Poor Baby Girl

Campbell's bilirubin number was back up today - higher than the first test, in fact, at 14.8. Since our pedi is out of town, his partner wanted to see her color for himself. G was down after having his teeth pulled, so I took her back to the doctor solo. We talked about her feedings, and since she's kept .5 oz of the soy formula down a few times, he wanted me to up it back to 1 oz. at every feeding, plus give her at least 4 hours of indirect sunlight every day. There's probably not even that much daylight left today, but we've got her in the window for as long as we can, and I've already given her 2.5 oz. of formula today, so we're just hoping with everything we have her number is down tomorrow. I have no problem with getting a bili light and using it, I just hate the bilirubin screen b/c it hurts her so much. This morning I wasn't in the room when they did it b/c I had to go register her separately for her second newborn screen, but G said she actually had real tears. :( It's just not fair that at one week old she's already having go to through such a painful procedure.

Also, still have to take her back in tomorrow for another weight check. With the addition of the formula, here's hoping she passes that, too.

Waiting Game

A short video of Campbell being adorable. :)

Campbell's bilirubin was down .1 to 14.6 yesterday, so we're hoping the jaundice will clear up on its own. We went in today for her one week check up (one day early b/c the doc will be out of town starting tomorrow) and the pedi wants us to take her back in tomorrow for another screening so we can see if the number is continuing to come down. The next concern is her weight - it seems to me like she's on the normal scale - 7 lbs. 15 oz. at birth; 7 lbs 7.5 oz at discharge; 7 lbs 6.5 oz on Monday; 7 lbs 6 oz today. The doc wants to make sure she's not going to continue losing weight, though, so we're going back in on Friday just for a weigh-in. We're still not having much luck keeping formula in her, and keeping her awake to feed is a constant struggle - we've used a cold wet washcloth, thumped her heel, wiggled her head... she's just a sleepy little baby! We're waking her every 2-3 hours, or I swear she'd never wake up to eat.

G's oral surgery is tomorrow, so here's praying for a speedy recovery for him, so Campbell doesn't have to depend solely on her mommy for more than a day!

Too Good To Be True

I should have known that things were going a little too easily. Campbell's been so precious so far, I couldn't imagine anything being wrong.

We had her first doctor visit today, and I should have been a little more prepared for them to tell us she was jaundiced. After all, the pediatrician at the hospital had mentioned her bilirubin level was 7.7, but hadn't peaked yet. And when my brother Jesse (a pediatrician) was here over the weekend, he said she was probably about an 11 at that point. Campbell's pedi was concerned, and I'm no longer an exclusive breastfeeder. :( In order to increase her eliminations, we have to supplement after every feeding with an ounce of formula (more on this later). I was feeling pretty bummed, and on top of that, the doc sent us over to Medical Center of Lewisville to have a blood draw done, and we'll have to go again tomorrow to have her levels checked again. He said we want to stay under 20 or 22, and today she was at 14.7. Depending on the reading tomorrow, we may have to do photo-therapy at home, or possibly even admit her if it's high enough - but the doctor didn't seem to think that was going to be likely.

I wasn't prepared for how affected I was going to be by the blood test. In order to draw enough blood, the lab tech did a heel prick, then just squeezed and squeezed on Campbell's foot until the tube was full. I held her other leg out of the way, and by the end of the test, Campbell was screaming and crying - I know part of it was also because it was past time for her to nurse, and I felt so helpless just standing there staring at my brand new little girl in such pain. After we were done, I was in tears and the lab tech let us use another room so I could nurse there so we wouldn't have to wait to go all the way home. Thank goodness!

When we got back, we pulled out the bottles that I was intending to have used for expressed breastmilk and a sample pack of formula that thankfully we'd received in the mail, and I prepared a couple of ounces so we'd have some ready for the next feeding. That was an adventure all of its own. At first, I thought it was going to go really well. She nursed just over 20 minutes, and was taking the bottle just fine. I'm using Playtex Drop-Ins, and one of the features is the ability to squeeze the excess air out of the little bag. I tried that on the first one and managed to bust it open. Garett fixed another one, and Campbell was doing well with it, too, for about a minute. Then, explosion. She spit up all the formula she'd taken, plus probably all the breast milk from the last two feedings. I don't know if the formula just upset her tummy, if she was traumatized from the hospital visit, or if it was just time for her to let me know while she's still an angel, I shouldn't expect perfection.

We were planning on giving her a bath tonight anyway, so she just got it a little earlier than expected.

On another note, I've got to figure out a way to keep my right foot elevated more during the day...

Campbell Leigh Trietsch

This is long, so if all you're looking for is pics, look no further. :)
Also available, pics from the hospital photographer.

Even though Campbell's delivery didn't start the way I had envisioned, the outcome was even more than I could have dreamed of.




