Special K - Adventures of a little boy
APPOINTMENTS
born: 02/19/03
due: 03/30/04
Friday, March 28, 2003
My C-Section Drama...The Full Story
**warning this is kinda long and not for those with weak stomachs**
I delivered Caleb on 03/12 via c-section (unplanned). I stayed in the hospital for three days after before going home. Both in the hospital and at home I never felt quite right. I had intense pain in my lower abdomen and incision area. The doctors and nurses all said it was normal.
On Monday night at home I took a shower and was shivering (my teeth were chattering) when I got out. I thought nothing of it and went to sleep only to wake up in the morning sweating. That same day I noticed the fold of skin where the incision is was quite damp. I put a washcloth in there to dry it out and realized it smelled horrible. I figured the smell was because I was afraid to wash it with soap and it needed to be cleaned.
Wednesday morning I took the baby to the hospital for his one week weigh in and the nurse asked to see my incision. She had to have smelled the stink and told me to go home and clean it with soap and pat it dry. I did as she said and all of my steri-strips (used to help the incision heal after the staples are removed) came off. After that I noticed that the incision area was getting more uncomfortable.
By Friday afternoon I started getting really bad headaches. I was also really really tired even though the baby had slept most of the night. My mother had been coming around during the days to help me out and noticed that I wasn't interested in caring for the baby. She started asking if I was okay and I told her my incision was bugging me. That night I took a shower and came out with the chills again. This time I asked Ari to look at the incision. He said even with showering it smelled and there was some white stuff oozing from it. We decided then that we should go to the hospital right away since neither of us would sleep well if we waited until morning.
Fortunately my folks were able to watch the baby on short notice. We dropped him off at 11pm and told my folks "we'd be back soon" (thinking they would just give me a prescription for antibiotics). We got to the hospital at 11:30pm and had to wait (though it wasn't that busy in the ER). At 12:30 the triage nurse took my vitals and my temp was 101.2 and my bp was 166/86. She told me I had to stay and be seen, but it would be a while. I wasn't called in until 3am (I was sooo tired by then). The doctor who saw me had NO bedside manner and scared the heck out of me. He first tried to pop my incision like a pimple to drain the puss. When that didn't work he gave me a local (which barely worked) and reopened the incision and dug at it with a needle and his finger (poor Ari had to watch the whole thing). It wasn't until after all the pain that I was given a shot of Demerol. Anyway, the doctor then announced that I was being admitted to the hospital. I literally freaked out at the thought of being seperated from my baby. I don't know when the last time I cried that much was.
I was moved to the High Risk / Ante Partum unit around 4:45am on Saturday and started on an IV of two kinds of heavy duty antibiotics. I also had to have the open wound packed with gauze three times a day (ouch!!!). I was kept in the hospital until Monday afternoon when my vitals have stabalized and the anibiotics were kicking in.
Between the Magnesium Sulfate I received during delivery and this infection I now have no hopes of breast feeding this child. I am so sad at all the complications I have encountered since labor began. I am thankful to be alive though. The doctors told me if I had not caught the infection when I did I could have serious problems to deal with.
My healing since coming home from the hospital has been wonderful. I still hurt but feel like a person again. I have a nurse coming to the house once a day on weekdays (for three weeks) to change my bandages and monitor my healing. Ari changes the bandages at night and on weekends. I went out of the house for the first time today. We took the baby to his doctor appointment and stopped at Target to pick up a few things. This trip wore me out, but it was great to be out in the real world again. It was the first time I went out somewhere other than to see a doctor since March 11. I go to the doctor next Tuesday to get checked out again. I'll post an pdate after I see her.
1st Doctor Visit
Today was your first visit to the pediatrician. Everything went great and you were on good behaviour for the most part. Your weight is up to 9lbs 1oz and you grew an inch bringing you to 22 inches long. From the amount you eat we weren't surprised by such a big jump. The doctor checked you out from head to toe and said everything looks perfect. We go back in six weeks for your two month check-up and you'll get some shots at that appointment.
We were pleased with the pediatrician. She seems to think the way we do which is a plus. We were concerned about the amount of formula you consume on an average day. She said that we shouldn't worry and feed you as long as you are hungry. She agreed with our theory of not setting a feeding schedule based on the clock (many doctors reccommend this). I'm comofrtable that we made the right choice with her. I'll have to thank Laurie for the tip next time I see her.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
It's A Girl !!!
Caleb's future wife was born today. Congratulations Renee & Tim on the birth of Megan Paulina.
Monday, March 24, 2003
Back In The Hospital Again
I spent the weekend back in the hospital. Its a long story which I will post later. I am doing much better and will fully recover.
It's A Boy !!!
