Postpartumness Pt. 2

MeMe is almost 2 weeks old. Amazing!  She has longer periods of wakefulness and she gets all smiley when you pick her up.  She still only cries when really hungry or uncomfortable, but once that’s solved, she’s right as rain.  She is having fun exploring her hands and can now turn herself onto her side from being on her back when awake.

Cutie @ 10 days old!

Overall feeling fine. Still kinda sore all over like I got beat up, but am able to walk up and down the stairs with no problem. I really hate the question “how are you doing” even more than I did when I was pregnant.  If I was having a problem, I would say so.  My husb is obsessed with my blood pressures and asks daily what it is.  It’s been in the 130’s/70-80’s so it’s okay.  Better than what it was.  My feet are still a little puffy.  Everyday is less and less.  The scale shows I’ve lost 8 lbs over the course of 5 days.  Sweet!

My ob-gyn visit was fine, but since my mom was working that night, we had to take MeMe with us.  Of course we had to wait awhile so I made sure to pack lots of stuff and two bottles of formula/boob juice to keep her tummy full.  I saw Dr G who is still baffled by my severe preeclampsia/toxemia.  Nothing about my case was textbook and it came on all of a sudden.  Nothing in my prenatal visits showed that it was gonna get THAT bad.  Too much fluid + high bp + low heart rate+ 1 glass of wine = trip to the hospital.  Go figure. And as quick as it came, it resolved quickly.  I am to see my primary doc in a month, but any problems go through the ob-gyns for right now.

So after the visit, we took MeMe to Babies-r-us, courtesy of my play-auntie who is awesome.  She is the mom of my closest friend who came to visit me while pregnant a couple of times.  Her husband died last November and her eldest son took me to Prom.  She was one of the many visitors that dropped by that first week home.  She and my friend wanted to throw me a baby shower, but I said no thanks.  So instead, she bought MeMe some cute little outfits and a gift card worth $500.  Yay! My mom’s sister really hooked us up with a check for $200, a digital picture frame that plays music, an electric breast pump, extra car-seat base, and another playard (we returned it because she didn’t know we already had it). Thanks auntie! We’ve received cards and well wishes and some more clothes/toys from some of my coworkers.  The only thing that is kinda bothering me is that my in-laws haven’t sent anything! No card, no nothing!  They call and say congrats, but a card is always cool too. The always send stuff for Dom, so I thought it was kinda weird that it’s been 2 weeks now.  Even my brother in Atlanta sent a card and he’s further away!

When we first came home from the hospital, there were a few things we needed to buy right away because we hadn’t thought of it before: a drying rack for the bottles, b0ppy pillow for my comfort, room monitor, and an ottoman to put my feet on when feeding. It would’ve been great to use the gift card!

So we went on a super shopping spree at Babies-r-us and it was wonderful!  Almost used the whole card because husb kept throwing things into the cart. I learned now being a mom that you can’t always be cheap about stuff you need.  I’ll admit, I penny pinch pretty badly, to the point that it pisses husb off sometimes.  But it’s enabled us to save $.  Now with MeMe, I buy whatever I think she/I/we need, I just read the box more carefully to make sure it’s a good buy.

The things I thought I didn’t need, but absolutely love!

• Electric bottle warmer
• B0ppy pillow – regular pillows warp to easily
• Electric breast pump early on – baby gets too fussy at the breast & won’t latch most of the time(lactation folks tried to help with a nipple shield) and the pump allows me a little more freedom with feeding times. 
• More cans of ready-made formula

Modern Convenience! I’m sure there is more, but I can’t think of it right now.

We finally ordered some baby announcements from Shutterfly dot com and they should arrive sometime this up coming week.  They are soooo cute, can’t wait to mail them out!

Overall, this last week was a good one. 

 

 

A Cerclage Removal Story

9/15/09 – Today was one of the most important days of this pregnancy.  At 36w2d, Dr. G took my stitches out  in the L&D operating room, to be as sterile as possible.  The procedure was scheduled for 10 am (originally 0930) but an emergency walked into the ER and I was bumped to around 12:15p.

Prep: I was not allowed to eat after midnight.  So they starved me for like 12 hours.  However, I did sneak some peanuts and sips of water while at home because the hunger was unbearable.  I checked in at around 0930 after calling the floor to see when to come in.  Because of my dehydration  and stronger contractions, they gave me an IV fluid and a shot of Terbutaline sub-q (ouch, that stings!) to quiet my uterus for the procedure.  I was also given IV Ancef as a precautionary antibiotic. We saw MeMe on a bedside ultrasound just to make sure she was doing well and got hooked up to the baby/uterus monitor. We sat and watched the “Newborn Channel” and answered some health history questions before it my time to go to the OR.  My mom and husb were with me.  Some of my mom’s coworkers were working  and almost all of them had no idea her daughter was pregnant or that she was expecting a grandchild.  The last time I was L&D at my hospital was when my water broke with the twins so mom only wanted to give good news this time. I love having mom with me because she makes sure everything is taken care of.  Husb is equally supportive so its like having two people wait on you hand and foot all day!

