3-5%

I am back in the hospital. I had a high fever starting Monday night. That sent me to the ER which ended with me being admitted to the hospital and taking a room back in the postpartum unit. Tuesday sent me to have a CT scan to check the internal incision for fluid. It came back showing there was fluid, however my doctor wasn't sold that it was fluid and not this stuff that she puts on the incision to prevent scar tissue. So, Wednesday had me getting an ultrasound on my legs to check for blood clots. That came back negative. After that, I met with someone from the Infectious Diseases group. We talked about my signs and 2 weeks since the surgery and decided to at least drain some of the fluid to see if it was the doctor's stuff or if it was pus or another liquid that would cause an infection and thus my fever. So, I went in for this procedure today. I now have a tube coming out of my stomach and into a plastic grenade looking thing draining both liquid and pus from me. Yuck. It's been a long 3+ days here in addition to the whole week I was here when Hunter was first born. I am ready to go home and get back to serving His Royal Highness. If the fluid level that is being drained drops off tomorrow morning, then it sounds like I should be able to go home tomorrow. Please let that be the case. I'm sick of being in the hospital. I believe I read that this happens to 3-5% of all c section patients. I guess there are worse things, but just get me out of here.

The Pregnancy Diet

Looking for a good way to lose weight? Don't mind waiting 9 months to see results? Don't mind gaining before loosing? Don't mind the possible stretch marks that may come? Join the new revolution! The Pregnancy Diet! Here's real client Katie:

I gained 25 pounds during my pregnancy and am now 2 weeks postpartum. After 1 week, I was up 10 pounds from my pre pregnancy weight. Now, at 2 weeks, I am down in total 30 pounds! I weigh 5 pounds less now than when I got pregnant! I'm so excited!

*Results not typical*

Ugh, recovery

I'm not a fan of the recovery period after this c section. I've had 3 nights in a row so far (most recently was last night) of cold flashes that send me shivering up the stairs to pile on the layers and crawl into bed while Jason brings me a cup of hot tea. My feet and legs have been more swollen than they were the entire pregnancy. My legs are sore as if I've been working out. It burns when I pee. I'll get these random cramps in my stomach even just 45 minutes after taking my prescription Motrin. I've been getting quite a few headaches recently too. Not to mention that I feel useless not able to do anything to help around the house and I'm stir crazy just staying in the house.

When does this end? When will this all start to go away?

Birth Story

So, we show up at the hospital at 6am. I get checked in and moved to L&D around 6:45. 7am comes and I'm in the bed getting ready for the IV to get some pitocin going. I was still in that 4-5 range and about 90% effaced. The nurse tried twice to get the IV needle in on the side of my wrist and both times were failures. And, can I say did that ever hurt?!!! Wow! Much worse than any of the contractions I ever felt (including that day). I guess I had some thick skin and she couldn't get to the vein itself. So, she had to get another nurse to try. This nurse went to the top of my hand and did it with no problem. A lot of blood came out though, once I actually looked over. I knew that it must have because she did ask for a towel. 7:15 the pitocin is going and 7:30 my doctor comes in to break my water. Once again she was surprised to see me, thinking that I would have gone before the scheduled induction. Apparently there are 2 layers to the bag of water. She broke through one with ease but the second took some work. I guess I really did have a bag of steel.

Just after 9am I felt the first painful contraction. I didn't want to feel any pain and even though I could tolerate it, I decided to ask for the epidural at that time because I knew by the time they got him to my room, prepared me, and put it in, it would be like 45 minutes before I could feel its effects. As he was administering it (which, wasn't bad at all), I was hunched over towards the nurse on one side of the bed and I was just pouring out water. We did know that I had a ton of water in me (probably a reason for all my stretch marks). By 10, I was in no pain at all.

About 10:15 they check me and I was a solid 5 but still a -2 station. And, he was flipped sunny-side up. So, they give me the peanut to use for 45 minutes a side. At 12:00 or so they check and I was between 5-6. Contractions were not regular at all. It was the pitocin doing all the work. I would have a series of 3 in a row with no rest then would break for 4 minutes and repeat. They kept changing the levels on the pitocin to see what worked best. Would it be 6? 4? 3? Who knows. So, at 12:00 they inserted the monitor to actually measure just how strong these contractions were and stopped the external monitor. At 2:45 I was checked again and was 6-7. My doctor was doing a delivery but was to be informed of my progress.

At 3:15 she came in. We discussed everything again and the fact that my body wasn't taking over doing the contractions on it's own, we decided it was best to do the c section. Shortly after saying those words my body went nuts. I started freezing and shaking uncontrollably. They had to load me up with 4 blankets (1 of which was warmed). I had to take that disgusting base stuff to counteract the acid in my stomach. I started crying unsure about the whole process and being scared by going into surgery.

Just before 4 I was moved in to the OR, dosed up on morphine and ready to go. Oh yeah, I'm still shaking uncontrollably. They move me from my bed to the OR bed and hold out my arms to strap them down then I think they strap down part of my head too, I'm not too sure. Jason comes in and they get to work. I couldn't feel anything besides for the occasional tugging and pulling. They tell me where they're at during the whole process, meanwhile my arms are still shaking and they give me yet another blanket for my upper body. Finally I hear that they've reached Hunter and are bringing him out and somethings along the lines of it being a good think we did the c section and how he have a future lineman on our hands or something. I hear him cry, and I no longer feel Jason holding my hand. He was off with our little man.

