She's Here...

Eden Elizabeth Uglum

December 14, 2011

10:30 AM

5lbs. 15.5oz.

~19.5" long

I am as shocked as anybody!!  She's 3 weeks early!!

Me at 37 weeks!!  The day before she was born!!

Yesterday we came to Iowa City for our initial consultation. At first, when we got there, I was examined by a resident.  She said I was about 1-2cm dilated and my belly was only measuring at 35 weeks (she thought that was strange being that just days before I measured at 37 weeks).  She also told us right off the bat that she would not schedule me a c-section before 39 weeks.  I was really upset about this because I knew the risk of me going into labor before that (Adah was born at 38.5 weeks) and I also knew my history of delivering quickly (Keziah was born 3.5 hours after my first contraction).  With the weather unpredictable too, we were feeling really frustrated.  I was told that if I went into labor that my hometown doctor would have to do a c-section and then the baby would be airlifted to Iowa City and I would catch up to her later.  I really didn't like this idea of us being in separate places so this resident was not my favorite person!  After the resident discussed this with a doctor, the doctor came in and basically said the opposite of what the resident was saying.  Knowing all that about my labor history and with the weather unpredictable this time of year, she said we would probably be scheduling the c-section soon.  I was relieved!  After that apt. and after talking with a couple other areas (genetics, etc.) we went in for our ultrasound.  They right away measured the fluid and said both ventricles were just above 32mm.  We didn't know if we should be happy that the one ventricle hadn't grown much or if we should be sad that the other ventricle had grown a lot!  The sonographer told us not to think about the numbers and that it could just be a difference in the way they were measured.  The sonographer left the room and told us the doctors would be in shortly to look themselves and to talk to us.  I was able to take a nap it took so long.  I think it ended up being close to 40 minutes.  Finally a group of 5 or 6 people came in and one of the doctors was the doctor that Emily (my sister) loved so much when she delivered Bennett in Iowa City. I knew her right away and felt such a relief to know she was going to be a part of the decision making process.  She took over the ultrasound wand and started looking all over.  She first of all told us we were definitely going to be delivering naturally and that her head was the size of a normal baby her age.  I started clapping like a little girl!  Then she showed me how squished the baby's face was...She said this was not good and that the amniotic fluid was below the lowest that they like to see (hence the reason I was measuring at 35 weeks).  They asked me if I thought I had been leaking fluid and I said I wasn't sure but didn't think so.  Then she proceeded to ask if we wanted to have a baby today!  We were shocked.  The night before this appointment I was packing my hospital bag to bring with me and I could just tell Brian was laughing inside because he thought I was ridiculous.  I was the one laughing now because I could relax and know I had what I needed!  They told us to go get my bag and head to labor and delivery when we were ready.  We didn't rush to labor and delivery because we were really just trying to process everything.  Brian seemed a little hesitant.  I had to remind him that just because they stated it as a question, it wasn't like we really had a choice with the amnio fluid so low!  Sooo off we went!