When I was admitted on Monday, April 20, I was put in a room considerably smaller than the ones we'd been shown on the tour during our childbirth classes. Turns out it was so small because it was actually an isolation room - and it was the only room available in ante-partum, normally they don't use it unless the situation demands it. There was no room for Garett to even stretch out, so him staying Monday night was out of the question. (No big deal, since labor wasn't imminent and I wasn't in any pain.) They told me when another room became available, probably the next day, they'd go ahead and move me. As Garett was leaving, he asked the nurse about it, and turns out she was able to snag a room just as another patient discharged, and they ended up moving me that night.

Room #2 was larger, but still not a comfortable place for overnight guests. At this point, I still didn't know how long I was going to be in residence at the hospital, hence all the pity parties.

I was overjoyed on Wednesday when Dr. Robins confirmed that they'd be doing the induction the next day - when Baby T was officially 38 weeks.

The process began with Cervidil to 'get things going'. They were supposed to move me to a room in Labor and Delivery around 5 p.m. on Wednesday night, but apparently this was a very popular day to give birth - there was only one room open in L&D, and they needed to save it in case of emergency. They went ahead and started the Cervidil, and told me they'd be moving me around 8 p.m. Then it was around 10 p.m. Then, around 10:30 p.m., they said it looked like it was going to be the next morning around 5 a.m. Would have been nice to know earlier so I could have started the sleeping pill, but I went ahead and took one at that time, and sent Garett home. It wasn't too long before the contractions started. All my romantic notions of having Garett there to rub my back, help me breath, etc. were pointless, as by this point I was hooked up to a fetal heart monitor and would be for the duration. Every time I moved to try to get the slightest bit comfortable, the monitor would lose the baby's heartbeat, a nurse would come in and reposition the belt (usually making it tighter, which was just AWESOME on top of the contractions).

Around 2:30 a.m., I couldn't take it any more. I called Garett and told him he had to come back. He got there a little before 3:30 a.m., and shortly thereafter I was moved to L&D.

This room was huge and really, really nice. I had about an hour b/f they were planning on starting the Pitocin, so we got settled in and I took a shower. When they first checked me around 5 a.m., I was about 2 cm and 60% effaced. Pretty quickly after the Pitocin started, my contractions were getting bad enough that I said OK to the IV narcotics - I was hoping to skip these, as I had heard they could make the baby woozy, but the nurse said they weren't any different to the baby than the epidural, which I was absolutely planning on, so I decided it would be worth the pain relief. And it soooooooo was. After the drugs kicked in, I was able to get about an hour and a half of sleep - much welcomed, since I hadn't been able to sleep at all the night before.

Around 7 a.m., the drugs either started to wear off or just weren't enough any more. The nurse checked me again and I was at 3 cm and 80% effaced. She called the anesthesiologist and he came in to do the epi. I was a little fearful of the procedure, but it was a breeze. It took about 15 minutes, and there was one very, very sharp pain, but nothing like I'd imagined. About 15 minutes later, and the epi was working full force - my legs felt completely numb and I couldn't feel the contractions at all. It was a very odd sensation - a lot like both of my legs were just completely asleep.

She checked me again a little before noon and I was 9 cm, 100% effaced and at 0 station. It was baby time! The nurse had me start pushing around 12:40 p.m. I did three sets of pushes for each contraction, counting to 10 during each push. The set up wasn't anything like I had pictured - which was feet up in stirrups, doc at end of table. Instead, she just had me pull my knees up to my chest for each contraction, and she kept an eye on baby's position. She helped me hold up one leg, and Garett helped with the other. Until about 1 p.m., it was pretty much just the three of us. Then at 1 p.m., Dr. Robins came in - he'd been moving between rooms all morning, as he had three women delivering at pretty much the same time.

I pushed for another 20 minutes, and the doc said with one more good push, he thought we'd have a baby - and he was right! That last push was absolutely crazy - even though the baby had crowned, her feet where still way up in my rib cage. I had thought it would kind of be a process - the head's out! breath... wait... the shoulders are out! breath... wait... Instead it was PUSH! THE WHOLE DANG BABY JUST SLID FROM MY RIBS INTO THE WORLD!

She came out crying and squirming - I asked what she was, and the doc let Garett tell me it was a girl - one the happiest, most I'll never forget moments of my life. I burst into happy tears, and made G take pictures of them cleaning, testing, weighing etc. our new little girl - Campbell Leigh. She weighted 7 lbs. 15 oz, was 19.25" long and got a nine on her APGAR. I think some newborns need a few days to come into their looks, but in my completely unbiased opinion, Campbell entered this world as the most beautiful baby girl ever.

Admission Ticket

Well, this week is certainly turning out differently than expected. I came in Monday for my regular appt., expecting my blood pressure to still be borderline, no progress as far as movement toward labor, and a directive to go home, remain on bed rest, see ya next week.

