Acid reflux SUCKS!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Sleep? What's that?
Our great sleeper and calm quiet baby is gone, at least at night. The last week or so Ashton has had several rough nights. He whines and cries but doesn't "need" anything specific. He just needs to be held and even that doesn't do the trick. I think he may have a bit of acid reflux going on but nothing severe enough to need medicine like Chloe did. Hopefully with a change in my diet it will go away.
We have mad a big change in our house too. We are now cloth diapering. During my pregnancy I wanted to cloth diaper but Derek thought the added laundry would not be something I'd be up for. After seeing how many diapers we were using and the cost of those diapers, well it was an easy switch. And I must say I am a complete convert! The diaper covers are completely adorable and it's just so easy. There are a million choices with cloth diapers but we have gone with pre-folds with the Thirsties Duo Wrap cover. All very easy and just like using a disposable once you get the hang of it. Now if I could just get Derek to change a few diapers to learn how to do the cloth diapers.... He wasn't big on changing the disposable diapers either though! There are so many benefits to cloth diapering aside from the money saving. Ashton had a serious case of diaper rash from his disposables and constantly leaked out of them. Since we started the cloth diapering we have had 2 leaks (due to me putting it on wrong) and his rash has cleared up. And we're being "green". Great all around! If you are interested in cloth diapering there are a lot of great resources available. I found this website invaluable! http://www.kellyscloset.com/Cloth-Diaper-Information_ep_34-1.html
Our boy turned 3 weeks old yesterday. It's amazing to think that I would have just barely been considered full term and here we are with a happy, healthy 3 week old baby. I thank God daily that he was born healthy with no big issues and that we spent no time in NICU. We truly are blessed and are so thankful for both of our children. They both have blessed our lives in countless ways.
Here is a picture of Ashton "smiling" for mommy! I'm hoping to get some professional pictures done of both kids soon so hopefully I will have those to share before long!
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Welcome to the World!!!
Little Ashton William Wach!
Born April 10, 2010 2:00 p.m. at 35 weeks 3 days
6 pounds 4 ounces
19 inches
Our adorable little itty bitty
Our Birth Story
Saturday morning I woke up around 2:30 am from a dream that I was using the bathroom. I woke up to find myself leaking fluid and soaked. For a while I thought I had pee'd the bed. I got up to go to the bathroom & felt more of a gush and was fairly certain it was my water so I smelled it (gross I know!) like they dr had told me to if I thought my water broke. I kept leaking so I woke up Derek and told him I thought my water broke and I was going to call labor & delivery. He laughed & said I probably just pee'd myself. I called l&d & they said I could shower but then to come on in to get checked out. I took my time with my shower and Derek went back to sleep for a few. I got ready; we took Chloe to his sisters and headed to the hospital. I still wasn't contracting but I knew that if indeed my water had broken hey wouldn't let me go home.
Once we got to l&d (around 4 am) they got us checked in right away and hooked up to monitors. I was having tiny contractions but nothing like before. They tested my fluid and sure enough my water had "grossly" broken. I was dilated 1 cm & 60% effaced & baby was at a -2. They said I would have a few hours to see if my contractions would start on their own before intervening. DH got set up to sleep & I thought I would be able to nap as well but my nerves were too high. At 6:00 they decided to start cytotech. I had this with Chloe to induce my labor so I "thought" I knew what I was getting myself into. By 8:00 am I was definitely feeling the contractions. They checked me again & I was 90% effaced but only dilated to 2 cm. The dr came in & said I could take a hot bath if I wanted but no epidural until 4 cm. By this point I was ready for any sort of relief. The contractions felt much stronger than they ever had with Chloe. The nurse got the tub ready and about 15 minutes later I was soaking away. The contractions were very strong so I was hoping by the time they checked me again at 10 I would be at 4 cm so I could get the epidural. The plan was to see what I had dilated to at 10:00 and either do another round of cytotech or pitocin. They checked me and I was only at 3 cm but baby was at 0 station so we had made some progress.
