Thursday, January 31, 2008
Update
Mason is making great strides. He was taken off his IV last night and moved to a regular crib this morning. His biggest challenge with this is keeping his blood sugar up and maintaining his own temperature. The doctor said he may have to go back and forth between the regular crib and the isolet but we won't know until we try. So today we tried the regular crib and his temp was great. Of course he's bundled like crazy...he had on a onesie, pjs, a fleece swaddle, a knit cap, and an extra blanket. All of that and his temp was 98.6.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
One week old already...
Here are some new pictures of Mason. I know his hair looks blonde in some of these, but trust me it's as black as Fred's. I guess the flash makes it look blonde. And the line in his head is just his IV...the one in his hand was puffy so they put it in his head.
After losing a little weight after birth, he's now gaining and almost up to his birth weight. He's also taking all of his feedings by bottle which is really a great accomplishment. Most babies his gestation need to eat by tube because they don't have the suck/swallow reflex yet. So he's really doing fantastic.
After losing a little weight after birth, he's now gaining and almost up to his birth weight. He's also taking all of his feedings by bottle which is really a great accomplishment. Most babies his gestation need to eat by tube because they don't have the suck/swallow reflex yet. So he's really doing fantastic.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Birth Story
This may be a little graphic so read it only if you actually want to know the details...
On Sunday afternoon I was laying on the couch. Fred was watching football and I was just relaxing. I felt a little uncomfortable, sort of crampy but nothing painful. I thought I had to go pee so I went to the bathroom. When I sat down, I knew that something was wrong. I felt something come out and knew it wasn't pee. I was so afraid to look. And when I did, I was even more afraid. It was blood, and not just a little.
I tried to calmly yell for Fred but that didn't work so well. He came in the bathroom and all I could say is "We have to go to the hospital...NOW". I told him what happened and as I tried to gather myself, he got Makayla ready to go. By the time I walked out to the truck, the blood had soaked through the pad and my pants and was running down my legs. Fred ran in to get a towel for the seat and I stood there just trying to stay composed.
It had snowed during the day and the roads had not been de-iced so it was a long trip to the hospital. The baby was still kicking which gave me a little comfort. Once we got there, the nurses hooked me up to the monitors and the baby was doing great. There were no signs of distress. But I kept bleeding. The doctor came in to check my cervix which was not dilated. Then I got an ultrasound, bloodwork, IV. Everything looked fine with the baby and placenta. The doctor said he wanted to watch and see what happened and that I'd have to stay the night. So I told Fred to go home, put Makayla to bed and come back in the morning.
Shortly after they left I started having some contractions. The nurse talked to the doctor about it and he said he would do his scheduled c-section and then check on me afterward. The nurse checked my bleeding and went back to talk to the doctor. They both came in and said 'We have to do this now'. By 'now' I had no idea that meant like right that minute. I quickly called Fred to tell him what was happening. He was so scared and upset. I tried to calm him down but I could hear in his voice that he was so afraid.
My doctor happened to be the doctor on backup and he showed up at my bedside as they were wheeling me in to the OR. I was so happy to see him that I nearly cried. He's been through everything with us for the last two years and he has called me his 'scariest patient' ever since I got pregnant this time. Seeing his face really calmed me down.
Fred didn't make it back in time to be there for the birth. The anesthesiologist let me hold his hand during the whole thing and my doctor talked to me the whole time. The NICU nurses showed the baby to me for just a few seconds before they whisked him away. I was so happy to hear his tiny little cry and see him for even those few seconds.
The doctor said my placenta was healthy and intact. There was no placental abruption. He did say there was a small tear where my uterus and placenta meet which must have caused the bleeding. He said he expected to see something much worse for the amount of bleeding I had, but that they had made the right decision. He said if I had bled much longer that I would have likely had to have a transfusion.
Fred arrived at the hospital shortly after I got to my recovery room. As soon as he got there, the nurses brought him right into the NICU and explained everything to him. The NICU doctor was also there (and she happens to be Filipino) and she really helped him to calm down and understand what was going on. He seemed to feel much more relaxed after talking with her.
It was a pretty scary way to have a baby. We are all doing well now. There are so many things to do now...we weren't expecting a January baby!
On Sunday afternoon I was laying on the couch. Fred was watching football and I was just relaxing. I felt a little uncomfortable, sort of crampy but nothing painful. I thought I had to go pee so I went to the bathroom. When I sat down, I knew that something was wrong. I felt something come out and knew it wasn't pee. I was so afraid to look. And when I did, I was even more afraid. It was blood, and not just a little.
I tried to calmly yell for Fred but that didn't work so well. He came in the bathroom and all I could say is "We have to go to the hospital...NOW". I told him what happened and as I tried to gather myself, he got Makayla ready to go. By the time I walked out to the truck, the blood had soaked through the pad and my pants and was running down my legs. Fred ran in to get a towel for the seat and I stood there just trying to stay composed.
It had snowed during the day and the roads had not been de-iced so it was a long trip to the hospital. The baby was still kicking which gave me a little comfort. Once we got there, the nurses hooked me up to the monitors and the baby was doing great. There were no signs of distress. But I kept bleeding. The doctor came in to check my cervix which was not dilated. Then I got an ultrasound, bloodwork, IV. Everything looked fine with the baby and placenta. The doctor said he wanted to watch and see what happened and that I'd have to stay the night. So I told Fred to go home, put Makayla to bed and come back in the morning.