We got checked into our room around 5:15.  Around 5:30pm a nurse came in and started me on an IV of pitocin.  They didn't up it very quickly and I feel like that made it take longer.  My cervix didn't progress for a long time.  I got my epidural (yes, I gave in...Brian really wanted me to have one this time) around 1:30AM because they wanted to break my water and they claimed that if they did that that things were going to start going really fast.  They were wrong!!  Around 5:45 they checked me and I was only at 3cm...not good.  The whole night is a blur, but I will never forget how I felt that night.  I was so alone.  I cried.  A LOT!  I couldn't sleep.  Brian could.  He even managed to snore.  I kept yelling his name in between snores but he wasn't hearing me.  I thought about throwing my pillow at him but then again, I didn't want that to fail too and then be without a pillow!  I was scared and frustrated that in the end she could end up being delivered by c-section.  I rarely saw a doctor.  Everyone was a stranger to me.  I was freaking out about the days following her birth.  And yet had nobody to talk to.  Periodically I would manage to wake Brian up to ask for a hug!  He would oblige and then go back to sleep.  One thing I did that comforted me was I prayed.  I would lay there with my eyes closed and try to fall asleep and I would just talk to God.  I won't lie, I never felt full peace amongst my anxious mind, but I kept feeling like everything was going to be ok.  I didn't feel so alone.  About every half hour the nurse would come in to 'up' my pitocin but they rarely had much to say.  One nurse was comfortable with upping it 2 points at a time, another would only do one.  It seemed like it was taking forever!  Through it all the baby was doing so great so they said we'd just keep going with it!  Around 8 AM this morning I was in a lot of pain and feeling so upset that I hadn't been examined in a while.  The nurse came in and I was certain the position I was in was putting a crick in my back.  I was sitting up with my legs buddha style and the nurse thought it might help if I lay down.  Well, I knew that sitting up was better to help get the baby out then laying down so I declined.  Finally I realized it was actually contractions and that my epidural had wore off on my left side.  I quickly remembered what it felt like to not have an epidural!  Around 9:30 the anesthesiologist came in to put in a bodice to try and get it working on the left side again.  He finished, walked out and I right away said, "I think I am actually ready to push".  The doctor came in and checked me and said I was fully dilated.  I gave a couple pushes while the docs and nurses got everything ready and then they told me to stop.  The epidural still wasn't working.  It was time to push again and after a long hard push I stopped to gain my strength.  All the sudden I opened my eyes and said, "Oh, the epidural just started working!"  I gave a couple more pushes...and voila!  Eden Elizabeth was born!  I got to hold her right away!  She was breathing on her own, pink like she should be and screaming like a baby!  She is perfect!  God has blessed us once again!

36 weeks prego and a check up!!

Yesterday I was 36 weeks pregnant.  I am feeling really good except for sleeping at night.  I am taking extra strength tylenol before bed and in the middle of the night to try to battle the pain.  My hips throb with pain and rolling over is the death of me.  It's temporary, I hope!  I'm sure when the baby is out I will be back to myself again!

We went to Mason City today for a check up with Dr. Hwang.  My belly measured at 37 weeks.  The baby's heart rate was in it's normal range of 140/150.  The fluid in the ventricles has increased quite a bit.  In the right ventricle there is 32mm of fluid, in the left one there is 20mm.  Dr. Hwang definitely feels like we need to have a c-section based on this information because he thinks her head is too big to deliver naturally.  He also feels like if we did try to deliver naturally the birth canal would put too much pressure on her already increased pressure brain.  I don't want to do more harm to her than what's already done so I agreed that would be best.  I am so upset with this delivery plan, but God knows what is best and is working it out according to his will.  So based on this we have to be seen in Iowa City.  This can't be done in New Hampton because the baby will need to be seen immediately by a neurosurgeon to determine if a shunt is needed (Dr. Hwang thinks this will definitely need to be done with the amount of fluid she has).  We were sent home to wait on a call for an appointment in Iowa City.  We will start with a baseline appointment where they do an exam and ultrasound to start their own file and we will also set up the date of the c-section.  I feel really anxious about this because Adah was 1.5 weeks early and Keziah was born in no time flat so for us to have 2.5 hours to drive to the hospital if I were to go into labor before the scheduled c-section makes me feel nervous.  I am praying they will get our appointment in Iowa City in a timely manor and then also that our c-section will be scheduled in a timely manor too.  God is in control, right?  I have to remind myself of that!!

Tomorrow I see Dr. Shea for my 36 week check (she was sick on Tuesday and rescheduled me to Thursday) and discuss with her what I am supposed to do if I go into labor before I even get to Iowa City!

UPDATE:  They called this afternoon and we have an appointment scheduled in Iowa City next Tuesday (Dec. 13th).  I am thrilled.  We don't have to wait too long then!!

34 weeks Pregnant!

Getting closer by the day!  I am so excited to meet our little one!  The girls are going to be so much fun to have around her.  I just love watching them with their dolls!  Even Kezzie has started to treat Adah like a little baby again...I think she is getting herself all practiced up!!  I had my doctor apt. today and everything is still going fine with the baby.  I have a lot of complaints as my body is getting weaker and the muscles are spreading out though.  I have been taking extra strength tylenol every night to help me sleep but some nights that isn't cutting it anymore.  I really don't have many complaints for during the day so I am thankful for that!  The baby's heart beat was running about the same as usual.  My uterus was measuring right on at 34 weeks so that is good.  And I am happy to say that I have only gained a couple pounds this last two weeks!  Yay for that!!  I see the doctor in another two weeks and then we start going every week.  Only two weeks (Dec. 7) until we see our specialist again!  I am so very excited!

