Big Changes since I updated last. Baby Daddy mentioned it, but I'm in the hospital for the next four weeks.
My visit home was really brief after being discharged on Monday afternoon. I was back in triage on Wednesday morning, and knew what the recommendation would be: I would stay until delivery so the nurses and doctors can monitor me if anything goes wrong with the placenta. The day and a half at home was short - and I felt a little bit bashful when I returned to the hospital so quickly - but I'd followed the doctor's advice and enjoyed every day I could be home. I had two baths. I slept soundly in my own bed. I enjoyed a special dish prepared by Future-Dad (was delicious!). I could wander into the next room and give him an impromptu kiss, although I'd be ushered back to bed. Fortunately he made trips for the same purpose. It was/is hard to miss him like that, but we're always texting or talking or using skype. He's a supportive and loving husband and Future-Dad.
Now that I'm back, he's helping me to cozy up my room. So far a nice houseplant and family photos are cheering up the place. The triage nurse picked out a room with a view (that is, not the wall of a building but instead a trees and the parking lot). Even seeing the world outside reminds me that I'm a part of it. It's sunny and lovely today, particularly from my climate-controlled environs. Ha!!
Cletus, he is the Good Thing To Come after all, is doing great. His heartbeat is strong and the nurses and doctors say he looks 'beautiful' on the monitors. He's moving around, kicking and overall just being a healthy little guy. The doc says that since the placenta is taking up room at the bottom of the uterus, his head isn't inclined to nestle into the lower portion and keep him in one position. He's free to move about and do back flips at will! We're prepped for a c-section, including the steroids to help develop his lungs early, so now we're just hoping the placenta holds on until the third week of November so he can keep growing in utero. If I don't need a transfusion, so much the better. We're in a good place, and being well taken care of.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Now We're in Week 32 - Working to Get 'Un-Bummed'
I'm home from another visit to the hospital. For whatever reason, I knew mentally that the placenta previa would cause bleeds but I thought it was something I did that caused them. Not necessarily! The uterus is stretching and growing, and Cletus is growing as well so he needs the room. The uterine growth can cause that placenta to stretch or pull away slightly and bleed. There's no way to prevent it, and no way to know if it'll be mild or serious. In fact, now that I've had three different bleeds - it's interesting to note that all of them occurred while I was laying down. I'm done feeling guilty about it.
The third time at the hospital wore me down emotionally. I was really bummed out, and then really thrilled that they agreed to let me go home. Going home wasn't a for sure thing - they prefer to keep you after #3. Since being at home I've slept a ton, enjoyed a nice bath, and been taking it easy, just like I'm supposed to. Have been working to adjust some settings on my insulin pump to help with blood sugars.
I had an ultrasound yesterday. Kiddo is an estimated 4 pounds 3 ounces, and in the 71st percentile for weight. I take these measurements with a grain of salt because the larger a fetus gets the harder it is to estimate weight accurately. His organs still look great. I saw the bladder, kidneys, heart, brain etc. He's still super active, with a lot of fetal movements on the NST monitor and he's still got a great heart beat. It's very comforting that he looks so healthy. He still looks to have some hair on his head!
I finished one knitting project, and have started another one. I painted a little birdhouse when I was in the hospital. I've been watching a series called Downton Abbey, which is fan-freaking-tastic. I try to catch The Big Bang Theory on TV on Thursday nights. Was anticipating part two of Ken Burns/Lynn Novick Prohibition series but it was a repeat of part one. Boo-urns! (Aside: I saw a show about ice cream that said a lot of factories switched from making/bottling beer to producing ice cream after Prohibition passed - I hope the documentary mentions this. ICE CREAM YAY! I'd so rather have some ice cream than a cocktail.) I play a lot of Words With Friends (email me if you want me screen name), and my Mom and I have a good Scrabble rivalry going. There are a million diversions at my disposal, but sometimes I don't feel like doing any of them. I love that my friends and family still visit me and message me. In fact, some buddies were going to bring a costume party to me at the hospital next weekend - but I was cut loose from the clink! Worth missing out to be home, all in all.
The third time at the hospital wore me down emotionally. I was really bummed out, and then really thrilled that they agreed to let me go home. Going home wasn't a for sure thing - they prefer to keep you after #3. Since being at home I've slept a ton, enjoyed a nice bath, and been taking it easy, just like I'm supposed to. Have been working to adjust some settings on my insulin pump to help with blood sugars.
