Amazingly, 33 days have passed since Kathryn was born--she's 4.5 weeks old now! She had her one month doctor check-up today. Here are the highlights:
She weighs 8lbs 12oz --50th percentile.
She's 22.5 inches long--75th percentile.
Her head circumference is 14.75 inches--50th percentile.
She has a mild case of cradle cap that Jared and I will take care of with a special shampoo.
Her reddened eyelids are actually a common birthmark that will fade with time--they are usually termed "angel kisses". The redness will be more noticeable when she is excited or upset, for up to two years of age.
She is meeting developmental milestones a little ahead of schedule--she coos, grunts, tracks objects side to side and up and down, and is just starting to smile intentionally. When on her stomach, she can hold her head up for a few seconds, and today she batted at a toy hanging above her.
She got one shot today, and she is a VERY sensitive soul when it comes to those! The needle went in, and you could see the shock register in her face as she arched her back and took in the deepest breath she could before screaming. She hasn't had tears up to this point (newborns' tear ducts are immature), but when she cried from getting her shot, the tears came rolling. Bless her heart--at her two month appointment, she'll be getting five shots.
All in all, she's doing great!
Showing posts with label praise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label praise. Show all posts
Friday, August 9, 2013
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Happy One Week!
Kathryn, you made your debut at 5:33am last Monday, July 8th, 2013. You were born at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. You were 7 pounds and 13 ounces, and you were 19.3 inches long. We love you very, very much.
After a week's worth of prodromal (non-productive) labor, I went into true labor Sunday morning around 9am. I labored at home until 4 or 5 pm when we drove to the Birth Center. Allison was on call. I mostly labored in the tub or on my side on the bed. Everything hurt, and I kept throwing up, which made me extremely dehydrated. Eventually I labored to 9.7 centimeters dilated and completely effaced, but I had no energy to finish it out. Plus, Kathryn had her elbow jutted out, making it almost impossible to push. Because of these things, Allison made the call to transfer me to UNC. I was given IV fluids and an epidural to restore my energy and strength. I rested 3-4 hours and woke to have my water broken. At that time we discovered meconium (baby's first poop) in the fluid, so the NICU team was put on standby. I pushed about 30 minutes and Kathryn came out beautiful and perfect. She was breathing, but it was taking her a lot of effort. Her apgar scores were 8 and 9 anyway. The NICU team wheeled her over to let me see her and touch her, and then wheeled her off. We weren't sure at that time what was wrong, although there didn't seem to be too much hurrying or concern.
I received a few stitches and rested for a couple more hours before being moved to a maternity room. Then we were told that Kathryn both swallowed and breathed in some of her meconium. It is a very thick substance, and when she breathed it into her lungs and then continued to try to breathe, the pressure built up in the lung and burst two holes in her lung. These, we were told, would heal on their own over a few days. However, it made congenital pneumonia, or other infections, possible. She would have to have her blood studied for infection and undergo a week-long treatment of antibiotics.
That week is almost over. Tomorrow is Monday again and we are very much looking forward to taking Kathryn home, although we are also a little nervous to be all on our own. This week has been tumultuous. We had no plan at all to be away from home more than one night, much less seven nights and eight days. We didn't have a plan for anyone to bring in the mail/paper, water the garden, watch the house, take care of the dog, etc. We didn't know where we would stay or how we would afford so many meals and parking fees.
God has sustained us through this time. He has provided ways for us to find free meals or people to bring food to us. He provided a place to stay, away from the hospital (for short breathers away from all the hospital-ness, and a place for Jared to sleep)(that had a free shuttle to and from the hospital); plus a place to stay within the hospital (for me as I needed to be available in order to breastfeed Kathryn). We've received many Facebook messages, texts, calls, and some visits to sustain our spirits. Even though this is very far from what our original plan was, we know it was God's plan and He will continue to provide for us as we are now waiting on receiving the bill for all this care.
I believe I had as natural a birth as possible without endangering my baby or myself, and I am proud of and content with that. God knew that Kathryn would need extra care as soon as she came out, so He guided our experience to put us in one of America's very best children's hospitals. To labor that far without medical interventions was no small feat, and I couldn't have done it without Jared's help and support. He was so strong, positive and encouraging. I really felt that he had the situation under his control and that he was determined to see me through until the end. I am so thankful for him.
We are a little nervous to be all on our own, starting tomorrow, but excited to start a "normal" parents-of-a-newborn life. We love little Kathryn and look forward to watching her grow in all sorts of ways.