32 Weeks Pregnant!

We are getting closer!  I feel like I am physically ready already but I know the baby isn't so I am glad there is still time for her.  I had my check up today and her heart rate was where it usually is: between 150 and 160.  She was kicking every time the doctor would move the wand!  Kezzie really wanted to hear the heart beat for longer so while the doctor measured my belly, Kezzie got to hold the heart beat machine all by herself!  She thought that was pretty cool!  Everything looks great.  My uterus is measuring at 33 weeks but that's still normal.  I was shocked when the doctor asked me if I wanted to see the baby on ultrasound.  I said yes of course and she took us into a different room.  I finally got to see a profile view of the baby (they haven't ever been able to get one before).  She is so cute.  She has distinct cheek-bones like Kezzie and sweet little ears.  She looked scrunched in there too as her knees were right up there by her chin!  We didn't get any printouts because she couldn't get it to hold a still image.  I was just glad to see her again.  I did ask the doctor jokingly if she knew anything about ventricles.  She said she didn't confidently know anything and scrolled over the top of the head.  I, of course, had no idea how to tell if the ventricles looked bigger or not, but I was certainly curious.  I guess we will just have to wait another month to find out!  God is in control, right?  I continue to go every two weeks and since my women doctor started back to work yesterday, I get to see her for the rest of my regular appointments!  Yipee!  Here are some pictures for now...

Amniocentisis Results!

All good news!!  The tests were all normal.  It's nothing viral and nothing genetic.  God is so good!  The lady who called did want me to be aware that there is still such a wide spectrum of things that can be wrong because of this fluid in the brain.  She wanted me to rejoice, but also wanted me to be cautious.  I am thankful for that call today.  It came almost a week early!  Praise God for that in itself!  Keep praying, please!

28 Weeks Prego!

I had my 28 week check up today.  It's pretty uneventful when you compare it to the visits I have had lately!  Doc measured my uterus and it was measuring just a little over 28 weeks.  So that means my uterus slowed down a bit as I had grown a lot the last time I was in to see the doctor.  Here is the post about that if you missed it.  I didn't gain any weight either.  The baby's heart rate was where it usually is around 150/160.  I talked to the doctor about my hands being swollen in the morning when I get up.  She said that was from my wrists being bent all night.  It's really been a problem for me in the mornings!  I wake up and my hands feel like they are going to explode!  I guess I will try to keep my wrists straight more!  I also talked to her about the symptoms of RLS (restless leg syndrome).  I guess this is pretty common in pregnancy.  It sounds like I may be dealing with this some.  I always feel like there is something crawling on my legs!  I feel like I am constantly swiping at them to get something off.  Doc said it will go away after pregnancy!  Phew! 
My two women doctors that I see, one is on maternity leave and the other is about to go on maternity leave.  I start to see the doctor every two weeks now so time should really start flying!!  However, because of this I had to schedule my next apt. with a male doctor whom I have never met. I should only have to see him once and then the one women doctor who is on maternity leave will be back!  I definitely prefer a women!!  I'm sure if I have to deliver somewhere other than here with my regular doctors, I am going to have to get over this!  We will see! 
I never do a full body shot or ones from the front so I thought I would try to get that this month too.  Keziah did a really good job taking that middle picture of me.  Although it is at an angle, I kind of like it like that!!

It's been a week now since my Mason City apt., but I just want to make note of what it was like the days following my amnio.  I just never would have imagined such after effects.  They told me to take it easy for 24 hours after I had that done, but it was more like 48 hours before I even began to feel like doing anything.  All I can figure out is that the whole time I was laying on the table for both my ultrasounds (one with the tech and one with the doc.) and then again for the amnio, I must have been incredibly tense the whole time.  I tried to conciously relax my body but the way I felt over the next 48 hours was terrible.  I was incredibly crampy and my lower abdomin muscles were super weak all the way around to my lower back.  My legs were even sore.  And my neck was sore from being turned to see the monitor.  I get that my lower abs would be a little sore from the amnio, but I never imagined it would be that bad.  I couldn't do anything.  I felt like I had a horrible flu.  I especially felt like I couldn't do anything with my lower ab muscles.  I felt like I had a c-section...OK enough complaining...did I mention how thankful I was to have my husband by my side?!!  I love that man!  God blessed me when he gave me him!