Shortly after they left I started having some contractions. The nurse talked to the doctor about it and he said he would do his scheduled c-section and then check on me afterward. The nurse checked my bleeding and went back to talk to the doctor. They both came in and said 'We have to do this now'. By 'now' I had no idea that meant like right that minute. I quickly called Fred to tell him what was happening. He was so scared and upset. I tried to calm him down but I could hear in his voice that he was so afraid.
My doctor happened to be the doctor on backup and he showed up at my bedside as they were wheeling me in to the OR. I was so happy to see him that I nearly cried. He's been through everything with us for the last two years and he has called me his 'scariest patient' ever since I got pregnant this time. Seeing his face really calmed me down.
Fred didn't make it back in time to be there for the birth. The anesthesiologist let me hold his hand during the whole thing and my doctor talked to me the whole time. The NICU nurses showed the baby to me for just a few seconds before they whisked him away. I was so happy to hear his tiny little cry and see him for even those few seconds.
The doctor said my placenta was healthy and intact. There was no placental abruption. He did say there was a small tear where my uterus and placenta meet which must have caused the bleeding. He said he expected to see something much worse for the amount of bleeding I had, but that they had made the right decision. He said if I had bled much longer that I would have likely had to have a transfusion.
Fred arrived at the hospital shortly after I got to my recovery room. As soon as he got there, the nurses brought him right into the NICU and explained everything to him. The NICU doctor was also there (and she happens to be Filipino) and she really helped him to calm down and understand what was going on. He seemed to feel much more relaxed after talking with her.
It was a pretty scary way to have a baby. We are all doing well now. There are so many things to do now...we weren't expecting a January baby!
Update
Mason is doing so well. The doctors say he's a very strong little guy and is progressing nicely. He no longer requires any oxygen or medications. He still has an IV but that will gradually taper off as he eats more. He has been taking milk since Thursday and is increasing his feedings on a good schedule. He started with 4cc (which is about 40 drops) and is up to 14cc now. His suck/swallow reflex is very strong so he eats well. I've nursed him a few times now...it's really just practice for him because he can't suck hard enough yet to get anything out. But he does latch on and 'pretends' to eat. And I've been pumping so we have a huge amount in the freezer for when he comes home.
The NICU encourages something called 'kangarooing'. I'd never heard of this before. Basically, I lay down without a shirt on and they lay him on top of me, so we're skin to skin. Then they wrap us up in blankets. It's so relaxing and gratifying. The first time we did this I almost cried because I finally felt close to him. We've bonded a lot more since starting this. I have done this every day from 12 - 3. We just lay there and nap together. It's really a special time.
The doctors don't know when he'll be able to come home but they have said they think it will be in about 10 days. We'll keep everyone posted with his progress.
The NICU encourages something called 'kangarooing'. I'd never heard of this before. Basically, I lay down without a shirt on and they lay him on top of me, so we're skin to skin. Then they wrap us up in blankets. It's so relaxing and gratifying. The first time we did this I almost cried because I finally felt close to him. We've bonded a lot more since starting this. I have done this every day from 12 - 3. We just lay there and nap together. It's really a special time.
The doctors don't know when he'll be able to come home but they have said they think it will be in about 10 days. We'll keep everyone posted with his progress.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Name
We finally decided on a name for our little boy...
Mason Godfrey Uytioco
January, 20, 2008
8:00 p.m.
4lbs 6.6 oz
Mason Godfrey Uytioco
January, 20, 2008
8:00 p.m.
4lbs 6.6 oz
Update
Today Mason did extremely well. His oxygen was turned down and he seemed to be responding well by maintaining his own breathing. So the doctor said we'd try it without the CPAP for awhile. He did great so they took him off the oxygen completely and now he's breathing on his own. His lungs are still very immature but they will develop with time.
I was discharged today, which was extremely difficult to deal with. I know he's in good hands there and that's where he needs to be but it's still tough to go home without him.
Tomorrow we'll try actually nursing. If he doesn't respond yet, that's ok. I've been pumping and he's got lots of bottles all ready to go. Eating is the next step in his growing process. So hopefully tomorrow will go well.
Here are some new pictures...enjoy.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Welcome to the world little man!
Our little boy couldn't wait to come out and see the world! He was born January 20 at 8:00 PM via an emergency c-section. He's a little guy weighing in at 4lbs 6oz and just 17 1/2 inches long, but he's strong and doing great. We haven't chosen a name for him yet but we'll keep you all posted with photos and updates.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Painting Fun
Barb bought Makayla some paints and brushes for Christmas. She's been asking me if she can paint since she got them, so here she is today having tons of fun!
Baby Update
We had an appointment on Friday (31 weeks). All is well. The doctor said I'm measuring 29 weeks, almost 30. Sure can't tell from the picture that I'd be measuring small...especially since the doctor also commented that I'm on the upper end of the weight gain scale!
For comparison...this one is from today...
This one is 31 weeks with Makayla.
For comparison...this one is from today...
This one is 31 weeks with Makayla.
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