Hey Jude!

Now that it has been 2 weeks and 2 days, I guess I will tell the story of my sons birth, even though most of the people that follow my blog already know it.

On November 2nd, I drove to school, and waited for the time to reach 8:30 so I could call my OB. I was worried because I had not felt Jude move since Monday, and I didn't know if that was normal, he wasn't a very active baby to begin with. I expected to call and have them tell me to come in tomorrow, when I had a previously scheduled appointment. Well, they didn't. They told me to come in right away, and I was TERRIFIED!

When I got to the doctor, the hooked me up to a monitor to measure contractions, which I wasn't having. They also hooked me up to a monitor to measure the baby's heartbeat. At first the nurse could not find it, and I started to freak out a little bit. She went and got the doctor, and luckily the doctor found the heartbeat. I was extremely relieved. She left me in the room for what seemed like 5 minutes, and came back in to look at the results. She told me that normally, there would be a fluctuation in the baby's heartbeat to show that it was moving around in there, but there was no fluctuation. She told me that I needed to go to the hospital for more testing.

I went to the hospital and checked in. They put me in a labor and delivery room and hooked me up to the same 2 monitors they had on me at the doctors office. When they saw the same thing, they gave me oxygen to stimulate the baby... still nothing. Then they hooked me up to an IV... still nothing. They decided to do an ultra sound to see what was going on. Apparently when they look at the baby via ultra sound they give it a score, 2 points for fluid, 2 points if the baby moves, 2 points if the baby is practicing its breathing, and 2 points for something else... well out of 8... I only got 2. Jude wasn't moving, or doing practice breathing, and he didn't look like he had a lot of room. I was shocked too that the ultra sound said he was only 4 lbs. The last time he got measured he was 3lbs 8oz, so something slowed down his growth significantly. My doctor told me she wanted to check with the specialist I was seeing, but she thought that he needed to come out because it is easier to take care of him on the outside than it is when he is in my belly.

She called the specialist and they gave the go ahead. She came back in a told me to call my husband because I would be having this baby in the next hour or so. I was extremely emotional, but trying to keep a calm face for all the nurses/doctors that were coming in to poke and prod me. Some time before 4 they took me to the room for the c section. They gave me a spinal block and an epidural. I think that was the scariest part. I was trying really hard the whole time not to lose it. I was a mess in my head though, terrified, excited, terrified, confused, terrified.

After a whole lotta tugging and pulling on my lower regions, Jude came out breathing on his own, at a teeny tiny but long 4 lbs 2.6 oz and 17.25 inches long. I got to give him a little kiss (as I was crying and could barely see him anyway) and then they rushed him away and me into a room where they tortured me by pushing on my stomach over and over again. It wasn't too bad though because I couldn't feel anything from the waist down, it was just uncomfortable. My day up to this point felt like it all happened over the course of 2 hours, no exaggeration, but I actually got to the doctor at 9:30 and had Jude at 4:00, so it was actually a really long time. Once he was out, every minute felt like and hour. I WANTED TO SEE MY BABY!

Finally they rolled me into the NICU and I got to see my little man. He was precious and I couldn't wait to see him again. They took me to my room where I tried hard all night to get my legs to move so I could get up and see my baby faster. I was still hooked up to the epidural, and I knew I wouldn't get to see him again that night but I wanted to get out of bed as soon as possible the next day.

The next day all the nurses that were checking on me were surprised at how mobile I was and how little pain medication I needed. It hurt like hell, but it was bearable. I still think getting the epidural and spinal block were the worst part.

When I could walk I went in to see Jude. The doctors told me that they still couldn't figure out what was wrong in my belly, but he wasn't happy in there and they were glad they decided to get him out. The next couple of weeks were an emotional roller coaster. Although he improved everyday, battling low platelets, pH imbalance, temperature regulation, and no motivation to eat, he finally over came all the small battles and we got to take him hom.. he's crying now... gotta go

Good Day Sunshine

It is so nice to see the sun again! Today has been a pretty good day :)

I had 2 doctors appointments this morning. The first one was was the people who measure Jude every 4 weeks. He is 3lbs 8oz and is in the 57th percentile. I was watching her measure his head, and his head is 7.9 cm in diameter. That is about 31 weeks and 6 days along (I am 30 weeks and 3 days). I hope his head doesn't grow too much more or he's not gonna fit! They also said that he is in the head down position, so hopefully he stays that way. (And stays in there for a little while still) Anyway here's a picture from today. 

He was super cute today when he was getting his pictures taken. He kept yawning and opening his mouth, and sticking his hand in his mouth a few times. It was sweet.

At my second appointment they did the normal stuff. Took my blood pressure (which was normal). They took my weight, which went down 4lbs. (I have been on my low sodium diet and apparently some of the weight is water weight) The doctor said that was good and that she wanted to see more loss, or no gain next time. They took my blood just to double check something (it had to do with the previous weight gain). The listened to Jude's heartbeat (still strong) and measured my stomach. Everything was good.

My next appointment with the OB is Oct 19, and Jude gets measured again Nov 3. Although I am uncomfortable now, I hope he stays in there!

I'm So Tired

It's been a while since I posted. I don't know how many doctors appointments I have had since the last time I posted, probably two. I've been super busy with class, and my new job, back to school night etc. I just haven't had much time to share. Not to mention I am too tired. I don't get very good sleep at night, and its not because Jude is moving around too much, he is usually pretty quiet at night (hopefully that is a good sign, that he will be quiet when he comes out, fingers crossed!). I wake up almost every 2 hours and when I do sleep, its a half asleep, half awake kind of sleep for most of it. I guess I better get used to it.