Mason City Apt.

Well we were called last Friday with our apt. date of Oct. 5th at noon.  That was the next time Dr. Hwang was going to be in Mason City.  I am so thankful we only had a week to wait.  What a LONG ride there...I don't know if Brian and I said a word the whole way there.  We were very scared at what the apt. would hold and tell.  We got called back almost right away when we got there.  We had to go back downstairs into an overflow ultrasound room because they had basically just fit us in.  I was worried this could take a while but I didn't care...I just wanted answers.  The ultrasound tech got right to it.  She did everything the lady in New Hampton did but she just focused more on some of the areas of concern.  She really looked the brain over, of course and the heart, kidneys, backbone and bridge of nose.  She didn't say much the whole time to reassure us.  She at one point finally said all those things looked very good except the brain.  I was happy to hear she could see the whole spine this time.  The brain appeared to be of the same size as the week before.  I was sad to hear it hadn't completely resolved itself!!  Wishful thinking, I know!  We were told to wait there and she would get the doctor.  We knew he was going to come in and do his own evaluating also.  She spent probably an hour and he spent probably another half hour looking at the baby and talking to us.  He kept asking me if I have had some kind of infection. No-I have not.  He also asked about our family history.  I mentioned my sister that has her two youngest kids with dwarfism.  He didn't think there was a connection there.  He felt that an amniocentesis would better help him rule some things out.  I was really hesitant and asked if it would really make a difference anyway.  I told myself I wasn't going to do this if they wanted even before getting to the apt.  I had resolved myself for knowing it wasn't going to change the diagnosis whether we knew it or not but Dr Hwang really insisted and talked to us about how helpful it would be for him now for the rest of the pregnancy and any doctors that would be there delivering  her (YES, THEY CONFIRMED 100% SURE IT'S A GIRL).  I was super scared.  I am so thankful for Brian.  He held my hand through the whole thing and stroked my hair.  I bawled.  It was really uncomfortable but mostly I was just worried about the baby and if I took a wrong breath or if I made her move too fast.  The whole time they are doing it they have the ultrasound machine on and are watching her, but it didn't make me feel any better.  It was just too much to be honest.  I was incredibly tense for the few minutes it took.  When the needle was out they watched on ultrasound to see if it would seal up again.  It had a few bubbles and then it was fine.  She watched the baby for a bit and said she looked good too.  I was instructed to take it easy for a couple days and that was it.  We had the whole ride home to sit in silence.  I was very crampy and weak.  Brian held my hand the whole way home and at some point we just cried together.  It was really comforting to have him.  I am so thankful for him!  He even stayed with me that afternoon instead of going back to work.  The girls were sleeping when we got home (thank-you grandma Kathy for watching the girls) so I laid down too.  Dr. Hwang sent it out for a few tests.  He said he was testing for a couple different viruses.  He said if the baby has some kind of viral infection then it would be really really bad.  That she would have severe brain damage.  This is why he was checking and double checking if I have had any kind of infection.  He said as an adult we can fight off viruses really easily, but as a fetus it is very deadly because their bodies aren't capable of that yet.  He also sent out the fluid for a genetic test, to test for things like down syndrome, etc.  If there were 23 chromosomes from each of us (Brian and I) then it wouldn't be anything genetic.  The tests are supposed to come back in 10-14 days.  I don't know how we will get through it!!  God is good... and for now, I am resting in that!  Dr. Hwang did say that if these tests come back normal then he thinks it is Agenesis of Corpus Callosum (part of the brain is missing).  It just means that the fluid could be shifting the brain around so it develops in the wrong way, or that part of the brain isn't developing.  He said even if these tests come back normal there is still a wide range of things that could come of it.  From the least being not even being able to notice there was ever a problem with her brain, all the way to severe developmental delay,etc.  He also gave us some hope in saying that there have been autopsies done on people who died later in life and found their brains to be enlarged like this and you would have never known it about that person.  He said this isn't likely and actually even told Brian that 'this will not resolve itself.  It can get worse, but it won't get better this late in pregnancy.'  But I know that with God, all things are possible and I am going to pray for the best!!  We go back to see Dr. Hwang on Dec. 7th at 10:30.  Until then I just keep seeing my doctor here in New Hampton for all my regular visits.

