Arrrrgh! Labor has stalled out for now and we're waiting a couple of more hours before deciding on the next step of the plan. There are several options on the list, including possibly sending us home and waiting to see what Ziggy does on his/her own.
I have never wished for pain before...but that's where we're at. Contractions looked good this morning, strong and growing in intensity, but this afternoon things have crawled to a very slow halt.
We'll keep you posted as we know anything.
Brigit
Monday, April 6, 2009
More Waiting
It's 7:15 am and we are at the hospital. Brigit is hooked up to two monitors. One measures contractions and the other measures Ziggy's heart rate. Ziggy continues to be active. Too active. Five times last night Ziggy set off the alarm by moving out of the range of the monitor. The nurse actually seemed irritated which does not bode well for us as parents of this active little one.
Brigit was given to doses of Citotec and her contractions increased and grew stronger but not strong enough. Unfortunately, they came often enough they had to suspend a dose. So, we're expecting the midwife in the next hour to come in and suggest Pitosin which we were hoping to avoid. Before that they'll take Brigit off the monitors and we'll be able to walk around and we'll probably walk stairs like we were doing at midnight.
Unsurprisingly, Brigit is a horrible patient. After watching the nurse set up monitors and such Brigit began changing settings, moving monitors, and monkeying with controls. She also searched the room looking for medical toys to play with.
I'll post more info when there's another break in the action, sports fans.
Joe
Brigit was given to doses of Citotec and her contractions increased and grew stronger but not strong enough. Unfortunately, they came often enough they had to suspend a dose. So, we're expecting the midwife in the next hour to come in and suggest Pitosin which we were hoping to avoid. Before that they'll take Brigit off the monitors and we'll be able to walk around and we'll probably walk stairs like we were doing at midnight.
Unsurprisingly, Brigit is a horrible patient. After watching the nurse set up monitors and such Brigit began changing settings, moving monitors, and monkeying with controls. She also searched the room looking for medical toys to play with.
I'll post more info when there's another break in the action, sports fans.
Joe
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Down to the wire
We just went to Chipotle as a last ditch effort.
No contractions but now we both feel pregnant.
Actually, her back feels tight which is a promising sign.
(incidentally - B has tried pineapple to those who made that suggestion but she says she'll eat more on the way to the hospital)
Joe
No contractions but now we both feel pregnant.
Actually, her back feels tight which is a promising sign.
(incidentally - B has tried pineapple to those who made that suggestion but she says she'll eat more on the way to the hospital)
Joe
Hitting the wall
It's Sunday, approximately 3:00 and still no sign Ziggy is ready to meet the world.
Brigit has tried a number of activities rumored to induce contractions to no avail. Some of these are:
Drinking Raspberry Tea
Scrubbing Floors on all fours
Laundry (for the constant bending over)
Walking
Climbing Stairs
Spicy food
Poking and prodding the increasingly large rump causing her belly to look misshaped
Wii (mostly tennis and bowling)
Brigit was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia a few months back. Normally her blood pressure is on the low side. Other than one appointment with very high blood pressure (and probably exacerbated by her starting a new job, moving, having a grandfather die, and other factors all in the same week)it's been okay but it's steadily increased as Ziggy has grown. So, the inducing is meant to avoid having a possible medical emergency by using some routine medical intervention. Brigit had a much more natural birth plan including a water birth but we're trying to make sure she stays safe through this.
So, if nothing happens in the next couple of hours we will be checking in to the hospital tonight where Brigit is going to be induced per the suggestion of the midwife. Ziggy measured in at eight pounds and ten ounces last Tuesday with a big head (both the ultrasound technician and midwife looked at my head after looking at the cranial circumference measurement) and it's week 39 so Ziggy should be more than ready.
They will start Cytotec through the night to 'ripen' the cervix which sometimes leads to contractions. If it does not then she will get Pitocin to start contractions.
But, we're not giving up yet. We're going for a walk followed by Mexican for dinner. We'll keep you updated via the blog.
Think happy labor thoughts!
Joe
Brigit has tried a number of activities rumored to induce contractions to no avail. Some of these are:
Drinking Raspberry Tea
Scrubbing Floors on all fours
Laundry (for the constant bending over)
Walking
Climbing Stairs
Spicy food
Poking and prodding the increasingly large rump causing her belly to look misshaped
Wii (mostly tennis and bowling)
Brigit was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia a few months back. Normally her blood pressure is on the low side. Other than one appointment with very high blood pressure (and probably exacerbated by her starting a new job, moving, having a grandfather die, and other factors all in the same week)it's been okay but it's steadily increased as Ziggy has grown. So, the inducing is meant to avoid having a possible medical emergency by using some routine medical intervention. Brigit had a much more natural birth plan including a water birth but we're trying to make sure she stays safe through this.
