Happy Birthday Willis Joseph

On June 19, 2012, I went to Maple Grove for my twice weekly BPP ultrasound. Will was showing some signs of stress and wasn’t moving the way he should be and always had been. After 15 minutes of trying different things to help him respond the Dr. recommended I go to North Memorial Robinsdale to be monitored on the NST (Non-Stress Test) to make sure everything was ok.

I got to the hospital and was kindly greeted by many of the nurses that took care of me during my 7 week stay. I talked to Dr. Martinie and she recommended that I call Chris and tell him to come down in case we needed to go into emergency c-section or needed to induce labor right away. The first hour showed that Will was still under stress and he still was showing little sign of movement but he had a strong heartbeat. The second hour showed much improvement! Will was starting to move around and was looking pretty good on the monitor so they gave me the option of going home and coming back the following day for another ultrasound and to be hooked up to the NST again OR to go ahead with the induction as we originally had it scheduled for this date but because I wanted to go natural, I moved the induction date back. I thought about it, prayed about it and ask for input from Chris and my mom. After some time, I felt at peace with moving forward with the induction as originally planned.

At 2:00 pm, Dr. Martinie broke my bag of waters, I was dilated to 2 cm at that time. Within 15 minutes my contractions started. By 3:00 pm, my contractions were 2 minutes apart. At 4:00 pm, I opted for some IV medication to help with the pain. I had horrible back labor, the nurse warned me the medication would only last an hour but I could opt to have another dose at that time. The medication made me feel terrible and only lasted 30 minutes for me. So as the next hour was approaching, I decided if I hadn’t progressed much, I would need to do something else for the pain. I was checked again and was only at 3 cm, so I opted for the epidural. Ah, instant relief and so glad I got it! At 6:00 pm, I was dilated to 5 cm. At 7:00, I was at 7 cm and then I sat there... At 9:30, I was still at 7 cm because of the scarring my cervix has from the cerclage, Will was starting to show signs of stress, Will’s head was coning really bad, I started swelling terribly bad and the Dr. was concerned that I might not even be able to push Will out. The Dr. recommended that I have a c-section. I totally trusted in the Dr. and quickly agreed. So both Chris and I were prepped for the delivery room and I was taken away.

Will was welcomed into this world at 10:52 pm. The cord was wrapped around his neck twice but once they got him unwrapped and cleared out, he gave us a loud and beautiful cry! The Dr. held him up quickly for me to see and then they went to clean him up. 

 Chris trimmed the cord and brought him over for me to meet him. He was perfect in every way. It was love at first sight. Seeing Chris holding our son and the love I could see he had for our son already was very joyful.  

 When I was in the recovery room, Will was taken to the nursery where they cleaned him up a little better, weighed him and checked his glucose level. The nurse held Will up to the window so the grandparents could see him. We have a very healthy little boy!

Willis Joseph

Weight: 6 pounds 13 ounces

Length: 21”

Head circumference: 13”

Over the next few days, we enjoyed many visitors. Family, friends and nurses came to see Will – we have such a loved little boy. We were very busy, it seemed like when we didn’t have a personal visitor we had staff visitors checking in on us. Trying to learn what your newborn needs, how to nurse and having a major surgery really takes a lot out of a person. I was very happy to be able to leave on Saturday and start the next chapter of our lives! 

Thank you everyone for your love, support, prayers, gifts and everything you did for us while I was pregnant with Will. God’s grace shined through each of you and we are so thankful and fortunate to have you in our lives. We are truly blessed!

Week 38

Appointments: On 6.18.12, I went to see Dr. Kimberly and had Acupuncture to help my body naturally go into labor because I really would prefer that over being induced. After the appointment, I was having consistent contractions, all day and by the evening, they were 5 minutes apart. We decided to head to the hospital, when I got there, they monitored me and I was only dilated to 2 cm and the contractions weren’t strong enough to keep progressing at that time. We went on a 45 minute intense walk (at least it was for me) and there was no change so we were sent home. On 6.19.12 we had a BPP ultrasound and Will was showing some signs of stress and wasn’t moving the way he should be and always had been. The Dr. recommended I go to North Memorial Robinsdale to be monitored on the NST (Non-Stress Test) to make sure everything was ok and if not, I would be where we wanted to be for delivering Will. Continued in the next post.

Highlights: Chris and I tried to do as much together as possible before welcoming Will into the world so we went to a movie, went on nightly walks, we enjoyed Father’s Day with our Dad’s – we went to a pancake breakfast and then toured the Air & Car Show in Buffalo.

All about me: I am up a total of 29 pounds and 14“ on my tummy. I definitely feel and look bigger but the only change is that Will has dropped and I gained 2 additional pounds. I am having a harder time getting around and am ready to meet this little guy! 

 

Week 37

What’s Will up to? Will is considered FULL TERM and shouldn’t have any issues if he is born now. I am so thankful that we have made it to this time and place! And it’s by God’s grace that we are here. Will’s estimated weight is 6 pounds 3 ounces as of Tuesday – it will be interesting to see what his actual weight is when he is born next week!