Day Seven
After a week's worth of prodromal (non-productive) labor, I went into true labor Sunday morning around 9am. I labored at home until 4 or 5 pm when we drove to the Birth Center. Allison was on call. I mostly labored in the tub or on my side on the bed. Everything hurt, and I kept throwing up, which made me extremely dehydrated. Eventually I labored to 9.7 centimeters dilated and completely effaced, but I had no energy to finish it out. Plus, Kathryn had her elbow jutted out, making it almost impossible to push. Because of these things, Allison made the call to transfer me to UNC. I was given IV fluids and an epidural to restore my energy and strength. I rested 3-4 hours and woke to have my water broken. At that time we discovered meconium (baby's first poop) in the fluid, so the NICU team was put on standby. I pushed about 30 minutes and Kathryn came out beautiful and perfect. She was breathing, but it was taking her a lot of effort. Her apgar scores were 8 and 9 anyway. The NICU team wheeled her over to let me see her and touch her, and then wheeled her off. We weren't sure at that time what was wrong, although there didn't seem to be too much hurrying or concern.
I received a few stitches and rested for a couple more hours before being moved to a maternity room. Then we were told that Kathryn both swallowed and breathed in some of her meconium. It is a very thick substance, and when she breathed it into her lungs and then continued to try to breathe, the pressure built up in the lung and burst two holes in her lung. These, we were told, would heal on their own over a few days. However, it made congenital pneumonia, or other infections, possible. She would have to have her blood studied for infection and undergo a week-long treatment of antibiotics.
That week is almost over. Tomorrow is Monday again and we are very much looking forward to taking Kathryn home, although we are also a little nervous to be all on our own. This week has been tumultuous. We had no plan at all to be away from home more than one night, much less seven nights and eight days. We didn't have a plan for anyone to bring in the mail/paper, water the garden, watch the house, take care of the dog, etc. We didn't know where we would stay or how we would afford so many meals and parking fees.
God has sustained us through this time. He has provided ways for us to find free meals or people to bring food to us. He provided a place to stay, away from the hospital (for short breathers away from all the hospital-ness, and a place for Jared to sleep)(that had a free shuttle to and from the hospital); plus a place to stay within the hospital (for me as I needed to be available in order to breastfeed Kathryn). We've received many Facebook messages, texts, calls, and some visits to sustain our spirits. Even though this is very far from what our original plan was, we know it was God's plan and He will continue to provide for us as we are now waiting on receiving the bill for all this care.
I believe I had as natural a birth as possible without endangering my baby or myself, and I am proud of and content with that. God knew that Kathryn would need extra care as soon as she came out, so He guided our experience to put us in one of America's very best children's hospitals. To labor that far without medical interventions was no small feat, and I couldn't have done it without Jared's help and support. He was so strong, positive and encouraging. I really felt that he had the situation under his control and that he was determined to see me through until the end. I am so thankful for him.
We are a little nervous to be all on our own, starting tomorrow, but excited to start a "normal" parents-of-a-newborn life. We love little Kathryn and look forward to watching her grow in all sorts of ways.
Day One
Happy Family
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Week 39 is Starting
Hello, Kathryn! You keep building up a layer of fat this week to help regulate your temperature once you're out, but there's no real telling anymore how much you weigh or how long you are. Most books would say you're about the average this week, at 19-21 inches long and seven or eight pounds. Boys tend to be a little heavier than girls at birth. Your head has dropped a little bit into my pelvis--not enough to really hurt or affect my walk, but it's a sign that you're getting yourself ready. You still move every day, but the peak of your movement was several weeks ago, when you had more room. Your brain continues to grow and your pink skin is turning more white. We love you very much.
Several people now have asked me if the midwives have changed my due date. I figure I will take advantage of my little soapbox here to inform folks that one's due date is usually only changed within the first trimester (three months). In fact, my midwives originally thought my due date was June 18th, based on when I *should* have ovulated, which was based on my last menstrual cycle. However, once I had my first ultrasound, the technician was able to measure Kathryn and, with a higher degree of certainty, say that Kathryn was not big enough to be due on June 18th, and that, more likely, she was a week behind and would come around June 27th. So, no, my due date will not be changing any. (And if you've read some of my other posts, you know the due date is fairly meaningless, anyway!) Speaking of, here's a link to a great article that one of my friends shared with me today. http://voices.yahoo.com/the-lie-edd-why-due-date-isnt-you-1958162.html?cat=25
I'm feeling uncomfortable, but not miserable. I ask Jared to do a lot of things that require bending down or lifting, and he's great about helping. I take some Tylenol each night to relieve my pelvic pain and help me sleep. I go to the Birth Center on Mondays for check-ups and to the chiropractor once or twice a week to help with keeping my pelvis aligned and my ligaments nice and loose. I do keep busy, and still have a couple of things I'd like to get done before Kathryn arrives. This week I have made chili and sausage balls to keep for meals, received the last few things from our registry that we wanted to have before Kathryn comes, washed baby clothes and put away items in the nursery, bought nursing bras, had the car seat bases inspected, had my hair cut and nails done, and stocked up on paper and toiletry products so we don't have to worry about running out in the next few weeks. I still feel like this pregnancy has flown by and feel very grateful that I've had no complications, drama or terribly unpleasant symptoms. God is good to us and I try to be mindful to give thanks each day.
