At 41 weeks pregnant Monday Jan. 18 we were scheduled to induce at 4:30 a.m. Chris and I didn't sleep much because we were so excited. I woke at 2:45 with contractions 15 minutes apart, so we headed to the hospital about 3:45. The contractions weren't bad at that point, they just felt like mild cramps. We got checked in to the hospital by 4:50 and at this point the contractions were getting stronger and more painful. The nurse started me on an IV of fluids and on Pitocin to help make the contractions more productive. At this point I was still only 1 cm dilated. She recommended waiting until I was 3 cm to get the epidural. By 5:30 I was in a lot of pain, basically sobbing through the contractions which were very strong and very close together. My nurse got off at 7:00 a.m. and a new nurse came on then. Thank God for her..because when she saw how much pain I was in she said, "Honey you don't have to be a hero..go ahead and get the epidural."
By 7:30 a.m. I was not any more dilated. At this point I was in so much pain that I agreed and she ordered the pain meds. By 8:00 a.m. the epidural had kicked in and I felt SO MUCH BETTER. And I have to say that I was a bit worried about the pain of a needle in my back, but by that point I was hurting so bad that I didn't care about the epidural..I just wanted the pain to stop and it magically did. At 9:30 the doctor came in to check my progress...there was very little even though I was having contractions. A procedure I had a couple of years ago on my cervix caused a band of scar tissue on my cervix and was preventing me from dilating...even though I was very effaced and the contractions were strong.
My doctor broke my water and dilated me manually to 3 cm and told me she would be back that afternoon to deliver the baby. Unfortunately by 4:00 p.m. I was only 6 cm dilated, had a fever, had an allergic reaction of some sort...they think to the penicillin, and the baby was not responding well to the contractions....his heart beat kept slowing way down. At this point the doctor recommended a C-section, I agreed, and she left to prepare the OR. I cried.
They prepped me for surgery and wheeled me in quite quickly. I was shaking uncontrollably the whole time from the meds and kept my eyes closed until they let Chris in the room. I didn't feel any pain during the procedure. Five minutes or so after Chris arrived I heard William's sweet cry for the first time..I turned my head to look at Chris. He was crying and taking pictures and telling me he loved me and that William was ok. After he was checked out they brought him to me and I kissed him and told him I loved him..I couldn't wait to hold him. They wheeled me back to recovery where I was for about an hour and then took me up to the room where we would spend the next 3 days with our son.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
William Christopher Vernon
William Christopher Vernon was born at 5:00 p.m. on Monday January 18 weighing in at 7 lbs 8 oz. We are at home now and a recovering well.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Today's appointment
Everything is still fine. Another biophysical profile showed baby vernon is doing well.
Here are today's stats.
B/P : 110/74
Baby's heart rate: 145
Weight: down another pound
Cervix: No change
As for how I really am, I am sleeping very lightly..waking every two hours..which I hear is much like a newborn's schedule and my back has starting hurting. I can't eat much at night or I have terrible heartburn, so I have to eat the bulk of my food during the day when I am not going to be lying down. I am still walking 2 miles every day and it takes me 30-40 minutes depending on how I am feeling that day. I am not having any painful contractions at all, only Braxton Hicks that cause my heart to beat fast and my tummy to tighten. I still feel the shooting pains from time to time when I am walking or sitting which I can only assume is pelvic pressure or muscles stretching.
Other than that there is not much to report except that I am so looking forward to sleeping on my back or my stomach, and I have faith that we will get to meet our son very soon.
Here are today's stats.
B/P : 110/74
Baby's heart rate: 145
Weight: down another pound
Cervix: No change
As for how I really am, I am sleeping very lightly..waking every two hours..which I hear is much like a newborn's schedule and my back has starting hurting. I can't eat much at night or I have terrible heartburn, so I have to eat the bulk of my food during the day when I am not going to be lying down. I am still walking 2 miles every day and it takes me 30-40 minutes depending on how I am feeling that day. I am not having any painful contractions at all, only Braxton Hicks that cause my heart to beat fast and my tummy to tighten. I still feel the shooting pains from time to time when I am walking or sitting which I can only assume is pelvic pressure or muscles stretching.
