Bili Baby

It seems that, in only a little over a week, parenthood has been thrust upon me.  No, I do not mean waking up, changing diapers, feeding, or any of those little tasks.  I am talking about making decisions on the behalf of your child in an attempt to do what is best.  

When we were discharged from the hospital, Gordon Lee had a bilirubin level of about 9.  We had to go back the next day for a follow-up read.  His level came back at around 12.  So, since it was still rising, we went back two days later to have it checked again.  According to all the doctors, he really didn't look that jaundiced.  Yet, his level came back at 23.  25 is the dangerous level.  

So, we were admitted to the hospital for some intense therapy.  He had to go under double bilirubin light exposure--one light under him and one light above him.  Plus, they had to put an IV in his arm to increase his fluids and bring the level down faster.  I hated the IV part, and it troubled me to watch him in this condition.  Yet, I wanted what was best for him.  

Part of what contributed to the jaundice rising so high was the fact that my milk hadn't come in as quickly as it should have.  His weight had come down to about 6 pounds and 6 ounces.  So, they made me put him on formula under the light until they felt his level was low enough for him to nurse again.  This was troublesome for me as I was trying to avoid bottles and formula as much as possible.  Once his bilirubin level came down to 15, they let me take him out from under the lights and feed him.  I was so thankful for that.

Like a little champ, he took to it right away.  He loves the milk much more than formula anyway (besides, it is better for him).  Well, his level finally came down to 12.2 and only rebounded to 12.5 after 6 hours out from under the lights.  He had also gotten back up to 6 lbs 14 oz.  All was looking good, and we were discharged from the hospital.  We were told to go in on Monday for a follow-up appointment to ensure the level wasn't coming back up.

So, we went in yesterday.  At this point, I'm getting kind of frustrated with all of this because my husband and I think Gordon Lee needs stability and peace at home.  And we really don't want him exposed to all of the germs in the hospital.  Going back there repeatedly makes both of those things very hard to do.  We can tell that the disturbance in the schedule stresses him out because he doesn't get to sleep and feed like he should be able to do.  In fact, after 2 days of watching him under the lights, I was ready to tell them that I wanted to take him home because he was showing signs of stress.  The first day, he was tolerant of the lights.  The second day, it became clear that laying there by himself for long periods of time was putting him under stress as he started exhibiting behaviors of self-soothing.  And being held was the main thing that calmed him down.

He has had to have his heels pricked repeatedly to check bilirubin levels, and I can't imagine that that is not stressful to him.  Anyway, I digress.  So, we went to the pediatric clinic yesterday to get a follow-up bilirubin read done.  I was hoping his level had come down some more.  Unfortunately, it came back at 17.  The doctor examined him only to become baffled.  "He doesn't look jaundiced," she said.  "I have been doing this for 25 years and I have seen hundreds of jaundiced babies.  And he doesn't look jaundiced."  So, she wanted another read done.  The only thing is that, when we were admitted to the hospital with his level at 23, all of the doctors and nurses said he didn't look that jaundiced.  I guess he just doesn't show it as much.  

Well, the pediatrician yesterday wanted to get blood from a vein instead of his foot because apparently that's more of an accurate result. They couldn't find a vein and we decided to just go home and not worry about it until 24 hours later because he'd have to have a 24 hour follow-up anyway.  

I have been doing everything they suggested.  I've been feeding him every 2 hours.  He has been having PLENTY of wet diapers. I actually started recording it since yesterday and he has had 10 wet diapers in less than 24 hours. Plus, two majorly soiled ones.  Those are both good signs he is getting hydrated like he should be.  He also went from 6 lbs 14 ounces on Friday to 7 lbs 5 ounces yesterday after a weekend of solely breastfeeding.  So, here I am baffled.

Clearly, he is getting plenty to eat.  But he is still jaundiced.  That picture at the top is from today, and you can see the jaundice in it.  You can also see, though, that his is alert.  Lethargy is a major sign of jaundice.  He is eating well and is more and more alert every day.  We are getting ready to go back to the hospital in an hour for his follow-up appointment.  I started crying last night because I could see the yellow again, and I am just tired of him having to get pricked again and again.  I just don't feel like it is fair to him.

And here I am having to make a decision for him and not really knowing what is best.  My husband and I want him to be at home where there is peace.  I did some research and found out that it is normal for breastfed babies to have a jaundice level up to 20 even up to the 3rd week of life.  I honestly don't know what I'm going to do today if we go in and find out his level has jumped up higher.  I don't want to go into the hospital anymore.

The doctor said one type of therapy is taking them off breast milk for 24 hours because that gets the bilirubin level low enough.  Then, they go back on the breast milk and everything is fine.  That is not good, though, for a mother trying to establish a good breastfeeding routine with her infant.  And he and I have just gotten one down in the last week.  I am thinking about asking if I can take a bilirubin blanket home as a possible alternative to that.  But I also think she probably would have mentioned that if it were available.  I'll still ask about it though.