I had an ultrasound yesterday. Kiddo is an estimated 4 pounds 3 ounces, and in the 71st percentile for weight. I take these measurements with a grain of salt because the larger a fetus gets the harder it is to estimate weight accurately. His organs still look great. I saw the bladder, kidneys, heart, brain etc. He's still super active, with a lot of fetal movements on the NST monitor and he's still got a great heart beat. It's very comforting that he looks so healthy. He still looks to have some hair on his head!
I finished one knitting project, and have started another one. I painted a little birdhouse when I was in the hospital. I've been watching a series called Downton Abbey, which is fan-freaking-tastic. I try to catch The Big Bang Theory on TV on Thursday nights. Was anticipating part two of Ken Burns/Lynn Novick Prohibition series but it was a repeat of part one. Boo-urns! (Aside: I saw a show about ice cream that said a lot of factories switched from making/bottling beer to producing ice cream after Prohibition passed - I hope the documentary mentions this. ICE CREAM YAY! I'd so rather have some ice cream than a cocktail.) I play a lot of Words With Friends (email me if you want me screen name), and my Mom and I have a good Scrabble rivalry going. There are a million diversions at my disposal, but sometimes I don't feel like doing any of them. I love that my friends and family still visit me and message me. In fact, some buddies were going to bring a costume party to me at the hospital next weekend - but I was cut loose from the clink! Worth missing out to be home, all in all.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Miss me much?
Yes...this is baby daddy...finally posting something in over a month (maybe two). As I sit at the dentist office, waiting to get my teeth polished up, I figured "blog?? Why the hell not".
*off topic* getting your teeth checked feels so much like a class exam to me. You go in, they poke/prod/scrap your teeth up. If you pass, 'gold star'! If you fail...needle-time in your mouth, lots of high screeching machinery and your face is numb for the afternoon. Now if I was a good boy, I'd be all flossing, brushing, mouth-washing every freaking day and night. But, I was never good with my homework...reason I'm waiting like a deathrow inmate at the dentist
Back to baby talk. Really, what it comes down to my absence from blogging is 1. My ADD kicked in and 2. Just been busy doing other things (which compliments my ADD well. As baby mama has mentioned, in previous blogs, baby is doing well. Mom is doing well (although going tir crazy from bedrest) shes in the hospital again *boooo* hope I can pick her up tomorrow. But were in the homestretch! Late november we'll have a new roommate!
Oops, time for my teeth torture. More later :)
Monday, October 17, 2011
More Favorite Things!
This bed rest thing gets me bummed out sometimes. It's required giving up more of my autonomy than I'd care to, and I try to remind myself it's for a wonderful cause (Cletus!).
Here are some happy things, to make both me and you smile:
Peanut Butter! I can eat it on a spoon. It's excellent on apple slices. There are other people with Type 1 diabetes who are PNB fiends like myself. Brett Micheals for one. Not that I consider him a role model, but we do have that common bond.
Manicured Toes! I don't often put polish on my toes, but I am vain about my feet. I keep them well-groomed and lotion-ed up. My Aunt did my nails for me a few days ago - in OPI's "I'm not really a waitress" red. HOT! They make me smile every time I look at them.
The Joy of Others! My husband has been playing around with his media center.This means organizing DVDs, recording our CDs into digital form so we can play them via our network, and adding features to his big entertainment center on the cheap. It's highly creative and he has so much fun with it. Plus it's essential like a DVR for us, so if I want to watch something later he can record it for me.
Baby Giggles! I'm on a parenting message board that tells it like it is. The joys and travails are enthusiastically shared, lamented, and support abounds. Folks post their videos and photos of babies and kids, and the giggling baby ones are the best.
Our Doggies! Okay, sometimes my girl Lucy annoys me. She's not the brightest, and she's not the pleasantest - she's actually sort of stinky with a big bark - but she's a very happy girl and does come and sleep at the end of our bed at night. Anya is sweet and she comes into the bed room and lays down; I'm going to assume it's to keep me company. Although she does give me the eye if I'm laying on her couch, as if to hint 'So, ya gonna move already? I wanna lay down!'
Baths! They are awesome. I'm allowed to take them again, and it's very luxurious. My sister even gave me some nice bathsalts. Classy ones - they don't smell like artificial flowers, just lavender and calm. I never used to like baths but then again, I never had an extra weight strapped to my front either. Buoyancy for the win!
Here are some happy things, to make both me and you smile:
Peanut Butter! I can eat it on a spoon. It's excellent on apple slices. There are other people with Type 1 diabetes who are PNB fiends like myself. Brett Micheals for one. Not that I consider him a role model, but we do have that common bond.
Manicured Toes! I don't often put polish on my toes, but I am vain about my feet. I keep them well-groomed and lotion-ed up. My Aunt did my nails for me a few days ago - in OPI's "I'm not really a waitress" red. HOT! They make me smile every time I look at them.
