WELCOME TO THE WORLD ALEXANDER CHRISTIAN!!!

My last belly shot...

A little background...

Addison was born 09/02/07. At my 35 week doctor appointment I was informed that her fluid was low, the NST was non-reactive, as well as her bio-physical profile ultrasound. It was in her best interest to induce labor.

I was admitted to the hospital at 6:30pm on Labor Day weekend - Friday, 08/31/07. They attempted several induction methods - none of which worked.

I labored for 52 hours and she finally arrived via c-section Sunday evening - 09/02/07 at 10:10pm. She weighed 5 pounds, 12 ounces and was 18 inches long.


WELCOME TO THE WORLD ADDISON KAY!!!

She spent her first 11 days in the Special Care Nursery at the hospital.


What an amazing place...

Our first family meeting

I love you more than words can say...

Nothing compares to the love a father has for his daughter...

She was treated for an unknown infection, pneumonia, reflux, apnea and jaundice.

Addison getting jaundice light therapy

Addison's hospital picture... so precious!

The great escape!

She came home on 09/13/07 on an apnea monitor and medications for breathing and reflux.

My heart melts once again...

She remained on the meds and apnea monitor until she was approximately 6 months old. When she came home she kept having non-breathing episodes frequently - so we took her back in and she was in the pediatric unit.


She wanted to come home as much as we wanted her there...

She came home for good two days later and that was the last of our overnight hospital stays! Thank the Lord!

This pregnancy I decided from the start that I wanted to attempt VBAC (vaginal birth after
cesarean). This pregnancy was, by far, so much different than the last. Since then I had gastric bypass surgery and lost 160 pounds, got rid of my diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol that I had prior to Addison's pregnancy and throughout.


08/11/07 - 8 months pregnant with Addison


Down 160 pounds!

Both pregnancies were fairly easy and uncomplicated even though all the health issues. I did have a blood clotting disorder that I had to treat with blood thinners with both pregnancies. It was easily treated with daily injections.

At my 35 week appointment I was offered a lung maturity amniocentesis and a scheduled c-section from my doctors physician's assistant. However at my 36 week appointment I talked things over with my doctor and he convinced me that I am such a healthier person and should attempt the VBAC if I truly wanted to. He said that if the lungs came back mature he would start the induction within a few days of that.

I went in for the amnio on Monday, 02/08/10; results were in within a couple hours - his lungs are MATURE!!! They only needed a level of 55 and his were 66!
I was then scheduled to be induced on Thursday 02/11/10!!!

02/11/10:
I was admitted at 4pm, the doctor came in to start the EASI balloon catheter for cervical
dilation around 6pm.


I couldn't have done it without my best friend! I love you more than you will ever know Jennifer!

02/12/10
6am - the Pitocin to strengthen contractions was started.


Funny thing... labor wasn't bad at all. The contractions were tolerable up until close to the end. The epidural surely helped with that! My family and friends were amazed with how easy I made labor look LOL!

9am - the doctor removed the catheter and checked me and I was at 5cm!

2pm - I was checked again and I was at 7cm

4pm - I was checked again and I was 8cm

5pm - The contractions and pain were starting to get quite unbearable- I KNEW I was ready to birth! I told my family to call the doctor in ASAP!!! Dr.r Mason came in, checked me and said "You're ready girl! Lets have a birthday party!!!

Before I knew it I was pushing!!! It was THE MOST intense situation I have ever been in in my ENTIRE life!!!

The nurse, whom I wasn't having a pleasant experience with in the first place, came in just as my aunt, best friend and husband had my legs propped in the air and I was doing my first small pushes. She said "thanks for letting me know!" Just then - the doctor walked in, irritated with her as well and told her pretty sternly - "We've got this covered!!!"

Next thing I know I have nearly 10 of the most amazing medical staff I had the pleasure of dealing with - assisting me bring my bundle of joy into the world.
The doctor and his student are gowning up, they are prepping the warmer, my family is getting ready to coach me on the wildest ride I will soon find out - compares to no other!! All while my contractions are hitting me like a freight train! They were coming one on top of another.

I started shaking uncontrollably to the point that my aunt said "I thought that bed was going to shake right out of the room!!" So they cover me with a blanket to help. Within seconds I started flailing and trying to throw the blanket off of me because I was instantly SO hot! Just then I yelled "cold rag" pointed at my head and my aunt ran off to grab that for me. My friend then took her spot for a moment to hold up my left leg while my husband held up my right.

The entire time I thought (and screamed) I couldn't do it. If it wasn't for the support of my aunt Debbie, best friend Jennifer and my amazing husband there by my side - I am not sure I could have.

Just as the mirror was placed, I knew that I wouldn't have to push too long and I felt that "ring of fire" I had heard about. I put myself into a zone, thought of "Ring of Fire" Johnny Cash -
and thought of mom.




I knew she was there with me and at that instant I gave my final push and he entered the world! Perfect in every way!!!

I had a total of maybe 4 contractions and pushed three times with each contraction!! I never, in my wildest dreams, would have thought it would happen that quickly!

