Baby Jake's Birth Story

Part I: Getting Bad News

Before Baby Jake was born Chris and I had been preparing ourselves for a 'natural' birth.  I had read a lot of books, we had taken a hypnobirthing class and we were practicing all the techniques we learned nearly everyday. I was trying to do everything right so we could get this little guy here with as little modern medicine as possible, however we still wanted the birth in a hospital just in case.

On the day of my 39 week doctor appointment, I did the usual sign in things. I peed in a cup and had my weight and blood pressure taken. I was really upset because the first thing I saw was that in one week I had gained FIVE POUNDS. How was that possible?! Then the doctor came in and said that he wanted to measure my blood pressure the old fashioned way because it was reading "kind of high." After he took it he tells me that my blood pressure is for sure on the high side and I had protein in my urine and I needed to go home and be "a couch potato." All fine except I had so many things I wanted to get done before the baby arrived. I made an appointment for a few days out and left the office and called Chris crying and he of course came home and decided that he would try to work from home as much as possible.

On my next appointment (April 11th) I made Chris come with me because I had a feeling as I was getting ready that morning that we were going to be having this baby that day. (they only had very early appointments left that short of notice so Chris and I had to wake up earlier than usual and of course I had gotten no sleep that night worrying about my doctors appointment the next day.) We went to the doctor and I peed in the cup measured my weight (which didn't change) and had my blood pressure measured. The doctor came in again and said that he wanted to check my blood pressure the old fashioned way because it was measuring high again. This time it was really high (151/95) and the protein in my urine was 5x worse than it was 3 days earlier. The doctor sat down and said:

"We need to have this baby today. You will need to leave here and get your things and go to the hospital. I will call ahead and let them know you are coming. When you get there we are going to have them run some more blood work to make sure that your liver is ok, if it comes back normal than we will induce you, however if it comes back abnormal, then we will have to do a c-section right away so there is no harm to you and the baby. You're not dilated and your not effaced and the baby hasn't dropped so if we do induce you it will probably be about a 20 hour labor."

Chris and I got to the car and I started bawling! I asked Chris if on our way home from the doctor we could stop by my parents and ask my dad to help Chris give me a blessing before we went to the hospital. We ran there then ran home and I grabbed the baby bag and my bag (which I fortunately had packed a few days before), we grabbed the dog and all her things and Chris threw together a bag while I tried to stuff my face before we were admitted into the hospital and couldn't eat. We dropped the dog off at daycare and told them that we would pick her up in a few days because it was "baby having time."

Part II: The Hospital

We got to the hospital and all checked in at 10am and then the nurses showed us our room and came in and got my blood for the tests. We heard back in a few minutes and they said that my liver results were normal and our doctor ordered that I be started. They gave Magnesium Sulfate, so that I wouldn't have seizures during my labor and Pitocin to start my labor, plus my regular IV bag. So that was all in one arm, and on the other arm, I had to be hooked up to a blood pressure monitor constantly so they could make sure my blood pressure didn't get worse. Then with the Pitocin I had to be hooked up to belly monitors to make sure that Jakey's heart rate was normal and my body was responding to the drugs. PLUS they kept having to give me anti-nausea medication through my IV's because the Mag was making me crazy sick. So I wasn't going ANYWHERE. I was pretty much strapped down. I was still trying for as much of a natural birth as I could and opted out of getting an epidural.

Chris and I were working on all of our techniques that we had learned but it was really hard for me to get relaxed because every 30 minutes the nurses would have to come in and check my blood pressure reading, Jake's heart monitor, my oxygen and reflexes because of all the drugs I was on. So every 30 minutes I would be disturbed for about 5-10 minutes and then Chris and I would have to start over again. At about 1am I couldn't take it anymore, I couldn't move and I couldn't get relaxed and all I wanted was for Chris to hold me because I was so tired and hungry and just couldn't keep it up anymore. I told Chris that I wanted the epidural after all and hopefully I would be able to get some sleep. The nurse came in and we told her that we wanted the drugs and she had a doctor come in right away and do it for me. It helped a little but then Jake's heart rate was doing weird things and I had to lay down in awkward positions to keep him active and be on oxygen so I wasn't able to get any sleep.