Other than that there is not much to report except that I am so looking forward to sleeping on my back or my stomach, and I have faith that we will get to meet our son very soon.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Overdue
Since we are overdue we have two appointments this week both with ultrasounds to monitor the baby's progress. Today's appointment went well. The ultrasound showed that the fluid levels are fine, and that the umbilical cord is still functioning properly. His heartbeat was strong and he was breathing well. The ultrasound tech measured him and approximates his weight to be 8 pounds 4 oz. as of today. Of course that could be off up to a pound in either direction. Either way this is a healthy weight. My doctor said she had no medical reason for induction as of today but would if I wanted. I told her we would wait until Friday to schedule an induction if things still haven't progressed. I really hope he will come on his own before then. If not I may be holding my baby boy this weekend or even sooner.
Here are my stats from today
BP:130/80
Weight: stayed the same (30 lbs total weight gain)
Cervix: 1 cm dilated and very effaced
Baby's Heart rate: 144
Estimated weight: 8lbs 4 0z
Baby's position: Head down and face down (he turned on his own!!!)
Here are my stats from today
BP:130/80
Weight: stayed the same (30 lbs total weight gain)
Cervix: 1 cm dilated and very effaced
Baby's Heart rate: 144
Estimated weight: 8lbs 4 0z
Baby's position: Head down and face down (he turned on his own!!!)
Monday, January 11, 2010
Peanut Butter Granola Bars
I love love love peanut butter and find myself purchasing granola bars for $3.99 a box weekly. They are such an quick and easy protein/carb filled on the go snack and sometimes breakfast.
So I have been on the hunt for a healthy delicious version I can make at home. This one comes from the original domestic goddess Martha Stewart.
I always play with recipes a bit......as Rachel Ray says "make it your own." I encourage you to do so as well. You could add your favorite dried fruit like apricots or dried strawberries, or if you are a chocoholic like myself mini chocolate chips would make a great addition.
I posted the original recipe below. I used reduced fat chunky peanut butter instead of plain and instead of dried fruit I replaced with 1/2 cup of a store bought chocolate granola (bear naked). They turned out great. Don't expect crunchy from this recipe though these are homeade fresh soft peanut buttery granola bars that are full of whole grain goodness. Enjoy!
Martha Stewart's Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe
1 large egg white
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 dup dried cranberries
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line an 8 by 8 pan with parchment paper or foil.
2. Combine peanut butter, water, oil, brown sugar, water, and vanilla in a saucepan, and cook on low heat until the sugar is dissolved, and the peanut butter is melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl (salt, oats, sliced almonds, cinnamon, and cranberries).
4. Beat egg white and add to cooled saucepan mixture.
5. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until combined.
6. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and cook for 30 minutes or until the top is firm and golden brown.
7. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting or they will fall apart.
8. Once cooled lift the foiled/parchment bars out of the pan and cut into bars with a knife.
9. Store in an airtight container for 1 week.
So I have been on the hunt for a healthy delicious version I can make at home. This one comes from the original domestic goddess Martha Stewart.
I always play with recipes a bit......as Rachel Ray says "make it your own." I encourage you to do so as well. You could add your favorite dried fruit like apricots or dried strawberries, or if you are a chocoholic like myself mini chocolate chips would make a great addition.
I posted the original recipe below. I used reduced fat chunky peanut butter instead of plain and instead of dried fruit I replaced with 1/2 cup of a store bought chocolate granola (bear naked). They turned out great. Don't expect crunchy from this recipe though these are homeade fresh soft peanut buttery granola bars that are full of whole grain goodness. Enjoy!
Martha Stewart's Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe
1 large egg white
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 dup dried cranberries
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 tablespoon water
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line an 8 by 8 pan with parchment paper or foil.
2. Combine peanut butter, water, oil, brown sugar, water, and vanilla in a saucepan, and cook on low heat until the sugar is dissolved, and the peanut butter is melted. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl (salt, oats, sliced almonds, cinnamon, and cranberries).