Bad News...

My doctor called me this morning with some news about our ultrasound.  I was so engrossed in getting the ultrasound so that the baby could have that full evaluation, that I never thought or worried about anything actually being wrong.  It turns out that the baby has some extra fluid in the ventricles of the brain.  She called it Intercranial Ventriclomagley.  She told me not to worry and that she thought maybe the ultrasound tech was just distracted or mismeasured the fluid.  We all know from my post about our ultrasound that she was definitely distracted so I dismissed her call and tried not to worry.  After talking to Brian about it and not getting enough information for his liking, I called her back.  I had a lot more questions after Brian and I read up on some stuff online.  I asked her what the size of the fluid was and she told me 16mm.  I actually wrote down the name of it too since I didn't in our previous conversation,  along with the specialist she wanted me to see and what kind of specialist he was.  His name is Dr. Hwang and he comes from Des Moines twice a month to Mason City to see patients.  He is a Perinatologist.  According to everything I have read online there really isn't any way the tech 'mismeasured'.  16 mm is A LOT more then the normal range of 2-5mm.  There aren't enough distractions in the world to measure that much off if you ask me!  The doctor also mentioned to me that the didn't like that they couldn't see the lower lumbar spine (as I mentioned in my post about our ultrasound).  She threw the words spina bifida out there but quickly took it back as she said there are MANY possibilities that can come from this.  For now we wait to hear back about an apt. with the specialist.  They will call and tell us when to be in Mason City.  I am scared, but I know God has a plan.  We are going to love this little baby no matter what, I just worry about how she is feeling and what her life will be like.  God knows though and already has her life planned out, we just have to trust.  He loves her way more than I could ever understand.  A friend of mine sent me this verse that she just happened to read in her devotions this morning:  When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. . . This I know, that God is for me" (Psalm 56:3-4, 9b).  We have such a tremendous amount of support from our family and friends that I can't imagine we aren't going to be able to get through whatever God has planned for us!  Please pray for us as we start this unknown journey.

Almost 26 Weeks Prego!

And I finally got an ultrasound!!!  Here's how it happened with probably too much information...just ignore this post if you want to be spared the details!I called the doctor last week sometime thinking I might be leaking amniotic fluid.  It turned out they were going to squeeze me in that day and just have me come do a quick test to see if I was.  I got a call about 15 minutes before I was supposed to be there and they said my doctor was about to deliver somebody in labor (who happened to be my other women doctor) so I was going to need to come in the next day.  They said they had an actual appointment available at 8:45 that next morning so I took it.  I told her I felt better about having an appointment rather then taking up time they didn't have anyway so I was happy about that.  So, the next morning I got there and they said they decided to just go ahead and do a regular OB visit.  I did the urine test, weight and then came the fun part, she tested me to see if I was leaking and she also tested me for a yeast infection just to rule that out in the process (which required a full exam).  It turns out I was NOT leaking fluid but she thought I had enough symptoms to go ahead and treat me for a yeast infection even though it wasn't really positive (not a strong positive).  She also listened to the heart beat and measured my uterus...and that's what did it.  Last week, when I was 24 weeks pregnant, I mentioned I was measuring at 23 weeks.  This week my uterus measured at 27.5 weeks.  I grew 4.5 weeks worth in one week!  She said she didn't even have to check with the insurance company, she knew that would be approved!  So here it is!  We went this morning for our ultrasound (26 weeks tomorrow)! 

And that is a story in itself...we decided to take the girls so they could see the baby too!  Brian was in charge of keeping them occupied since I was laying on the table occupied and I remember looking over at him and I could tell he was pretty frustrated with them (they were far from on their best behavior) and a little bit later I looked over again and he was white as a ghost.  He got up and walked out, moments after that Kezzie said she needed to pee so the ultrasound tech had to take her!  At the same time she was trying to make sure Brian wasn't going to pass out in the hall!  I was just laying there on the table with gel all over my belly and trying to keep Adah contained while the door was wide open!  After the appointment Brian said he couldn't remember much from the whole hour we were there.  He never came down with the flu so I don't know what the deal was.  He doesn't get weirded out easily by stuff like that either.  It was just strange!  But we got through it and I have some cute pictures to prove it!!  I feel so good knowing everything has been measured and looked at.  She couldn't tell us if anything looked odd, but at least I know the baby has been evaluated and the doctor will look at the pictures soon.  She will be calling if anything looks concerning to her.  The tech still didn't want to tell us that we were having a girl for sure because the cord was between the legs and they were crossed, but she thought she was right in saying it was a girl!  There were a couple things she couldn't get a good angle on (the lower spine and bridge of nose) and that was frustrating but she thought she got enough!  With Brian not doing so hot, I was ready to call it good!  Here is our sweet baby 'girl' (I don't know if I will believe that until I see her!).