Maybe I'm wrong and the level hasn't gone up.  I just wanted to post this blog as a request for prayers for us.  We want to provide for our child, but the question right now is what is best for him.  It's not such an easy decision. 

Locked & Loaded

Right now, the baby's head is fully engaged for birth.  He can't get any further down without me dilating fully for him to come out! I won't lie.  It REALLY hurts.  Walking and standing are very painful, and I am definitely ready for him to get here.  I read that he can be like this for weeks, but I am REALLY hoping he doesn't take that long.


On Tuesday, I had my 39 week appointment. My doctor told me that, due to his position, the fact that I've dilated 1 cm since last week, and my waters feeling like they are about to burst, she didn't think it would be more than 2 days before I go into labor.   She said she'd be REALLY shocked to see me on Monday at my next appointment.  However, she was surprised that I had made it to the current appointment.


Anyway, it's now 2 days since then and there's definitely change going on.  I've been progressing some.  But I'm still not in active labor.  I feel it coming and every day I have more of the signs that labor is very near.  It's just that we don't know how near yet.  I've had random contractions, but nothing leading to labor.  So, I'm still waiting.  Throughout the night last night and into this morning, I seem to be experiencing 1 contraction an hour.  I do hope this ends up leading to something.  But I've had a few false starts, so I don't want to get too excited.  I would never have known that labor can actually start and stop until I have experienced it myself.  All I need to be concerned about is it starting and then getting into active labor. It will happen in its own time and I am not doing anything to try to hurry it up.


My body is stubborn anyway and likes to do things its own way.  So, I'm sure if I tried to tamper with labor, my body would do something crazy.  Besides, God made us so that we can go into labor and everything work just right.


As of today, I am exactly 1 week from my due date! I still have a feeling that he's coming on July 10th.  But I won't complain if I go into labor today. ;)

Bouncing Baby

Since I've made it this far in the pregnancy, I want to make a statement I think I can safely make at this point.  Forgive me if I have said this before (some part of me thinks I have written it in another blog).  However, I can't find it and I feel the need to say it (again, if necessary).


At the beginning of the pregnancy when I was excited about baby's movements, many people said that it will get to the point where it won't be so exciting anymore.  It will hurt so much that I'd not look forward to the movements.  Well, I can confidently say that I STILL LOVE IT WHEN HE MOVES! :) Yes, I do groan every now and then and prefer he take his feet out of my rib cage.  But I still feel the same amount of joy when he moves now as I did before.  I feel connected to him and I love to know he is happy and healthy in there by his movements.


With that said, as each day passes, I am progressively getting more ready for him to get here.  I just can't wait to hold him in my arms.  And I will also look forward to not having a sore back.  There's no telling when he'll get here.  I've had little signs here and there, but those could go on for weeks, days, etc.  He'll get here in God's time. 

38 Weeks

Today, I am 38 weeks pregnant.  Based on how I feel, I'm thinking he isn't going to end up being a June baby. ;) Some people have been making their predictions on his birthday.


My sister-in-law predicted July 4th.  Then, without knowing her prediction, Lee said the same date.  My personal guess is July 10th (I have no idea why).  If anyone wants to guess, put it in! It would be fun to see who is right!


As of tomorrow, he is full term no matter which due date I go by.  However, after having seen him on an ultrasound recently, he is pretty big.  So, I think the 14th of July is starting to look more accurate.

Not Too Much Longer Now

I had my 38 week OB appointment today only to discover that I am in labor.  Technically, I'm in slow labor and about 25% there.  That's 25% of the way I need to be before pushing.  I will spare the general public of the exact details (dilation, effacement, etc.).  But, for those who want to know, you can message me and I'll tell you.


The doctor said I've progressed further than most women at this stage.  So, he could come tomorrow or in 2 weeks. There is just no knowing.


I did have a few contractions yesterday.  However, I had about 3 the whole day.  They were VERY spread out.  This can also go on for quite some time.  It's still promising though.  And I was definitely surprised to discover I'd come as far as I had.


Tonight, I've been having some cramping in my lower back and on and off cramping all over.  Contractions and active labor could be soon! There's no way to know until it happens!


In the event that he does come sooner rather than later, I'll provide some stats.  He is now the size of a watermelon.  Granted, watermelon sizes vary quite a lot.  But that is the last fruit.  And his heart rate is a healthy 140 bpm!

