--Clare
New pics of Jack
20 years ago
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
38 weeks
"It's a little trip-y because Jackson was born at 38 weeks, and Natalie is already two weeks old! Just a shocking realization to me that I really could still be pregnant right now. I have already lost all memory of what it was like to be pregnant (which I know I loved being) because I am so focused on trying to take care of a preemie and a 3 year old. Here are two cute pictures of the two of them:"
--Clare
--Clare
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Our little sugar baby
About two hours after birth, Natalie ended up having to go to the NICU for a low blood-sugar count, something that is common in preterm babies. We hoped that she would only be in there for the 24 hours it takes to set up an IV, get her blood-sugar levels up, then ween her off the drip little by little, and then watch her a few hours to make sure she stays stable. Her day nurse and her night nurse were both incredible and treated Natalie with such sweetness. They cared for me too, making sure to call me up whenever Natalie woke.
We were allowed to visit her, feed her, bathe her, change her diaper, anything we wanted while she's in the NICU because her needs are so minimal. Ross and I felt a mix of worry and guilt . . . our little Natalie was in the NICU, but she was by far the plumpest and healthiest of the babies being cared for there. Across from her was one half of a twin duo born at 24 weeks (his brother was two warmers away) . . . they were so small and need so much help that Ross and I had a hard time staying in the NICU if Natalie didn't need something from us.
It was very heart breaking seeing the little ones, and I felt guilty getting to HOLD my baby and FEED my baby in front of the parents who couldn't even touch their children.
And we lucked out even more because as soon as Natalie was put on the IV her blood-sugar went right up to normal. She continued to do beautifully and was able to come back to me after 22 hours.
We were allowed to visit her, feed her, bathe her, change her diaper, anything we wanted while she's in the NICU because her needs are so minimal. Ross and I felt a mix of worry and guilt . . . our little Natalie was in the NICU, but she was by far the plumpest and healthiest of the babies being cared for there. Across from her was one half of a twin duo born at 24 weeks (his brother was two warmers away) . . . they were so small and need so much help that Ross and I had a hard time staying in the NICU if Natalie didn't need something from us.
It was very heart breaking seeing the little ones, and I felt guilty getting to HOLD my baby and FEED my baby in front of the parents who couldn't even touch their children.
And we lucked out even more because as soon as Natalie was put on the IV her blood-sugar went right up to normal. She continued to do beautifully and was able to come back to me after 22 hours.
BITBs birth day
January 7, 2009
1:00 AM
After two days of mild contractions that come and go, and that at yesterday's doctor appointment didn't even show up on the monitor (which also let me know that I was still around 4 or 5 cm, nothing's changed), I awake to a different kind of contraction.
I feel a little pain in my back, and then a little pain that grows towards center from my sides, and then I have to get out of bed to walk around and breathe through the uncomfortableness. I take one of my pills to relax my uterus and attempt to get back to sleep, but it doesn't seem to do the trick.
I start to record each one, and try to relax during the 10 to 15 min. between each one.
4:00 AM
I wake Ross to tell him he needs to take over the recording as the pain is a little more and the contractions are getting closer together.
5:00 AM
After an hour and contractions coming between 6-8 min apart we call the hospital to go over everything and see what they advise.
The nurse listens to me (and annoyingly the contraction I have on the phone with her is one of the mildest ones) she suggests that I take another pill and call back in a half hour with an update of how things are going.
5:30 AM
I call back telling them I've had four contractions since we hung up and they're starting to become even stronger. I can still breath through them, but I have to really pace and rock my body to keep me focused, the pain in my back is also becoming more intense.
The nurse says, "Well, I think you'll labor today, so have yourself a light breakfast and come in when you can." Her calmness about it all makes us laugh a bit, but also relaxes us enough to calmly go about our morning of getting Jackson up and eating breakfast. Surprisingly, my contractions have tapered off.
8:00 AM
Since 6 o'clock I have been relaxing on the couch trying to catch up on the sleep I missed from 1 to 6. However I did experience 3 or 4 sharp sudden contractions that really make me jump up with the need to anxiously walk around.
8:11 AM
I use the restroom and feel a gushing pop (sorry). I kick the door open and yell out, "Ross, my water just broke."