My doctor came in at about 5am and broke my water and that's when everyone realized that although I was progressing, Jake wasn't and was still really high in my pelvis and wasn't dropping. After a few hours of watching his heart rate (which was not indicating that he was labor, and looked more like he was sleeping) they checked me again and found that since Jake's head wasn't engaged with my cervix  it was starting to swell and close back up. It was then that they decided that I was going to have to have a c-section after all (only 21 hours later).

Part III: The Birth

After the decision was made, they prepped me and wheeled me into the operating room at 8:00am. Chris was able to come in with me and hold me hand. I was fully awake, they just numbed the pain and all I could feel was "pressure." From what Chris said (since I couldn't see) the doctors were having a really hard time getting Jake out even with the c-section and one of the doctors ended up grabbing him by the leg and pulling him out that way. From my point of view it felt like a wrestler was body slamming me in the stomach, which wasn't the most pleasant feeling in the world.

He was born at 8:11am April 12th, 6lbs 13oz, 20 inches long.

Once they got Jake out I told Chris to stay with him because I didn't want Jake to be born and not know where he was and be scared, so I wanted Chris to stay with him and talk to him. After Chris left they stitched me up and wheeled me into a recovery room. Once in there my pain meds wore off and it felt like someone lit my stomach on fire. I was trying to tell the nurse but she just told me that my epidural was on its way from the pharmacy and should be there soon. The nurse left and I was by myself for a few minutes and I started to get really upset because I hadn't been able to meet my little baby yet, I hadn't even seen him and barely even got to hear him cry. So of course I started bawling, this is when Chris was in my room with me and was on the phone and a nurse in training was in the room. Chris got after the nurses and told them to get my pain meds now and once those were there he was off again to go check on the babe. After a few minutes they wheeled me into my postpartum room and I was really worried because they took me without Chris and I didn't know if he would be able to find me, but he did because he is amazing.

When I got to my room my new nurse was there waiting for me and she and the CNA were able to help me into my new bed and the nurse started to talk to me to make sure I knew what was going on. All she said was "I was told that you haven't been able to meet your baby yet." I immediately started to bawl again. It's not fair to go through all that not even be able to hold or see your little guy. Meanwhile Chris was running back and forth between the two of us to make sure that we were both ok and would take pictures of Jake and come back and show me.

This is when we realized the problems with Jake. Because I was on Magnesium for so long it was passed to him and when he came out he was extremely lethargic in the pictures he is just flopped and has no control of his limbs. When he was born he scored a 1 on the APGAR test because he didn't have any vitals. He then started to breathe and 5 minutes later scored a 6. He was in the transition care for a long time while they were trying to decide if he needed to go to the NICU because his blood glucose was so low, and they wanted to give him an IV, but to get an IV he had to be in the NICU. Chris and I then decided that for his best health that we should have him go to the NICU and get the help that he needed, however this meant that it would be even longer before I got to meet him, because he wouldn't be able to come to me, I would have to go to him, and I wasn't allowed to go see him until I had feeling back in my legs and was able to get into a wheelchair. Once they got him in the NICU they got him an IV (in the top of his head) and put him on oxygen. I finally got to meet Jake at 4:00pm that afternoon.

The first time I met Jake

After that we dealt with trying to get his blood glucose high enough to get the IV out of his head and his oxygen high enough to get the tubes out of his nose for the next 4 days while we were at the hospital. By the end of our stay he was able to get off the IV but was back on oxygen and they decided to let us take him home on oxygen, so Chris and I had to take an infant CPR class and take a training on the devices we were given. We finally got to have him to ourselves after 4 whole days of drama! It was the best day ever!!

Going home outfit. The picture is dark because it's during "quiet time" in the NICU

Even though Chris and I got the exact opposite of everything that we had originally planned, I am so incredibly grateful we got such a perfect little boy. I can't believe that his little guy is mine! I am so grateful for the plan of salvation and not only do I get to spend all of my earthly life with him but I get to spend eternity with him.

First picture at his new home!

THIRD TRIMESTER!

Chris and I had our 28 week appointment to kick-off our 3rd Trimester! I can't believe I have already been pregnant 6 months and I only have 3 to go! We didn't get a picture or a DVD this time but we did get to see him (yes still 100% boy).  The doctor did all the fancy measuring and informed us that our babies weight is in the 95% (at a whopping 3.3lbs when average at this point is about 2.25lbs).

