Baby Foley Has Arrived

Madelyn Celeste Sandra Foley was born on Friday, March 2nd at 11:15 pm in the evening.  She weighed 6 lbs. and 3 oz.  She measured 20.5 inches in length.  She has very adorable strawberry blonde hair at the moment, which all the nurses continued to comment on at the hospital.  The delivery process was long, but worth every moment.  My husband was an incredible support system the entire way through.  I question whether or not I could have done it without him.  We are all at home now resting as a family and enjoying our new life together.  Let the parenting begin!

Here are some photos of Madelyn following the birth:

Induction

I write this from my hospital room. It is now 6:45 pm on Thursday, March 1st. We are being induced as we speak, which has so far been an odd experience. Tuesday's ultrasound showed that the baby is in the 11th percentile of weight (a little small) so they want to play it safe in case she isn't getting all the nutrients she could be if she is actually here. We are at 38 weeks today so this is good. We made it to March. We should have a little Honeydew in our world by tomorrow! Wish us luck and send us some love. :)

Honeydew's Room

Tomorrow we will be at 38 weeks and we FINALLY finished the baby's room.  It has been a slow process since I have had to keep my activities mellow and my husband has been quite busy this month.  But today, it all came together.  Setting up the room has been so much fun for me.  I just LOVE to get creative.  It's been a nice diversion from the stress too.  Now that it's all ready, the baby can arrive!

All the furniture is used.  Recycle, recycle, recycle!!

The room has a distant ocean view out these windows.  The sun is so bright in the photo that you can't see it though.

This rocker is really comfy and will be the perfect spot for the baby to have her midnight snack(s).

My husband refaced and refinished all the drawers/cupboards of this dresser.  Pretty nice changing table huh?

The following two items served as inspiration for the room.  The first is a beautiful lamp that my dad gave me years ago.  The second is a stuffed owl given to the baby as a gift.

Baby Foley Hiccups In Utero (37.5 weeks)

The Roller Coaster to 37 Weeks

Since stopping work a few weeks ago, I feel like I have been riding an emotional roller coaster.  Every three days I venture to the doctor for a NST (non stress test) and ultrasound to check on the baby's movement and amniotic fluid levels.  Last Thursday the nurse practitioner measured the fluid level at 4.7 cubic centimeters.  She had the doctor come in to do another measurement, which is when I felt the baby move.  The doctor then found 6.5 cubic centimeters.  She was concerned about the erratic measurements though so she scheduled another appointment on Saturday for a check-in.  This appointment was at the hospital where the baby will be delivered, which is one of the best in southern California and directly connected to the children's hospital.  At this point, I was ready for whatever and had accepted it.  However, on Saturday, the baby passed all tests with flying colors.  She moved enough in the first 10 minutes during the NST to assure doctors in that area (although they continued to monitor for 20+ minutes).  Then the doctor measured 9 cubic centimeters of amniotic fluid.  My husband and I left feeling reassured that things were, in fact, ok.  Yesterday, I had another check-up and the NST was fine, but the fluid measurement was a 5.6.  These ups and downs in measurements leave my emotions all over the place.  We have another appointment on Friday.  If the fluid is measured below a 5 by all the doctors involved, induction is the option.  I fear this.  I've heard it is very painful and that Pitocin will be necessary to start contractions.  The extra pain often causes the need for an epidural- something else I am trying to avoid.  I hope to do everything naturally and am still holding onto this vision.  I am trying to stay positive and keep the greater goal in mind.  However, a safe and healthy baby is the most important thing for everyone, so this is the course we will pursue when it comes down to D-day.  Tomorrow we will be at the 37 week mark so at least this is good news.   

Here is a belly shot taken a few days ago at 3.5 weeks to go:

I remain at home resting and drinking tons of fluids, waiting to go to the next appointment.  40 weeks can not come quickly enough at this point!

Now Officially on "Bed Rest"

My appointment today revealed that the baby is moving around fine but my amniotic fluid levels have decreased yet again.  The doctor struggled to find fluid in two of the four quadrants of my uterus today.  Where she did located it, the level was a bit lower than before.  Therefore, I am now officially on "bed rest" whereas before I was simply instructed to rest.  I am not allowed to do anything but sit and lay down.  She is hoping to get me through at least another week before there is a need to induce.  On Thursday, we will be at 36 weeks.  If we can make it until next Thursday, February 23rd, then we will have officially made it to the safe zone of 37 weeks.  Perhaps this baby is simply eager to enter our world.  I saw her eyes opening and closing in the ultrasound today, which was really neat.  Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Childbirth Preparation Classes

We've made it to 35 and a half weeks!  This past weekend my husband and I attended childbirth preparation classes at the hospital.  The classes lasted two days, all day long.  What a great experience.  We were surrounded by at least ten other couples expecting babies anytime from next week to June.  There were a few babies due right around the same time as Baby Foley.  The instructor was really awesome.  She is what made the class fun and engaging versus what could have easily been a lecture style class filled with too much info for one weekend.  I was nervous that learning too much information about what is to come would be overwhelming, but I am left feeling well-prepared and ready for the big day.  It's a true reminder that "knowledge is power."

