Post Partum Depression

Someone asked me if I had the "baby blues" and I told them no, but I may have been wrong. I'm very happy about the baby and I feel even closer as a family, but I cry at the drop of a hat now. I'm not sure if this fits into the category of hormonal readjustment or post partum depression. My husband is keeping a close watch on me though LOL. He just wants to make sure I'm stable minded. Well if any thing changes in my feelings other than the crying spells I will let you gals know.

Cesarean Healing

I'm finally feeling better from the cesarean. It was very difficult for the first 2 weeks because a blood clot was sitting directly on my incision and swelling had appeared. There was limited walking and very painful mornings when trying to get out of bed. Thankfully my husband has been there to support me all the way through this. FMLA leave is a blessing indeed. The pain and swelling has diminished greatly. Today I only had to take one pain pill and that was an 800mg Ibuprofen. I'm getting better slowly but surely. My darling daughter Patty is thriving. She is breastfeeding vigorously and following all the milestones for a little person of 2 weeks old. Her umbilical cord fell off yesterday from all the alcohol washings so we decided to give her a real baby bath today. Although she enjoyed it, I still feel as if she is too little and I'm going back to sponge baths until she is bigger. I never knew I would feel so much love for one person. She is just what I dreamed she would be.

Baby Lullaby

This song put baby Patty to sleep last night. I've never thought of it as a lullaby, but it calmed her down and had her snoozing in no time.

Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Someone’s laughing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s laughing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s laughing, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s crying, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s praying, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
Someone’s singing, Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
Kum ba yah, my Lord, kum ba yah!
O Lord, kum ba yah!

The Lullaby player

Conjunctivitis

Yesterday during our Christmas celebration, my brand new daughter, Patty, developed a severe case of conjunctivitis. One of my sisters, who has five children, told me to gently wipe her eye with a warm cloth to keep it clean until I could call the pediatrician. Being insecure, I consulted some websites which confirmed what she said and also mentioned that the infection usually clears up on its own within a week. However I also noted that using cotton balls and throwing them after each use was more sanitary. Some of the websites explained that one form of conjunctivitis was caused by the baby scratching his/her eye and transferring bacteria. Well I had filed her nails, but she was still scratching at her eyes a lot, so my husband covered her hands with mittens. I was extremely worried all night and considered just going to the emergency room, but we kept gently wiping with warm water to keep the debris out of her eye. Lo and behold by 9:00 this morning, her right eye was clean and clear. It's now 4:00 in the after noon and there is not a slimy eye booger in site. WHEW!

Wow

The doctor attempted to turn the baby (which was excrutiating) but she turned right back around. I was hooked up to an IV and urinary catheter, then whisked away to an operating room for a spinal block to prepare for a recommended cesarean. A anesthesia was administered and I lost all feeling from the chest down. Of course during all of this my blood pressure was sky rocketing and I was shaking like a leaf. I think I may have been having an anxiety attack. Fortunately my husband was right there with me holding my hand. After they removed her from my uterus and checked her vitals, my husband took a few pictures and then he accompanied the baby and staff to the nursery where she was dressed. Still I had not physically seen my precious daughter. I was rolled back to my room and waited a good 30 minutes until my husband and child were returned to me. Even though most of my birth plan was thrown out the window due to circumstances, the hospital staff was excellent. Every one was very kind and helpful during my week long stay. The only complaint that I have is one nurse who was a bit overzealous. She insisted that I was starving the baby because I was not producing enough milk. Thankfully no one else had this opinion, including the pediatrician. I'm now home breastfeeding very successfully.
P.S. I will share in the next couple of days why she could not turn :-(

Cesearean or C-section Maybe

I'm becoming very anxious about Monday. I've decided to read a bit about the process of a cesarean in case I am required to have one. I'm comfortable in knowing that my doctor performs the "bikini cut." The incision will run the length of my ring finger to my wrist. That isn't very large at all. I fully understand that this is major surgery, but the consequences of not having one might be deadly for me and the baby. If the umbilical cord is squeezed because of the complete breech position, little oxygen is delivered to the baby and brain damage may result. That reason alone is enough to make me realize that it's worth me being cut and confined for a few weeks. I plan to be back by the end of the week, so don't worry if there aren't any posts for a few days. Here is a good read if you are going through a similar experience.

Breech Baby

On Monday at 6AM I will be admitted to the hospital. The doctor will attempt to turn the baby around and hope for the best. After talking with my husband, we decided that I will have a cesarean if the ecv does not work. Going into labor at home while the baby is coming butt first, not only puts the baby's life in danger but mine as well. I am full term and the baby is descending through my pelvis in a complete breech position. The heart beat is still strong and there is plenty of amniotic fluid, but the presence of a fibroid may be the reason the baby is not able to establish a head down position. Although I feel some sadness and a lot of anxiety, I know that I'm in God's hands.

Appointment Rescheduled

Well the baby has changed position. Instead of being feet first, he/she is butt first. ARGH! The doctor has rescheduled the external cephalic version (manually turning baby) for Monday at 6AM in the morning. I will be given the choice to use anesthesia in the form of an epidural during this procedure or bear the pain. I'm going to start out with no medication and see what takes place. I have been in pain for 3 days now but it seems to be due to the booty of my baby sitting deep in the pelvis. Please continue to pray for me.

Breast Milk Tips

I'm a little stressed because my doctor was out sick today. Hopefully this is divine intervention in answering my prayers about the birth of my child. Any way, while I was in Walmart I bought a few baby bottles for when I need to leave the baby with a sitter. I found some very good tips about storing breastmilk that I want to share.

