Natalee Louise "Lou" was born at 6:36pm on March 2, 2009. She weighed 7lbs and 9oz and was 20 inches long.
It all began with bed rest at 33 weeks due to pre-term labor and high blood pressure. I was admitted to L&D and was contracting every 3 minutes. I was given terbutaline twice, but because my heart rate was so high the third shot could not be given. My OB opted to not place me on oral terbutaline due to my high heart rate (which I have when not pregnant anyways). At 36 weeks the contractions got worse and were monitored again with an NST. Since they were variable in intensity and I was still not dilated/effaced the OB wanted me to take it easy and see if the contractions subsided some. They did, but at the 37 week appointment (2/27/09) my blood pressure was high (156/112). I was admitted for observation and sent home after 4 hours. I was told if my blood pressure ran high over the weekend (diastolic between 92-100) I would need to come back to L&D. On Sunday, 3/1/09 we received about 8 inches of snow. I was running a fever of 100-101 and went to a local outpatient clinic to see if I needed medication. It was not the best day to decide I needed to go to the doctor. Indeed I had a sinus infection with fluid behind the ears, an almost occluded left nostril, and swollen glands. I was given a z-pack after the on-call OB approved it. My blood pressure was elevated yet again, so at that time I was told to head over to L&D. I was monitored and sent home again. However, I kept telling the nurses that the blood pressure cuff was too big and not accurate.
On Monday, 3/2/09, I saw my OB for follow-up. My blood pressure was 154/100. My OB was unhappy to hear that the cuff was too big and a manual blood pressure was not taken at the hospital, only an automated one with their machine. At that point she decided to go ahead and deliver via emergency c-section. She wanted to make sure I didn't need magnesium sulfate so she planned it for 5pm. I called my husband and then picked him up at work (he carpools). We went home for a few items not already packed in the car and headed to the hospital.
The c-section got a late start, but went well. I had minimal scar tissue from my previous one, which was good. Lou's shoulders were pretty well pinned in my pelvis so a vaginal birth would have been impossible. She was covered in vernix (white coating) so much that the doctor said she was our "snow baby". We were amazed to hear she weighed so much since only a few days prior she was estimated to weigh 6lbs 10 oz. I recovered without difficulty and was able to breast feed her with no problems (she is a great eater!).
Both me and Lou did so well we were able to leave the hospital a little under 48 hours after delivery *Wednesday at 1:30pm. Things are going well at home. My milk has come in which has been uncomfortable. She sleeps well and eats well. She is all girl though. She doesn't like to be dirty, have her clothes off, or wait for anything. Her cry is cute and dainty though.
We are so happy that she is a healthy girl. Big brother Landon is already a huge help!