Appointments: I had my cerclage removed on 6.8.12 at North Memorial, it was quick and easy and I was not dilated at all. On 6.12.12 we had a full growth ultrasound and everything looked good with Will, sounds like he’s a little peanut. I was dilated to 1 cm. On 6.15.12 we had a BPP ultrasound and an OB visit. Everything looks good with Will. I was dilated to 2cm and have some scarring which is why I am probably not dilating faster. We will be going to North Memorial on 6.22.12 for an induction if Will doesn’t arrive before then! I can’t believe it, in 1 week from today, we should be holding Will in our arms if not before!!

Highlights: Running around everywhere this week. It is so nice to be free to do so. My evening walks with Chris.

All about me: I am up a total of 27 pounds and 14“ on my tummy. This week, I really started to slow down. I am having a hard time breathing and sitting this week but otherwise I feel great.

Week 36

What’s Will up to? Baby's brain is continuing last week's growth spurt. This week his touch-sensing nerves start growing their myelin sheath--the envelope that surrounds the nerves and helps them transmit impulses. Though touch will be one of the most mature senses at birth, the insulation process isn't complete until he is about 12 months old and his sense of touch will actually continue developing through age six! Once he is born you will luxuriate in cuddling him, stroking his skin, and kissing his tiny face. A newborn needs and loves this kind of attention. Holding and cuddling him actually stimulates the production of growth hormone (in you and Baby) and helps her grow healthy and strong.

Appointments: On 6.6.12 we had had a routine BPP ultrasound – everything looks great! Today is a big day, I am off to have the second BPP ultrasound and then am off to North Memorial to have the cerclage removed. I will be held for a short time for observation. So far, it sounds like the Dr’s are thinking Will will be joining us within a week! I am so excited to meet this little man!

Bed Rest: 10 weeks at home on full bed rest, 7 weeks in the hospital on full bed rest and 3 week at home on partial bed rest. 20 weeks total survived and I am done!!!

Highlights: We had 2 baby showers this week. I will do a separate post for those. We are set for little man to come home!!

All about me: I am up a total of 25 pounds and 14“ on my tummy and I am feeling great! 

Maternity Photo Shoot

At 33 weeks we did a Maternity Photo Shoot with Q and You Photography which is owned by my friend Suzy. We had a lot of fun with the shoot and enjoyed capturing my pregnancy as well creating new memories.

Here are a few of my favorite shots. 

 

Week 35

What’s Will up to? According to babyzone, baby weighs more than five pounds this week. He's huge! You're huge! (But neither of you is quite there yet.) Although his lungs are not completely ready for life outside the womb, his kidneys have had lots of practice excreting urine; his liver is producing bile; his heartbeat is strong and regular. His brain, which weighs about two-thirds of what it will at birth, is growing furiously as he also (you guessed it) continues to put weight on the rest of his body.

Appointments: On 5.29.12 and 6.1.12 we had had a routine BPP ultrasounds – everything looks great!

Bed Rest: 10 weeks at home on full bed rest, 7 weeks in the hospital on full bed rest and 2 week at home on partial bed rest. 19 weeks total survived!! 1 more week of partial and then I can do what my body can handle which is probably not much more than I have already been doing. I will try to take small walks when Chris can be with me.

Highlights: Completing the nursery, well as complete as it will be before Will comes home. Went to a movie, we saw What to Expect When Expecting – it was pretty funny but the previews gave away most of the funny parts.

All about me: I am up a total of 24 pounds and 14“ on my tummy and I am feeling great!

Week 34

What’s Will up to? According to babyzone, baby's skin is smoothing out and he continues to plump up (sound familiar? he has a lot of plumping up to do!). By now all of his internal and external structures are functioning. Though he has six more weeks to bake, your baby is a whole person now who acts very similarly to a newborn. He hears well enough to react to loud noises outside the womb (notice any kicking when you turn up the music?); his brain developed enough that he can respond to the sound of your voice. His tastebuds distinguish flavors and his eyes, though still quite myopic, can differentiate between light and dark. If you could peer into the womb you might see him touching a hand to his face, gripping the umbilical cord, or touching one foot to the other leg.

Appointments: On 5.22.12 we had a growth scan for Will, his estimated weight was 4 pounds 14 ounces!! I also had a routine BPP u/s on 5.25.12 and saw the OB. The OB I saw today doesn’t think I will make it much longer after the stitch is removed on 6.8.12.

Bed Rest: 10 weeks at home on full bed rest, 7 weeks in the hospital on full bed rest and 1 week at home on partial bed rest. 18 weeks total survived!! Crazy to think, at this point I have been on bed rest for more than half of this pregnancy!

Highlights: Moving around and seeing friends and family outside of the house and hospital.

All about me: I am up a total of 22 pounds and 14“ on my tummy!  I am feeling great! Being on partial bed rest is definitely challenging. I am not use to any exercise and so doing anything is very strenuous on my body. I can tell I am starting to slow down in my walking and I am very exhausted. On the positive side, I am excited to get out of the house a little bit, to cook again, to wash dishes, to work on small things around the house. It feels wonderful.