August 16, 2013

Today was our final appointment with the baby doctor before baby! I was not physically examed, as I have not had any more severe contractions or other tell-tale indicators of early labor. So we just went over the C-Section procedure and expected recovery. Hard to believe its just a few more days away!! I am excited to get this boy out of me and in my arms. I am still a little concerned about any potential adverse effects of my heart medication on his little body, as his heart rate is still a little on the low side as well. What a blessing it will be to know he is healthy and okay on Monday!

August 15, 2013

Today we went to go see my other cardiologist, Dr. Walsh. He was not excited about my weight gain and the pillars that have now become my legs. This can all be attributed to water retention, which is “beyond the normal retention expected for pregnancy”. He could also tell by looking at the veins in my neck, which were distended due to my heart being inadequate for pumping fluids properly throughout the body. My job for the next four days is to try as hard as possible for getting some fluids off, by taking a prescription water pill and wearing compression stockings (NOT easy to put on, and I am not a fan of taking any more prescriptions). But my skin is at its max for stretching, and I am barely able to walk on my feet anymore. It used to be in just the evenings, but now by noon I am gimping along, which also puts more pressure on my legs and lower back. I also need to weigh myself daily (yuck!) and if I continue to gain weight, we will need to up the Lasix prescription. Its difficult to know where any more fluid retention would go, and with a c-section I am likely to have a rapid influx following the procedure. Luckily, once the baby is out, Dr. Walsh says we can put a greater effort in quickly getting the water off. I look forward to lots of time on the toilet very soon! Other than this, the appointment went pretty well and quick.

Nursery Pictures!

August 9th, 2013

We had two more doctor appointments this week! One with my original cardiologist, Dr. Jones, and one to check up on baby. With Dr. Jones, we mostly just conversed briefly about my heart, and then we socialized. As always, he told us how surprised he was that he hasn’t seen us in the ER more often during this pregnancy, and we also talked about my dad passing away. He told me I can quit taking my beta blocker, if I am concerned that this is why the baby’s heartbeat is slowing down. He also mentioned the water pill is not too harmful for baby, which is good to hear. We talked about the future post-baby and all the testing that will ensue, and we talked again about whether or not more children will be in our future (he doesn’t seem to think it’s a good idea). We let him know the date of c-section/induction, and he put it on his calendar to be there.

Our visit to Dr. Williams started out with another ultrasound, where we found out he is in the 8 lb range, but measuring 3 weeks ahead (that would be nearly 41 weeks!). All the measurements for fluid, heartrate, blood pressure, etc. were great today! I had gained some weight because I am more puffy, and so we are watching closely for preeclampsia. When the doctor did my physical exam, we found out I am 3 cm dilated and 50% effaced, so that means he could even come early on his own! Her first order of business post ultrasound was to meet with a couple other doctors, where it was decided that we would forego an induction and plan a c-section for sure. This means they had to change my care plan, so that if I go into labor before the scheduled date, we will be all set up. Truthfully, I felt relieved by this news. I know a c-section is not in my best interest, because it could cause tachycardia and result in a cardioversion due to the massive changes in fluid levels post-delivery, but I know this will actually be better for the baby (I had fears of him getting stuck and/or injured by the forceps if I try to push). We went over the c-section procedure, as well as circumcision, and despite the change in plans, Dr. Williams seems to be optimistic about delivering the baby and potentially having another pregnancy down the road, though we will have to see how it all goes in the end. I am ready for this pregnancy to be over. This was a rough week, and I am feeling more run-down and disabled. Monday I was completely down, with blood pressure and circulation issues (now my hands and arms are starting to swell and get tingly) and Dr. Williams wondered if maybe I may have been going into arrhythmia. This makes me nervous, and even more anxious to get this baby safely out! Only one more week!

August 2, 2013

Today became a longer ordeal than was originally planned, as many dates within the last nine months have become. Since our appointment today was to be a simple checkup, Bryan decided to stay at work and I invited my mom to accompany me, so she could meet my doctor and become familiar with the clinic. Fortunately/Unfortunately, she got more of a tour than we both anticipated! Little Dylan thought he was being pretty smart today, and his heart rate dropped down to the low 100s, with a baseline being around 105-110. The nurse tried three different machines with no change. In addition to this, my blood pressure was slightly elevated (probably from the panic caused by the nursing staff and doctor)and swelling had increased. They took my blood and other samples, then sent me down the hall for an ultrasound right away. Luckily, the ultrasound showed an otherwise healthy baby, and he passed his tests for breathing, movement, reflexes, etc, with a score of 8/8.