Procedure: Signed the consent, of course. Doc said no anesthesia this time and I stupidly refused IV Ativan thinking I could tough it out.  I wished I took it to calm me down because the pain was EXCRUTIATING! I almost jumped off the table and Nurse Annie, who was holding my hand, almost had her fingers broken.  People who say it is “uncomfortable” are barely touching the surface.  All that cervical manipulating, the hard speculum, and the manual check for leftover stitch material is NOT COOL. Gotta remember, nothing large or wide has been in my cooch for months so the muscles in there were not happy to be messed with.  I was tense and needed to be coached to breathe from Annie.  All in all, it took about 10-15 minutes to make sure both stitches were out.

Aftermath: My cervix did the unexpected.  Dilated a fingertip and 50% effaced.  MeMe is high, not even engaged.  I also have some bacteria growing up in there so I have to put Metrogel in my cooch for the next 5 days.  Ladies with cerclages are more prone to BV because of the increase in secretions caused by the cerclage. Go figure.  I should expect some bleeding, but having seen any yet. I finally got to eat after the procedure. We stayed in the hospital and was monitored for about 2.5 hours.  For a while, my contractions seemed stronger and had gotten to be about 5 minutes apart, but then subsided, spread apart, and felt like normal.  Annie sent me home with my prescription and said to call or come back if my water breaks, stronger contractions…etc. Typical labor stuff.

These are what the stitches looked like, but I didn’t get to take a picture of my actual stitches. Looked just like little pieces of blue wire with huge knots. I can see why Dr. S said husb would cut himself if he got close to those things. Ouch.

Placing bets: Husb’s hor0scope said he’ll get great news on Friday, today is Tuesday.  Mom still says by her birthday (9/24).  A says by next week.  Dr G would like MeMe to stay until at least 37 weeks (9/20) but won’t stop her from coming now. We’ll see if these contractions start to make my cervix act right. Next OB visit is on 9/22 at 1150.

I bet my medical chart is exciting reading.  All the things we’ve been through from 1/08 until now.  Everyone is excited and proud we made it this far.  MeMe has a crowd eagerly awaiting her arrival.

36 weeks

 

The week I have longed for and never thought I would get to.

Thank you God!

Awesome Ultrasound, awesome day

Got to see Miss MeMe and my cervix this morning.  She has baby fat and hair! Yay!  The tech didn’t say how much she weighed, but her measurements averaged 33w1d but I am 33w4d based on LMP.  She has consistently measured a few days behind because I ovulated later than the average 14 days rule, so it’s all good.  Due date doesn’t change for a handful of days!   Defintitely still a girl! We got some awesome pictures of her cute little baby face.  The tech let us watch her yawn and stick her tongue out.  We could see her practice breathing and trying to move in her crammed space.  She has plenty of amniotic fluid and the placenta is still good.  My cervix is a comfortable 3 cm, so not too worried there either. 

I think she has my nose, but mom and husb say she’s gonna look like him.  She has his forehead and overall shape of face.  We won’t really know until she comes out.  Either way, she’s my cutie! 

Our stroller/carseat came today and it’s gorgeous!  Husb took it out of the box and we were so giddy, it almost made us late for the appointment.  Playard is in transit, being shipped from Ohio according to the tracking #.  Should be here next week.

We have a date for the Cerclage Removal….drum roll please…….Sept 15th @ 0930.  Super yay!  MeMe’s shackles are coming off and she will be free to leave the premises! So just gotta hang out these next 3 weeks.  Soooo excited! 

The only thing that made the day suck was that it’s sooo freaking hot! I thought my skin was melting!

Another fabulous appointment (32w4d)

Yesterday, I had a pretty good doctor’s appointment with Dr. M’s office.  We had to wait 1.5 hours to be seen because the doc I was  assigned to was stuck doing an emergency C-section.  They were going to reschedule me for another day, but husb was pushy and insisted I be seen since I was “high-risk.”  So they managed to squeeze me in.  I told him not to act like that when I’m hospitalized! But I gotta hand it to him, he gets results.

My bp was good, mostly because I told the MA to give me a second to let my heart rate go down.  Belly is measuring on target and my urine was fine. Up 3 pounds in 2 weeks.  Been lazy and hungry! 

Doc wants me to get a US to check my cervical length and see how MeMe is growing.  Fantastic!  I haven’t seen her in 4 weeks! Then we asked about the Cerclage Removal and we found out it will be on L&D  at my hospital since it’s more sterile and I can be monitored for contractions. They will call me with the date that it will be scheduled but I should expect sometime after Sept 14th (36w1d).  Yay! Hopefully I’ll dilate right away and only have like a week or two until labor starts.  Mom thinks and dreamed that I’ll deliver on her birthday, Sept 24th.  Another Libra in the house!