So, if nothing happens in the next couple of hours we will be checking in to the hospital tonight where Brigit is going to be induced per the suggestion of the midwife. Ziggy measured in at eight pounds and ten ounces last Tuesday with a big head (both the ultrasound technician and midwife looked at my head after looking at the cranial circumference measurement) and it's week 39 so Ziggy should be more than ready.
They will start Cytotec through the night to 'ripen' the cervix which sometimes leads to contractions. If it does not then she will get Pitocin to start contractions.
But, we're not giving up yet. We're going for a walk followed by Mexican for dinner. We'll keep you updated via the blog.
Think happy labor thoughts!
Joe
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Racing to the Finish Line
Unbeknownst to Brigit, she was nearly woken from a nap by Henderson police on Monday.
I was driving back from Annandale (where my office is) and, as usual, called to tell her I was on my way. She did not answer and I left her a voice mail asking her to return my call when she got my message.
Brigit is rarely without her phone and prompt about calling me back when she sees I’ve called so I became mildly agitated when I did not hear back from her within ten minutes. After twenty minutes I was pretty concerned. After half an hour I was worried.
The drive from Annandale to Henderson typically takes between 70 and 80 minutes and consists of 60.7 miles of mostly county roads which are posted at 55 mph.
So, here’s a math problem for you: A 2005 Ford F150 leaves point A traveling at 55 mph. After traveling 30 minutes the speed has steadily increased to 70 mph and why the hell is EVERY BUICK DRIVING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT AND WHY ISN’T SHE ANSWERING THE DAMN PHONE?!?!
By Hamburg(19.75 miles from home) I had already called our friends the Radfords in New Prague (20 minutes from Henderson) to see if they were actively driving Brigit to a hospital. I’d tried to remember ANYONE’S last name in our new community, considered calling the police, fire department, and ambulance. I was slowing to 80 mph in the long curves between corn fields, reviewing what I remembered of CPR from summer swimming lessons, and calling Brigit continually.
Brigit answered the phone and immediately apologized after I’d passed Green Isle (14.75 miles from Henderson). She was asleep on the couch with her phone upstairs. I requested that she please, please keep her phone nearby until the baby arrives which she promised to do. I slowed to 55 mph which seemed like a crawl.
We both went to Brigit’s midwife appointment today. The ultrasound tech estimated Ziggy’s weight at 8 pounds 10 ounces and, unfortunately for Brigit, appears to take after dad who has a hard time finding hats big enough to fit.
The midwife is having us back on Friday and may want to discuss inducing. But, Brigit did have some contractions this morning (though not regular or sustained) so we are hoping Ziggy is nearly ready to make a grand entrance. We will keep you updated.
And Brigit will have her phone at hand.
Ciao.
Joe & Brigit
I was driving back from Annandale (where my office is) and, as usual, called to tell her I was on my way. She did not answer and I left her a voice mail asking her to return my call when she got my message.
Brigit is rarely without her phone and prompt about calling me back when she sees I’ve called so I became mildly agitated when I did not hear back from her within ten minutes. After twenty minutes I was pretty concerned. After half an hour I was worried.
The drive from Annandale to Henderson typically takes between 70 and 80 minutes and consists of 60.7 miles of mostly county roads which are posted at 55 mph.
So, here’s a math problem for you: A 2005 Ford F150 leaves point A traveling at 55 mph. After traveling 30 minutes the speed has steadily increased to 70 mph and why the hell is EVERY BUICK DRIVING BELOW THE SPEED LIMIT AND WHY ISN’T SHE ANSWERING THE DAMN PHONE?!?!
By Hamburg(19.75 miles from home) I had already called our friends the Radfords in New Prague (20 minutes from Henderson) to see if they were actively driving Brigit to a hospital. I’d tried to remember ANYONE’S last name in our new community, considered calling the police, fire department, and ambulance. I was slowing to 80 mph in the long curves between corn fields, reviewing what I remembered of CPR from summer swimming lessons, and calling Brigit continually.
