Elliott's first post!

Sorry it has taken so long to get this up and going since Elliott's arrival. . . turns out he's somewhat of a demanding little fellow. ;)

Our world has changed so dramatically that I don't even know where to begin!  The first two weeks were pretty much a blur, but life is evening out and we have somewhat of a routine.  Now, this is not to say that things don't change form day-to-day, but at least now I know that Elliott eats consistently every 2-3 hours  and will wake up 2-3 times a night.  I was especially grateful last night for a 4 hour stretch of sleep, as many of you know that I have always needed my beauty sleep to function well.  

Elliott took a while to get back to his birth weight, which was 7 pounds, 8 ounces and at his 2-week appointment the doctor put us on a modified feeding plan with breastfeeding and formula feeding.  It was a success, as at his 3-week appointment he weighed 7 pounds, 13 3/4 ounces!!!!  

THE Plan. . .

And the saga continues. . . I must warn you that this post is going to contain lots of discussion of 'internal checks' and cervix-related things.  If you feel nauseous, turn back now!  Pregnant women become completely immune to such things and forget that the rest of the world might be a bit queasy with their discussion.  

Obviously, I'm still home on bedrest.  I have learned to appreciate this break, even if it is mind-numbing at times.  I don't think I had realized how much working was stressing me and my body.  I can't remember the last time I have been this lazy, and I am certain I'll not get the chance to be this lazy again until, oh maybe, retirement!

On to the doctor appointment:

Good news is that bedrest is working.  My blood pressure was down a bit and there was no protein in my urine (small victory).  However, I still have mild pre-eclampsia, as evidenced by continued swelling in my face.  Evidently, it's only a matter of time before bedrest would no longer work due to hormonal changes.  So, Dr. White once again felt the need to stick his whole hand inside of me on a treasure hunt for my cervix.  Yowzers.  I would hope that for all that discomfort, at least there would be some change to give me hope.  Nope.  No change.  Grr.

This is not the outcome for which we were hoping.  Part of the equation that makes a woman a good candidate for induction is a 'favorable' cervix.  Mine has not changed significantly for 4 weeks.  Often if a doctor proceeds with an induction in the face of a less-than-favorable cervix, the outcome is a c-section.  I am hoping to avoid that at all costs!  SO, the new plan is that I will go to the hospital on Sunday night at 8pm and they will place a hormone-based gel, cervadil, next to my cervix to try and 'ripen' it or make it more favorable.  Then start the pitocin Monday morning, which is the actual induction drug.  Dr. White will delay breaking my water until he knows for sure that the pitocin is actually working.  This is good news, because if my water is broken and the pitocin doesn't work I would require a c-section because of the increased risk of infection.  If the pitocin doesn't work on Monday, he would withdraw the medicine and then that night place a different, stronger med next to my cervix and start the pitocin again on Tuesday.  

I hope this all makes sense.  Basically, we're still looking at Monday or Tuesday for Elliott's arrival.  Of course, we have packing to do and I plan on squeezing in one tasty meal out with dear Christopher before checking in on Sunday night, when they'll start withholding my food!  That makes me really grouchy under typical circumstances, I can only imagine how I will feel after a whole day of it!  Actually, I'm sure food will be the last thing on my mind by Monday evening. . .

We will update you all as soon as possible with pictures and details!  Send all the good vibes you can our way come Monday morning!

Bedrest Really Stinks. . .

So it turns out that my blood pressure was high at my last appointment (Thursday, 1/23) and the doctor told me that after work I had to lie down and rest.  My blood pressure was up from 115/70 to 130/80.  I was a good girl.  The only time I left the house was for Christina's shower (well worth it) and then went home and rested. 

I had to go back in on Monday morning for a blood pressure check and it was a little higher--142/82, but the nurse assured me that it wasn't significantly higher than Thursday's readings.  She also took my blood pressure while I was lying down at it immediately dropped to 122/60 (much closer to my norm).  I did not see the doctor, as he was in surgeries, but had a lengthy discussion with the nurse about induction and such.  She assured me that she would check with the doctor and call me that afternoon.  

Well, she called.  Turns out my doctor said I had to stop working immediately and be on bedrest.  Basically, I'm only supposed to be up to use the restroom and shower.  And she even went so far as to suggest taking a break between the shower and drying my hair.  Now I know this sounds like a dreamy life of luxury, something to revel in.  Ha.  As soon as someone says lay down and don't move, turns out that's what you want to do most!  It is nice to be resting, but I am getting soooooo stiff from sitting and laying around for hours on end! 

That was the first part of the conversation with Nurse Marla.  The second portion is that my induction is scheduled for Monday morning (February 2nd) at 6am.  I had hoped to avoid an induction, but beyond wanting to avoid an induction I would like to avoid a c-section unless absolutely necessary.  I was afraid that if my blood pressure climbed higher, leaving me with the official pre-eclampsia diagnosis, that I would end up in the operating room!  Yikes.  So now we are on course to meet Mr. Elliott Monday, on my actual due date!  Of course, this is all barring that he shows up on his own before then. . . I'm not holding my breath on that one, becasue without any movement I have a feeling he's awfully cozy inside.. . .

13 days and counting!

Woohoo!  The end is in sight!  Not that I'm counting the moments or anything. . . Chris and I are both growing increasingly anxious for the moment I get to say "It's time" and head to the hospital to have our little boy.  I must admit that with all the anticipation, my level of discomfort grows.  Totally natural, from everything that I've read.  My hips hurt, my ankles are chronically swollen, I don't sleep much due to bathroom trips, I have terrible acid reflux and more and more Braxton Hick's contractions--Must be nature's way of making a mother ready for labor--I mean what else could make one anxious for that kind of pain???  

I started packing my hospital bag this week--that definitely makes things seem more imminent.  Of course, with all the preparations, I figure our little man will be late!  I do know for sure that 20 days from now, and no later, we will no longer be a family of 2, as my doctor will only allow me to go one week past my due date.  It is at once the most anxiety-producing, terrifying and exciting experience I have had to date in my life.