Several people now have asked me if the midwives have changed my due date. I figure I will take advantage of my little soapbox here to inform folks that one's due date is usually only changed within the first trimester (three months). In fact, my midwives originally thought my due date was June 18th, based on when I *should* have ovulated, which was based on my last menstrual cycle. However, once I had my first ultrasound, the technician was able to measure Kathryn and, with a higher degree of certainty, say that Kathryn was not big enough to be due on June 18th, and that, more likely, she was a week behind and would come around June 27th. So, no, my due date will not be changing any. (And if you've read some of my other posts, you know the due date is fairly meaningless, anyway!) Speaking of, here's a link to a great article that one of my friends shared with me today. http://voices.yahoo.com/the-lie-edd-why-due-date-isnt-you-1958162.html?cat=25
I'm feeling uncomfortable, but not miserable. I ask Jared to do a lot of things that require bending down or lifting, and he's great about helping. I take some Tylenol each night to relieve my pelvic pain and help me sleep. I go to the Birth Center on Mondays for check-ups and to the chiropractor once or twice a week to help with keeping my pelvis aligned and my ligaments nice and loose. I do keep busy, and still have a couple of things I'd like to get done before Kathryn arrives. This week I have made chili and sausage balls to keep for meals, received the last few things from our registry that we wanted to have before Kathryn comes, washed baby clothes and put away items in the nursery, bought nursing bras, had the car seat bases inspected, had my hair cut and nails done, and stocked up on paper and toiletry products so we don't have to worry about running out in the next few weeks. I still feel like this pregnancy has flown by and feel very grateful that I've had no complications, drama or terribly unpleasant symptoms. God is good to us and I try to be mindful to give thanks each day.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Appointment and Fun Facts
Good news at our appointment today! Kathryn's head is in the right place now. Her back is now laying in my left hip, instead of her head. Maybe she's just sliding down there a little at a time? There was finally someone available to do the ultrasound and confirm it, so I feel much more at ease now.
My iron level was good, Kathryn's heart rate was good, and I should hear back about some blood work and the GBS test by the end of the week. I have gained 27 lbs here at week 36--average weight gain is 25-30 pounds right now, so I have finally caught up with everyone. It was nice while it lasted!
Some fun facts:
If Kathryn's born in June, her birthstone will be the pearl and birth flowers are the rose and honeysuckle.
If she's born in July, her birthstone will be the ruby and birth flowers are the larkspur and water lily.
Regardless of month, she will most likely be a Cancer in the zodiac, and her Chinese zodiac animal is the Black Water Snake.
She'll be old enough to drive a car in 2029, finish high school in 2031, and graduate college in 2035.
On her due date, in history:
Helen Keller was born in 1880
Bell Laboratories announced the successful transmission of television signals in 1929
Moscow opened the world's first atomic power station in 1954
The first seat belt legislation was passed in Illinois in 1955
My iron level was good, Kathryn's heart rate was good, and I should hear back about some blood work and the GBS test by the end of the week. I have gained 27 lbs here at week 36--average weight gain is 25-30 pounds right now, so I have finally caught up with everyone. It was nice while it lasted!
Some fun facts:
If Kathryn's born in June, her birthstone will be the pearl and birth flowers are the rose and honeysuckle.
If she's born in July, her birthstone will be the ruby and birth flowers are the larkspur and water lily.
Regardless of month, she will most likely be a Cancer in the zodiac, and her Chinese zodiac animal is the Black Water Snake.
She'll be old enough to drive a car in 2029, finish high school in 2031, and graduate college in 2035.
On her due date, in history:
Helen Keller was born in 1880
Bell Laboratories announced the successful transmission of television signals in 1929
Moscow opened the world's first atomic power station in 1954
The first seat belt legislation was passed in Illinois in 1955
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Start of Week 32 and Month Eight
This week, Kathryn will grow to weigh 3.75 to 4 pounds and be 18 to 18.9 inches long. She'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks! She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair. Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth, and is no longer transparent in any way. She fills almost all the space in my uterus now, but may still have enough room to do somersaults. Kathryn is practicing opening her eyes, swallowing, breathing, kicking and sucking. We love her very much.
A 32-week-old baby in the womb
I had my latest appointment today at the Birth Center, and everything's still looking good. Her heartbeat is about 150, which is a little high, but anything below 160 is still considered normal. I was told my weight gain and blood pressure look fine. I brought up some concerns--I had some bruising on my upper left thigh that wouldn't go away, a big lump on the left side of my groin, and low, pelvic pressure. It was determined that they're all related: the bruising is actually spider veins, the lump is a clump of varicose veins way under my skin, and the pressure is, well, pressure. They tell me I have "vulvar varicosity", basically, that my left side is enduring a lot of pressure from the baby and uterus, and it's breaking down a little bit on that side. So now, I get to wear a special support band and apply vitamin E and C oils to my skin daily.
