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Friday, May 8, 2009

Sweet Keira Dawn

How do I even start to explain how much your life changes when you bring a person into the world? How do you make words that express the new kind of love that can come from your heart seeing that new person and seeing those you love with her? I knew that my life would change when Keira was born, but I never really understood how much it would change. In honor of my first Mother's Day, I figured it was time to write her story. I love you sweet girl; more than you'll ever know.

I woke up Sunday morning around 1:45 am with some new pains. I had been having some pains at night for the last week or so, but not like these. I stayed in bed and began to time them to see if they were in any way consistent; they were about 3-4 minutes apart. Got up and walked around to see if they would go away; they didn't. Stuck it out for an hour and then woke up Stephen. He got out of bed and packed his bag (ha, last minute don't ya say!) and helped me get all my things together. Called the doctor and got the approval to go on into the hospital. Said good-bye to the dogs, who were a MESS I might add, and made it into Austin in record time. Boy had his I-pod out timing each contraction the whole way. Stopped by Whataburger before we went to the hospital so that we could get something to eat since it would be my last meal for a long time and most likely Boy's as well. Sat in the hospital parking lot for a little while and then made our way in around 4:00.

They took us back to an outpatient room to monitor me for awhile to see if we would be staying. In my mind I was wondering why monitor me? I'm so staying! Well I was wrong. We ended up being sent home by 7:00. I had not changed at all since we go there, I was still having contractions and they were not slowing down, but they weren't making any changes. So after some tears and two vicodin we were on our way home.

Once we got home, Boy got ready for work and I took a long shower and got ready for the Motif Baby Shower. Boy went in to work around 10:15 and I made my way up to the store, contractions still going, for the shower. We let everyone know our morning's events and enjoyed the party. Everything was pink and brown and the food was great! Actually it was my last meal! We got a lot of great stuff; her high chair, her activity seat, clothes, diapers, wipes, toys, the list goes on! We really were lucky to have so many great friends that have given us such great showers. I left the store around 12:45 and went home.

I tried to sleep, but couldn't. Every time I would doze off a contraction would wake me up. They were definitely getting stronger. I had a piece of paper next to me so that I could write down the start times of each one. Tried taking a bath to see if that would help me feel better, but it didn't. So I spent the rest of the day in my bathrobe walking around the house and keeping Boy updated at work. I was so afraid of going back to the hospital only to be sent home. Around 5:00 I called my doctor again and was told to go ahead and come in when I was ready. I waited for Boy to get home and then we loaded the car back up and made our way back to the hospital. This time we only took in my pillows.

Once we got there we were put in a real room with our fabulous nurse Janet, so that made me feel a little better but we were given the "let's see if you're a keeper" line. They checked me and I was still only 2 cm, which seems impossible from the pain I was in. Women who go through labor with no meds are crazy. They hooked me up to the monitors and watched me for an hour then rechecked me to find that I was still only 2 cm, but went to three when I had a contraction. So they decided to slowly admit me. YEAH!! Then the fun really began. They came in to give me my IV, which didn't go so well. I have very floaty veins since I don't drink much water (I know, I know) so there were several attempts... three in the right arm and one in the left. The left was the keeper. It's a good thing needles don't really bother me! Then Janet gave me a little IV cocktail to dull the contraction pain a little and help me rest. Boy brought our stuff upstairs and started to get some rest himself.

Around midnight Dr. Lockey came in to check me and I was 3 cm. She asked if I wanted to stick it out and see what happens or go ahead and break my water to get things started. I of course opted to get the show on the road and boy did it get things going! I just thought I was in pain before. There is no amount of breathing in the world that would make this easy! Again, women who go through this with no meds are crazy! I requested my epidural about 30 minutes later. Waited as patiently as I could for my IV fluids to get in my body and for the anesthesiologist to come in. Let's just say he was not nice. They had Boy leave the room for what was supposed to be 10 minutes, it wasn't. I got the whole speech of "don't pull away", "just breathe through the contractions", and "stick out your back". This coming from a man who has never A. had someone shove a needle into his spine, B. have contractions, and C. have a basketball in his ribs really frustrated me. He numbed me, which wasn't pleasant and then attempted three times to get the epidural in. When he finally did get it in the right spot, and shooting pain went up my back and into my arms. I freaked out and he quickly told me that the epidural had nothing to do with it. More on that later... But he was successful and in about 20 minutes my legs were numb and my Boy was brought back to me. I wish he could have been with me to help keep me calm. He doesn't handle needles in others well, but he did such a god job calming me down through everything else that it would have been nice to have him there. From 3 cm to 9 cm, we slept.