He starts dancing around the kitchen, "We're having a baby today, we're going to have a baby . . ." And we begin the process of gathering our go-bags, instructing my mom about what to do with Jackson and the plan of action for their getting to the hospital once I start pushing, and I call my doctor's office to tell them I'm heading to the hospital.
8:38 AM
We're in the car, call the hospital to tell them we're on the way.
***
8:40 AM
OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW
I experience a contraction I have NEVER felt before. Luckily we're at a red light so I can throw off my seat belt, push my seat back, grab on to the handle above the door and to Ross's hand, and writhe, cry out and gasp through this thing that is tightening my entire lower back, my belly, and makes me feel like I have to potty (big time).
And then, Whew, it's over. I have Ross call the hospital back to say we're coming in the Emergency entrance.
***
8:46 AM
Another contraction, this one is one I can reasonably breath through, though I feel extremely hot. Two minutes later we pull up to the hospital and a nurse with a wheelchair arrives to take me upstairs.
While I check in I have another breath-through contraction that lasts almost 90 seconds; meanwhile Ross parks the car and brings up my go-bag. We meet in the birthing room with my check-in time being:
9:08 AM
I'm in a gown, on the bed and being attended to by two nurses. One checks me and says, "she's complete" to the other nurse.
"What?" Ross and I both ask.
"You're 10 centimeters."
"Um, so can Clare still get an epidural?"
"No, you're baby's coming soon."
I tell Ross to call the mothers and let them know they should head on over to the waiting room. While he's calling one of the nurses suggests I roll to my side to help with the intense and incredible back pain I'm experiencing. I feel my contractions getting bigger and they're a little hard to breath through. The nurses are also chuckling over the fact that between contractions Ross and I are having a jolly conversation and laughing to ourselves.
When he returns Ross asks, "Do I have time to get a bottle of water?"
"Um, we'll bring you something . . ."
The nurses get us both water and then introduce me to my Labor & Delivery nurse before they both leave. My L&D nurse chats with us while she finishes getting the room prepared and entering my information into the computer system.
***
About 9:33 AM
OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW
This contraction has me going cross-eyed, I'm grabbing onto the side of the bed rail and can only see part of Ross's arm.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Somehow I'm screaming and say I feel like I have too poop. My L&D nurse tells me not to push and takes a look. She is barely able to reach the call button and yells in "Code blue, send in the on call doctor NOW!"
All the while I'm screaming uncontrollably and hitting octaves I've never knew I could. I'm not seeing anything and feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience.
I hear commotion about me and someone says my doctor is here, people are all about me, and all the while I keep screaming and being embarrassed about it without being able to stop myself. The nurse that wheeled me up to the room suddenly leans in and tells me to relax and push.
Something clicks and I realize I want to push.
I push once, maybe twice, and feel a sudden relief of pressure and gush of wetness.
All is silent and I roll to my back feeling like I could just fall asleep.
"It's a girl?!" Ross breaks the silence and I can't believe my ears.
'I was right?' I think, and then I hear her cry.
Nurses rush around her and my doctor attends to me. I hear someone say, "Time of birth, 9:36 AM." Ross later tells me that the whole thing lasted three minutes . . .
1:00 AM
After two days of mild contractions that come and go, and that at yesterday's doctor appointment didn't even show up on the monitor (which also let me know that I was still around 4 or 5 cm, nothing's changed), I awake to a different kind of contraction.
I feel a little pain in my back, and then a little pain that grows towards center from my sides, and then I have to get out of bed to walk around and breathe through the uncomfortableness. I take one of my pills to relax my uterus and attempt to get back to sleep, but it doesn't seem to do the trick.
I start to record each one, and try to relax during the 10 to 15 min. between each one.
4:00 AM
I wake Ross to tell him he needs to take over the recording as the pain is a little more and the contractions are getting closer together.
5:00 AM
After an hour and contractions coming between 6-8 min apart we call the hospital to go over everything and see what they advise.
The nurse listens to me (and annoyingly the contraction I have on the phone with her is one of the mildest ones) she suggests that I take another pill and call back in a half hour with an update of how things are going.
5:30 AM
I call back telling them I've had four contractions since we hung up and they're starting to become even stronger. I can still breath through them, but I have to really pace and rock my body to keep me focused, the pain in my back is also becoming more intense.