The Joy of Others! My husband has been playing around with his media center.This means organizing DVDs, recording our CDs into digital form so we can play them via our network, and adding features to his big entertainment center on the cheap. It's highly creative and he has so much fun with it. Plus it's essential like a DVR for us, so if I want to watch something later he can record it for me.
Baby Giggles! I'm on a parenting message board that tells it like it is. The joys and travails are enthusiastically shared, lamented, and support abounds. Folks post their videos and photos of babies and kids, and the giggling baby ones are the best.
Our Doggies! Okay, sometimes my girl Lucy annoys me. She's not the brightest, and she's not the pleasantest - she's actually sort of stinky with a big bark - but she's a very happy girl and does come and sleep at the end of our bed at night. Anya is sweet and she comes into the bed room and lays down; I'm going to assume it's to keep me company. Although she does give me the eye if I'm laying on her couch, as if to hint 'So, ya gonna move already? I wanna lay down!'
Baths! They are awesome. I'm allowed to take them again, and it's very luxurious. My sister even gave me some nice bathsalts. Classy ones - they don't smell like artificial flowers, just lavender and calm. I never used to like baths but then again, I never had an extra weight strapped to my front either. Buoyancy for the win!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Another Checkup Down
We went to the clinic yesterday for a check up with the doctor. I'd just seen one of the docs from my clinic on Sunday, and were in again, talking to another doctor on Thursday. They're getting to know us! Our favorite nurse was there, and we were glad to see her. She's jovial, kind, funny as heck, and loves Diet Coke. Oh yes; knowledgeable and wonderful nurse to boot. Even better - she gives my husband a hard time, always. I like it.
Baby sounds good on the doppler. Great heartbeat, still moving around a lot, and at the end had some hiccups. My blood sugars are looking pretty good. The focus right now is to avoid high blood sugars as much as possible. Lows are disruptive to me but less dangerous for Cletus. Next week we'll have an ultra sound to check for size, and status of the amniotic fluid and placenta.
I chose a new perinatologist to be my main doctor, since mine is leaving the clinic at the end of this month. Sad! I'd picked her more than four years ago! I did have plenty of warning about this transition, and no thanks to my couple of hospital visits, I've met and liked several of the practitioners. Smooth sailing. I don't even think it's me being easy-to-please; they are all really good.
Week 30 is nearly done. I've been pretty lazy this week. Haven't been stressing about getting much done. Watched some interesting videos online, listened to music that Cletus' Dad put up on our 'media center', knit a few rows, read some online forums. One of my favorite diversions is playing Scrabble on my phone. My friends are smart as heck, and keep me on my toes. Some of them regularly kick my booty, but I keep on going back for more! (Plus it helps my vocabulary, ha.)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
The Eve of Week 30 - II
So as I was writing that Cletus kicks sporadically, he went kicking-spree. Kick, kick, kick! Funny kid.
Good things I'd like to tell you about this week:
The nursery walls and ceilings are painted - Future-Dad got that handled. Trim is next up. My sister is going to come over and shampoo the carpet for us. My FIL will probably be able to paint the changing table. My Mom is still working on painting the dresser, and making some themed clings to adorn the walls. My MIL is talking about finding a bassinet or cosleeper for us. The nursery is looking great! We have some photos of the work in progress to put into an album.
I'm consistently reminded of the generous friends and family I have - lots of visits, text messages, a few calls and emails. Thank you keeping in touch. It makes being confined to bed much, much more bearable.
I had a few low blood sugars, but not as many high blood sugars as in weeks past. I'd prefer them to stay steady and stable, between around 80-95 before meals and at waking, and then no higher than 135 two hours after I eat. Having fewer high blood sugars means baby Cletus won't need to overproduce insulin. Since it's a growth hormone, too much insulin can mean baby grows too much. Since he's coming early, it's not my biggest concern - but I don't want him to have his insulin/blood sugars out of wack at birth either. It is a delicate balance and I'm doing well, with just the occasional wobble.
Oh, I saved the most delightful for last! Cletus was kicking today before dinner time. (Aside: We all had the most fantastic turkey dinner - SO GOOD. And I'll have some berry cobbler for dessert. GOBBLER AND COBBLER.)
Yes, the kid was kicking - that's pretty normal. Cletus' Dad was in the room, and I was able to warn him and point out the spot. He placed his hand on my belly, and Cletus kicked again!! It was so exciting. The fetus has been elusive in the past, and certainly isn't cooperative enough to kick on command. We had to go in for the sneak attack when he was on a roll.
