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Lucas Avery is Here!

ok, I'm not sure what happened to my birth story post but I'm going to try to get it all down again. Here we are almost 7 months later and I'm just getting around to finishing this! Being a mom of 2 is so much more time consuming than I ever thought.

So, Saturday, the day I turned 37 weeks, March 17th, Eric, Jack, and I ran a lot of errands. For the last week or so, I felt the baby way low. He was so low, that I had to walk more slowly or it was a bit painful. Around 5pm or so, we all went to Lowes and then to Walmart. Around 6pm we were leaving Walmart in the rain. Eric went to get the car and Jack stayed with me. Eric pulled up and I carried my 32lb son to the car, strapped him in his car seat and then got in the front seat. Then I feel it and say, Uh oh. I think my water just broke. Eric looked at me like, I'm sorry, what did you say?! I can't really explain the excitement, chaos, uncertainty that was running through my head. It wasn't an obvious gush of fluid but something was happening that I had no control over.

I decided to wait a little while before calling the doctor just to be sure. My contractions weren't increasing and there was no more leak. I guess Luke's head was acting as a cork. I finally call the dr. around 7:30pm and he advises me to lay down for an hour or so and then stand up. If there is another gush, then my water broke, if not, call him back in the am to see where we stand. I did what he said and there was no gush, no increase in contractions, so I went to bed to get a good night sleep. Eric kept asking me if this was it and I couldn't be sure.

I slept fine but didn't want to get out of bed at all b/c I didn't want to have to go to the hospital in the middle of the night. That meant calling the in-laws to come over and stay with Jack. Looking back, how dumb was that?! So, 7am rolls around, Jack has crawled into our bed and I finally get up only to find a bigger gush. Yep, my water has broken. I tell Eric that this is it and he should probably call his parents. I take a shower and then we decide to tell Jack. The contractions aren't that bad so I figure we have time.

We ask Jack to come over and say, guess what we're getting today? He said, what? I say, a baby! He doesn't say anything but just looks at me. I say, baby brother is coming today. :) He gets a big smile on his face. We decide that he can come to the hospital with us where Eric's parents can pick him up. We gather our things and head off. I tell Eric that we need to stop for some breakfast because I won't be able to eat much once I get there. We stop at Bojangles for some biscuits and call the parents. I get to the hospital around 9am or so and get checked in. It feels like I have to wait 30 minutes or so but that's fine because the contractions still weren't very bad. I called the doctor and they were expecting me.

We walk to the room and get settled in. The nurses get the ivs going and ask me how I would like the labor to go. I tell them that I would love to go without drugs but I am not crazy. If it gets too bad, I will ask for an epidural. They told me that no one has ever died from pain. You might feel like you want to, but you won't. Uh, ok thanks. Dr. Taavon comes in a little concerned because he remembered in the morning that I was strep B positive, which means that I needed to be on antibiotics the moment my water broke, a.k.a. last night. He said we were over 12 hours since then and needed to be aggressive with the delivery. He wanted to put me on Pitocin to speed things along, which made me nervous because I knew that a drug-free delivery on Pitocin would not be easy. I asked him if I could wait it out to see if things would move along. Up to this point my contractions were not regular and they were slow to speed up. So, he told me I could sign something that said I was not going to go with his plan of care but he did not advise that I do that. The baby's health could be compromised if I did not get him out asap. So, I went with the Pitocin.

The nurse cranked up the drug every 45-60 minutes and the contractions started coming. Eric had to leave to get a few things that he left at home and Jack, Pam, and Alan stayed with me. I told Eric to hurry because I was a little nervous. Around 11am, I asked everyone to leave because the contractions were getting stronger and I needed to move around the room. I didn't want Jack to see me uncomfortable. So without Eric being back, they left.

By the way, when I arrived at the hospital, Dr. Taavon checked to make sure the baby was head-down, he broke the rest of my water, and checked to see how dialated I was. I was 3 cm. That is the last time they checked me.