I was a little disappointed that I hadn’t dilated much and was already in so much pain. The nurse got me set up in the rocking chair and it was a lot more comfortable than the bed. She offered pain meds thru the IV, which I hadn’t planned to not use. I refused and she left us to labor for a while. About 15 minutes later I had all I could take so I ended up with meds in the IV and the relief was almost instant. I could still feel the contractions but I wasn’t tensing up with each one and I was able to get thru them. The meds wore off about a half hour later so I still had 15 minutes before they would check me again to work thru on my own. When she came in I was in a lot of pain and praying for the epidural. When the nurse checked me she said “oh my”… I knew either I had made no progress or it was too late for the epi. She said I was already at a 8-9 and baby was even lower. She told me it was probably too late for the epidural but I could have more meds thru the IV or they could give me a “mini epidural” shot in my back, which would last 2-3 hours. I opted for the shot as pushing without the epidural was not something I really was prepared to do.
Thankfully the anestisiologist was available right away and soon I felt pure and utter bliss! The anesthesiologist however said the shot would only last about an hour and a half so we were praying the rest of my labor would progress quickly. The nurse called the dr back to the hospital so she was there when I was ready. About a half hour later they checked me again but no real progress. The baby was turned on his side and they needed him to flip. They also saw that due to my previous cervical surgeries I had quite a bit of scar tissue on my cervix that was causing a tight “rubber band-like” ring preventing me from dilating the rest of the way. This is also why I had trouble dilating in the beginning. I had read about this before but didn’t give it a lot of thought. The nurse did what she could to stretch my cervix more and shortly after that I felt a large pop and a ton of pressure. I started feeling the contractions a lot stronger and knew the shot was wearing off. The nurse came in and I was fully dilated and baby had dropped the rest of the way. She had me push once at which point the baby finished turning and it was “go” time. The dr came in and I started feeling the contractions and pressure very badly. I knew the shot had worn off completely and I would have to push without any meds. I know it sounds silly but I was completely unprepared mentally for the actual pushing. With Chloe I pushed twice, felt nothing and out she shot. This time…. Not so lucky! Although it felt like I pushed for an hour Derek said it was less than 10 minutes. At first I was pushing and not being very effective and was panicking thru it. Derek and my nurse helped me focus and then I was able to push like I needed to. I felt a big contraction coming on and began to push although I felt like I was on fire! The contraction ended and the pain was pretty unbearable. They told me to stop pushing. All I could think was “you’ve got to be freaking kidding me!” The cytotech had caused my contractions to come 2-3 at a time with barely a break between them and then about 5 minutes for the next one. I had a long break of intense burning and then came a large contraction. The dr told me to push slowly. It was hard to listen when all I wanted to do was push as hard as I could and get the baby out. I had never planned to look but Derek told me his head was out so I looked down and saw the rest of him be born. It was such an amazing thing. As soon as he was out the burning and intense pain stopped. They layed him on my belly and it was like the world stood still for that moment. Derek hadn’t known if he would want to cut the cord but at that point he knew he would. They cut the cord and took Ashton to check him out and make sure all was ok. He was so quiet not a single cry had come out so I was worried. Turns out he was just fine and is just a quiet baby (so far)! Thankfully I hadn’t torn so I didn’t need any stitches.
They got the baby all cleaned up and me settled. Our plan was to nurse immediately but Ashton has some trouble latching on so they brought in the lactation consultant and then he nursed for almost an hour. I was able to get up after that and use the restroom and then they brought us to our room to get situated. They took Ashton to the nursery and I took a shower. He had pee’d on me the minute the set him on my stomach. I felt very good afterwards and have since. All during my pregnancy I had gone back and forth about getting the pain meds but once the contractions started last week I knew I would want one. I really admire women who go thru it without one but I just couldn’t do it. I was not able to focus or work thru the contractions and would tense up and panic which caused them to not be all that effective, just painful. My labor did not really go as I expected or planned but I don't have any regrets, other than not preparing more mentally for the work involved. My labor wtih Chloe was so easy I was expecting the same thing in the back of my mind. I certainly had a great labor and delivery though. And the minute it was over any pain I felt was a distant memory. I never believed it when people said that but it really is true.
