Baby Bell #4 Arrives!

I have been remiss in keeping up with my blog! However, I have a very good explanation. First, just trying to keep up with three boys, while running a household that also includes a dog, cat (that just had kittens) and chickens as well as homeschooling two of the older boys, is most definitely a full time job. Add to that, pregnancy (while being type I diabetic), and managing my 7yo's diabetes and well, it's pretty much organized chaos all the time.

So, things got more complicated when I started showing early signs of pre-eclampsia. It seemed to be fairly under control, until I went into labor. The doctor thought I was barely 38 weeks, but in the end, we found out I was just 36 weeks, so much earlier than expected.

I went into the hospital and labored for more than a day, but there was no progression, except that my blood pressure was dangerously high and baby's heart beat was dipping too low for comfort, with every contraction. Exhausted and scared, I was told that baby might not survive a natural birth and I might not either, as I was now at risk for seizures. Thankfully, my husband was there to give the immediate go ahead on a c-section. It wasn't what I wanted, but it had to be done to save our baby, and myself.

The doctors and nurses were amazing and so caring. Before my husband could come be with me during the procedure, the anesthesiologist was so reassuring, and the doctor talked me through every step. A nurse took pictures during the procedure so I could look back on what happened. They were simple and modest. At 8:22 am on April 30th, our sweet baby Brennen came into the world, bright eyed and squalling. My smallest baby at 6lbs 11oz and 19 1/4 in.

Brennen had some breathing issues, and his blood sugars didn't want to maintain. There appeared to be an unknown infection causing his little system to work harder than he could keep up with and I wasn't able to nurse him right away. It was so hard to see him, hooked up to monitors and with an IV in his arm (later in his foot when the IV blew). His heels were so terrible looking from all the blood sugar checks and my heart hurt when I heard him crying from my room.

The nurses were like close friends, rather than medical personnel. They hugged me and told me it would be okay. God heard so many prayers for his recovery, because I was eventually able to nurse him with no trouble and his vitals began to improve. He roomed with me for that last couple nights of our hospital stay and now, I want to never let him cry or be hurt. Our family is complete and together finally and I don't want to change a thing.

The boys love their new brother and even Lachlan (2yo) has learned to say "Baby Brennen" and strokes his hair lovingly. I am so very blessed to have such a beautiful and loving family!

Adventures In Baby Making

So, I find myself typing on a rented laptop from a hospital bed. I am bound to this small room due to pre-eclampsic induced high blood pressure. It's tough to deal with. On one hand, you want to do the right thing and stay off your feet, relegating tasks to helpful family members while staying in bed per doctor's orders. Then, there is the extreme urge to "nest". You want to clean, organize and micromanage all aspects of your life and your family's so that it's all ready and prepped for the newest member.

Then, a glitch surfaces. Simple at home bedrest is no longer good enough. Now, my body rebels and I am ordered to the hospital to maintain the bedrest, and be monitored day and night. It's scary and frustrating. How can I just lie here and do nothing? I am in charge of bill paying, laundry, dishes, care of my diabetic five year old, lunches, kid schedules... the list goes on. Oh, but I have another child who needs me to stop, and take care of me. It's so hard, but so very necessary.

I had hoped, if I just comply for a day or two, the doctor would find that things would normalize and I would be able to go back home. I would figure out a way to manage from bed and with the help of my inlaws, maintain my home and care for my kids without stressing my body. Sadly, that would not be the outcome. The doctor was concerned that my blood pressure was staying high (150s/90s) and now there was protein in my urine (kidney's being taxed). I was going to stay until I went into labor or an induction was performed within a week. I was devastated. I cried. I understood it was for my own good, and to make sure baby was safely delivered. Yet, missing my family bustling around me and the smell of my home and sleeping next to my husband was just too much.

I took an hour long shower. I laid in bed. Then I went to the nurse's station and requested to be moved to a nicer room. I also asked about internet access so I would no longer be cut off from important things I needed to do, as well as for stress relieving entertainment. I had the room arranged so that I could reach everything fairly easily from the bed and called my husband to retrieve more items for the longer stay. One, was a pillow from home so I had something familier smelling. My youngest was thrilled to be invited to a slumber party and as we speak, he slumbers in the recliner next to my bed. I was visited by numerous friends and by the end of the day, my husband had procurred a laptop from a rental place. I feel better about being stuck. I just hope that this little one gets a head start and preempts the docs so that an induction is unnecessary.

Thank you to all my friends who have sent me words of encouragement, stopped by, helped with errands and just prayed for safety and swift recovery. I will attempt to figure out this computer so I can post pictures while medically incarcerated

For More Info:
Pre-eclampsia