I remember the NCAA tournament was on TV and we were watching that the entire day. I was also trying to take care of a few work items. Since I ended up going out 3 weeks early there were a lot of loose ends. I was sending emails and texting most of the time.

Eric returned as things were heating up. I tried sitting on the birthing ball, leaning over the bed, and Eric tried counter pressure on my back but nothing really helped. The only thing that I could do during the contractions was sit facing him and grab him around the waist and pull on his shirt with both hands. I pulled him toward me and groaned. It was getting a bit tough with each contraction. Still I felt like I could handle it. Eric got a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Apparently, I was pulling really hard on his shirt. :)

Around 3pm the doctor comes in to check on me, reminds me that I can get drugs and to not let it go too far and then he leaves. The nurse, while still cranking up the Pitocin, tells me that she probably won't have to crank it up much more. Oh, and the doctor told me he would be surprised if the baby was born before 7pm. Around 3:45pm I am still texting my friends who are asking me how it is going. The fact that I can still text should tell you something. I was groaning through the contractions but around 3:50 I realized that I needed something. I asked for Stadol even though I was warned about how it made you feel. I told the nurse I only wanted half of a dose. By the time she came back, I told her to give me a full dose and to get me an epidural.

A few minutes after that, the doctor called to check on me. The nurse heard me down the hall screaming so she said uh oh, and hung up on him! Around 3:55 or so (I'm guessing) I get the mother of all contractions because I start involuntarily pushing. I'm screaming I'm pushing and can't stop! I am sitting on the side of the bed and seriously feel like I'm out of my mind. With every contraction, I push. They bring in the team to break down the bed and in runs the doctor. I ask Eric for a bucket because I feel like I'm going to throw up. He grabs it and then I throw it down because I can't pay attention to that. He said, you're hurting me (apparently I was really squeezing his hand.) and I tell him to suck it up! LOL.

Fortunately Dr. Taavon was next door at the gym. He runs in ticked off because the nurse hung up on him. I come to find out later that he thought something was really wrong. At that moment, the anesthesiologist arrives and asks if I want an epidural. Well I'm in between pushes at this point and can feel Luke's head when I try to sit up. Dr. Taavon said, no it's too late. He asks me to hold up my legs and push. I say, I can't! He said, yes you can. And I push hard and -- out pops Luke at 4:07pm! I lay back and close my eyes (Stadol makes it hard to stay awake!) and Dr. T says, Jennifer, open your eyes and look at your baby! I do and say oh no, the Stadol! (You aren't supposed to get stadol if the baby is close to delivery because it can slow their breathing too much). The dr. said he was fine, and indeed he was.

I felt like I was having an out-of-body experience. I felt like I was out of my mind with pain but as soon as he was born, it was over. Well, until they pushed on my stomach to get everything out. That hurt pretty good. I asked if I could have some drugs and Dr. T said you can have anything you want. They end up giving me 2 more doses of Stadol! It made me so freakin tired. All I wanted to do was sleep. They brought Luke over to me after his apgars and he nursed like a champ. I got to hold him a lot longer than I did with Jack and it was wonderful. We stayed in the room maybe an hour and then were moved to another room.

Jack came to see the baby a little while later and was so interested in him. He came in the room looking around for him. It was so sweet. I've posted some of the first pictures of Jack and Luke. Eric stayed the first night after Luke was born and Jack had a sleepover at nanny's. Eric went home with jack the two nights after that to stay with Jack. Nursing was so much easier and so was most everything else. I knew what I was doing and it helped. I also had the same fantastic nurse that I did with Jack! It was great to see her again.

Dad, Victoria, Pat, Grace, Nan, Paps, Pam, Alan, Kim, Bug, Sharon, and Jerry came to visit. I'm sure I'm leaving someone out and I apologize! We left on a Wednesday and settled right in.