Congratulations to Oscar & Stacy on the birth of Alex's little brother Evan Michael.
Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Happy Due Date
Today is our official due date. I always thought you would come week or two after this date, never a week early. Now that we have had you in our lives it seems like you have always been with us. I can't remember life before you were here. It has only been six days but it feels like a lifetime. They have been the best days for us because each time we look at you and the silly expressions you make we fall deeper in love.
Monday, March 17, 2003
Welcome Caleb Michael
I'm sitting here reading my last entry and so much has happened since then I don't know where to begin. Anyway...
On Tuesday I went to my doctor appointment ans was told that not only had my swelling gotten worse, but I had high blood pressure, protein in my urine, and I gained six pounds in one week. The doctor sent me straight to L&D saying that since I was already 39 weeks there was no point in keeping me pregnant.
At L&D the did lab work and were actually going to send me home until they noticed that I had +2 protein in my urine. I was admitted and checked for progress. Fingertip dialated, 50% effaced, and - 3 station. Basically my body was no where ready to deliver this baby. The doctor decided to start Cervadil (to ripen the cervix) overnight and begin inducing me in the morning. At 6:30pm the Cervadil was started and almost immediately I began having contractions about one minute apart. The doctors didn't like the reaction my body was having to the Cervadil so they decided to stop it.
At 1:30am on Wednesday morning I was put on an IV of Magnesium Sulfate (to prevent seizures caused by the high blood pressure) and Pitocin (to jumpstart labor). Both of these drugs are nasty on their own and when combined are a horid combination, I don't recommend this cocktail. Anyway I digress. Once the IV was started the contractions grew more painful, but not more consistant. I was developing no real labor pattern. I was given shots of Demerol to ease my pain and we waited for labor to progress.
By 1:30pm on Wednesday I was up to 3cm dialted, 80% effaced, and -1 station. Still not in active labor. The doctor broke my bag of water (I had a ton of fluid) and ordered my edidural. She said she wanted to see me at least hit 4cm in the next few hours if I wanted to avoid a C-Section. Let me just say I love the epidural, I had a few hours of relief for the pain and was able to relax while waiting to progress to 4cm. Of course when the doctor came to check on me at 7pm I was still at 3cm with no signs of change in sight. She said that when someone who is not favorable for delivery is induced from scratch failure to progress after 24 hours indicates that progression will likely not happen. Based on this we decided a C-Section would be the answer (and frankly after 25 hours of labor I was not up for another seven or eight more).
Caleb Michael was born via C-Section at 8:12pm on Wednesday March 12, 2003. He weighed 8 pounds 3 ounces and was 21 inches long. His Agpar scores were 9 and 9. He has a full head of dark hair like both his parents and it absolutely adorable.
After his birth I was kept in the hospital for three days. I had to stay on the Magnesium Sulfate and Pitocin IV for 24 hours after his birth. I'll admit this experience has been the most challenging of my life. Between the surgery and the drugs I was given my recovery is proving to be a slow and painful one. Though in the end when I look at my little man it was all so well woth it. I am truely happy to have him in my life. Plus the joy of seeing him and his father interact (which is by far the sweetest thing ever) brings tears to my eyes everytime.
Tuesday, March 11, 2003
39 Weeks
Today marks the end of week 39 and the beginning of what hopefully will be the final week...40. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon and am hoping he will have good news about your progress. It's not that I don't like bring pregnant and having you all to myself all the time. I love that. I want you so come out soon because I really want you to be born before we go to war. I don't know why I feel this way and frankly your arrival won't change the fact that we are going to war. Its just the timing of this whole thing is horrible. I mean why must the fighting begin on your due date? Also, your due date is a full moon which means L&D will be packed for sure. So if you'd like to make an appearance this week it would be greatly apprecaited. Anyday but Thursday works for me. Thanks.
Friday, March 07, 2003
Make Love, Not War
Let me tell you something baby this world you are coming into is a scary place to be. We are currently on the brink of a war that does not need to happen. Word came out today that Iraq has until March 17, 2003 to show proof that is has disarmed or else war will be declared.
The part that saddens me most is that you are due to arrive the day after this all important deadline. I wish you could be coming into the world during a peaceful time, but instead we are faced with possible terrorism on our soil, North Korea building nuclear weapons, and Iraq. Ironically both Daddy and I were born during the Vietnam war, also three of your four grandparents were born during World War II. I guess that gives me hope that we will get through this rough time in our world.