Ashton has done great and aside from some jaundice he has had no issues that they would expect from a premature baby. At 6 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inches long he is the size of a full term baby but to me he just looks so tiny. I am so in love with my son already. I was worried during my pregnancy how I would be able to love my two children the same and have enough love to go around. I think with each birth your heart swells because I find myself overflowing with more love than I imagined for both of them.
Derek was amazing during labor and delivery. He was so supportive and really helped me to feel like I could get thru it and that taking the meds was ok. He has been so incredible with Ashton and during our struggles to breastfeed. Seeing him hold our son I love him in a way I never imagined before. It’s indescribable.
Once we got to l&d (around 4 am) they got us checked in right away and hooked up to monitors. I was having tiny contractions but nothing like before. They tested my fluid and sure enough my water had "grossly" broken. I was dilated 1 cm & 60% effaced & baby was at a -2. They said I would have a few hours to see if my contractions would start on their own before intervening. DH got set up to sleep & I thought I would be able to nap as well but my nerves were too high. At 6:00 they decided to start cytotech. I had this with Chloe to induce my labor so I "thought" I knew what I was getting myself into. By 8:00 am I was definitely feeling the contractions. They checked me again & I was 90% effaced but only dilated to 2 cm. The dr came in & said I could take a hot bath if I wanted but no epidural until 4 cm. By this point I was ready for any sort of relief. The contractions felt much stronger than they ever had with Chloe. The nurse got the tub ready and about 15 minutes later I was soaking away. The contractions were very strong so I was hoping by the time they checked me again at 10 I would be at 4 cm so I could get the epidural. The plan was to see what I had dilated to at 10:00 and either do another round of cytotech or pitocin. They checked me and I was only at 3 cm but baby was at 0 station so we had made some progress.
I was a little disappointed that I hadn’t dilated much and was already in so much pain. The nurse got me set up in the rocking chair and it was a lot more comfortable than the bed. She offered pain meds thru the IV, which I hadn’t planned to not use. I refused and she left us to labor for a while. About 15 minutes later I had all I could take so I ended up with meds in the IV and the relief was almost instant. I could still feel the contractions but I wasn’t tensing up with each one and I was able to get thru them. The meds wore off about a half hour later so I still had 15 minutes before they would check me again to work thru on my own. When she came in I was in a lot of pain and praying for the epidural. When the nurse checked me she said “oh my”… I knew either I had made no progress or it was too late for the epi. She said I was already at a 8-9 and baby was even lower. She told me it was probably too late for the epidural but I could have more meds thru the IV or they could give me a “mini epidural” shot in my back, which would last 2-3 hours. I opted for the shot as pushing without the epidural was not something I really was prepared to do.