In other news I put my notice into work and will be a "stay at home mom" (even though I haven't become a mom quite yet) starting February 1st. I'm hoping that it will give me more time to rest and get more baby stuff ready.  Chris and I decided that it was time for me to quite early because my job was really demanding on my body (I was literally running around all day for clients) and not to mention the fact that I am very near not being able to drive because my belly now touches the stirring wheel of my car.  I have had to raise my steering wheel so I can still reach the peddles and have some breathing room, but at this point the stirring wheel won't raise any more and its getting quite tight.

We have also been working on the nursery. Chris painted the walls a light grey and we plan to fill the room eventually. Right now its completely empty without blinds. First step order blinds! Hopefully with my being home we can make the room more homey!

Baby Dox: Week 26

This month our appointment was a little late due to the holidays. We went to the doc and got to hear our little guys heart beat (144).

We have been working on his nursery and got it painted now we just need to fill it with furniture and a baby!

This past month his activity level has gone up, and now you can really feel him moving around, as well as see it from the outside.  For Christmas I tried to not get anything for him since he isn't here yet, but we did get a few movies (most of which were my old favorites that were $5 from Amazon). We also found some really good black Friday deals on Little Einstein toys from Walmart and an Ergo baby carrier.

I have not had any weird cravings so far but the other night I was at a primary meeting until pretty late and I decided that I needed a strawberry milkshake. I texted Chris and he had one waiting for me when I got home.

Another fun change was for our health insurance we had to have physicals to get bonus money in our health savings account.  The physical consisted of being weighed and having our cholesterol levels checked. We got our results back and no big surprise my BMI (height compared to weight) said that I was overweight, and my cholesterol levels were like scary high! It scared because I was curious what my cholesterol was a few months before I was pregnant and everything was in the "good" range. So I had to do some Google-ing to make myself feel better. Apparently its normal for your cholesterol to be high while your pregnant, that was a big surprise. Other than that all test have come up normal and everything seems to be in working order!

Baby {boy} Dox: 21 Weeks

top: profile; center: profile; bottom: little boy 

Chris and I had our long ultrasound appointment and don't worry he is still a boy! Not a huge surprise considering how open he was in our last appointment but he is measuring right on schedule however he is a little heavier than I was expecting, but again they are just rough estimates.

Here are our 3D ultrasound pics, in all of them they are his face but his fist was in his face so you can't really see his whole face.

He is also quite the active fellow! usually in the afternoons and early evenings he starts doing, what feels like, a tap dancing routine around my belly and the fun part is you can kind of start feeling it from the outside! The first time Chris felt a little movement was when we were in Park City for my birthday get-away that he surprised me with and we were trying to find out hotel in the dark and I grabbed Chris's hand and put it on my belly and he said that he was feeling something. It seems like everyday he is getting stronger too!

Chris has also been a really great sport and very patient with me and my changing emotions and body. It is so cute to me how concerned he is about my health and the baby's health. I'm no longer allowed to try to climb on the counters to reach mixing bowls anymore and he is always worried about whether or not I'm comfortable. 

It's also been fun because I'm quite a bit bigger and I'm finally out of the "kind of looks bigger, but no one knows its because I'm pregnant, not that I just ate a large dinner" phase. People are now asking questions about the growing bump under my shirts. Like when I was first pregnant, I get a few comments that aren't exactly on the kind side, but I have been trying my hardest to just ignore them (girl at bank "o my heck, aren't you due like really soon?" me "umm, no I have about 5 more months...") and just be excited that I still have a few more months for my baby to grow (and get baby's room ready).

So far we have a few names we like, tell me what you think:

Jacob (after Chris's Grandpa)

Sawyer

there are more but those are our top two..

Baby {BOY} Dox: Week 18

That's right! Chris and I recently found out that we are having a little boy! We were given a DVD of our last appointment and no pictures so I don't have proof, so you'll have to take my word for it.

When we went to the doctors office, he put the goo on my tummy to do the ultrasound as soon as we put the "ultrasound thingy" on my tummy to spread the goo around we immediately knew we had a little boy on the way. The doctor went on to show us that our baby has all four chambers in his heart and is growing as he should (measuring 1 day ahead actually)and boy! does he sure move! He then went to show us for 100% sure that we should start planning on blue. No doubt :)

I have been feeling a lot better. No more morning sickness but I still haven't quite got my energy back, but I'll take it over being sick every day. I even have a little tummy that is actually noticeable, in fact I was running around at work the other day and saw my reflection and noticed that my tummy had a shadow! I felt the little movement this past Saturday while I was settling down for bed. Its been a little sparse but every once in a while I can feel him. It's a little alien but cool all at the same time; I just wish that Chris could feel it.