Wednesday, March 05, 2003
What A Good Daddy You Have
I have been doing good about staying home during the day and resting as much as possible. I want to go out, but need to save money so it is easier to just stay home and resist temptation. Anyway today my project was to wash a bunch of your stuff and get everything ready for your arrival at home. I finished this and now am only left with the project of finishing thank you cards from my baby showers. Anyway, Daddy saw that I had a touch of cabin fever and said he was taking me out to dinner tonight. We went to a diner not too far from here and had a nice meal. When we were walking into the restaurant Daddy said "You are really ready for this (pregnancy) to be over aren't you?" He was so sincere about it like he truly felt bad for me.
After dinner we stopped at the grocery store for ice cream (I needed some mint chip). When we were paying, the cashier said "Oh! Looks like someone had a craving. When are you due?" When I told her a week and a half her jaw hit the floor. She looked at me like I was a medical marvel. Not quite sure what to make of that.
Anyhoo I was talking about how good Daddy has been. When we got home from dinner my friend Renee called (she's due will baby Megan in April) and we were chating. While I was on the phone Daddy brought me a glass of ice water and the cordless phone (without being asked). Then when we were watching TV he brought me a big bowl of ice cream, that sure brought a smile to my face. He is trying so hard to lift my spirts and keep me comfortable. I really appreciate everything he is doing and I hope he knows it. The past week or so has been really rough on me and I don't forsee it getting any better.
Tuesday, March 04, 2003
So Close, Yet So Far
Here are my latest stats according to Amazing Pregnancy.com:
Today is Tuesday March 4th 2003.
You conceived on Tuesday June 25th 2002
and your due date is Tuesday March 18th 2003.
252 days have passed since the conception,
and you are 14 days before your due date.
You are 38 weeks into your pregnancy,
and you have 2 weeks to go.
You are in the 3rd trimester.
95% of your pregnancy has passed, there is 5% left to go.
Only 14 days...2 weeks left until my due date. Thats a mere 5% of this darned pregnancy. Of course it is the roughest longest part of it. I see the light at the end of the tunnel but it seems so far away. All I ask is that I am not sittting here in three weeks posting that I am 105% into this pregnancy, that would definately not be nice.
My Little Happy Camper
Yesterday I went to my NST appointment as scheduled. Low and behold I was 100% correct about my blood pressure. Yesterdays reading was 110/68 which happens to be the lowest it has been this entire pregnancy. I was monitored for a half hour and you were great. Your heart rate fluctuated between 137 - 179 and you moved around a lot (no hiccups this time though). I hoped that I would have had a contraction or two, but there was nothing. The nurse seems to agree with the doctor I saw on Friday that you are cozy in there with no plans on coming out any time soon.
Overall I'm feeling pretty good. You let me sleep through the night last night (with one potty break) and I am actually awake and alert before 11am today which is a first since I have been off work. My feet really hurt from the swelling, though the pain is more like they are bruised on top and bottom. I'm wearing my wrist brace on my left arm because the swelling aggervated my carpel tunnel and now my fingers on both hands are kinda stiff. I have one finger on my right hand that seems to need some WD-40 or something. They aren't swollen (more than usual) so I am not going to worry about it. I figure you are probably sitting on a nreve that I need to move my fingers.
I am still grumpy, but not nearly as bad as over the weekend. I know people mean well I am just frustrated by the constant baby talk. I've had some good chats with friends this week about things other than kids and I really have enjoyed those conversations. If you do call me please know I don't mind you asking how I am feeling or if the baby has arrived. What bothers me is when there is no other dynamic to the conversation. Remember I am the same person I was before I got pregnant and still have other interests in this world.
Well its time for me to get off my soapbox and go lie down again (such a lifestyle).
Sunday, March 02, 2003
Super Grump
Well I have brought grumpiness to a whole new level. This weekend I have been so edgy and irritable. Everyone and everything gets on my nerves. Daddy has been quite a trooper trying to make me comfortable and happy. He took me shopping yesterday for junk food snacks and then out for a nice dinner. He is trying so hard and I really appreciate it. Auntie came over today and we watch a DVD and made won tons, it was relaxing and nice to get my mind off of all things baby. I love you dearly, but I just can't let my life become 100% consumed with baby issues. A lot of people forget that I have a life outside of impending parenthood and only want to discuss pregnancy and infant care. I know everyone means well, but please remember I am a person too not just a baby machine.
There is not much else to report here. Daddy attempted to put your car seat in my car today, but something just doesn't seem right. I am going to stop off at the Highway Patrol station tomorrow and have them check it and show me how to install it properly. We want to be sure you are snug as a bug when riding in the car.
I have an appointment for yet another Non Stress Test tomorrow. I'm sure everything will come out perfect and we'll be sent home to wait for your arrival. Just remember tomorrow is 03/03/03 so if you want to arrive then I am fine with it, otherwise lets wait until later in the month.