So now it's just a guessing game of whether we'll have a June bug or a July baby! ;)

Decisions Decisions

Yesterday, with nothing to watch on television, my sister-in-law and I browsed Netflix to see if there might be something we'd be interested in watching.  We browsed for quite some time before this documentary entitled "Pregnant in America" came up.  We were both intrigued, so we decided to watch it.  After seeing it, I "felt a blog coming on." 


First of all, the documentary really was informative in many ways.  And I do think it was worth watching.  The makers of it have a website called www.pregnantinamerica.com with a wealth of resources for any woman who is thinking of becoming pregnant, pregnant, or interested in learning more about the American health care system.  


I had mixed feelings, however, when watching it.  They did not necessarily come from an unbiased point-of-view.  In fact, most of what the documentary set out to do was point out all of the flaws in hospitals, doctors, nurses, etc. and highlight the positive points of home births, midwives, and more natural methods of childbirth.  They attempted to behave as though they were simply trying to find out information, but I didn't care for their angle.  With the exception of about 2, most of the doctors and nurses were portrayed in a very negative light.  While, on the other hand, all midwives or anyone not in the medical field were described as "great, wonderful, amazing, etc." 


One woman on the documentary actually said something along the lines of, "All doctors want to push medicine such as epidurals and pitocin." This actually really upset me.  My doctor is NOT pushing any of that.  In fact, she is very open to me doing what I want.  She said she had all of her children without an epidural.  So, I was very annoyed at that blanket statement.  I feel the need to stick up for doctors and nurses when I hear negative comments about them because it's as if they're being portrayed as evil.  


I know people who are hard-working nurses doing what they can for mothers and babies.  My own doctor is an example of someone who does not push views on me, but lets me make my own decisions.  Are there people in the system you can't trust? Yes.  For example, I was recently touring the labor and delivery with my sister-in-law and one of the nurses.  When the nurse asked if there were any questions, I told her that my doctor had recently told me about a birthing bar.  So, I wanted to know where it was since I couldn't see it.  She showed me where it was and said I need to make sure I request it when I get there.  However, she quickly followed that up with, "But most birthing plans go right out the window when you get here." I didn't see any need for that comment.  She only needed to answer about the birthing bar.  I'm sure she was just going from her experience, but I also do not want somebody telling me that I am not going to do what I plan.  If I change my mind at the time, okay.  But don't try to push something else on me.


And this is one of the points the documentary was making clear.  Many women are being pushed into decisions for the convenience of the doctor.  If the doctor doesn't want to stay long, a cesarian can be pushed.  Inductions are taking place for the doctor's schedule when they do not need to happen.  I do think that these are important things to be informed about.  Simultaneously, I think it's important to take a look at both sides. I recently heard of an experience where a midwife told a woman that preeclampsia was not a big deal.  The woman and her child ended up in an emergency situation in the hospital.  The man and his wife, who filmed the documentary, had their baby at home and ended up having to go to the hospital because the baby's health was quickly fading.  She survived because she was treated.


The thing is that women have the right to make their own decisions and ask questions.  If the doctor doesn't want to answer the questions or pushes ideas on the patient, switching doctors is an option.  In the documentary, the man's sister had to switch doctors because one was pushing an unnecessary c-section.  The second doctor allowed her to deliver without it.  Ironically, the first doctor was on vacation the day after she delivered her baby.  It's also okay to request another nurse if one nurse is not very supportive.  A woman has the right to do what she feels is best for her and her baby.  


So, my point is, I personally believe that there is no need to pit one side against another.  There are caring people and irresponsible people in both areas.  And, in the end, it's a matter of educating yourself and taking the initiative to go with somebody who cares be it a doctor or a midwife.

Nursery Time

In one of my previous posts, I had posted a few pictures of the nursery in the works.  Well, now that we are in a new 3 bedroom house, the baby actually has his own room as a nursery.  I like this rather than having to split it between his bedroom and the spare bedroom.


So, now that we are here, we have completed the nursery.  And I have, of course, taken pictures for everyone to see.  

 He won't be sleeping in the crib for awhile, but I set it up for now because I wanted to see how everything would go together.  One thing I found interesting was this.

On the quilt, there is a raccoon in a tree above a chipmunk holding an acorn.  Well, I had drawn two pictures in high school that my mother had framed for me quite awhile ago.  I asked for the pictures because I felt they would go with the nursery theme.

As it turns out, my pictures are of a raccoon in a tree above a chipmunk holding a nut.  I never did finish the chipmunk picture, so the nut isn't colored in.  But here is a picture of the drawings so you can see the comparison.

Then, I have a little corner for rocking and holding him.

Finally, there is a little area where we are going to keep his lamp, baby monitors, and a few other items.  Underneath the fabric is the drawer set holding a few clothes, blankets, towels, sheets, etc.

Lee posted a picture of himself above the stand. I think it looks cute!

So, there is the nursery! :) Finally complete!