Thankfully the anestisiologist was available right away and soon I felt pure and utter bliss! The anesthesiologist however said the shot would only last about an hour and a half so we were praying the rest of my labor would progress quickly. The nurse called the dr back to the hospital so she was there when I was ready. About a half hour later they checked me again but no real progress. The baby was turned on his side and they needed him to flip. They also saw that due to my previous cervical surgeries I had quite a bit of scar tissue on my cervix that was causing a tight “rubber band-like” ring preventing me from dilating the rest of the way. This is also why I had trouble dilating in the beginning. I had read about this before but didn’t give it a lot of thought. The nurse did what she could to stretch my cervix more and shortly after that I felt a large pop and a ton of pressure. I started feeling the contractions a lot stronger and knew the shot was wearing off. The nurse came in and I was fully dilated and baby had dropped the rest of the way. She had me push once at which point the baby finished turning and it was “go” time. The dr came in and I started feeling the contractions and pressure very badly. I knew the shot had worn off completely and I would have to push without any meds. I know it sounds silly but I was completely unprepared mentally for the actual pushing. With Chloe I pushed twice, felt nothing and out she shot. This time…. Not so lucky! Although it felt like I pushed for an hour Derek said it was less than 10 minutes. At first I was pushing and not being very effective and was panicking thru it. Derek and my nurse helped me focus and then I was able to push like I needed to. I felt a big contraction coming on and began to push although I felt like I was on fire! The contraction ended and the pain was pretty unbearable. They told me to stop pushing. All I could think was “you’ve got to be freaking kidding me!” The cytotech had caused my contractions to come 2-3 at a time with barely a break between them and then about 5 minutes for the next one. I had a long break of intense burning and then came a large contraction. The dr told me to push slowly. It was hard to listen when all I wanted to do was push as hard as I could and get the baby out. I had never planned to look but Derek told me his head was out so I looked down and saw the rest of him be born. It was such an amazing thing. As soon as he was out the burning and intense pain stopped. They layed him on my belly and it was like the world stood still for that moment. Derek hadn’t known if he would want to cut the cord but at that point he knew he would. They cut the cord and took Ashton to check him out and make sure all was ok. He was so quiet not a single cry had come out so I was worried. Turns out he was just fine and is just a quiet baby (so far)! Thankfully I hadn’t torn so I didn’t need any stitches.
They got the baby all cleaned up and me settled. Our plan was to nurse immediately but Ashton has some trouble latching on so they brought in the lactation consultant and then he nursed for almost an hour. I was able to get up after that and use the restroom and then they brought us to our room to get situated. They took Ashton to the nursery and I took a shower. He had pee’d on me the minute the set him on my stomach. I felt very good afterwards and have since. All during my pregnancy I had gone back and forth about getting the pain meds but once the contractions started last week I knew I would want one. I really admire women who go thru it without one but I just couldn’t do it. I was not able to focus or work thru the contractions and would tense up and panic which caused them to not be all that effective, just painful. My labor did not really go as I expected or planned but I don't have any regrets, other than not preparing more mentally for the work involved. My labor wtih Chloe was so easy I was expecting the same thing in the back of my mind. I certainly had a great labor and delivery though. And the minute it was over any pain I felt was a distant memory. I never believed it when people said that but it really is true.
Ashton has done great and aside from some jaundice he has had no issues that they would expect from a premature baby. At 6 pounds 4 ounces and 19 inches long he is the size of a full term baby but to me he just looks so tiny. I am so in love with my son already. I was worried during my pregnancy how I would be able to love my two children the same and have enough love to go around. I think with each birth your heart swells because I find myself overflowing with more love than I imagined for both of them.
Derek was amazing during labor and delivery. He was so supportive and really helped me to feel like I could get thru it and that taking the meds was ok. He has been so incredible with Ashton and during our struggles to breastfeed. Seeing him hold our son I love him in a way I never imagined before. It’s indescribable.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
But I don't wanna!
That's what I want to yell and scream right now. I feel like yelling out like a toddler and stomping my feet! I am facing bed rest again and if it's the best thing for our baby then I will do whatever it takes to keep him safe and "baking" as long as possible.
On Friday my blood pressure went up, WAY up and after resting it wasn't going down. I had just had a doctor appointment on Thursday and while my blood pressure was still up that day it wasn't dangerously high. The doctor ordered some blood work and a 24-hour urine collection. Oh joy! It's so much fun... I called the doctor's office Friday afternoon but my doctor was gone for the day so they had me call their other location and I spoke to the nurse for the doctor on call. She called the hospital and got the results from my HELLP panel, and thankfully those were normal. Her orders? Bed rest for the weekend. She also said to call the doctor if I started having swelling in my face, if my headache wouldn't go away or if I started having pain in the upper right hand side of my abdomen. I've had a headache all weekend but it comes and goes and occasionally Tylenol helps. Apparently with a blood pressure headache it won't go away... or so they say. I know that they need the 24-hour urine collection to run another test in order to determine pre-e and my blood pressure hasn't been up as high so I have yet to call the doctor back. I always feel bad bothering them, especially late at night or on the weekend. I know that' s silly because that's their job but I still feel bad. I have to take the pee in to the lab today, if they are open that is. Otherwise it has to wait until Monday.