The nurse says, "Well, I think you'll labor today, so have yourself a light breakfast and come in when you can." Her calmness about it all makes us laugh a bit, but also relaxes us enough to calmly go about our morning of getting Jackson up and eating breakfast. Surprisingly, my contractions have tapered off.
8:00 AM
Since 6 o'clock I have been relaxing on the couch trying to catch up on the sleep I missed from 1 to 6. However I did experience 3 or 4 sharp sudden contractions that really make me jump up with the need to anxiously walk around.
8:11 AM
I use the restroom and feel a gushing pop (sorry). I kick the door open and yell out, "Ross, my water just broke."
He starts dancing around the kitchen, "We're having a baby today, we're going to have a baby . . ." And we begin the process of gathering our go-bags, instructing my mom about what to do with Jackson and the plan of action for their getting to the hospital once I start pushing, and I call my doctor's office to tell them I'm heading to the hospital.
8:38 AM
We're in the car, call the hospital to tell them we're on the way.
***
8:40 AM
OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW
I experience a contraction I have NEVER felt before. Luckily we're at a red light so I can throw off my seat belt, push my seat back, grab on to the handle above the door and to Ross's hand, and writhe, cry out and gasp through this thing that is tightening my entire lower back, my belly, and makes me feel like I have to potty (big time).
And then, Whew, it's over. I have Ross call the hospital back to say we're coming in the Emergency entrance.
***
8:46 AM
Another contraction, this one is one I can reasonably breath through, though I feel extremely hot. Two minutes later we pull up to the hospital and a nurse with a wheelchair arrives to take me upstairs.
While I check in I have another breath-through contraction that lasts almost 90 seconds; meanwhile Ross parks the car and brings up my go-bag. We meet in the birthing room with my check-in time being:
9:08 AM
I'm in a gown, on the bed and being attended to by two nurses. One checks me and says, "she's complete" to the other nurse.
"What?" Ross and I both ask.
"You're 10 centimeters."
"Um, so can Clare still get an epidural?"
"No, you're baby's coming soon."
I tell Ross to call the mothers and let them know they should head on over to the waiting room. While he's calling one of the nurses suggests I roll to my side to help with the intense and incredible back pain I'm experiencing. I feel my contractions getting bigger and they're a little hard to breath through. The nurses are also chuckling over the fact that between contractions Ross and I are having a jolly conversation and laughing to ourselves.
When he returns Ross asks, "Do I have time to get a bottle of water?"
"Um, we'll bring you something . . ."
The nurses get us both water and then introduce me to my Labor & Delivery nurse before they both leave. My L&D nurse chats with us while she finishes getting the room prepared and entering my information into the computer system.
***
About 9:33 AM
OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW OW
This contraction has me going cross-eyed, I'm grabbing onto the side of the bed rail and can only see part of Ross's arm.
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Somehow I'm screaming and say I feel like I have too poop. My L&D nurse tells me not to push and takes a look. She is barely able to reach the call button and yells in "Code blue, send in the on call doctor NOW!"
All the while I'm screaming uncontrollably and hitting octaves I've never knew I could. I'm not seeing anything and feel like I'm having an out-of-body experience.
I hear commotion about me and someone says my doctor is here, people are all about me, and all the while I keep screaming and being embarrassed about it without being able to stop myself. The nurse that wheeled me up to the room suddenly leans in and tells me to relax and push.
Something clicks and I realize I want to push.
I push once, maybe twice, and feel a sudden relief of pressure and gush of wetness.
All is silent and I roll to my back feeling like I could just fall asleep.
"It's a girl?!" Ross breaks the silence and I can't believe my ears.
'I was right?' I think, and then I hear her cry.
Nurses rush around her and my doctor attends to me. I hear someone say, "Time of birth, 9:36 AM." Ross later tells me that the whole thing lasted three minutes . . .
BITB had arrived. . .It's a Girl!
Introducing: Natalie Marean --- named for a Great Grandmother, a Grandmother and her own mother. Natalie arrived on January 7, 2009 at 9:36 AM. Weighing in at a whopping 5 pounds, 13 ounces, but only 17 inches long.
*middle name is pronounced muh-ree-in, say it with me, Marean.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Add two more boys to the mix
"My friend, Claire, who is having twins recently found out that they are adding two boys to their family. Congratulations. She too started to go into preterm labor but we have yet to compare our stories.
