Pediatrician Visit

Ellianna saw her pediatrician 7/27/12 and was given an excellent report.  She now measures 21 inches long and weighed 5 lb, 13 ounces.  Apparently, sometimes the hospital height isn't always accurate depending on how flexed in the fetal position the baby is after delivery.  So, Ryan and I aren't sure if either she grew 2.5 inches in 3 days...but I'm guessing the height the hospital gave us wasn't accurate.

Neither one of us had met the pediatrician prior to the visit but we have several friends whose kids see her and we immediately felt comfortable with her.  She was very to-the-point, answered our list of questions, gave us her e-mail in case anything comes up, and spent about 20 minutes with us in the room.  Doc expressed some mild concern that Elli is looking a little yellow so doctor's orders to be spend time outside between 8-10 am so when we return in 2 weeks, her bilirubin counts won't be high.  No heart murmur, lungs sounded good, and spine looks good.  Doc said Elli has nice long legs and long torso so she'll probably be tall.  Doc also noticed her long, narrow feet and cute little ears.  Ryan laughs at me because I keep telling Ryan that her ears are the cutest thing.  Doc also thought Elli looks like me!  So far...one vote Elli looks like me while everyone else (including me) sees Ryan in her.

Yesterday morning was our first adventure outside of the house with Ellianna.  We made it to our appointment on time...but not without some stress.  She was being pretty demanding yesterday morning, only wanted to be latched on.  I felt bad jumping in the shower while Ryan and my dad tried to keep her entertained.  She was wide awake from 7:30 to 11 either feeding or crying.  While at the doctor's, she fed again then once the exam was over and we swaddled her, she was a wide-eyed angel listening to our conversation with the doctor. She finally fell asleep on the car ride home.

All in all, we are adjusting to life with a newborn.  Ellianna is doing much better at understanding sleep versus eat times.  She is sleeping for longer periods now while the first 2 days at home, she was demanding feedings every hour.  She loves to be swaddled super tight, yet still manages to find a way to punch an arm out of the blanket.  She doesn't enjoy diaper changes or clothing changes but the 3 of us are practicing the speed to get those accomplished.  So far...and it's only been 2 car rides...she has tolerated her car seat very well so that's a trend we're hoping continues!

Ellianna's Birth Story

  And....we're off to the hospital!  Arrived at the hospital around midnight, filled out paperwork, and was wheeled up to the labor and delivery floor.  The nurse checked me and I was 2.5 cm dilated and 80% effaced with baby at 0 station, with contractions every 3 minutes.  So, I had progressed slightly since 7/19/12.  I was hoping that the nurses/doctor would just break my water and let that get things going.  Instead, they started pitocin at 2 am to get the contractions stronger and more effective.  The sound that I'll remember most from that night...listening to Ellianna's heartbeat on the monitor all night long.  It was so reassuring to hear the steady beating, fluctuating with the contractions and/or her movements.

The power of modern technology...drugs for pain relief and cell phones to keep family informed of our progress!

Things didn't get too bad or uncomfortable until about 9:30 am.  I didn't feel pain like I anticipated or abdominal pain from the contractions, I just felt so much pressure down 'there' with each contraction it made me nauseous and light-headed.   The nurse said because baby was already sitting so low, that with each contraction, baby's head was putting pressure on the baroreceptors making me feel the nausea.  I waited about 30 more minutes then I asked for the epidural.  I felt like a wus asking for one so soon, but OMG, what a difference it made!  Ryan couldn't believe how much better I looked when he was allowed back into the room.  I thought it was kinda interesting that the epidural was stronger on my left leg than my right as during the pregnancy, my right ankle was always more swollen and I'd have right groin pain.

My doctor had a C-section at another hospital at 7 am so the nurses expected her to be by around 9 to break my water.  Well, 9 o'clock came and went...and my doctor finally showed up at 12:30 pm to break my water.  I was now 4 cm dilated, 100% effaced, with baby still at 0 station.  Doctor estimated that baby would be delivered around 5 pm, based on how I had progressed during the morning.
 

Ryan cutting the umbilical cord.

By 1:30 pm, my arms and legs were shaking really bad so we called for my nurse to check me as I felt more pressure.  My nurse never came so at 2 pm, Ryan went to the nurses station and the charge nurse came to check me.  I had progressed to 8 cm, 100% effaced, and baby at -1 station.  She said she would call my doctor to update her on my progress.  Things were moving along!