36w 4d No change

Bummer! I have been having lots of contractions both painful and not. Yesterday I had them from 3pm through the night and then this am, which resulted in NO CHANGE. I am still 1cm and 0% effaced. How is that possible?!

I suppose I should be thankful b/c I want the baby to stay in there as long as he can but I was really thinking it could happen soon. I guess it still could but it doesn't seem that way anymore.

Anyway, I'm pretty tired these days because sleeping is not comfortable and I'm pretty hot most of the time. My weight gain is still good and everything looks great so I should be thankful. Jack's birthday party is March 31 so it would be great if I made it to that point. Eric and I also want to take him on an Amtrack Train ride to Burlington on March 23rd as part of his birthday. He is going to FLIP out!

I have more housework and work-work than I can possibly do. The baby's room is a wreck and it looks like a bomb of clothes went off in our bedroom. I guess as long as I have a bed for the baby and a paci, I'm good to go.

Ok, it's going to be 80 degrees for the rest of the week (LOVE IT!) and it feels like that now in my office so I'd better get to work before I fall asleep. My next appointment is March 21. I'll update then if not before.

35 weeks 2 days - Head Down!

Today Eric and I went in for a growth ultrasound and I was sure the baby was still transverse because I still feel him on the sides. Well, that must be his little hands because baby boy is head down! He is measuring 6lbs 2oz and looks perfect. We have great pictures of his face and many people think he looks like Jack. I didn't see it at first but maybe so.

I am also 1cm! Last time I was 1cm I had an epidural and my water had broken! I know that I can walk around like this for awhile but the dr. is hopefully that I won't go a full 40 weeks. If I go past 40 weeks, I might have to be induced. Since I'm switching to Heparin, I won't have to be if things happen on time. Hooray!!

I am really excited now but there is still so much to do! I know it doesn't all have to be done but I do need some things like pacifiers, stuff for my pump, sheets on the bassinet. Stuff like that. My next appointment is march 14th so maybe there will be progress by then. I do still have 2 weeks until I am full-term so nothing needs to happen until then.

34w 4d Switching to Heparin

Well, I visited with my Hematologist Tuesday and because the baby is still transverse and the possibility is there that I could go into spontaneous labor before my induction at 39 weeks, I will be switching to Heparin at 37 weeks. If I were to go into labor with a breech/transverse baby while still on Lovenox, I would have to be up under general anesthesia to have the baby. Apparently there are risks to getting an epidural when you have lovenox in your system, which lasts 24 hours. Heparin has a much shorter half-life.

Soooo, all that said, I might not need to be induced at all! I'm going to talk to my OB but my Hematologist doesn't think I need to be induced and I'm hoping that will be the thought of my Ob. I would love to have things happen naturally when the baby is ready.

I go back to the Ob on March 5 for a growth ultrasound and visit and then I'll start going weekly. I haven't been having nearly as many contractions but have been having more general pain, I guess you could say. It's more painful to walk the way he is positioned, and he is constantly kicking me in the bladder and cervix - way more than Jack did. I think this boy looks low and I'm not sure if he could get any lower but we'll see.

That's it for now!

33w5d Going Home Outfit

Wow, I am really tired today. I wonder if this boy is going through a growth spurt. Yesterday, I couldn't get enough food, which usually isn't the case, and today I can barely keep my eyes open.

Ok so, I found the cutest going-home outfit on etsy.com. I just love that site! I have a shirt for Jack and onesie and hat for baby. I know Jack will be thrilled. He asked me just this morning when baby was coming. :) 5 more weeks...

Progress! 33w 4d

I had my 33 week appointment today, which was pretty routine. I haven't gained any weight in the last two weeks (wooo hooo!) and the baby seems to be transverse (laying from side to side). It's just a guess by the doctor feeling around but he's pretty good. So maybe by my next appointment baby boy will be head-down. The doctor said it's more of an unstable position so he could go either way: back to breech or head-down.

