We welcomed our little Lorelai (yup, we named another child after a television character) into the world on May 26th. I thought it would be a good idea to document the story of how we got her here-mostly for myself. So, if you want to delve into my personal life, please feel free to continue reading.
The differences between this pregnancy and last one were quite different. With Juliet I got pregnant very quickly, evidenced by the fact that I had a baby only 13 months after I was married. My pregnancy was relatively unscathed (yeah, I had morning sickness, but other than that, things were pretty peachy as far as pregnancy goes), but my labor was a bit of a nightmare. In case you don't remember this charming tale, I pushed for 2 1/2 hours without my child even entering the birth canal. It wasn't fun. I ended up with a c-section- during which I could feel a lot "tugging and pulling but not pain" that felt pretty painful. This pregnancy was pretty much the opposite in every way.
A few days after my first appointment I was called and told my blood-work was abnormal...great. Luckily this time it was an easy fix-I had hypothyroidism, which can be treated fairly easily with medication. I was a medicated mama now and although not eating for 30 minutes after taking the medicine in the morning was not great for the morning sickness, I'm glad it was found and found early so that baby wouldn't have any negative side effects (though I do wonder if it contributed to me taking longer to get pregnant in the first place). Also at my first appointment we decided we would be doing a repeat c-section. I thought I might want to try for a VBAC (vaginally birth after cesarean), but neither Daniel or I felt good about it. My midwife did say it was up to us, but recommended the c-section. We signed the paper and turned it in (yup, you have to sign a waiver declaring whether you want a repeat c-section or VBAC and that you understand the risks of each), c-section it was.
The rest of my pregnancy progressed pretty normally. I was sick in the beginning (with Juliet I puked...a lot, this time was more just a nauseated feeling that never really went away, with only occasional puking). I was tired and emotional, all the regular pregnancy things. Though I didn't actually gain any weight until about half way through, though that would not be an indication of things to come-I ended up gaining 40 pounds. Pretty early on my feet/ankles started to get a bit puffy. Soon my entire calves followed suit, and my face, and my fingers. My feet definitely received the worst of it though. For months the only shoes I have been able to wear are flip flops and slippers. I got some nifty compression socks that helped the swelling a bit, but they could only do so much. I was obviously holding a lot of water. They usually worry about your blood pressure when you have symptoms like that, and while mine was slightly elevated, it was nothing to be concerned about yet. My pressures were slightly elevated with Juliet as well, and they were watching everything else.
My c-section was scheduled to go down June 4th, that was when I would be 39 weeks, and I wanted to no longer be pregnant on my birthday (June 5th). Blue cheese had been calling my name for months,and I for sure wanted some on my birthday, therefore getting the baby out before then was a must. (Daniel studies microbiology, so he knows all about the foods pregnant people can't eat and why, so he watched me pretty close-not that I was trying to cheat or anything). On Saturday, May 23rd we were at the grocery store and Daniel had to go to the bathroom. Bored while waiting I decided to take my blood pressure and it was pretty dang high. I had my next appointment on Tuesday and I said to Daniel "if it is really that high on Tuesday, they might take the baby then." I didn't think that it would actually happen, but I kept the thought in the back of my mind. At my appointment, the blood pressure cuff refused to work about 3 times because it thought my pressure was too high. They also found a significant amount protein in my urine, and I had gained 7 pounds in less than 2 weeks. I knew it was bad. As soon as my midwife walked in the room, she looked at my chart and said "you are only two days shy of 38 weeks, I think that we should call it." After she ran my numbers past the doctor doing my c-section (she got to assist), it was determined that I was having a baby that day in order to avoid any complications that might come from my preeclampsia (the blood pressure, weight gain, protein, and swollen feet together mean preeclampsia).
Juliet and I headed to the car and I said "okay we have to go pick up daddy from work and then take you to Cole's house." She asked why and I responded "because we are having a baby today!" She was very excited and we rushed away. I got Daniel from work, we stopped at home for our already packed bags (we were much more prepared than with Juliet) and took Juliet to my sister's house. On the way to the hospital I was a little bummed-since I realized I hadn't seen Pitch Perfect 2 yet and I now I would probably have to wait until it came to video. We arrived right after another c-section had just checked in, so we had to wait a little while. I was pretty calm as they got me prepped and had me wait until the surgery room was ready. This delivery was seriously a dream compared to Juliet's delivery. I felt a lot during Juliet's c-section and expected to feel something again, nope. I literally did not even know that they had started cutting and then boom, they popped a baby over the curtain. I did get a little cold and shaky, but other than that, it was great. I did have to go on Magnesium Sulphate (to prevent things like seizures from the preeclampsia) for 24 hours after Lorelai was born, which makes you feel a bit sick and out of it, but it was still a really easy delivery overall.
Lorelai weighed 6 lbs 10 oz when she was born, and measured 17.5 inches long. A little bit different than my Juliet that weighed 7 lbs 7 oz and measured 21 inches long. Juliet was born at 38 weeks 2 days, and Lorelai was born at 37 weeks 5 days, so it's not like Lorelai was that much earlier either. We are all very grateful for a healthy baby (even though she had a few rough days on the bililights after her levels were high and her weight had majorly dropped). I am doing really well and feeling really great (I don't think I quite realized how bad the pregnancy was making me feel), but I am still taking it easy, I don't want to overdo it. I am so thankful for my beautiful baby and that we were both able to be safe in the end. It was a lot rougher than Juliet's pregnancy, but I still realize that I didn't have it too bad compared to what some other mothers go through for their little ones. We are both here, we are both healthy and safe, and that is all that matters to me in the end.
And look, pictures!