Around 3 pm, I started shaking really bad again, so we called for my nurse.  At 3:40ish, Ryan again went to the nurses station and they called my nurse again.  Around 4:15, Ryan went again and this time brought back a nurse to check me.  (Ironically, it was the nurse that gave us the tour of the labor and delivery floor back in June and we really liked her then so it was nice to see her again.)  She checked me and surprise!!!  I was 10 cm dilated, 100% effaced, and baby was at -2 station.  The nurse suggested we try pushing, just to see what would happen.  Well, she didn't even let me finish the first practice push as baby was coming!  She quickly left to call my doctor and she returned to start setting up all the sterile equipment in the room.

Even with the epidural, I was still able to feel my stomach muscles tightening with each contraction and feel pressure down there.  The epidural most definitely took the edge off, making things comfortable.  I am so glad I was able to feel as much as I could because it allowed me to actively participate in the delivery.  I don't know how women are able to push without some sensation.

Welcome to the world, Ellianna!

Ryan getting to know Ellianna

Our doctor arrived around 4:45, finished getting things set up, put her sterile gown and mask on and we were ready for action.  We started pushing and baby crowned almost immediately!  The doctor was all excited, telling us baby has lots of blond hair.  Then my contractions slowed...so we had to wait about 4-5 minutes between pushes.  Doctor started getting concerned because baby was crowning, and with contraction/pushing, she wasn't coming out.  Baby's heartrate was fluctuating slightly during contractions.  Doctor said she was going to have to use the vacuum because something was getting stuck on my pubic bone and preventing baby from exiting.  We tried contraction/push/vacuum for 2 contractions without luck.  Finally, doctor just ordered for me to push, without the contractions.  No longer were we pushing for 3 counts of 10, it was push until you can't push any longer then keep pushing.  Ryan said as soon as baby's head was out and doctor saw the umbilical cord around the head, doctor yanked the rest of the baby out, flipped her to undo the cord, and suctioned her.  Ryan said that he couldn't believe how quickly and effortlessly the doctor handled the baby.  Then we heard her first cry.  At 5:07 pm, Ellianna had officially made her arrival.  Things were going to be just fine!

Kangaroo Care

 Memories that stand out:
Nicest complement of the day: The nurse anesthetist telling me I'm not 'thick' like a lot of patients so placing the epidural was smooth and easy.
Sound: Listening to her heartrate on the monitors all night/day.  Ellianna's first cry.
Taste: Drinking apple juice after delivery tasted so sugary after eating ice chips all day!
Sensation: Feeling Ellianna crown and knowing how close we were to meeting her.
Sight: Finally seeing Ellianna on my chest and I couldn't get over how much smaller she was than what I expected.  Also, seeing the placenta delivered...that was an impressive sight!
Labor: Pushing is hard work.  Pushing for 10 counts is hard work.  I knew they called it labor for a reason but I was very surprised at the effort required to bear down and push.  I don't know when I last felt so out of shape!  I will be getting back into shape before the next baby.


A special thank you to our dear friend, Kristin, who was with us during the afternoon.  She provided so much support, encouragement, push counter, and photo taker which allowed us to focus on the baby.

Introducing...Ellianna Marie

Our Baby Girl Larson has arrived!  The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity and we'll share all the details as we begin to adjust to baby's needs.  I have so many specifics that I need to write down from our experience that I'm anxious to get started in these coming days.  But for right now, she kept me busy all day, demanding feedings every hour, which is great because she is latching on great today compared to a rough day yesterday.  But more on that later...here are some quick stats:

Ellianna was born 7/23/12 at 5:07 p.m.
Birth weight: 5 lbs, 14 oz.
Height: 18.5 inches

New family of 3!

Ryan got to hang out with Ellianna while the doctor tended to me.  I was concerned because she hardly cried after birth but they all told me she was moving very well.  She scored 9 on her Apgar test at both 1 min and 5 minutes so I was relieved to hear that.  When they brought her to me, I could see for myself that she was doing just fine.  She was super calm after delivery and with her wide eyes, kept looking at us.  I was able to do Kangaroo care (skin-to-skin) and attempt breastfeeding for an hour before she was taken to the nursery for tests.  She did wonderful with everything and we are so blessed.

Below is a quick picture as we were getting ready to leave the hospital.  Nothing like a 24-hour stay to make you feel prepared for parenthood! Lol...

Well, I'm going to head to bed quick before she wakes back up.  We'll do our best to send lots of updates these next couple of days! 

And the wait goes on...

Looks like Baby Girl continues to stick to her stubborn ways and stay put, where she is comfortable.  We were SO excited after our doctor's appt 7/19/12, thinking that she may arrive soon.  I know women can walk around for weeks being dilated and it appears that Baby Girl is going to make me one of those.  It's so funny to hear stories from my girlfriends about how different every labor is...some go to the hospital without being dilated...some go to the hospital with early contractions...some go to the hospital only to be sent home... This just shows us that nothing is predictable.  Babies like to have their own plans :) and we are at their mercy.