I am also still measuring 2 weeks ahead so in this case, 35 weeks. Next week I'm going to have a growth ultrasound to see what the deal is but maybe I'm just having a little bit bigger boy this time. I go back on March 5 at 35 weeks and then weekly after that.

Yay!

Fibronectin test was negative! That means I only have a 1% of going into labor over the next two weeks. My next appointment is on the 21st. I'll update more then if not before.

Dr. Visit 31w 2d

Yesterday I had my routine check-up and brought up all of the contractions that I've been having. on Super bowl Sunday night (go Giants!) I had contractions 2-4 minutes apart for 2 1/2 hours. This was after lying down and drinking as much water as I possibly could. The doctor checked me and there has been no change so apparently the contractions aren't doing anything. He also did a fibronectin test, which tells him if I'm going to deliver in 2 weeks. I can't imagine that it will be positive if everything else looks fine.

I am happy that all is well but confused as to when I should be worried. I asked the Dr. about that and he said if I have that many contractions I should call but unless it is keeping me up at night, it does not require a hospital visit. That is helpful because I was considering that on Sunday.

Baby boy is also still breech. I know I have time but he is also measuring 33 weeks instead of 31, which is where I am now. I just worry that the bigger he is, the harder it will be for him to turn. I still have plenty of time though. The Dr. will try and turn him if he can but that won't happen until 37 weeks and they do that in the hospital b/c 1% of the time, that can cause women to go into labor. Prayers that this baby will flip would be appreciated!

That is it for now. I'm feeling ok - just tired and tired of these contractions. 8 more weeks to go :)

30w 5d - Contractions

Let’s see…what is new. Well, I have been having more contractions lately. Actually for the last 3 weeks. According to the doctor’s office, 6 or more in an hour is too many. There have been times when I’ve had 14-17 in an hour. When I call, they usually say to drink a lot of water and lay on my side. If they do not stop, then come in. At the last doctor visit, I was told that they are nonproductive contractions but to still follow the advice above. I go back in on Monday, February 6 so we’ll see.

I will likely be in the hospital in 2 months from today! Yikes! I am not ready. I am physically getting ready but not mentally. This is going to be a challenge, no doubt. I think the baby is still breech because I’m getting kicks where his head should be and I think I can feel a hard bump under my diaphragm. Again, we’ll see at the dr.

Jack is getting very excited. He kisses and talks to my tummy and asks when the baby is coming. I really can’t wait for the two of them to meet.

New purchase for baby boy! 28w5d

I have to share this purchase from Etsy.com because it is so freakin cute. I can't wait to see my boy in it! We are planning to have professional pictures taken this time and include Jack. I can't wait! We will use the blue bow tie that also comes with it. I figure that by the time the pictures are taken it will be very close to Easter and this is our little Easter bunny! :)

27w 5d So tired

I am so tired. Ever since Christmas, Jack has been waking up between 5:30 – 6:30am with 4:45 and 5am stuck in there. With the 3^rd trimester fast approaching and the exhaustion that comes with that, I’m not sure I can continue like this! Ugh, I know I can because I survived on less sleep when Jack was born but it was no fun. I’m not sure what to do with him but I’m hoping he will get back to his regular schedule.

So, Tuesday night I started having contractions around 7:30pm. When I noticed they were happening repeatedly, I started drinking more water and sat down. They were coming every 3 minutes but weren’t painful but were noticeable – like cramping. Then I laid on my side and they slowed down. I wasn’t ever worried because I knew if I called the dr. they would tell me to drink water and lay on my side or go to the ER, which I didn’t think was necessary. The same thing happened with Jack around this time and it was fine. I ended up having 14 contractions in 2 hours or so and then was fine. I called the dr. the next day and they told me that if I consistently get 6 or more in an hour I will need to come into the office.

I have my next appointment on Jan 20, which will be pretty routine. I’ll update after the appointment.