We went over all the logistics of what could happen during the birthing process from a regular delivery to the need for a cesarean birth.  We talked medication choices, having  a solid birthing plan, and breathing techniques to implement during the laboring process.  We learned all the ins and outs of breastfeeding.  We also discussed caring for a newborn and mommy postpartum.  The best part was that we practiced relaxation techniques that involved massages from daddy. ;) 

The instructor shared many anecdotes about her own four births and her experiences as a labor and delivery nurse throughout the years.  She was humorous and interesting to listen to.  The most crazy part of the weekend was when she told a story about a baby that, during delivery, was presenting with a prolapsed cord.  She spoke about the nurse's (name withheld here for privacy) quick reaction to the emergency and how she essentially saved the baby by first discovering the situation quickly and then shoving the cord back up inside with her own hand until the doctor was able to safely remove the baby via another method.  The instructor said it is the only time she has seen this situation occur and that it happened over 15 years ago at a different hospital than the one where the class was taking place.  The most amazing part of this story was that this nurse she spoke about is OUR NEIGHBOR!!  The instructor had no idea that we knew this woman.  She shares the story with every class she teaches.  Out of over a million people in this city, what are the chances of that??  Talk about reassurance if things get tough for us. 

Overall, my husband and I are feeling less nervous about what to expect.  That is for sure.  I'm crossing my fingers and praying to make it to at least 37 weeks and to have a normal delivery without an epidural.  However, we will do whatever necessary to make sure Baby Foley enters this world healthy and safe.  Here are some images from the weekend and from the very informative class book entitled The Gift of Motherhood by Dianne E. Moran and G. Byron Kallam:

 The round nametags represent the 10 cm. of dilation.  Cute touch huh?

Look how squished the intestines are!

 I will certainly be breastfeeding.  I always had planned to, but if I had any doubts, this class reassured why it would be silly to choose otherwise.

  This is a picture of the situation our neighbor labor and delivery nurse helped resolve.  If the cord presents itself like this, the baby's oxygen and blood supply could be compromised.  Not good.

 

Some Unanticipated News

This past week has been filled with anxiety and uncertainty.  On Monday I received a phone call from the doctor requesting that I come in immediately for another ultrasound.  This was in regards to concerns about the amniotic fluid levels seen in last Thursday's ultrasound.  I was terrified because I did not know what this meant.  My biggest fear was a need to induce the baby, which can happen with low fluid levels.

When I arrived at the hospital, I had another ultrasound which revealed the same low levels as the last.  However, it also showed that the baby is a fine size and all organs are in good shape, which is great news.  I then spent some time doing a Non Stress Test (NST) to make sure the baby's heart was still beating regularly and that she was moving appropriately.  After all this, the doctor concluded that the low fluid levels could be a result of one of two things: 1) dehydration, or 2) too much activity.  We created a plan for treating dehydration first, hoping this would be issue.  I drank at least a gallon of water a day, from Tuesday through Thursday.  I then went in for another test and it revealed the same fluid levels.  Therefore, the doctor concluded that I am doing too much and not resting enough.  She told me that I am unable to continue my job at this point.  She said that if we maintain the current fluid level, then the baby can probably make it to full term.  However, if I start to loose fluid, there could be concerns and she might have to come early.

So, I am out of work 4+ weeks earlier than anticipated.  This is going to be stressful financially, but we will make it work as a family.  The most important thing is that Baby Honeydew has the best environment to finalize her growth.  My students were disappointed to hear the news on Friday (especially with only one day's notice), but were so sweet in saying goodbye with big hugs and hopes of continued contact.  My coworkers have been an amazing support throughout all of this as well.  Substitute plans until mid-May are in the works.

Non Stress Test 

(I hit the button when I feel her move.)

Doctor's Note 

(No more work until after the baby is born.)

32 Week Ultrasound

Since the beginning of my pregnancy many people have commented on how small I look.  As much as I am happy to not be a gigantic pregnant woman, recently I was starting to get a bit nervous by all these comments.  With one person, when I shared that the doctor said everything was ok, the response was, "Oh, I don't  know about that."  Horrible huh?  I talked to my doctor about my concerns a few weeks ago.  She said my outer measurements were on the smaller side, but that she believed everything was fine.  However, she ordered an ultrasound just in case, and to put my mind at ease.  On Thursday, at exactly 32 weeks, my husband and I went in to take a look at our baby girl.  I felt as though everything was ok, but was welcoming the reassurance of the images and internal measurements.  Based on what the ultrasound technician saw, our little one now weighs 4.7 lbs. and is measuring right on track.  The placenta is in the correct place and the baby's head is already facing down.  Thank goodness!  I guess I simply carry the baby in a way that makes me appear smaller than most 32 week pregnant women.  I certainly feel big enough though.  I've learned that I will forever be careful about my comments to any pregnant women I encounter in the future.

Face (amazing huh??)

 Foot

 Heart

Baby Shower Saturday!

Wow, what a fun day.  The baby shower was a blast.  It was a rainy day so my house was full of beautiful women, with the tight quarters leading to many great conversations and reunions amongst the group.  We missed the East Coast family and friends, and those more local who were unable to attend, but I certainly felt everyone there in spirit.

Here are some images of the day, demonstrating the creative design of my dear friend Maria:

It's hard to see my belly in this one but I promise it is there, sticking out the front.  That is sparkling cranberry juice in my champagne glass. :)

And, the amazing gifts.  Thank you all for your generosity!!!  Honeydew is so appreciative...

Reading

Feeding

The Necessities

Making Baby Food

Playing and Learning

More Necessities

Dealing with Diapers

Dressing

More Dressing (such cute items!!)

Keeping Warm (Handmade Blanket)

Keeping Clean While Feeding (Handmade Bib)

More Playing and Learning

Accessorizing

Nice job and thank you Maria for your AMAZING planning and organzing.  Special thanks to Jen and Amy as well!  And for all the help setting up and cleaning up, thank you to Andy, Laura, Danielle, and my wonderful husband!

Thanks again everyone!!! xoxo