Alex was placed on my chest, I couldn't believe this was happening, it was so surreal - almost like I was in a dream!

Doug grabbed the scissors and cut the cord - what an amazing moment to witness!!

I started noticing that Alex was starting to turn purple and asked them to get him off me and take him over to the warmer.

They reassured me he was fine - grabbed the oxygen mask off my head and used it for him. A couple more minutes bonding - they took him over and started working on him while the doctor was sewing me up.


Alexander Christian, 6 pounds, 12 ounces, 19 3/4 inches. Born 02/12/10 at
5:42pm

The staff checked him over, cleaned him up, and did all the other things that are necessary

I did manage to get a second degree tear that Dr. Mason spent a great deal of time repairing.




This was an ABSOLUTELY hysterical time! They were all joking around about
how funny it looked from my point of view to be sewn up. Laughing and joking
about partying at the "Y", nothing better to do on a Friday night! Just need
a couple drinks and we'll be all set!! HAHAHA!!!

Precious!

That's my boy!

Being handed my son to hold for the first time

It was INSTANT love, compares to no other!


Three of the top men in my life!!!


Big sister spots little brother!!


Their first meeting


Addy kisses baby Alex


Life doesn't get any better than this!!!


Daddy's first time holding his son


Aunt Debbie's first time holding her great nephew


Jennifer's first time holding Alex (seems to be something missing LOL Aunt Debbie wasn't looking through the viewfinder on the camera LOL)

The room was FULL of some of my favorite people on the planet! I feel so blessed that they were all here to share our special day with us. Thank you again Amanda and Wendi for watching Addy for us during the birth!!!

Amanda's first time holding Alex


Wendi's first time holding Alex


Alex after his first sponge bath


Breastfeeding already! I am sooo happy!
Look at that BLONDE hair! I am still in shock!


Big sissy is starting to get a lil tired! I cannot believe how well-behaved she has been!! I couldn't be more proud!


Me and my best friend, Jennifer with baby Alex


That's a wrap!

(VIDEO) Alex Getting His First Sponge Bath

(VIDEO) Being Induced

Being Induced

MORE PICTURES


My last belly shot

I was admitted at 4pm, the doctor came in to start the EASI balloon catheter for cervical
dilation around 6pm.

Doug and Addy went home around 10pm, I slept from then until Jennifer came around midnight.

I couldn't have done it without my best friend! I love you more than you will ever know Jennifer!

My 36.5 Week Amniocentesis, Ultrasound & NST Appointment

Baby Alex is playing shy today!

My appointment was at 2pm, I was called back at 2:15 or so, I had the most amazing ultrasound tech - she was so incredibly friendly and sweet. She first did the ultrasound scan to check for the baby's size and the amniotic fluid levels. Alex is estimated to currently weigh 6 pounds and 7 ounces!
After the ultrasound Dr. Mason came in to perform the amnio. For some reason I got myself all worked up that it was going to be some kind of traumatic experience - all for nothing. They put on their sterile gloves, put the wand in a glove, scrubbed my belly with an exfoliant and stuck the needle in. I didn't see the actual needle but it must have been big for as long as it felt like it took to pull it out! The insertion wasn't so bad - it was coming out that kinda hurt; no big deal at all though. They said I was a trooper - that some women even cry; good Lord! It was easy LOL!
I've been learning about amnios and asked the doctor if it was true that results only take an hour and he said that the pleminary ones do and even if that doesn't show mature that the ones that take a day to get the results of - sometimes show maturity even if the first set doesn't. I also asked if it was true that if it is cloudy it's mature and he said that is a good indication as he was holding it up to the light to see!
Afterwards we went over for the NST. At first I was kind of nervous because Alex wasn't moving nearly enough. Come to find out that the amnio needle was inserted through my placenta due to lack of good pockets of useable fluid. After being monitored for over 45 minutes he started to perk up a little on the strip so they said that I passed and was able to go.
As I was leaving I asked what the next step was - luckily my very friendly nurse was there and reassured me that she would call me by close of day with any news... so the wait began!!
We left really close to 4pm; knowing that they closed at 5pm I was convinced that I wouldn't get any news today and was pretty devastated. Around 4:50pm I put a call into the office only to find out that they results were not in yet; however I did find out that my favorite nurse was on shift until 6pm and would not leave until she had some results for me. She is SO kind!! At 5:10pm I got the call and the results are....... MATURE!!! They only needed a level of 55 and his was a 66!!! I was over the moon!! I asked what was next! She said that she would page Dr. Mason and figure out when he wanted me to come in, but first notified me that it would likely be tonight or tomorrow! I was again - over the moon! I was jumping up and down and Addy started to with me! It was SO cute!! While I waited for the return call I had just enough time to phone Aunt Debbie and Jennifer to share the good news. During that time the nurse tried to call me back but it went to my voicemail. Just as I hung up with Jennifer I noticed that the doctors office texted me with "PLEASE CALL" - so I called them back immediately! She said that Dr. Mason wanted to start my induction Thursday afternoon (02/11/10) and I would deliver at some point Friday (02/12/10). I was extremely bummed to find out that I wasn't going in immediately like I thought - but happy to know that the reason was because Dr. Mason wouldn't be making rounds regularly in the birthing center Tuesday and Wednesday but would be around on Thursday - Saturday to keep a strict eye on me during labor. He is going to start me Thursday early evening with the EASI balloon and start the Pitocin on Friday morning. They assume that I will deliver on Friday and I assume that if I don't that we will do a c-section Friday night or Saturday morning/afternoon.
So.... the wait is on!!! I can't wait to meet you baby Alex!!!