Chris and I have been searching for a name. When we went to the doctor's we were about 95% sure we were going to be seeing boy parts, however we only had girl names picked out that we liked. It's a little overwhelming, nothing has really jumped out at us; we may have Baby-Boy Doxey for a while.

Baby-Boy Dox is the size of a bell pepper.

Baby Dox: Week 11

This was from our 9 week appointment (in the process of trying to find a new doctor).

Good news is we found a great doctor!

Lately, my morning sickness has been a little hit and miss. Some days I feel "ok" and some days I feel horrible and I have been pretty tired everyday.

I have been pretty dang lucky because Chris has really picked up my weight in chores and has been a great sport! I couldn't ask for more.

What really has surprised me so far is what people say to me that know I'm pregnant. 

1. I know that I'm gaining a little weight because my cloths (especially my work pants) are fitting a little tighter, but I have actually gotten two comments about it. One said "OH, LOOK YOUR GETTING PUDGY!!" and the other said "Wow your tummy is starting to poke out." On each occurrence I was sitting down after just eating a large lunch, I would like to see them do the same and not have a belly. Thanks guys.
2. One day I was sitting at work and someone asked if I had picked out a name yet. I haven't I don't know if I'm having a boy or a girl so I haven't wanted to dive in until I can at least cut down the names by half. So I told this person "No, I haven't yet" and she asked "Well haven't you had names you have liked your whole life?" and I said "No, not really" and she said "you must not be very maternal." WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?!

Maybe I'm just over sensitive because I don't think that people have been this blunt in the past when I wasn't pregnant? I dunno..

Anyway, the baby is the size of a fig.

Baby Dox: 8 weeks

Chris and I found out we were pregnant about a month ago. We decided that we wanted it confirmed by a skilled doctor (as opposed to an at home test) before we said anything so we had to learn to be patient for 2 of the longest weeks of our lives. We finally decided that we would tell everyone the Sunday after we went to the doctor which was about 2 weeks ago, but we wanted to make sure that we had told all family before going to social media.

On Sunday, August 26th Chris and I planned to have a bbq with my family to have an excuse to get everyone together, which was key to telling them. I made a little shirt for my niece saying that she was going to be a cousin. Everything was going to be perfect and then I realized that we were going to be a little late so I called my dad and  told him that we were going to be a few minutes late (we had all the food so it was kind of a big deal) and he said "You need to see Ella's shirt." and I said "ummm what does it say?!" He said that i would have to come over and see. I went running out to Chris and I said "O my heck, Danielle is pregnant and got Ella a big sister shirt!!" Well we drive over and my nervous were quite getting the best of me.

Sure enough when we walk in Ella is wearing a shirt that says "big sister" so I go storming in (I had wrapped up Ella's present and she was quite excited to open it) as Ella is unwrapping her present I was grilling Danielle on how far along she was and when she was due. And Danielle said, "How do you know all this? You did that math really fast." By then Ella had unwrapped her shirt and I showed my family her shirt and we found out that Danielle and I were both due the same week of April (she is due the 5th and I am due the 10th).

After dinner we finished dinner and visiting we were heading over to Chris's moms house and decided due to the time change we need to call his dad and tell them the news. I don't know much of the details because Chris told them everything but from what I understand they are pretty excited.

We arrived at Chris's moms house with our ultrasound and told Chris's mom that my "sister was pregnant and due on the 5th of April... which is funny because we are due on the 10th." They did the appropriate amount of freaking and being excited so it was fun.

We also told Chris's grandparents and aunts and uncles. We decided to let my parents tell all of my extended family.

We are now to the fun point where everyone knows and we don't have to keep this huge news a secret! We have had fun going on line looking at pictures of our baby developing and how big it is. As of right now our baby is the size of a kidney bean and just looks... (I hate to say it as Baby Dox's mom) kind of weird with is little squished face.

I have been  a little sick on and off, I have never actually thrown up yet but I just feel nauseated all the time and very tired, but that has been letting up a little bit. I just hope I start feeling better because it has not been all that fun being sick all the time.