She’s Here!

On Friday August 15, 2008, after I had been in the hospital for about 11 days, Abigail Rose made her entrance into the world at 9:22 am via c-section.
She weighed 6 lbs 7 oz and was 19″ in length!

We were both able to go home on Monday August 18th although she has slight jaundice and has to be on a machine for treatment here at home.
She was born at 35 weeks 5 days and although born early, had no issues with breathing or anything except blood sugar levels because I am diabetic.
She is fine now though and we are very thankful for this.

Here is a link to some pics http://www.flickr.com/photos/sonshin…7606825890092/

Maybe Baby?

So there is another chance she will be born today. The OB seems to think that I am nearing the point where it will be better for her to be out than in.
Why? Well, for one thing my blood pressures have been high since yesterday, even while I was sleeping. Normally they are closer to normal then. All last night they ran 150-160 over 80’s. They’ve been high today as well.
Plus, even though most of my blood work has stayed pretty steady, my platelet count is now dropping - another sign that my pre-eclampsia is worsening.
I was allowed to eat breakfast this morning but lunch is off limits until we get the 24 hr urine results back. If they are significantly higher he will do the c-section tonight. But, he said he believes he will be delivering her within the next 24-48 hours as things are starting to come to a head.
Would you believe however that since coming in here last Monday my weight has gone down 12 lbs? We think it’s due to being off my feet so much. Wierd.
So, I will let you know asap what is decided about Abby. If I don’t update here then check www.twitter.com/sonshine1296 to see if anything has been updated there, ok?
Later!

Pregnant Still

Yesterday was a very emotional day for me. I felt like crying a lot.
I want to have Abby now so I can go home but at the same time, want the best for her. I don’t want her to have any issues.
My OB said that even though my levels are climbing they are not immediately serious. If my protein level gets up to 4-5,000 then it would call for immediate action. He seems to think with the way my levels are increasing I could get to that point in a few days.
I tried to “corner” him into an answer of just how long we will go with this before she is born and finally got an answer. An answer that both my mom and hubby heard, by the way. He said that if I haven’t had her before then that he will do the c-section Sunday/Monday because I will be in my 36th week. Finally, a light at the end of the tunnel!
I hope he doesn’t change his mind, you know?
Anyway, that’s the latest for now~
Talk to you later…

?

Well, today might be the day. MIGHT. My blood pressures were up last night while I was resting. 150-160’s over 80-90’s. My blood work this a.m. showed an increase in one of my liver function levels. Also, I finished my 24 hr urine collection (again) and it showed an increase from 800-1200-1800 so it is definitely going up - that shows protein spilling in my urine by the way.

So, my OB is checking with the neo-natalogist to get his/her opinion and I should hear something around lunch time. Because if they do the c-section today I cannot eat lunch. It would be probably late afternoon/evening.

Obviously we don’t know for sure what they will decide but keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. We truly appreciate them/you.
I will try to update you asap.

Ugh

Ok, I am so ready to go home now.
I know this is worth it for Abby but it stinks.
I am feeling pretty much yucky all the time.
Not sure why. It could be that my sugars are ping ponging, the fact that I am on my side constantly, or that Abby has to be about 7 lbs now and is still moving quite a bit. Or, it could be for some unknown reason.
I am 35 weeks today by the way. Yay for that.

My protein level went up from 800 to 1200. A sign that things are indeed progressing but still not emergencu ;levels. All in all my blood pressures have been slightly elevated but not too bad unless I am on my back or sitting up. Two things I cannot do very often. Well, that is except for one of my readings today. I was on my left side and it was still in the 180’s over 80-something. Ick.

My OB returns from his mini vacation tomorrow morning so I will see him then and get his opinion on how we are doing. One of the nurses gave her opinion yesterday that she would be surprised if I didn’t have the c-section Monday or Tuesday. But, that is just her opinion. It is all up to the doc.

Well, that is all for now. It is hard to type this while on my side so I will go.
Hope you all are well!

Long Stay

Yep, I am still in the hospital. Wednesday morning I was released and I went to my high risk ultrasound appt. They found another issue. Her umbilical cord has a flow issue of some sort. They felt it best that I go back in until she is born. We don’t know when that is. It will depend on many factrors. If one of them gets worse they will deliver her right away. Obviously they want her to be able to “bake” a bit longer though. It could be any day or a couple of weeks or more.
While everyone here is nice and all, I miss being at home. I miss my hubby, my dogs, my bed…I know it will be worth it all in the end but it’s still hard.
Also, my OB has finalized his decision about c-section vs. inducing. He will not induce me because with pre-clampsia you have the risk of having seizures, especially in delivery.
They have free web access in here through their tv system but it usually is quite frustrating to use. Right now it’s going well so I thought I would take advantage of it.
Oh and did I mention the obvious fact that I will probably miss my own baby shower? Even if she is born next week, they usually keep c-section patients 3-4 days depending on various factors.
So, we’ll see.
Well, this is enough sitting up for me. My blood pressure goes up quite a bit when I sit up or lay on my back so I am restricted to my sides most of the time. Fun! It goes from around 145/85 on my side to around 166/95 or more when sitting up or on my back, Eek.
Talk to you later and please keep us in your thoughts & prayers.

Still Here

Well, I am still in the hospital as I type this. It looks like I will be here at least until the morning. I get an NST done every 8 hours and blood pressure readings every 4 or so. Also, I now have beautiful cuffs on my legs that are supposed to help prevent blood clots. Everyone keeps saying that Abby is a happy girl because she moves so much. That’s nice to hear.
The doctor is having me do a 24 hour urine test while I am in here, it ends at 6 pm. They will look at protein levels from that test and see what’s up. My blood pressure is still up and down but better than it was, I think. My liver test levels (uric acid I think) were a bit more elevated than yesterday and that can mean PIH. PIH I think is pregnancy induced hypertension.
The doctor also added that even if she isn’t born during this stay that we will only be able to hold off 1 1/2 to 2 weeks more before she is here.
Anyway, that is my update for now. Hope you are all well.
Please keep praying that they will do whatever is best for me and Abby. Thanks!

In Hospital

I went for my OB appt today and was sent to the hospital. My blood pressure was very high and they found protein in my urine. So, I am in here over night to be monitored. In the morning they will do more labs which will determine the next step.
I don’t know what will happen - it could be going home on bedrest or it could be they decide to deliver Abby.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers that they will do what is best for her.

Odd

Yes, it is 1:35 am right now. I got up to pee - shocker - and get a drink (thus perpetuating the cycle a bit more!) when I realized that I was feeling quite shaky. Not good at all.
So, I decided to test my sugar levels.
They were 66.
Holy Moly!
That’s way too low. I don’t know why they were so low but I drank some chocolate milk and I seem to be feeling a bit better.
I don’t recall ever having them below 70 before by the way.

Rant

Everyone is entitled to a rant every now and then. This is simply that. I am beyond happy to have this child growing inside me and cannot wait to meet her. I know that these grumpy feelings will pass sooner than later but for now, these are my feelings.
The last few days especially I have felt just yucky. My sugars have been out of whack for sure and I feel like I will be having this baby soon…I don’t know why really.
I get moody easier now and am always nauseous. I think it’s just cause she’s getting so big that she is pushing stuff around.
Her movements are mostly more mellow although Tom got to feel her give me a good kick earlier today, so that was cool! lol