Here are some pictures from my last measurement session. They said he was 2lbs 3oz and in the 62nd weight percentile, but that was 2 weeks ago. He will be measured again October 5th.

This picture is kind of a weird one. It is more of a frontal shot than a profile. If you start at the top that is his forehead, and then come down his brow bone (first arrow) to his eye (second arrow), and then to his cheek bone (third arrow), and his nose parallell to his eye and cheek bone.

I had a doctors appointment today. I had to drink the orange glucose drink, it wasn't all that yummy. They took blood too. I have never had half the blood not go in the needle when they take blood. This woman (not one of the normal ones) was fumbling around trying to switch vials and it was pretty uncomfortable, I am pretty sure I will have a bruise tomorrow. They said everything was good, but they were a little bit worried about my weight gain and the amount of swelling I have. They think that it could be alot of water retention (I'm pretty sure it's just because I eat too much). They want me to go on a no/low sodium diet and if I continue to gain more weight than is normal they are gonna take more blood and make me pee in a container for 24 hours. Gross! They must be crazy if they think I am taking a jug of pee everywhere with me for a day. I DON'T THINK SO! I have a doctors appointment with them on the 5th also so hopefully my weight will be ok.

Here are some 28 week belly pics (well 28 weeks and 4 days, so almost 29). It's HUGE already and I still have 3 months to go! :(

Yuck!

Hopefully I will post more in 2 weeks when I go to my next 2 appointments.

This Boy...

I have lots to update. Well, not really lots but I have had 2 doctors appointments since the last post, and I was supposed to post a 24 week picture.

I had a doctors appointment on Friday. This was my regular OB so they weighed me, took my blood pressure, found the heart beat and measured my belly. The heart beat is still normal... every time they take it, it is between 145 and 150. Next time I got back to my OB I have to drink the orange drink and do the glucose test.

My other appointment, today, was the last appointment to check my cervix. My cervix looks fine, and they said it has looked good the whole time with no signs of weakening. Maybe that means Jude will come in December! We will see... They still want me to go every 4 weeks to measure the baby and his growth, since they did that 2 weeks ago, I have to go back again in 2 weeks. THEN, it will be back down to every 4 weeks for measurements. Except, after my next OB appointment, when they do the glucose test, I have to start going every 2 weeks. Sheesh!

Anywhoo... here are the pictures from the appointment today, and some belly pictures. Enjoy!

He had his hand by his face the whole time...

She was trying to get a good one with his hand up there

He kind of looks like he has an inappropriate finger up there! He really doesn't like getting his picture taken! ;)

Now for some belly pictures... I usually take them on Sundays because that is the start of a new week, but we were driving home from Asheville after seeing our adorable niece Zoey, so I didn't get a chance to take a picture then. Here is my belly at 24 weeks 3 days

I'm really not that big... but I feel like a house. I know it's only going to get worse. 4 months to go!

Ain't He Sweet

Jude was much more cooperative today at the doctors. They got some great pictures.

Here hes got his little hand by his face. I think he looks like Jason, but Jason thinks he looks like me. It's very hard to tell in an ultrasound.

Here's another cute little picture. I think he looks like he is smiling. So sweet :)

The doctors said that everything else looks good. I have to go back again in 2 weeks because they want to check one more time (even though I am pretty sure that is what they said last time). Then they will do a follow up 2 weeks after that and then I only have to go every month. I'll still have to go to my regular OB as well. Thank goodness for insurance!

Jude is 1lb 5oz but they said that they are glad he is on the heavier side just in case he comes early. 

On another note, Jason and my grandfather finally put the closet doors up in the baby room, so now I can start putting the room together. Yay!

Bad Boy

I can tell Jude it rotten already, just like his daddy. Hehe JK! Apparently he hates getting his picture taken. Every sonogram I've had, except for the first ones when he was tiny, he tries to turn and make it impossible to get good pictures. He's impossible!

I had a doctors appointment today. They checked my cervix again, and everything is fine. I am supposed to go back in 2 weeks but I am facilitating a math thing that week so they want me to go back next week. (So I had an appointment today, I have one next Wednesday, and then again the Friday after that) Sheesh! Good thing it's summer. Anyway the Wednesday appointment is to check my cervix for the last time. Then they are just going to check every 4-6 weeks. Thank goodness! I love seeing Jude every 2 weeks but all these doctors appointments are a pain in the rear.

Jude has been moving around a lot lately. I can almost predict when he is going to be awake. He's most active right around bed time. Usually sometime between breakfast and lunch and between lunch and dinner he moves around but not too much. I can't feel it yet on the outside yet though.. poor Jason. He will be able to feel it soon though.

Anyway I will keep you posted on future Drs appointments.

It Won't Be Long

Today is the halfway point! Yay, we have made it halfway. I am 20 weeks, which is 5 months, but I have 5 months to go. What happened to pregnancy being 9 months?

The doctors appointment on Friday went fine. My blood pressure is normal as well as my weight. I saw a nurse practitioner and I don't really know if she knew what she was doing. She seemed flustered and she had trouble finding the heartbeat. She felt around my belly and told me that the baby was hanging out on one side and so she tried to find the heartbeat there and I guess he was on the other side. Maybe she found my breakfast? She also measured my belly for the first time, she didn't say anything about it so I guess it is normal. That's about it for Friday, it was a quick appointment. My next appointment is another cervix check on Aug 2 and then I only have to go every month (but that is still 2 appointments a month).

Here are the latest belly pictures. These pictures were taken this morning. My belly seems to be smaller in the morning (along with my fingers, which get a little swollen as the day goes on), by night time it feels and looks a bit bigger.