My blood volume has increased 40 to 50 percent since I got pregnant. My acid reflux is back, and I occasionally get Braxton Hicks contractions, although they have been nearly absent the last two weeks. Kathryn moves a lot--it seems she does more jumping or shuddering than kicking or punching. I have pelvic pressure and achiness, mild swelling, a little bit of varicose veins/spider veins/stretch marks, and a little bit of difficulty sleeping. All in all, I really don't feel I have much to complain about. I still really enjoy pregnancy and feel blessed that things have gone so well, and that Kathryn is healthy and growing. I try to remember to thank God for these things every day.
Jared will be adding me to his insurance next week, and they have agreed to include the Birth Center in their network! This is a big answer to prayer and saves us about $2400 of prenatal/maternity/newborn costs. It is a week and 2 days until our next baby shower, and three weeks until the next appointment, where they will do an ultrasound to make sure that Kathryn is head-down. Time seems to be passing slowly, but I try to keep on top of things to make sure that the last few weeks don't sneak up on us!
Thursday, November 29, 2012
10 Week Appointment
I am so happy to say that everything went well at my appointment today. The midwife I met with went over everything again with me, just in case I'd forgotten anything since May. She examined me and said I was measuring "exactly right" for 10 weeks. She told me it was a little early to definitely hear a heartbeat, which I knew. I also know that I am chunky and my fat would get in the way of the Doppler. But Peanut's heartbeat came through nice and clear, anyway! I laughed with relief and thanked God for being good.
They took urine and blood samples and gave me a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine. All adults should get a booster if you come into contact with kids. The shot you got as a child wears off over time.
So, Jared and I will go for an ultrasound in about two weeks, and my next appointment with the Birth Center will be in four weeks. I am so relieved that things are going well so far!
They took urine and blood samples and gave me a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine. All adults should get a booster if you come into contact with kids. The shot you got as a child wears off over time.
So, Jared and I will go for an ultrasound in about two weeks, and my next appointment with the Birth Center will be in four weeks. I am so relieved that things are going well so far!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Not As Old As First Thought
Peanut, we thought you were older than you are! The ultrasound technician measured you today and said you would be six weeks tomorrow. We thought you would be seven full weeks today!
This is not a cause for worry, yet. I did ovulate 3-4 days late, so I knew that would push me off by a little.
We did get to hear your heartbeat, which was going at 105 beats a minute. This is good for almost six weeks.
You are due on June 27th now, not June 19th. That's OK, as long as you come out healthy and living.
Jared and I feel happy and relieved, for now. We are thanking God that He is with us and He is letting Peanut grow and be healthy. It will be another 5-6 weeks before my appointment at the Birth Center, and then another ultrasound. We will tell family and friends in two weeks!
We love you very much.
This is not a cause for worry, yet. I did ovulate 3-4 days late, so I knew that would push me off by a little.
We did get to hear your heartbeat, which was going at 105 beats a minute. This is good for almost six weeks.
You are due on June 27th now, not June 19th. That's OK, as long as you come out healthy and living.
Jared and I feel happy and relieved, for now. We are thanking God that He is with us and He is letting Peanut grow and be healthy. It will be another 5-6 weeks before my appointment at the Birth Center, and then another ultrasound. We will tell family and friends in two weeks!
We love you very much.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Week Five
Today starts week five of pregnancy. Peanut, this week you will grow to the size of an orange seed! A lot bigger than the poppy seed you were last week. This week, your heart is starting to take shape. The heart, brain and spinal cord are the first things to form. We love you very much.
I cancelled the early appointment (7 weeks) I had made with Women's Birth and Wellness Center, and moved it to 11 weeks. I decided that nothing would convince me this child is okay until I hear (or preferably see) his/her little heart beating. So, an early appointment would be a waste of time and money. My first appointment won't be until the end of November, and we'll tell family and Facebook after that. We are planning on telling coworkers much earlier, and our church small group a little after that.
Monday, October 8, 2012
PREGNANT
This morning there was a positive result! The faintest, thinnest, most beautiful line ever. I thanked God and praised Him for His blessings. Jared is so happy, and wants to call this little person "Peanut". I'll test again on Wednesday and hope for a darker, clearer line....and after that I will call the Birth Center to get back into their system!
This means that I did, in fact, get pregnant by September, which was my stated goal back in May when I had my miscarriage. God is in the details.
This means that I did, in fact, get pregnant by September, which was my stated goal back in May when I had my miscarriage. God is in the details.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)