the pregnancy gets further along. The good news is that my blood pressure is staying decent. I can deal with the GD and the needles and everything because as long as the pressure is good I'm happy!!
The baby isn't getting too big as a result of the GD so that's good. As long as the baby is happy, I'm happy and the OB is happy. No talk of induction (yet) so we'll see what my next appointment brings. I'll be 37 weeks (full term) this Saturday!! I'll be holding Autumn Alexis in a matter of 3 weeks or less. Very exciting!!
I had a baby shower at the end of August and was blessed to get many beautiful gifts. Autumn's room is all ready for her. All she has to do is get here and be healthy and happy.
What started out as a fairly boring week turned interesting by Friday.
Friday morning was Rianne's orientation at school from 9-11 AM. She visited 4 different classrooms, did activities and then went on a short bus ride. It was her very first time on a bus and she really enjoyed it.
There will be 66 kids starting grade Primary in September. I think there are 3 classes because that's a lot to stuff into 2 rooms. Her teacher(s) are going to have their hands full without a doubt!
After the school event I went to get my Diabetes (Gestational) test done at the lab. Arrived there before Noon and had to take a number and wait. Number came up, I had to register and go wait for my number to come up again to go into the back to the phlebotomist (aka: vampire). No blood was taken initially. I had to drink that lovely sweet orange drink and then wait for an hour!! By the time my blood was taken and I got home I had a killer headache that didn't go away until the next morning. It was terrible!
By 4PM on Friday my phone was ringing and it was my doctor telling me I failed the test and she wasn't going to bother testing any further. Normally when you fail the 1-hour test they'll make you do the 3-hour one. Given my family history and my own personal history with gestational diabetes she felt I was a hopeless case I guess.
Now I am waiting for the Diabetes Clinic to call me so I can go in and pick up my monitor. Then the finger pricking begins. I bought myself a notebook at the dollar store yesterday so I can record my food and glucose numbers. I controlled it last time with my diet and didn't need medication so I am fairly confident I can do the same this time. Writing down everything I eat keeps me honest and accountable.
I was good over the weekend and didn't have anything sweet to eat even though it was offered and accessible. Here's to engaging what little willpower I possess!
I had an ultrasound in the fetal assessment dept. at the IWK in Halifax last week (7th floor). It was done because I am over 35 and because Rianne had defects.
According to the doctors (two of them) who performed the scan, everything looks good. Two of the three defects Rianne had cannot be detected on ultrasound though. We do know this one has a normal three vessel umbilical cord.
Rianne was so impressed with the pictures on the monitors, talking the entire time about how cute and adorable the baby is.
We did find out the gender, just because we could (and wanted to). It was something we wanted with Rianne too but hospitals don't tell you .. no matter how bad you want to know! We were also given 2 pictures, something we didn't get with Rianne and something I desperately wanted as a keepsake.
I was going to refrain from buying anything pink (just in case) but temptation won last weekend and I bought some sleepers. Not a huge investment though. I am looking forward to October and I hope the Summer months fly by :)
On Saturday I was lucky enough to go to Antigonish to see a concert at the Keating Millennium Centre at the St. F.X. Campus.
Front row seats made the experience even better. What a show!!
"Rock Island Line" opened the show. They're a Johnny Cash tribute band and I really enjoyed it. First song was "Ring of Fire" and from there they went through a gamete of songs that included "A Boy Named Sue" "One Piece At A Time" "Folsom Prison Blues" ... just to name a few.
The second act was Jesse Collins and he did a tribute to John Lennon. I'm not a Lennon fan so it was just ok for me.
Finally it was time for Elvis to come on stage. I was giddy as a school girl because I've always been an Elvis fan.
What a performance!! It was phenomenal to say the least. The authentic jumpsuits, the scarves given out as he sang "Love Me Tender" then the teddy bears thrown into the crowd during the famous self explanatory song. Not only did he have the look, but he had the voice as well. Absolutely incredible!
I was in awe of the entire performance and can now say I am a fan of Thane Dunn & the Cadillac Kings. I can't wait until they return to the area next year because you can bet I'll be there, hopefully in the front row again!
Yesterday I had an appointment. I was 18w3d (dating from my initial ultrasound in February).
My blood pressure was good (118/70) but I did gain 15 lbs in the last 3 months. My Dr. suggested I make an appointment with the dietitian at the practice but I didn't because that would mean even more appointments that Jon would have to get off work for in order to take me to. I know what I should be eating to not gain weight, I've just been neglecting to .. so now I have to get back on track in that department and hopefully I won't add much weight to my body by my June 7th appointment.
The baby is measuring 20 weeks. That's about a week and a half ahead so I hope it slows down too! Ouch!!
I discussed the litter box with the Doctor and she said it was off limits to pregnant women. I knew that, so Jon has been doing the scooping for months now. I just wanted the info verified to make sure the hype I've been reading online wasn't exaggerated.
Vitamin D: There was a study reported the other night on the news stating that mothers who lack Vitamin D increase the risk of their babies catching RSV. I brought this information up ay my appointment as well and she told me to increase my milk consumption and to start taking a prenatal vitamin PLUS take 4 tablets of the 1 mg Folic Acid instead of just taking my prescribed 5 mg. That figures, because I just got my prescription filled a week or two ago!
The next appointment that is baby related is in Halifax @ the IWK. It's an ultrasound to look for defects (apparently they don't do that here) and we'll also get to find out the gender as well as get pictures. Then we will go out and buy something pink or blue :)
We've gotten used to the idea now but it really came as a huge shock in the beginning. Totally and completely unexpected was an understatement.
The source of our ~freak out~ as seen in early February. The story is rather funny now that I can laugh about it. I had been feeling 'off' for a bit and Jon asked me if I needed any fixings to go with supper and he'd pick it up on his way home from work.
Jokingly I told him "sour cream and a pee stick" .. well I didn't think he'd actually buy one but since he did, I used it after supper and darn near fell off the throne!
I came down the stairs and threw it at him (I was aiming for a gentle toss but I think I put too much energy into the toss). So he sat there on the couch with a blank on his face, that matched mine!!
The rest is history.
I went for prenatal blood work and had an appointment with a nurse practitioner where I hat to take another test and that was positive too ... to my disbelief.
Now here I sit .. 4 months pregnant and due in October. Un-freaking-believable!
We were not planning on having another child. Rianne is starting school in September and I was going to get a part time job to help with finances. We have nothing except a stroller and we only held onto that because I didn't get around to selling it yet. It got banged up and broken on the bus when it was shipped from Edmonton to New Glasgow so I didn't think it would be worth much. I'm so glad we held onto it. Now to knock off the rest on the list of baby needs .. this may take a while!
.JPG)