Wednesday, November 30, 2011

One Week

It is so hard to believe that it was a week ago Logan was born. As I look at the time as I write this, I was prepped and waiting in L&D to be wheeled into the OR. Now, I look down and Logan is laying across my lap, snoring away. We have adjusted well to being home, thanks of course to Joe, who has been my arms and legs while I am on weight and driving restrictions. Emmi has taken to Logan too... offering him his blanket or putting his rattle in his lap. She is a smart girl. Things in a lot of ways are easier this time around, even with 2. Logan is a good eater and therefore a good sleeper. His cries and needs seem to be so much easier to meet than Emmi's. I don't know if I can attribute that to experience or the fact he was "on time" development-wise as compared to Emmi. Either way, it has been nice.

Chilling post-sponge bath in my swing!

Monday, November 28, 2011

The Complication

Many of you have been asking what "snags" I ran into, so I decided to post this separately. It's kind of graphic so if you want to stick with the hunky dory version previous, stop reading now. :)



So, the major problem during the c-section was that the anesthesiologist could not get the spinal needle in properly to administer the anesthetic. I don't know if it came down to technique or the shape of my spine or what but he tried 5 or 6 times... I lost count. That means 12 needles total, one for freezing, one for the spinal. Repeat process. Finally, he was able to get in using an epidural needle. Success. For the moment.

In the recovery area I was doing pretty good, but by the time I was wheeled to the mother-baby side, my head was throbbing. I was suffering from a spinal headache. Now, if he had been able to use a regular spinal needle, the risk for a spinal headache would have been very low. But, because he used an epidural needle (which is a bigger needle) to do a spinal needle's job, it passed through the dura matter (covering of my spinal cord) and created a passage for my spinal fluid to leak out, changing the fluid pressure around my brain and spinal cord. They began to treat my headache with medication and caffeine drinks, which did relieve some of the pain. I tried to lay still for the next few days but every time I got up, it felt like my brain was going to explode. On day three, I began losing my hearing from the pressure and also was losing feeling in my arm. I was ready to take the next step.

In order to fix the leak, the anesthesiologist (a different one) would need to do a blood patch. They would take a fair amount of blood from my arm, put another epidural needle in place in my spine, near the site of the original puncture, and inject me. My blood would clot and the resulting clot would "patch" the meningeal leak. The result would be a wonderful compression effect... kind of like letting the air out of a tire that was too full. This compression release would eventually reach the fluid around my brain and I would be fixed.

They prepared me for this procedure, which was done in my room, with Joe and my entire family waiting on pins and needles (no pun intended) all around me. He inserted the needle first try, injected my blood, and I immediately needed to lay down flat for the next 3 hours. As I lay flat for the next 3 hours, I prayed my blood would clot and to take my mind off things, Joe and I watched 3 ridiculous episodes of "Kourtney and Kim Kardashian Take New York". What a stupid show! LOL. But, it did the trick because after 3 hours, I sat up and was cured.

Thank God. :)

The Birth Story

So, on Wednesday, November 23 I stopped in for my final biophysical and Logan was still happy in there. The nurse said I could stay pregnant up until my due date with no problem then beep! went the blood pressure machine and the reading stopped her partway through her sentence. The numbers were way too high and she said I needed a plan for delivery. So, it was off to my OB. He did a rough measurement  and his face showed concern... he was getting a measurement of possibly 10 pounds. After some more prodding around, he sat down and said 5 words that suddenly changed the game: "I don't think it'll fit". Logan's head was no where near being engaged and even if it did engage itself, my OB was terribly worried about shoulder distortion- which is when the baby's shoulder becomes trapped beneath the pelvic bone, causing the nerves to be stretched and injured. The risks were high... a limp or paralyzed arm, lack of muscle control in the arm, hand, or wrist, and lack of feeling or sensation in the arm or hand. So, after leaving us alone for a few minutes to talk, Joe and I decided to go for the c-section. So, at 11:30am, my OB called the hospital and "booked" me for surgery at 3:30pm. At 4:28pm, Logan William, 9 pounds, 9 oz., 20 3/4" made his beautiful debut!


Monday, November 21, 2011

My Happy Camper

So, it was back to my OB this morning. I see now why it pays not to work the closer one gets to her due date because all you are doing is sitting in doctor's offices! :) My tests from over the weekend were all negative... so no pre-eclampsia... which I knew, but needed to be confirmed.

My BP was ridiculously high again but that's because the word "induction" had been tossed around last Thursday. So, Joe and I left Emmi with her Avo, complete with typed instructions, a freezer meal, and a quilt for the couch in case we were going to be in it for the long haul. My BP did eventually come down and my Bishop's Score clearly indicated that an induction today would more than likely result in a failure to progress (aka probable c-section).

So, after a rather nonchalant stripping of membranes and instructions for bed rest for the BP, back home we went. I return to the high-risk Dr. on Wednesday for my last scheduled biophysical then back to my OB for another evaluation.

This pregnancy went so fast and I thank 2.0 for slowing it down for me with this rather laborious (pun intended) pre-delivery!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Biophysical #4 & a Check-Up

Wednesday's biophysical went well again. 2.0 is miiighty comfy in there, enjoying a good fluid level, perfect placenta, and even some extra room to grow. Hey, would you want to leave? I looked at him/her on the screen happily sucking away on his/her toes. Heaven, no doubt!

I have been feeling tired exhausted lately. Do one activity, sit down. Do something else, sit down. Shower? Take a nap! I guess that's what carrying around a now over 8 pounder will do to you. Whew!

Thursday I went to my OB/midwife for a check-up and my blood pressure was running pretty high. So, I had to come back a few hours later for blood work and I have to do a 24 hour protein check. Luckily, I didn't have to go to L&D like I did last time it happened with Emmi but I am thinking a trip there is fast approaching. We shall see!

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Feathering the Nest/Check-up/Growth Scan

Dear 2.0,

It has been a busy week for you!

On Sunday, you had a beautiful shower that was thrown by your Grandmas. We had a ton of fun and you wiggled a lot as I ate and drank all the yummy food and drinks. You got some really nice things too that you will be seeing and using very soon!

On Tuesday, we had a check-up for you with Dr. Hoffman/Midwife Cassie. I am measuring right on target, my BP was good, your heart rate was great, and I am 2cm dilated! Yipee!

On Wednesday, we went to the high-risk doctor for your last growth scan. You weigh about 7 lbs 14 oz. You grew 2 pounds in the last month! Wowza!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Biophysical #2 and #3

You are looking good in there and you have moved even further down. You are ready for launch! I go next week for my last growth scan to find out how much you weigh. Cook for a little while longer, but Daddy and I are ready to meet you. :)