We got some info on local pediatricians and the form to pre-register for the hospital. The new doc trained with Dr. S. way back in the day and she was pretty sharp on addressing any concerns. We’ll see another doc at my 34 wk appointment.

We also just bought MeMe’s stroller and carseat on +arget.com and it should be delivered to our house sometime next week.  After it arrives, then I’ll get the pack-n-play that she’ll be sleeping in.  It matches the travel system and has music/vibrations to help soothe her. It has a changing station built in, napper, and bassinet along with the playyard on the bottom.  We thought it was pretty cool when we first saw it, but now it’s no longer in the stores and we have to buy it online.  You would think that if it was being discontinued, it should be on sale! It’s a freakin’ clearance item.  Oh well. I just want it here by stitch cutting time.

I’ve been working on the Outdooring Party.  I find it more exciting to figure out.  Everyday I try to discuss it my mom or husb and I think they’re tired of me already! Can’t really plan for the baby anymore since a lot of it is learning on the spot.  So at least now that I have plenty of time, I can start the prep for the party.  I know when MeMe comes and I’ll be focusing on her that the thought of planning and organizing a party will be the last thing on my mind.  Mom and I planned the food and invite list just last night. We’ll have lots of ladies helping on the day of the party.

59 days left!

59 days left until my EDD! Awesome!

But, I feel like I’m ready now.  I’d be happy if she was born because I really really want to see and hold her already.  I know, I’m being selfish because she is not ready to come out yet, but I want her here!  I wish her lungs would hurry up and mature so I can deliver.  The suspense is killing me! I have no desire to wait until 40+ weeks.  37 or 38 would be just fine.

A coworker had her baby boy at 32 weeks last year. I think he was in the NICU for about 5 weeks or so.  He came out the womb 6 lbs at that time.  She had GD and I’m not sure what caused her to deliver so early since she never told me the whole story.  But he is 1 yr 3 mo and healthy now.  So it’s possible, but not ideal of course.

I guess I also want to deliver now because I’m uncomfortable.  Gotta work around the belly and work with the extra weight.  My joints don’t like it.  Husb and I can’t sleep in the same bed together.  He tosses and turns and takes up more than his alotted space.  Drives me nuts.  So by the time I get comfy and cozy, he steals the covers or I’ll have a sudden urge to go pee.  Crap!  It’s getting out of hand.  So we stagger, kinda like when I was working.  He sleeps at night and I sleep during the day or after 4 am (the time he leaves). 

I’ve been watching a lot of delivery shows and “Bringing Home Baby” to see what works and doesn’t work.  I could’ve done the childbirth and breastfeeding class on Monday, but I realized there’s alot I already know and can learn from mom, the postpartum RN. So I’ll save my $$.  I went through a lot of childbirth stuff with the twins.  What a mucus plug looks like, what having your water breaks feels like,  the monitoring, IV lines, having your cervix checked manually, waiting to dilate enough (6 hours for the boys), the major contractions to help deliver (hurt like hell) and waiting for the placenta to come out.  Been there, done that.  I just know now that the baby is the size of a watermelon, the waiting and pain will be much worse.  Epidural please! I kinda know about that too.  Getting my spinal for the cerclage is pretty similar in procedure and effects.  The rest of the stuff I need to know, my doc and L&D nurses will gladly go over with me.  Now breastfeeding, mom goes over that every Sunday using one of my teddy bears.  Positioning of the baby, cues to look for, how to hold the equipment, and timing on each breast have been discussed.  And I guess we’ll keep discussing/practicing it because she wants me knowledgeable by the time I end up in the hospital.  Plus, I still have my nursing school books and plenty of time to read.

Other news, my best friend just came back from London (after studying abroad for 8 weeks) and is coming to visit.  Yay!  Also, it’s someone’s birthday at work, so that means dinner and drinks next weekend.  A break in monotony is always welcomed!

31 weeks of taking over

Little Miss MeMe is taking over.  She’s the first thing people see when they look at me.  For a while, my belly was big but still a little hideable, now there is no mistaking that I didn’t just swallow a basketball.  My neighbor cornered me the other day and yesterday, we went to a house party where she was the topic of conversation.

It was for a 2 year old’s birthday celebration, but more like a multi-generational party.  My parents, husb and I went to this party thrown by some members of our club/association.  A few of us Ghanaian-Americans get together monthly to discuss different topics and embrace culture. Mostly we throw parties/picnics and socialize.  They were very supportive after my boys died and brought us food when my aunt died shortly after that.  It’s like one big extended family with the older generations hanging out with the younger ones.  My parents have tons of kids to spoil and play with as if they were their grandkids.  I haven’t been to any meetings or gatherings in months, mostly because I had to work or because I was just lazy.  Husb said they always asked about me.  I think lots of people were really worried about my emotional state for a loooong time because I stayed in hiding.  Anyway, the party was extra cute. And it turns out the hostess, whose daughter was the birthday star, was 4.5 months pregnant as well. 