He was born at 4:12 on 8/9/10 weighing in at 9 pounds 2 ounces and 22.5 inches long. Though, I wasn't done yet. I wanted Jason to come back and show me pictures of him but it took him what seemed like ages to do. Soon after I started to feel nauseous. I told the anesthesiologist this, well, I actually said I feel "woozy" as he and his med student were the ones up at my head and I knew they would be the ones really concerned with that. Shortly after, Jason finally brings me pictures to look at. He leaves again and I knew I was going to be sick. I tell them again and a nurse comes over with a bowl for me. Finally the nurse holding Hunter comes wanting to know if I wanted to see him but I had to turn her away for how bad I felt. As soon as she left with him (along with Jason), I started dry heaving. I did this about 6 times before I finally got sick. Once that happened, I felt better, at least on the woozy front. I started shaking again from being cold (or I thought I was cold) as they continued the process to stitch me up.

I'm finally moved from the OR bed to a bed to transport me to the recovery room. I'm just trying to keep from shaking and trying to close my eyes in hopes of being able to sleep. My husband was not to be found when I got to the room. I got something called The Bear which is some sort of inflatable blanket pumping warm air onto me while I waited for the shaking to stop. Finally, Jason comes in and shows me more pictures of our little man. He tells me that he got to take each one of our family members back one by one to see Hunter though he would not let them hold him since I hadn't even seen him yet. I close my eyes and try to sleep while he steps out to call Baby's First Phone Call to leave our message announcing Hunter's arrival. A short time later I hear the wheels of a hospital crib being rolled into our recovery room and I finally got to see and hold him. A few tears ran down my cheeks as they gave him to me. The recovery has not been fun so far. Jason has to do most of the work, especially at night, as it is very hard for me to move or sit up and get out of bed. It frustrates me that I can't help him, especially when he's so tired and the first week of school is this week. But, we both know that it will be worth it in the end.

He's here!

As promised, I will post a birth story, it just won't be right now. Right now, I feel a nap coming on. Hunter, that's a great idea.

It's come down to this

6:00am Monday. That is my scheduled induction date, assuming that there is a bed available of course. Now having a date and time, I'm actually kinda scared. One way or another, I should be in labor trying to push what could be a 9 pound baby out of me in the next 3 days. Then, after that, I will be responsible for another person. I will be a mom.

What have I gotten myself into?!

2 weeks to go

How far along? 38 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? Something tells me I was up more last week. I'm now pushing the 25 mark. I'm at 24 pounds gained.

Maternity clothes? Every thing full time now.

Stretch marks? :( Yes. I have 2 that are towards the bottom that are raised, not flat on my skin. They hurt or itch a lot though, especially at the end of the day. 

Sleep? Officially horrible. I am up every hour to go to the bathroom. I can't roll over so I have to change sides when I try to climb back in bed.

Best moment this week? Canceling the c section and scheduling an induction for 8/9/10

Movement? He is still moving, but I don't feel it. With his movements being restricted now and the placenta in front and all the fluid I have, I can barely feel him now.

Food cravings? Warm chocolate chip cookies

Gender? It's a BOY!

Labor signs? Still yes. I'm getting very frustrated as to when I'm supposed to go to the hospital. I'm now dilated to 5cm for goodness sake!

What I miss? The cooler weather, sleeping through the night, no heartburn, and still sex. Oh, and my feet being a normal size!

What I'm looking forward to? Not being pregnant!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't expect the office nurse to be on the same page as the doctor. Mine was quoting exactly what the hospital would say and not what the doctor told me yesterday. It is so frustrating!

Milestones: Making it as far as my mom made it with me and my sister.

Emotions: Get this guy out! I'm so frustrated by feeling contractions that are doing stuff only to have them go away after I panic thinking I have to go to the hospital because of how much progress I've made. Can my water just break already so I know and I have a clear sign?

Time's a comin

Had my 38 week appointment today. I am nearly at 5cm. Still 80%. Our doctor was surprised to see me today, she didn't think we would make it another week. She offered to strip the membranes today before we even asked! It wasn't too bad, more just the pressure to get in there and do it. I am feeling pretty crampy now though, so we'll see what it does for me.

While there, we did ask why she says no to inducing because of big babies. She said we are a different story though because of how far along I am (to the point where if I start having serious contractions to pretty much not wait and just go in!) and so we talked inducing. It just so happens that she's on call on Monday and is willing to induce us if we don't want to wait until next Wednesday with the scheduled c section. Well, Monday is 8/9/10. Induce Monday? Yes please! Then, we don't have to worry about insurance covering for the c section that's pre planned. And, did I mention that it's 8/9/10? That is, assuming of course, that we go until then.

Confession

So, yesterday I had a few hours of more serious contractions. I could feel them up front for once. The late ones even made me pretty nauseous. I go downstairs to sit them out while seeing if they get worse. Tears coming down because I'm frustrated with how I feel but knowing it's not yet time for the hospital. Jason makes me some tea and I head to the bathroom. After coming out, I reach into the closet and grab out a stuffed animal Donald Duck. I head back to the couch with Donald in hand, put on a blanket, and just sit there with my tea. I was back in bed 30 minutes later. Jason says he loves it how when I don't like something or don't feel well, how I'll still go for a stuffed animal (these days it MUST be Donald) to make me feel better.

Hey, whatever works.

Stages of Labor

I'm in the early stage of labor. Well, I decided I am at least. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be having contractions that would truly be dilating me or effacing me. And, they wouldn't be coming around every 5 minutes. I read on What to Expect's website that this stage can last from several hours to several weeks. I apparently am in the several weeks category as this has been going on since at least July 12. I hope I don't have much more of this "early labor" stage. It is funny wishing for pain that will be some of the worst pain (I imagine at least), but it's for something great. Plus, due to his size, if he doesn't come on his own, then August 11 I have a C Section scheduled to get him out. Doing the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February means that I need to train as soon as I'm able to and a C Section would certainly delay that.

Come on out Hunter! You'll have more room and we live in Phoenix, so, you don't have to worry about being cold!