Of the three of us, one of us was hollering and jumping up and down, one of us continued to kick, and the third one beamed from ear to ear. I'll let you decide who was doing what.
Good things I'd like to tell you about this week:
The nursery walls and ceilings are painted - Future-Dad got that handled. Trim is next up. My sister is going to come over and shampoo the carpet for us. My FIL will probably be able to paint the changing table. My Mom is still working on painting the dresser, and making some themed clings to adorn the walls. My MIL is talking about finding a bassinet or cosleeper for us. The nursery is looking great! We have some photos of the work in progress to put into an album.
I'm consistently reminded of the generous friends and family I have - lots of visits, text messages, a few calls and emails. Thank you keeping in touch. It makes being confined to bed much, much more bearable.
I had a few low blood sugars, but not as many high blood sugars as in weeks past. I'd prefer them to stay steady and stable, between around 80-95 before meals and at waking, and then no higher than 135 two hours after I eat. Having fewer high blood sugars means baby Cletus won't need to overproduce insulin. Since it's a growth hormone, too much insulin can mean baby grows too much. Since he's coming early, it's not my biggest concern - but I don't want him to have his insulin/blood sugars out of wack at birth either. It is a delicate balance and I'm doing well, with just the occasional wobble.
Oh, I saved the most delightful for last! Cletus was kicking today before dinner time. (Aside: We all had the most fantastic turkey dinner - SO GOOD. And I'll have some berry cobbler for dessert. GOBBLER AND COBBLER.)
Yes, the kid was kicking - that's pretty normal. Cletus' Dad was in the room, and I was able to warn him and point out the spot. He placed his hand on my belly, and Cletus kicked again!! It was so exciting. The fetus has been elusive in the past, and certainly isn't cooperative enough to kick on command. We had to go in for the sneak attack when he was on a roll.
Of the three of us, one of us was hollering and jumping up and down, one of us continued to kick, and the third one beamed from ear to ear. I'll let you decide who was doing what.
The Eve of Week 30 - I
Spent a little more time at the hospital this week. Had a tiny bleed on Tuesday, and the docs kept me around for observation. The nurses and staff are fantastic. The doctors on round always ask if I have any questions and help me out. The food doesn't suck (too much). I was still very discouraged and bummed out by day four, and by day five I was itching to get out. When I was released this morning, I couldn't wait for Cletus' Dad to arrive, save me from the castle, and carry me home in his chariot - our blue Honda Fit.
Same information to report: Baby looks great. Cletus is moving and shaking, and his heart is very healthy on the monitors. He kicks sporadically, so I'm not looking forward to 'kick counts'. I'm doing fine too. My iron levels and blood sugars are good, as is my blood pressure. It's the naughty placenta at it again.
The fact of the matter is that I overdid it last week, and it may have precipitated this small placenta bleed. I'm being VERY good now. I'm either horizontal, reclined, or taking care of human needs - like showering or toileting. I've felt very powerless over my life since starting bed rest and it's definitely starting to get me down. But I need to keep on reminding myself I have even less power over the placenta, and if the uterus gets irritated (read: contracts) or a bleed starts - there's not much I can do personally to stop it. Aside from going to the hospital. Everything I've heard of magnesium sulfate tells me it's a medicine I don't want to need.
Week 30 tomorrow. So another week down. Let's go, week 36-37!
I guess this is the bummer part of the update; I'm going to give an update on some of the happier stuff next.
Same information to report: Baby looks great. Cletus is moving and shaking, and his heart is very healthy on the monitors. He kicks sporadically, so I'm not looking forward to 'kick counts'. I'm doing fine too. My iron levels and blood sugars are good, as is my blood pressure. It's the naughty placenta at it again.
The fact of the matter is that I overdid it last week, and it may have precipitated this small placenta bleed. I'm being VERY good now. I'm either horizontal, reclined, or taking care of human needs - like showering or toileting. I've felt very powerless over my life since starting bed rest and it's definitely starting to get me down. But I need to keep on reminding myself I have even less power over the placenta, and if the uterus gets irritated (read: contracts) or a bleed starts - there's not much I can do personally to stop it. Aside from going to the hospital. Everything I've heard of magnesium sulfate tells me it's a medicine I don't want to need.
Week 30 tomorrow. So another week down. Let's go, week 36-37!
I guess this is the bummer part of the update; I'm going to give an update on some of the happier stuff next.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Sprucing up the Nursery
Fetal-host here, reporting on the news from the nursery. From the comfort of my bed.
The nursery is our former spare room. It also housed a ton of craft stuff, books, old school papers, and random things, along with an antique sewing machine and an antique hospital bed. The furniture had been gradually moved into the office, temporarily, along with a lot of the baby gear. My Mom helped me to pare down, and I recycled old papers and magazines. I don't want to even think about the yarn or fabric stash. It can move to the garage.