Instead, my bp was still creeping - 140/100 - and there was a trace of protein in my urine. Another non-stress test went well, but the doc decided it was time to admit me so they could do further observation and make sure I wasn't developing preeclampsia. They also went ahead and did a new sonogram, and my fluid level was on the very bottom end of normal. On the plus side, they have a series of measurements they do for fetal health, and baby got an 8 out of 8. Combined with a couple of tests from me, together we were running 10/10, so no signs of immediate danger.

I got registered and admitted into a room on the third floor opposite labor and delivery - Women and Infants/High Risk OB. They took my bp and it had come down some, and wanted to do another non-stress. This one was pretty cool, b/c in addition to seeing the baby's heart beat, they were also tracking contractions. I knew I'd been feeling some, but it was a nice validation to see them being tracked, and also to see how the baby's movement correlated with the timing of the contractions. After an hour of monitoring, they decided we were all good. Garett came up to spend the afternoon with me, and I settled in for what I was afraid was going to be quite a while. I was only 1 cm dilated, and the doc threw some comment out re: how we might be here until 39 weeks. (An additional week and a half, for those keeping track. )

I was very unhappy about the prospect of (1) spending 10 days in the hospital on my back, (2) taking off of work so early, which would mean that much less time off after the baby came, and (3) and mostly - just really bummed out at the way the whole pregnancy was ending. Ever so often I'd throw a little pity party - this isn't the way it was supposed to go! I was supposed to be at home, start feeling contractions, get all excited!! tell Garett, labor until I was 511 (contractions five minutes apart, lasting one minute, for an hour), then have the rushed drive to the hospital with great anticipation, and then baby!!!

I still wish I would get that experience, but I know it's much more important for the baby's and my health that we do what is medically responsible. After two days here and a number of tests and labs, the doc is fairly certain I don't have pre-e, just gestational hypertension. However, there is still a chance that could progress, and with the amniotic fluid being low, and the fact that I'll be 38 weeks tomorrow, he's made the decision to induce. (Low amniotic fluid could lead to cord problems.)

So - they'll start me on some medication tonight to 'get things going', then begin the full induction process tomorrow. As long as my body and the baby cooperate, mark you calendars for a Baby T birthdate of April 23. !! :)

**Also wanted to say a special thanks to everyone for all your phone calls, texts, facebook messages, and especially to Lisa for stopping by w/ books, magazines and a cross stitch that I think is the only thing that kept me sane yesterday - you're too thoughtful!!**

Bad News/Good News

Bad News: No progress. :(
Good News: Baby's heartbeat is strong and regular, he/she just needs a little more time to cook.

Bad News: Bed rest. My blood pressure keeps creeping up, and since Baby T's not ready just yet, doc wants me in bed/on the couch as much as possible.
Good News: It's modified bed rest, which means I can at least get up to eat and use the bathroom. And, he cleared me to work from home, but does not want me going in to the office. Thankfully I have an understanding boss and a flexible job that can actually be done from home, so I can put off taking my FMLA at least one more week.

Bad News: Garett has a chipped wisdom tooth, which is going to require oral surgery.
Good News: We have dental, so at least a portion of the cost is covered. The timing sucks, but hopefully he can get the procedure done b/f the baby comes.

Bad News: One day in, and I'm already frustrated with the bed rest.
Good News: The frustration stems from feeling perfectly fine while being forced to stay inactive, so at least I have that 'feeling fine' part going for me...

I love baby clothes

One of the last items still on my list to pick up was a going home outfit. Well, technically, two going home outfits - one boy, one girl, since we (obviously) don't know if Baby T is a he or a she. I'd been kind of holding off, waiting to see at this last ultrasound if Baby T was going to be pushing 10 lbs upon arrival. After the doc confirmed we should be having an 'average' size baby, I felt a little more comfortable selecting newborn outfits, rather than jumping straight to three months...

So, last night, we made a Target run and picked up these two super-cute pieces.
For Baby Boy T (with navy blue pants):

For Baby Girl T (sooooooo cute!!!!!):

That pregnancy glow

I've pretty much believed it was a myth, as for the better part of my pregnancy I've felt less glow-y and more fatigue-y, gigantic-y and ready-for-this-to-be-over-y. After our appt. today, though, I wondered if it's possible for the glow not to kick in until Week 36. I was practically dancing with joy, and if my feet weren't swollen and I wasn't carrying an extra 30 lbs, I probably would have clicked my heels.

Baby T is measuring almost exactly one week ahead, and is weighing in at a very normal 6 lbs 10 oz. Still 81st percentile, but still better than I was thinking. After the 32 week sono, I was worried we'd be looking at an 8 lb baby today... doc says he thinks the baby will be a normal weight, which means no 10 lbr for me. Thank goodness! He/She has dropped and is in position - just waiting for labor at this point!!!

Except for some congestion that's hanging on with all it's got, I'm feeling pretty good. Ready to welcome Baby T in the next couple of weeks!!

I'm Falling Apart

Week 33 - stomach virus
Week 34 - excessive swelling and borderline blood pressure
Week 35 - spring cold

This. Sucks.