We are so close to the due date but I really hope things calm down so we can get thru these next few weeks without any more issues and that we can make it to full term. Hopefully this week will bring some answers... until then it's a waiting game.
Here are a few pictures of the bump at 31 weeks. I feel like a whale these days and can't believe that I still have so much more growing to do!
On Friday my blood pressure went up, WAY up and after resting it wasn't going down. I had just had a doctor appointment on Thursday and while my blood pressure was still up that day it wasn't dangerously high. The doctor ordered some blood work and a 24-hour urine collection. Oh joy! It's so much fun... I called the doctor's office Friday afternoon but my doctor was gone for the day so they had me call their other location and I spoke to the nurse for the doctor on call. She called the hospital and got the results from my HELLP panel, and thankfully those were normal. Her orders? Bed rest for the weekend. She also said to call the doctor if I started having swelling in my face, if my headache wouldn't go away or if I started having pain in the upper right hand side of my abdomen. I've had a headache all weekend but it comes and goes and occasionally Tylenol helps. Apparently with a blood pressure headache it won't go away... or so they say. I know that they need the 24-hour urine collection to run another test in order to determine pre-e and my blood pressure hasn't been up as high so I have yet to call the doctor back. I always feel bad bothering them, especially late at night or on the weekend. I know that' s silly because that's their job but I still feel bad. I have to take the pee in to the lab today, if they are open that is. Otherwise it has to wait until Monday.
We are so close to the due date but I really hope things calm down so we can get thru these next few weeks without any more issues and that we can make it to full term. Hopefully this week will bring some answers... until then it's a waiting game.
Here are a few pictures of the bump at 31 weeks. I feel like a whale these days and can't believe that I still have so much more growing to do!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
30 Weeks!
Only 10 weeks to go. I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone by up to this point. Even with all the complications and issues it has been flying! I am hoping & praying the next 10 weeks go just as quickly or even quicker! I am so ready to meet this little person.
Yesterday we had another dr appointment. After waiting around for almost 45 minutes I found out my dr, who was already running behind, had been paged to the hospital for a delivery. I am not a huge fan of my dr so I was actually pretty happy that I was able to see someone else. The new dr was AMAZING! He was very attentive, brought up some issues he had seen just from looking at me & my file and was very proactive it seems. My blood pressure was up so I will be going back next week for another blood and urine check. Depending on what happens with those results we will go from there. My "official" due date is still May 12 but I am still measuring a week ahead, which has been consistent thru-out the pregnancy. They have changed my due date back and forth between the 12th and the 6th. I am sticking with the 6th since we will be induced that day if Baby Wach hasn't arrived by then on his own.
According to The Bump Baby Wach is about the size of a squash and weighs between 2.5 and 3.8 pounds. He is moving like crazy and kicking the heck out of my bladder. I am wondering if the baby is not head down just yet as I often feel kicks far on each side. I know we still have time for him to flip if he isn't. I just really am nervous about a c-section.
Here is this weeks bump picture. I am getting huge and I definitely feel it! Walking, turning over in bed.... really everything takes so much effort! I have been showing since early on and feel like I'm a lot bigger than normal so I'm worried about just how big I will be when the kiddo finally arrives!
Monday, February 15, 2010
I'm an ompaloompa!
Or at least I feel like one! Thankfully I'm now in my 3rd trimester & baby Wach is staying put... for now. I never thought the day would come when I started outgrowing my MATERNITY shirts but alas.... here is it! I think the fact that I'm carrying so far out front & all in my belly makes it harder to find shirts that are long enough & cover the bump entirely. Looks like it's time for momma to do some more shopping! Here is the bump a week ago... it feels like it has doubled in size since then! Thursday marks 29 weeks & just 10 weeks until our baby is definitely here since I will be induced at 39 weeks it baby Wachs hasn't already arrived!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Double Digits
Today marks 99 days until our due date! The time is flying by but I am so ready to meet my little man. Here is my 26 week picture. He likes to stick way out front and make me look much farther along than I truly am! 