Earlier this week we had the original aluminum-framed window replaced. It was drafty and a pane had cracked a few winters ago. The new window is fantastic and the contractor did a great job. (actually all of our windows could stand to be replaced, but one thing at a time!)
Cletus' Dad and I settled on paint colors on Friday evening, and he went to the hardware store to get them mixed up. I stayed home and watched The Big Bang Theory online with my Mom. I have it rough with this bed rest thing, I tell ya.
Then, my Mom came over today and began to paint. She enjoys painting! It's what she assures me of again and again. The ceiling is finished and the walls have part of their first coat of paint. The trim will be last, and will match the color of the repurposed (read: hand-me-down) curtains, dresser (which my Mom is also painting) and changing table (which Mom may not yet know she'll be painting). It's so exciting! We also picked out some decals for the wall. A theme will certainly emerge.
Meanwhile, as my Mom is slaving away painting, I got to go on an outing! Future-Dad and I went to visit his folks across town. The seat was fully reclined but I saw a few trees and the grey skies out the window. We're in the third trimester and into Autumn in earnest now.
When we arrived, I promptly set myself up on the bed. Even If I'm going on an outing, I will maximize my horizontal time! His folks fed us a delicious lunch and we were able to chit chat and catch up. We picked out some ultra sound photos to send to Cletus' great aunt, who lives out of state. (She'd already purloined one of the 20 week photos we sent down for sharing at the family reunion - you go Auntie! Can't help but laugh and be tickled.) and I showed off the album I started -of course the most recent pictures show the fetus' cute face. Naturally my in-laws sent us home with generous portions of leftovers, so they are feeding the work crew! (gestating is too work!! :) And future-Grandpapa, I should say Lolo, is going to help clean up the backyard and get it winterized. We're really fortunate folks. (I keep on saying that, huh.)
Papa installed a new light fixture in the nursery. I'd wanted to do that, but bed rest intervened. It looks and works great. Can't wait to get the furniture into the room! Then I can start looking through clothes help sort out the gear. With help, of course. I think this nursery is a big, collaborative project.
The nursery is our former spare room. It also housed a ton of craft stuff, books, old school papers, and random things, along with an antique sewing machine and an antique hospital bed. The furniture had been gradually moved into the office, temporarily, along with a lot of the baby gear. My Mom helped me to pare down, and I recycled old papers and magazines. I don't want to even think about the yarn or fabric stash. It can move to the garage.
Earlier this week we had the original aluminum-framed window replaced. It was drafty and a pane had cracked a few winters ago. The new window is fantastic and the contractor did a great job. (actually all of our windows could stand to be replaced, but one thing at a time!)
Cletus' Dad and I settled on paint colors on Friday evening, and he went to the hardware store to get them mixed up. I stayed home and watched The Big Bang Theory online with my Mom. I have it rough with this bed rest thing, I tell ya.
Then, my Mom came over today and began to paint. She enjoys painting! It's what she assures me of again and again. The ceiling is finished and the walls have part of their first coat of paint. The trim will be last, and will match the color of the repurposed (read: hand-me-down) curtains, dresser (which my Mom is also painting) and changing table (which Mom may not yet know she'll be painting). It's so exciting! We also picked out some decals for the wall. A theme will certainly emerge.
Meanwhile, as my Mom is slaving away painting, I got to go on an outing! Future-Dad and I went to visit his folks across town. The seat was fully reclined but I saw a few trees and the grey skies out the window. We're in the third trimester and into Autumn in earnest now.
When we arrived, I promptly set myself up on the bed. Even If I'm going on an outing, I will maximize my horizontal time! His folks fed us a delicious lunch and we were able to chit chat and catch up. We picked out some ultra sound photos to send to Cletus' great aunt, who lives out of state. (She'd already purloined one of the 20 week photos we sent down for sharing at the family reunion - you go Auntie! Can't help but laugh and be tickled.) and I showed off the album I started -of course the most recent pictures show the fetus' cute face. Naturally my in-laws sent us home with generous portions of leftovers, so they are feeding the work crew! (gestating is too work!! :) And future-Grandpapa, I should say Lolo, is going to help clean up the backyard and get it winterized. We're really fortunate folks. (I keep on saying that, huh.)
Papa installed a new light fixture in the nursery. I'd wanted to do that, but bed rest intervened. It looks and works great. Can't wait to get the furniture into the room! Then I can start looking through clothes help sort out the gear. With help, of course. I think this nursery is a big, collaborative project.
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