Nevertheless, the doctor wanted to err on the side of caution, so after our appointment, she sent us back over to Labor and Delivery for two hours of fetal monitoring. This is when Dylan decided to wake up and perform stunts that we could watch on the outside and hear on the inside. I even found out I was having contractions, though I could not feel them. By the end of our two hour visit, his heart rate had spiked up as high as 150. He was the best baby of the day, as one nurse said. So, we got to go home with some pictures of him and the knowledge that everything is still going well. We also confirmed via ultrasound that he has a full head of hair, as we could see it floating in the pictures. J The slower heart rate, which was also beginning at the last visit, may be due to the beta blockers I am taking, or, it may just be the way it is. My heart rate has always been slow as well. However, I just worry that he will have cardiac issues like me, though right now everything is checking out okay.

We also talked again about delivery options, and now it is a toss up between trying to push through naturally (with the help of forceps) or by c-section. We even scheduled a c-section, as now it is looking more likely than 50/50. Either way, an induction or c-section will happen on August 19, which is just 17 days away. Eeeeek! We have two more appointments set up for the next two Fridays, and at least one more ultrasound. We are getting so close!

July 17, 2013

Dear Dylan,      

Ecclesiastes 3:
1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Your parents and family have entered upon a season, precious baby boy, where we all eagerly await your arrival. During this season, however, we have also experienced the heart-wrenching loss of one of the greatest men you could have ever known in your lifetime: your Grandpa. It was on this day, July 17, that he gave up his courageous battle against an illness that consumed his body for 18 years. He was so desperately trying to hang on to see you, though, baby Dylan, even if only for another month. He looked forward to having another grandson, and he asked about you daily, even in times when he struggled to understand anything else. He understood how important you are, and he loved you more than you will know. He would reach out from his bed just to touch you in my tummy. It hurts me so much to know that you will never feel the direct touch of his large but comforting hands. However, your dad and I still feel that he will see you and he will know you, and a part of his legacy will live on in you. You may never feel him, or hear his voice, but he will be watching you from Heaven, where he is finally at peace and still, living with the One who created you both.

If he could talk to you, he would tell you he loves you. He would probably tell you he was proud of you, and he would probably encourage you to do anything you wanted or be anything you wanted. He would give you lessons on the facts of life, and you would be at ease just being with him. He would lead you by example to a life of morals and integrity, and the understanding of hard-work and gratefulness for the life you have. Of course, you have your daddy, your mommy, your Nana, your Grandma, your other Grandpa, and a slew of aunts and uncles and cousins to teach you all these things as well. But we will never forget the man you never had the opportunity to meet, and we will tell you about him as often as we can.

We know God has a plan, and all things work together for his purpose, though sometimes its hard to understand. Thanks to the friends and family visits since his passing, I never knew so much about your Grandpa as I do now, even if all we have left are the memories. He truly was a remarkable man, and words can’t express the void he has left in all our hearts. And I hope that when you come, there will be a part of you that is just like him.

Never forget how special or how loved you are, Dylan. You come from a long line of family who will remind you of this, I am sure. And know that this includes the one Grandpa (Paco) who will be smiling down on you from Heaven.

Love, Mom.

July 15, 2013/ July 19, 2013

On Monday, we had a visit with my newer cardiologist's physician's assistant. Since everything cardiac was status quo, it was a very fast appointment. We went over the previous week's incident, and we discussed why donating blood is a bad idea for me.

On Friday, we had a visit with our normal perinatalogist for our standard two-week checkup. Prior to this, we had another ultrasound to check on the baby's size and estimated weight. He was a little sleepy, and his heart-rate at first was only 109, but jumped into the 120s later. It also turns out he is in the 90th percentile and estimated to be 7.1 pounds already, at 34.5 weeks! Finding this information out changed our plan of action a bit. She decided that we would keep a close eye on his size, and there is now a 50/50 chance of doing a C-section instead of attempting to deliver naturally. Before, we had discussed using forceps or a vacuum, but this would not be as effective on a larger baby. The induction is still planned for August 19, though we might go in earlier if he is estimated to be quite large at that time (they are estimated to grow about a half-pound a week for the remainder of time). I will start with an epidural and pushing, but we may change the plans if he is not in a cooperative spirit and the pushing does not go as well as planned. So, as with always, its a wait and see game. :-)

After finishing our appointment at the perinatalogist, we headed over (for the 2nd time in one week!) to Labor and Delivery to have an anesthesia consult, which is recommended practice for high risk pregnancies. She looked at my nasal and throat passages (which, it turns out, are small) and we talked about the general course of action for delivery. Of course, Bryan and I had no questions, as we generally just trust the doctor's judgments, but mostly we have no idea what we are doing, so it was also a very quick visit.