"10 Tips for Pumping and Storing Breast Milk

Here are 10 tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics about safe storage of breast milk:

1. Always wash your hands before expressing or handling breast milk.
2. Store breast milk in jars with tight-fitting lids, or nursery plastic bags. Do not store milk in ordinary plastic bags or formula bags.
3. Discard all milk that has been refrigerated more than 72 hours.
4. If you freeze milk, keep it at 0 degrees for three to six months of storage.
5. Try to freeze your milk in single servings -- roughly 2 to 4 ounces -- the average amount needed for one feeding.
6. Do not add fresh milk to milk that has been frozen.
7. To thaw frozen milk, let it stand in the refrigerator, or place the container in a bowl of warm water.
8. Never use a microwave oven to defrost milk, or heat it to feed your baby. The heating is frequently uneven and can scald your baby's mouth and tongue. Plus, high heat can destroy some of the nutrients in the milk.
9. Never refreeze breast milk. Discard what your baby doesn't finish in a feeding; milk that is thawed in a refrigerator should be used in 24 hours.
10. Do not save milk from a used bottle or refrigerate what your baby didn't finish for a later feeding."

Source:http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=52264

Baby Shower

The baby shower was Saturday. There are a lot of things that I could say, but I won't. However I did get plenty of diapers and other useful baby items. I'm making a lot of preparations and praying that God will help me through this process. On Sunday I talked to the pastor about the christening and baby dedication. This will be an exciting time for my family to come together for a joyous occasion.
As for the medical side of things, the baby still hasn't turned head down so I'm a bit anxious about Tuesday. The obgyn is going to attempt an external cephalic version and hopefully I can avoid a cesarean. To inspire some happy thoughts, I have included a few pictures today. Below is the nursery, pack n play, and the baby travel system (3 in 1).

Slow Day

Today was filled with nausea and sleeping. Hopefully this shall pass by morning.

P.S. I'm getting a list ready of REAL work at home jobs prepared. So keep your eyes open moms.

Monumental Prenatal Visit

Over the past several weeks I insisted that my baby was not head down. My Doula and OBGYN kept saying "Oh it's probably the baby's butt." Today I specifically asked the doctor to check if I was dilated. So with hesitancy he did so. To his surprise he felt an arm where the head should have been. Next he performed an ultrasound and informed me that the baby was breech. I told him that during my birth the doctor stuck his hand into my mother and turned me around. Of course he said most doctors don't do that any more. He informed me that I have 3 choices.
1. We can wait and see if the baby turns on its own during the onset of natural labor (Any time now).
2. He can attempt to turn the baby next Tuesday and induce me on Wednesday.
3. He can perform a cesarean.

I chose option two because he has already told me that I cannot sit around the house and wait until my labor is 5-10 minutes apart since my test for group Strep B is positive. He has also recommended an epidural since the induction will create more pain than natural labor. There goes my birth plan.

Pregnancy Blues

The baby must be preparing to enter the world soon. I'm nauseous, I have lower abdominal pain and pressure, "loose bowels," and can't get a wink of sleep. I am truly miserable. However I know that once my little bundle of joy arrives that it will be all worth it. I hope my husband doesn't mind making a sandwich or eating soup tonight. I am in no condition or mood to cook. I'm just praying that I go into labor once the baby shower is over on Saturday.

Thanks but No Thanks Auntie

I told you the other day that my sister decided she would start coming to my home to make sure that someone was here in case I went into labor. Keep in mind that I directly requested that none of my family be present until the baby is born. I do not want extra stress from their personal horror stories during my labor. Well I guess the fact that she lives more than an hour away has not deterred her because she showed up unannounced at my home today. My husband took the day off because he wasn't feeling well and I was about to go to the store with my neighbor. I talked with my sister for a few minutes then informed her that I was just about to step out. She told me that I must have an epidural so that I do not pass out and requested that I print directions from her home to the hospital. UGH!!! I kindly told her that I would give them to her at the baby shower. I am seriously considering asking my doctor for an induction so that I can avoid her. I can't tell her no if she is here when I start labor because she will drive me to the hospital. If I say she can't come in after we get there, she will act as if I have committed a sin. What is a new mother to do?

Labor & Delivery Stages

Saturday my husband and I went to an accelerated lamaze class from 9AM to 4PM. Things started out with the classic comedian act of Bill Cosby discussing the birth of his child and ended with deep breathing techniques. In between I picked up a lot of information about what to possibly expect. Below is just a snippet of what I need to expect.

Early Labor (7 to 8 hours) Some Pain
-talkative
-contractions about 5-15 minutes apart
-feeling anxious
-notify your doctor and parnter
Try not to use your breathing techniques yet. Stick to clear liquids and only do "light" activities.

Active Labor (1 to 4 hours) Very Painful
-less talkative
-contractions 3-4 minutes apart
-feeling annoyed and unable to relax
-needs support person by your side
Begin your breathing techniques and ask for a massage. Change positions as much as needed.

Transition (1/2 to 2 1/2 hours Beyond Pain
-may cry, shake, or scream
-contractions every 1-2 minutes apart
-feeling an urge to "go to the bathroom"
-there may be burping, farting, pooping
Maintain eye contact with your partner, use breathing techniques and listen to the medical staff.

Of course I will write about many of the other things that we have learned, but these 3 stages have given me a good idea of how the situation may progress.