So now the baby count comes to 5 boys, 4 girls . . ."
--Clare
So now the baby count comes to 5 boys, 4 girls . . ."
--Clare
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
It's been two weeks since Christmas eve
"Tomorrow is week 36, but I have to mention that today is the two week mark from the Fetal Fibronectin test (remember a positive result isn't as accurate as a negative result). . . we made it this far, let's see how much further we can go! Though my doctor said that I would still be on bed rest until I reach 37 weeks, from here on out they will let nature take its course and if the baby wants out, so be it."
--Clare
--Clare
Sunday, January 4, 2009
January 4, can we make it 31 more days?
"It is one month until my due date, though technically I don't turn 36 weeks until the 7th. I wonder how much longer this little one is going to hold on.
One of my pregnant buddies' due date was Jan 6 and we were joking about racing to the finish just a few days ago (she was starting to get antsy and tired of being pregnant). I checked in yesterday and was told by her husband that the contractions were 5 min apart. Well they made it to the hospital just in time for the nurse to CATCH their baby on HER way out.
Add another girl to the baby count. Congratulations to Emily and Jason! But 16 min from leaving the house to having the baby is a little too close for comfort for Ross and me. And the fact that Emily didn't ever push amazes me, especially for a 7 pound 2 ounce kid. Wow! I hope my pushing is almost as easy . . . at least easier than it was with Jackson that's for sure. Time will tell."
--Clare
One of my pregnant buddies' due date was Jan 6 and we were joking about racing to the finish just a few days ago (she was starting to get antsy and tired of being pregnant). I checked in yesterday and was told by her husband that the contractions were 5 min apart. Well they made it to the hospital just in time for the nurse to CATCH their baby on HER way out.
Add another girl to the baby count. Congratulations to Emily and Jason! But 16 min from leaving the house to having the baby is a little too close for comfort for Ross and me. And the fact that Emily didn't ever push amazes me, especially for a 7 pound 2 ounce kid. Wow! I hope my pushing is almost as easy . . . at least easier than it was with Jackson that's for sure. Time will tell."
--Clare
Friday, January 2, 2009
Next up, 36 weeks . . .
"We made it to the doctor appointment mile marker just fine. She is very pleased with how things have gone this past week and baby is still thriving. Her guess is that BITB is around 5 1/2 pounds, but it's hard to truly tell a baby's weight until their born. I have actually lost some weight, which is unusual for bed rest, but all of us have been thinking that the medication I'm on, which tend to make me a little jittery, is effecting my appetite and maybe speeding up my metabolism.
My doctor said that since I haven't experienced any more contractions that I can even go off the uterus relaxing medication and see how that makes me feel. Ross and I are fine with that so I'm going to wean myself off it over the next day. We'll see how that goes and if it changes anything as far as when BITB comes.
Next up, 36 weeks mile marker . . . fingers crossed!"
--Clare
My doctor said that since I haven't experienced any more contractions that I can even go off the uterus relaxing medication and see how that makes me feel. Ross and I are fine with that so I'm going to wean myself off it over the next day. We'll see how that goes and if it changes anything as far as when BITB comes.
Next up, 36 weeks mile marker . . . fingers crossed!"
--Clare
Where were we in the baby count?
"Ah, yes. I had left off in November with a 2 & 2 count, but we are actually to to 3 & 3 now. There are two girls and one boy who have already joined us, and two boys and one girl still "cooking". I do not know about the twins my friend Claire is having, two other girlfriends aren't finding out, and despite all the hospital visits we still don't know what we're having. And I can't remember how many more there were to count . . . I feel like I've found out about a lot more pregnancies lately, but I don't know which ones were already included and which ones weren't. . . ."
--Clare
--Clare
Thursday, January 1, 2009
We made it to January!
"I made it to 35 weeks, and then I made it past 2008. I thought it might be neat if we had THE New Years Baby, but I'm glad we didn't. Tomorrow I have a doctors appointment, and then the next mile marker will be getting to 36 weeks on January 7. Here are some pictures: the beginning of bed rest, our winter storm, Christmas tree photo and my Jan 1 belly picture (it's not the best photo, sorry. I don't think I look as big as with Jackson . . .)."
--Clare
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