Mistakes

Worth It

Don't Assume

My 36 Week NST & Doctor Appointment

Today I had an NST and an appointment with the doctor. The NST was good; Alex moved quite a bit for a while and then calmed down the rest of the time.
Right before that when I went potty I noticed what is probably the start of me losing my mucus plug - such a good sign of impending labor!
My weight was up a few pounds since my last appointment, there was a trace of sugar in my urine and my blood pressure was good as usual - something like 118/66.
When the doctor came in to see me he started talking about VBAC because that was our plan up until last week. I told him that I was not adamant to have a VBAC or a c-section - it didn't matter to me either way. Surprisingly he kind of talked me back into attempting the VBAC. He said that I am a MUCH healthier person than I was when I attempted Addy's vaginal delivery. He basically said that I had so much fat in my belly that it kept her from descending for birth. He said that he is confident in his skills during the c-section that I shouldn't have any bleeding issues that can happen during VBAC's. So the game plan has totally changed!
I am going to still do the amniocentesis on Monday to see if Alex's lungs are mature. If they are he said that he COULD induce me! I was shocked to hear this because all along he said that he couldn't. But I guess what he can't do is use one of the induction techniques - Cervidil. However he said that he could use the (extra-amniotic saline infusion) EASI procedure and Pitocin. So I am assuming that if the lungs are mature Monday then I can start induction sometime between Monday evening and Thursday. If the induction techniques do not work then we will just move onto a c-section. He said that if I do not want a VBAC to just let him know and he will do the surgery at any point.
I asked him if I do have a c-section if he would let my Aunt Debbie in the operating room. He had no problem with that! She is SO thrilled!! I also asked if he would do the c-section in the evening if at all possible and he said that he would!! He is SO incredibly sweet!! I LOVE MY DOCTOR!!!
What a great appointment! I am so excited to meet my sweet baby boy!!!

EASI Balloon:
A 30- to 50-mL Foley catheter filled with saline is effective in inducing cervical ripening and dilatation. The catheter is placed in the uterus, and the balloon is filled. Direct pressure is then applied to the lower segment of the uterus and the cervix. This direct pressure causes stress in the lower uterine segment and probably the local production of prostaglandins. In some studies, the catheter is combined with a saline solution as an extra-amniotic infusion.5 There is no evidence that extra-amniotic saline infusion (EASI) increases the risk of chorioamnionitis.6 Prospective trials have shown that insertion of a Foley catheter is at least as effective as PGE2 gels, perhaps even more effective. This is particularly true in nulliparous women.

Blessed

An Appointment With the Doctor

I phoned my doctors office earlier today to see if they could squeeze me in at some point today and they had an opening this afternoon. I needed to be seen to make sure that I did not have an infection brewing. My weight was up 2 pounds since my last appointment about two weeks ago, my blood pressure was good - something like 117/60 and the baby's heart rate was fine. She did the test and said that everything looked normal but wrote me a script for some yeast medication in case the antibiotics that I am on are starting an infection. I was seen by the resident again because Dr. Mason wasn't doing office visits today - but I did manage to bump into him coming off the elevator before my appointment. I had been wondering how delivery was going to go so I talked to him about that. Back when I was going to attempt a VBAC he said that if I needed a c-section that he would not schedule it until 39 weeks; so that had me wondering if he was on board with delivering as early as next week. I told him that at my last appointment with his resident she scheduled me for my amnio, ultrasound and NST for 36.5 weeks (Monday, 02/08/10) and if the lungs were mature that he would be delivering me a couple-few days later. He shook his head yes through the whole spiel and said that sounded perfect. I also had the question - if the lungs weren't mature would the tests indicate when they would be. He said that the amnio would give him a number and it would let him know whether he was ready or would need a couple days-couple weeks and whether they would need to do steroids for the lung maturity.
I was glad that he was able to clear up these few question I had; I always love talking to my doctor- he makes everything so clear :)

My 35.5 Week NST

I had my 35 1/2 week NST today. Alex was extremely active today! I couldn't get over how much he was bouncing off the walls of my tummy today! Within the first half hour he had over 100 movements so the tech kept me on the monitor a little longer so that she could get a good baseline heart rate reading. I was on the monitor for another half hour trying to get him to calm down enough to get the heart rate - he had another 100 or so movements and finally towards the end started to chill out! LOL!
I didn't have any contractions during it and my blood pressure was good, as usual.

Health