We got up around 6:00 and found out were were at 9 cm. We made our phone calls and got ready to meet Miss Keira. Boy got something to eat to hopefully help a possible weak stomach and we met our new nurse, Pat, who reminded me of my little Grandma. She was too cute! My sister got there right as we started pushing at 8:00. She peeked in so that I knew she was there if I needed her. While I was pushing the pain that I felt during my epidural fiasco came back, down my neck into my back and in my right arm. Thank God I had Stephen there. He was so encouraging and did so much more than I thought he could do. After and hour of pushing, Keira Dawn was here at 9:02 am on May 4th. She weighed a whopping 5 pounds 15 ounces and was 19 1/2 inches long.

We had a few minutes of just the three of us and then she met her family. My sister and Madelyn, my parents, Stephens Mom and Patrick and Stephens Dad. They sent her to the nursery to get her bath and get her Vitamin K shot and eye drops and test her blood sugar again. Since she was under six pounds they have to check her sugar levels. She would have to be over 50 to be good to go. First stick she was in the 30s so we gave her some formula. Her second stick was 46. Her third was 126! She would need to be checked to more times to make sure she stayed above 50. Then we were moved to our new room were we would live for the next two days. She got to spend some more time with her family and I finally got to eat! They gave me some pain meds for my back, shoulder and arm, but it really didn't help a whole lot. The pain did dull and I thought maybe it would be gone.

My sister and her family came up around 7:30 that evening so that Nathan and Aaron could meet Keira. Clay came up as well. She had already been stuck the fourth time, so she needed to be checked one last time. Her nurse came in to check her temp and her blood sugar and we had the biggest scare ever. While the nurse was checking her temp, she started to choke and wouldn't take a breath. She turned blue and wasn't breathing. The nurse did all the usual things to get her to cough and breathe and she finally did, but of course we were a wreck! I was bawling, Stephen scared and we rushed with her down to the nursery. There they gave her some oxygen and brought her temp back up to normal. They all said it was pretty common, but of course we have been scared of her choking ever since. We brought her back to the room after about an hour. That night we sent her to the nursery for part of the night so that we could rest and I could take something for the pain I was having in my back, neck, and arm.

The next morning I spoke with another anesthesiologist about the pain issues. She had me explain everything from the beginning and came up with what she thinks the problem is. She seems to think that I have an issue with my cervical spine that would have never shown up had I not had an epidural. She said that it may be something that goes away once the swelling in my body goes down and to keep taking the pain meds and anti-inflammatory pills. So I have been. The pain only comes and goes. It is nowhere near what it was in the hospital. If it does stick around for more than a month she said that I would need to see a neurologist. Here's hoping it just goes away!

Tuesday we enjoyed it just being the two of us at the hospital. Stephen came home that morning to let the dogs out and to give Miller his 8th Birthday presents. I feel terrible that I couldn't be here, but I was kinda busy! We spent the rest of the day napping and just enjoying Miss Keira. We were discharged from the hospital Wednesday morning at noon and were home by 12:45. Keira did great in the car; not a single whimper! She seems to really like being in the car. We spent Wednesday afternoon here at the house just the five of us. The dogs were very excited to see us and their new sister. Miller has been very protective and sweet to her and Peanut is working on it. She has gotten much better in the last couple days and will lick her on the head and arm. They are both going through a lot of changes just like us; I hope they adjust well. Keira really doesn't seem to mind them being around her.

Friday, she had her first Dr. Appointment with Dr. Lincoln. She is back up to her birth weight and measured 19 inches (cone head is now gone). Dr. Lincoln said that she looked great and for us to keep doing what we are doing. We go back on Wednesday for her next check.

So that's her story. Ever since we have been trying to adjust to no sleep and a crying baby. I promise that there will be pictures soon, lots and lots of them! Off to kiss my baby!!

1 comments:

The Lemleys said...

You forgot to mention her most fabulous golden hair! Since I'm her aunt and she has my hair, I think it should have been the most important desriptor! Love ya'll lots! I hope to make it down there this week!