Friday, January 22, 2010
Shame on me
What a crappy blogger I am! The past several weeks have been very eventful!
First off IT'S A BOY!!!! I couldn't be happier! Derek still doesn't "know". Or he says he doesn't. I'm pretty sure he suspects but won't admit to it. It's kind of fun having this little secret sometimes though.
I have had quite a few complications so I'll try to keep it brief. Right before Christmas I went to the dr because of some pain and pressure. Turns out I had started to dilate. Only between 1-2 right now so that's good. They also found some concerns with protein & glucose in my urine so I was put on modified bed rest. Shortly after Christmas I was still having issues and the headaches & vision issues had increased so I called the dr & it was on full bed rest until my appointment the following week. This meant I could only get up to use the bathroom and take a 5 minute shower. It was really rough. Thankfully Chloe was with my parents so that made it a lot easier. At my appointment the following week my urine still had protein but my blood pressure was still low and I hadn't dilated anymore. The dr took me off strict bed rest & back to modified. I was also sent for my HELLP test & a 24-hour urine collection. What a joy that was!
Dr. called the following week concerned because my liver enzymes were almost triple the normal level so back I went for another blood test. My urine test was just below what they would diagnose pre-eclampsia at so for now I just have to take it easy. My next HELLP test came back wtih normal levels for my liver so that is good news!
My blood pressure had been staying pretty consistent but this past weekend it skyrocketed. Another call to the dr and it looks like I will be doing to HELLP test & urine tests again. They are pretty sure I'm developing pre-e but nothing can be done to prevent it so for now I'm just taking it easy and praying that baby wach keeps baking as long as possible!
As of yesterday we are 25 weeks! The time has definitely been flying. It's amazing to think that our baby could be here in just 12 short weeks and be full-term. Our goal is to make it AT LEAST 35 weeks. The little man is kicking up a storm these days and using my ute as a punching & kicking bag. I'm convinced he will be a soccer player. Derek & Chloe have both felt the kicks and the awe was so amazing to see! I love it.
First off IT'S A BOY!!!! I couldn't be happier! Derek still doesn't "know". Or he says he doesn't. I'm pretty sure he suspects but won't admit to it. It's kind of fun having this little secret sometimes though.
I have had quite a few complications so I'll try to keep it brief. Right before Christmas I went to the dr because of some pain and pressure. Turns out I had started to dilate. Only between 1-2 right now so that's good. They also found some concerns with protein & glucose in my urine so I was put on modified bed rest. Shortly after Christmas I was still having issues and the headaches & vision issues had increased so I called the dr & it was on full bed rest until my appointment the following week. This meant I could only get up to use the bathroom and take a 5 minute shower. It was really rough. Thankfully Chloe was with my parents so that made it a lot easier. At my appointment the following week my urine still had protein but my blood pressure was still low and I hadn't dilated anymore. The dr took me off strict bed rest & back to modified. I was also sent for my HELLP test & a 24-hour urine collection. What a joy that was!
Dr. called the following week concerned because my liver enzymes were almost triple the normal level so back I went for another blood test. My urine test was just below what they would diagnose pre-eclampsia at so for now I just have to take it easy. My next HELLP test came back wtih normal levels for my liver so that is good news!
My blood pressure had been staying pretty consistent but this past weekend it skyrocketed. Another call to the dr and it looks like I will be doing to HELLP test & urine tests again. They are pretty sure I'm developing pre-e but nothing can be done to prevent it so for now I'm just taking it easy and praying that baby wach keeps baking as long as possible!
As of yesterday we are 25 weeks! The time has definitely been flying. It's amazing to think that our baby could be here in just 12 short weeks and be full-term. Our goal is to make it AT LEAST 35 weeks. The little man is kicking up a storm these days and using my ute as a punching & kicking bag. I'm convinced he will be a soccer player. Derek & Chloe have both felt the kicks and the awe was so amazing to see! I love it.
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