Brigit answered the phone and immediately apologized after I’d passed Green Isle (14.75 miles from Henderson). She was asleep on the couch with her phone upstairs. I requested that she please, please keep her phone nearby until the baby arrives which she promised to do. I slowed to 55 mph which seemed like a crawl.
We both went to Brigit’s midwife appointment today. The ultrasound tech estimated Ziggy’s weight at 8 pounds 10 ounces and, unfortunately for Brigit, appears to take after dad who has a hard time finding hats big enough to fit.
The midwife is having us back on Friday and may want to discuss inducing. But, Brigit did have some contractions this morning (though not regular or sustained) so we are hoping Ziggy is nearly ready to make a grand entrance. We will keep you updated.
And Brigit will have her phone at hand.
Ciao.
Joe & Brigit
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Counting down!
We're on the home stretch! I'm 37weeks/4days, 30% effaced, and not dilated quite yet, but working on it.
I had another midwife appointment today with an ultrasound and watched Ziggy roll and stretch and nap (we had to push him/her around a bit to wake him/her so we could measure the right movements). And of course, 10 minutes later as I waited to see the midwife Ziggy was dancing all over the place. Just another sign that this child has a mind of its own!
Plans are all in place at work for both Joe and I, the hospital bag is all packed and in the car, the dogsitter is lined up, the nursery is set and waiting with clean sheets and stocked changing table, and I am sufficiently uncomfortable and ready to face this thing called labor.
I think it's a cruel joke that the last month and a half I've already been so sleep-deprived. I think I make it to about 1.5/2 hours of sleep and then I have to pee and something hurts, usually my back or hips. And changing positions requires 14 sets of muscles from the outer lying body parts to leverage, lift, shift and turn!
I laugh at myself when I think, "Gee, I can't wait to be able to sleep again..." When will that be? 2 years from now? This is truly going to be an adventure.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Joe just has a few more days of tradeshows, but of course they are in places like Superior, WI. I hope his patience and his heart hold out (it starts pounding everytime his cell phone rings)!
Hoping for another post, with Ziggy's arrival pics, soon!
I had another midwife appointment today with an ultrasound and watched Ziggy roll and stretch and nap (we had to push him/her around a bit to wake him/her so we could measure the right movements). And of course, 10 minutes later as I waited to see the midwife Ziggy was dancing all over the place. Just another sign that this child has a mind of its own!
Plans are all in place at work for both Joe and I, the hospital bag is all packed and in the car, the dogsitter is lined up, the nursery is set and waiting with clean sheets and stocked changing table, and I am sufficiently uncomfortable and ready to face this thing called labor.
I think it's a cruel joke that the last month and a half I've already been so sleep-deprived. I think I make it to about 1.5/2 hours of sleep and then I have to pee and something hurts, usually my back or hips. And changing positions requires 14 sets of muscles from the outer lying body parts to leverage, lift, shift and turn!
I laugh at myself when I think, "Gee, I can't wait to be able to sleep again..." When will that be? 2 years from now? This is truly going to be an adventure.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Joe just has a few more days of tradeshows, but of course they are in places like Superior, WI. I hope his patience and his heart hold out (it starts pounding everytime his cell phone rings)!
Hoping for another post, with Ziggy's arrival pics, soon!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Bye bye toes...see ya in the spring
(5 weeks, 15 weeks, 25 weeks, 34 weeks!)
I can no longer see my toes unless I really go looking for them. It is truly amazing how the body can adapt and change and grow. Each time I feel like I'm totally stuffed and stretched to the max, Ziggy has another growing and stretching spurt and I have one less outfit in my closet that fits me!
I truly and honestly cannot even begin to count how many times I've worn my Minnesota sweatshirt and black track pants. And I've got six weeks to go...I hope they make it.
We've moved into our new home, the parsonage at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Henderson, MN. I had my first Sunday of preaching and leading worship this past week. Joe commented when we got home that it's a good thing those preaching robes are big and roomy...and that's where the sentence ended. It's a good thing I love him!
Ziggy's been very active every day and puts on a show for daddy too. We can watch now, not just feel, as Ziggy rolls around from side to side and does her/his daily stretching routines. I think I will miss those times once s/he's on the outside. It's kind of creepy and weird, sometimes feels like I might spontaneously pee myself or throw up, but at the same time it is awfully cool.
At only 6 weeks left to go, we've begun to count down a bit. Showers are coming up, shopping still needs to be finished for the nursery, and the suitcase isn't quite packed yet for the hospital...but soon. It's very very exciting!
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