I just wanted to update quick.  We'll continue to update as things change...

38-wk Appt

We saw our doctor this morning for our 38-week appointment.  My blood pressure was slightly higher then usual (124/74) but still in normal range.  I lost 2 pounds (total weight gain to date back to 24 pounds).  I personally think their scale is playing tricks on us because I feel that I've been hungrier this past week plus with the birthday cake Ryan made...plenty of food has been consumed!

We had our scheduled ultrasound where we were able to see how much Baby Girl has grown in the past 4 weeks.  She is now approximately 7 pounds, 1 ounce (43 percentile), amniotic fluid levels were 13 (normal), fetal heartrate of 128 bpm, and Baby Girl is head down, face down!  Then we saw the doctor for a pelvic exam....I am 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced...and doctor could feel Baby Girl's head!  So...anyday now and we'll meet our sweet Baby Girl!  I don't feel there has been any increase in Braxton Hicks contractions frequency or intensity but she is definately dropping and getting prepared for her arrival.  Doctor gave me the okay to continue working and continue walking.  We have all our paperwork from the doctor to present at the hospital and we've already pre-registered.  Our doctor isn't doing deliveries this weekend but she is on call for deliveries for Monday, July 23...if we make it 4 more days. 

We are super excited that Baby Girl's arrival is so close!  We can't wait to finally meet her :)  We'll be sure and post pictures/updates as we are able in the upcoming days.

Preparing the Pups

I suppose this may seem extreme, but it feels like we are transitioning from a 2 adult/2 canine family where all members are fairly independent to the unknown!  Just as our friends have tried to prepare older children for the arrival of a new baby, we wanted to prepare the dogs.  The baby doll with them was my favorite while growing up so we brought it back with us from our roadtrip in May.  We have introduced the dogs to the Baby, placed the Baby in the swing/carseat, and we've carried the Baby in the house.  Now don't think we are crazy, we haven't done this as often as it may sound, but enough for the dogs ears to perk up when we mention the word, 'Baby.'

One of my biggest concerns is the dogs barking.  I don't want the barking to wake our sleeping baby.  (We don't plan on keeping the house completely quiet when Baby Girl is napping, we know to make sure she sleeps through noise).  The dogs actually are really good when in the house, but if somebody comes to the door or they see something out the window, they bark to let us know.  Which, of course, is in their nature to protect our house.  Well, we had a dog trainer come to the house and in the course of 3 minutes, she broke the dogs of their barking and jumping at the front door visitor.  She stayed for about 90 minutes while we asked questions and practiced our new authoritative skills.  It has been about 4 weeks since she was here and I'm proud to say that the dogs really learned.  Ryan has worked with them a lot while he is home and around the house and even though the dogs still get super excited for their daily swim, no longer do we have the barking and jumping at the back door out of pure excitement to get in the water.

She brought a pop can with nails in it for us to shake in their face when they are barking and say the word 'Quiet' sternly.  Sounds so simple in theory, and we've tried the pop can/nail trick before, but the way the pet trainer got in their face, it sunk in immediately.  After that night, we don't even need the can, just the stern 'Quiet' and Moana knows the barking needs to stop.  Tex just follows her lead so problem solved!

Happy 35th Anniversary to my parents today!  We were thinking Baby Girl might arrive and share their day but no signs that she is ready to vacate her hotel for the past 9 1/2 months...

38-week update

We have hit the 38-week mark!  No signs of Baby Girl making her appearance anytime soon.  But we've been told that that can change quickly!

New symptoms...pregnancy insomnia!  I find myself laying in bed at night, wide awake, waiting for morning to come.  The other night I was up doing some paperwork from 3-6 a.m. because I was wide awake!  I suppose this is to prepare me for Baby Girl's feeding schedule :)  I have been feeling more tired these past several days but I still don't feel the tiredness is from the pregnancy itself, just from lack of sleep.  My belly button hasn't popped out yet but I think that is just an old wives tale relating the belly button pop to baby being fully cooked!  My feet continue to resemble pregnant feet (swollen, fat, and lack of definition) but that will go back to normal someday.

I haven't been as good this past week about my morning walks, primarily because I'm dragging to get out of bed before the sun gets too hot.  I'm cutting back on my patient caseload even further this week so hopefully that means Baby Girl understands she can now make her appearance.  My goal was to work through today for some re-evaluations that needed to be completed and now my assistant will be set for the next month.  Huge stress relief knowing my patients are in good hands :)

Our appt is still scheduled for Thursday, July 19...hopefully we'll have some indication after that appointment when she is arriving.  Ryan and I are both starting to get a little impatient at this waiting but we don't want to be induced unless it is medically necessary.  Can't wait until she decides her birthdate!