4. Beat egg white and add to cooled saucepan mixture.
5. Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until combined.
6. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish and cook for 30 minutes or until the top is firm and golden brown.
7. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting or they will fall apart.
8. Once cooled lift the foiled/parchment bars out of the pan and cut into bars with a knife.
9. Store in an airtight container for 1 week.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
To Induce or Not to Induce?
Between 32 and 37 weeks I was concerned that the baby would be early and now at two days before my due date my concern is that I will have to be induced.
Most of the information on the web seems to point to the negatives of inducing labor with Pitocin. Everything I have read says it can make labor longer and in some instances increase the chances of a C-section delivery, and I currently am not a fan of being induced or of a c-section.
After all my research, when I hear induced labor, I think long painful labor that results in a c-section that requires a 6 week recovery. A long painful labor and a 6 week recovery sounds like torture to a busy bee like myself. I know I can't get out of the pain of labor but it would be nice to have the smallest amount possible..don't you think?
With all that said, the real deal is that I trust God, and my doctor and I will do whatever it takes to have my baby in a healthy, safe environment whether I have to be induced or not, and whether it is through c-section or not. I take comfort in that many women have done this before myself. Pray for a safe labor and delivery for the both of us whenever that may be. I will post pics when he arrives!
Most of the information on the web seems to point to the negatives of inducing labor with Pitocin. Everything I have read says it can make labor longer and in some instances increase the chances of a C-section delivery, and I currently am not a fan of being induced or of a c-section.
After all my research, when I hear induced labor, I think long painful labor that results in a c-section that requires a 6 week recovery. A long painful labor and a 6 week recovery sounds like torture to a busy bee like myself. I know I can't get out of the pain of labor but it would be nice to have the smallest amount possible..don't you think?
With all that said, the real deal is that I trust God, and my doctor and I will do whatever it takes to have my baby in a healthy, safe environment whether I have to be induced or not, and whether it is through c-section or not. I take comfort in that many women have done this before myself. Pray for a safe labor and delivery for the both of us whenever that may be. I will post pics when he arrives!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
No news is good news
I have given up on baby vernon being early and now am just praying he's not 2 weeks late.
We went to the doctor yesterday and everything still looks good. Next week I will start visiting the doctor twice a week and will have an ultrasound to check the baby's weight, placenta, and fluid levels. Inducing doesn't happen until usually between 41 and 42 weeks unless there is some sort of problem. My due date is Monday. I am hoping he chooses to come on his own, however I am not sure I can hold out 2 more weeks.
Here are my stats for this week
BP: 120/74
Baby Heart rate 154
Cervix: same as last week
Weight: lost a pound
We went to the doctor yesterday and everything still looks good. Next week I will start visiting the doctor twice a week and will have an ultrasound to check the baby's weight, placenta, and fluid levels. Inducing doesn't happen until usually between 41 and 42 weeks unless there is some sort of problem. My due date is Monday. I am hoping he chooses to come on his own, however I am not sure I can hold out 2 more weeks.
Here are my stats for this week
BP: 120/74
Baby Heart rate 154
Cervix: same as last week
Weight: lost a pound
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Christmas Gifts
I finally put my three fantastic Christmas gifts to use. Chris got me a Kitchen Aid Mixer...LOVE IT!!!, and my new favorite cookbook "The Pioneer Women Cooks." I have already used my mixer twice in the past couple of weeks. First to make Giada's Hazelnut Chocolate Chip Cookies...delicious and freezes beautifully. Check foodnetwork.com for that recipe.
And second to make Artichoke Dip from my new cookbook. You have to get this cookbook! Ree Drummond is a city lady turned country lady who has a food blog and has a collection of fantastic recipes...I have tried two recipes from this book already and both turned out great!
The third gift we got this year was from my mom...a new camera!!! We love it and can't wait to take pictures of our new addition when he gets here! (no he's not here yet..looks like we are going to be due or overdue) Oh well I guess I have more time to cook and play with my new camera.
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