26 w 6d Ultrasound

Eric and I had our appointment today and they did the Gestational Diabetes test, growth ultrasound, and office visit. I passed the GD test (yay!) and my ultrasound was great. The baby was moving around so much and we got to see everything. He is breech at the moment but still has plenty of time to turn. (the picture below shows exactly how he is sitting now.) According to some measurements, he weights 2lb 9oz, which is in the 93 percentile! Woah! Jack was in the 78 percentile at this point. I’m not going to worry about it too much because they were off by almost a pound when Jack was born. I have great pictures of his feet but that’s about it. When the tech turned on the 4d machine, the baby had his hands in front of his face and wouldn’t move them. I did get to see some chubby cheeks though and I swear he looks like Jack. J

I have gained 14 lbs overall, which I am thrilled with! I was sure I gained a lot over the holidays but I was spared. J I am measuring a week ahead (28 weeks), which was the case with Jack too. I am going to start going every two weeks now, which I really can’t believe. I thought that started later. I feel like this train is moving fast now and leaving me behind! I’ve got to get ready.

I will get another growth ultrasound around 35 weeks and determine a plan for delivery. I keep going back and forth (and my hematologist and OB apparently do too) on whether or not to switch to Heparin at the end. If I stick with Lovenox, I will have to be induced. If I switch to Heparin, I could go into labor naturally but there is a possibility I will not be given an epidural. There is something that can reverse the effects of heparin and therefore reduce the risk of a spinal hematoma but according to my hemo, anesthesiologists are a nervous bunch and do not want to risk a law suit.

So, I am leaning toward staying on Lovenox, being induced and seeing what happens with the idea of a natural labor. I am going to really stress that we wait as long as possible to induce though. I was this baby to be in there as long as he wants to be.

This is how Baby Hudson is sitting at the moment.

26 weeks - New picture

I guess it's time to post another picture so here goes. 26 weeks! Oh, I cropped off my head because I look so cheesy. :)

Goodbye 2011, welcome 2012!

Christmas was wonderful this year. It felt like we went all out on decorations, drove around to look at lights all month long, made cookies, saw Santa, visited with family and enjoyed each other’s company. I certainly can’t complain. Jack was really into Christmas this year and understood more about Santa and the elves. The elves visited our house each night to leave him a candy cane if he was a good boy that day. They would then report back to Santa. Every morning Jack would look for that candy cane and say, “The elves came!” It was so fun to watch. He wasn’t ready to sit on Santa’s lap but he did like seeing him. We also wrote a letter to Santa, which was reciprocated on Christmas Eve. J

One of my favorite moments was Jack’s Christmas pageant at church. He was among 15 or so children and had some verses to say while he was dressed as an angel. We practiced all month long and that child knew his lines. They were, “For behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” I mean he was ready! When he walked out as an angel my heart melt ed. I sat in the front row in case something happened. Well, after about a minute, he start

ed walking down to me and said he was all done. He wanted his costume off. I tried for a second to keep it on but to no avail. Then it was his turn, I was throwing off his costume and begging him to say his lines. After what seemed like 5 minutes of silence, I grabbed the microphone and asked him to say it to me. He finally did but the mic was turned down and no one heard him. Hahahaha. I have to laugh because it really was priceless.

We also decided it was time to potty-train Jack. I had a feeling that he wouldn’t go on the floor if he had no pants on so that is what I decided to do. Sure enough after about a day of reminders, he told me when he had to go potty! He’s only had a few accidents and I feel so blessed! I guess he wasn’t ready until now and this morning he told me he was going to teach baby how to go to the potty. J No more diapers for us! (except for night time).

Other than my miserable cold that I had almost the entire two-weeks I was off, it was a great Christmas and now on to 2012!

I have an appointment with my Dr. on Friday for my glucose screening and growth ultrasound. I can’t wait to see our little guy! He’s been more active lately and I feel him more from left to right so I’m wondering if he’s trying to flip to head-down. He is still super low and constantly on my bladder, which is no fun. I let you know more after my appointment on Friday.