 She actually did a belly bump with me, it was pretty funny.  So then comes the questions about my belly.  Everyone was so happy I’m so close to delivering and there will be a new baby to join the group.  Babies get all the attention.  The babies will get held and passed around from woman to woman all night long.  There was a 6 month old cute little boy that was sitting on various laps and getting his cheeks messed with.  It’s hilarious. I don’t usually participate in the baby-passing; I just ask how old the baby is, wave hi to the little one, and say that he/she is cute.  I’m sure when MeMe is out of the cuddle phase, any new baby will make me want to hug and squeeze them too. One of my mom’s long-time friends said she was so excited she’s gonna be like another grandma.  MeMe is gonna get smothered everytime I bring her to a party/picnic/meeting. 

My parents have been advertising the “Outdooring” party already. Mom told some of her work friends already.  We were thinking November, before Christmas craziness kicks in.  It’ll give us a chance to use tradition to show off the baby and bring her into our community. Awesome!

MeMe is so big, I can’t imagine how things will be in 4 weeks.  When I lie down, all she does is kick and move.  Thump thump thump all night long.  My belly looks like a snake is moving underneath my skin.  Keep movin and groovin baby girl!  Other symptoms:  insomnia (pretty much all pregnancy long), sore hips when sleeping on either side for too long even with the body pillow between my knees, urinary frequency, fatigue, easily short-of-breath, hunger, indigestion, occasional acid reflux, vivid dreams, hands fall asleep randomly, lots of light belly stretchies (boo!).

BP during the week was good, still no ankle or pedal swelling. No bleeding and rare braxton-hicks.

Another cool thing was that the party was located near the area of Southern Cali we want to move to.  Husb and I spent most of the night analyzing the house layout, backyard, neighborhood, etc.  So the plan is still to move later this year.  Mom doesn’t like the idea because she thinks we’ll be too far and that I might regret having a longer commute to work.  Dad thinks it’s a great opportunity since the big homes are going for great prices.  If they can come up for a party, they can come up to see MeMe just as easily.  It’s okay mom, I know I probably wouldn’t want MeMe to move away from me either!

30 weeks of luck!

MeMe is in her 30’s now. I’m so unbelievably happy to have made it this far. She is a big girl. According to BabyCenter, she should be like 3 pounds. When she moves, she’s rearranging my abdominal organs and stepping on nerves here and there. I can play the touch game with her where I poke her and she moves in response. I’m so amazed!

I got a copy of my prenatal record from the Dr S’s office and learned how truly lucky and blessed we are. Timing is everything! If I hadn’t decided to get the cerclage when I did I definitely would have lost baby girl. My operation notes said that when I was on the table about to get stitched, my cervix had shortened to 1 cm and was starting to open from the bottom. The double cerclage enabled the docs the close my cervix up and add length. Whoa! Absolutely mind-blowing to know that even waiting another day could have cost MeMe her life.

I had no contractions or pain and the only thing I felt was some pressure to the point that I felt like I had to pee every 5 min when I was in the hosp prior to the surgery. True IC indeed. I am very lucky.

My goal is to think more positively from now on. We’ve dodged so many bullets, just like Neo.

Found it…

The picture on my header is from another website. But I didn’t know who made it or what it was called.  I got a catalog the other day for home decor and clothes-n-stuff and there it was.  Turns out I can buy the poster print on e.bay for a 1/4th of what the catalog was asking for.  It’ll be great in baby’s room! I was so excited to see it I think I squeeked.

Now the rest of the room, I was thinking of all kinds of themes or colors or patterns.  Too many to choose from and still don’t know yet, but there is still some time.

1. At first, I thought a “it’s a small world” theme would be cool and have international kids/stuff all over the walls. 

2. But I love teddy bears.

3. Lots of angels would remind me of the twins.

4. I love purple!  My wedding had lavender roses.

5. I love p0lka dots too.

6. Rainbow brite is awesome too!

Eek!

28 weeks of Triumph

28 weeks and MeMe is still on lockdown. I am now firmly into my 3rd Trimester. Fantastic!  It’s been 12 weeks since the surgery. I have 8 more weeks until the cerclage can be cut.

I see Dr S on Thursday 7/23 and hopefully that will be the last peri visit.

Husb comes back this evening, so even though he’s mine for the night, Dom is staying with us this week. Joy. I hope we all can just get along.

Next milestone is Super-preemie viability at 32 weeks.

Time to do some more shopping!