24 weeks prego!

And still no ultrasound :(

I'm feeling kind of frustrated because we haven't been approved by the insurance to have another ultrasound.  I called and the nurse called and they said there has to be a medical reason for it.  At my apt. today there weren't any reasons.  In fact, everything was pretty perfect.  I measured at 23 weeks (just a week behind) and the heart rate was perfect.  I guess I will just have to suck it up and accept the fact that we won't have another ultrasound!  I wouldn't want there to be a medical reason anyway!  I feel worried that the baby won't have the proper measurements done on the heart and limbs and brain, but my doctor said that she would take a look and do the best she could if we couldn't 'make up' a reason to pass through the insurance!  She said she is capable of doing it but that she would be more comfortable having somebody else looking at the ventricles of the brain, etc. because she isn't confident in those areas.  It's frustrating that it wouldn't be normal to have that mid-pregnancy full ultrasound deal.  I have only had one ultrasound at 12 weeks.  It's just weird to me!

I am feeling really good.  Not having too many problems with my back but periodically it acts up.  I have noticed that sitting on hard surfaces makes it especially bad (ie: sitting on the floor to do laundry or read books with the girls, etc.).  I am very thank-ful for the health of myself and the health of the baby.  I can't wait until next month to do it all over again!

20 weeks Prego!

 

I had a doctor apt. today! The baby's HR was between 150 and 160. The girls always enjoy hearing the baby in mommy's belly. I am measuring at 19 weeks but that is still considered normal. Due to the fact that we had an ultrasound at 12 weeks, there is a slight chance we may not be having another official one. I say 'official' because my doctor was trying to do me a favor by giving me an 'ultrasound' at my apt. but isn't exactly specialized in determining the sex so we don't have a 100% sure sex to report. I think we are going to go with 'we don't know' when people ask, because we technically don't know. If we get another ultrasound then we will announce it but for now we don't know!! Baby looked healthy from what I could tell, but I'm definitely not specialized either! I am still feeling pretty good with the occasional back/hip pain. I feel excessively tired so they did do some blood work to test my iron, but otherwise I can't complain! I will see the doc again in another 4 weeks!  I also wanted to make note that I felt the baby with my hand for the first time on August 10th (about 19 weeks)!  I can't wait until the kids and Brian get to experience this too!

16 Weeks Prego!

I am 16 weeks pregnant today!  Yipee!  I am so anxious to meet this little one!  Maybe in a couple weeks we will find out what we are having.  We will probably just wait until after our 20 week appointment though!  I am feeling pretty good aside from a back problem I am having with my sciatic nerve.  But praise the Lord, the last couple days I have been pain free!  I had my check up this morning and listened to the heart beat again.  The girls came along again and Kezzie still just stood in awe next to the bed.  It was around 160/170 the whole time and the baby was moving around a lot!  Not much to tell about from these first visits.  A LOT of waiting!  Patience....patience...patience!  It's so hard!

12 week Ultrasound!

 
Yesterday I went to my 12 week doctor visit!  Brian and the girls came with (not sure this was a good idea as my apt. lasted close to an hour) and we got to hear the heart beat. Keziah thought this was pretty cool. She just stood by the bed and smiled! The heart beat was around 170!  Everything seemed right on track but they wanted to do an ultrasound to make sure we are right on how far along I am.  So this morning I went in at 8am!  I had to drink 32 oz. of water before 7:30.  I needed a full bladder for the ultrasound apparently!  Everything went very well.  We are correct for how far along I am with my due date being Jan. 3, 2012.  That sounds so far away!  I will go back to the doctor again in 4 weeks!