Today is the first day that we are not going back to Kaiser for Julian's jaundice. It has been one crazy first week of life.
Julian was born on Sunday, 8-10-08 at Kaiser SF.
We were discharged on Monday, 8-11-08.
Tuesday, 8-12-08 was our only day that we stayed home.
Then Wednesday, 8-13-08 we went in to Kaiser for a regular check-up and ended up getting admitted to Kaiser SF for phototherapy.
Thursday, 8-14-08 were discharged from Kaiser SF for the 2nd time.
Friday, 8-15-08 we went to Kaiser for a bilirubin check and to see the lactation nurse.
Saturday, 8-16-08 we had to take Julian to Kaiser for lab work.
Sunday, 8-17-08 we went back to Kaiser SF because Julian has not had a stool since Friday.
Today is the first day we are not at Kaiser. However, we have an appointment with the lactation nurse tomorrow and Wednesday. I can't wait until we don't have to go back, because I am getting sick and tired of being in Kaiser.
If Kaiser gave us a more comfortable post-partum room and kept Julian and I an extra day, maybe Julian's jaundice would have been caught sooner.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Saturday, August 16, 2008
A family of four
We are now a family of four.
Julian was born on Sunday, August 10, 2008. It was a quick labor and delivery. I was having contractions for a while, but on Sunday morning a strong contraction woke me up a little before 4am. I squeezed Jay's hand in bed and did my breathing exercises, which woke him up. I timed two more contractions before I realized that this was it. I called my brother to come over and watch Jordan, then called my mom and Jay called his sister to tell them we were leaving for the hospital.
We got to Kaiser SF after 5am, but since it was so busy we did not get admitted until 5:55am. During that time my contractions were getting stronger and stronger. The prenatal yoga really helped me out. I concentrated on my breathing and used the Kegel exercises to control the urge to pain. Our nurse at Kaiser was awesome! RN Sarah got all the paperwork and the room ready. She also checked how far dilated I was since all the doctors were busy. I was 7 cm!!! In an hour I was able to get 10 cm dilated and fully effaced. I told my support team that I was ready to push and RN Sarah got a doctor in the room. I only pushed twice. On my second push they told me to stop (apparently the doctor "in-training" did not have her hands in the correct position to catch the baby if he were to pop out). Ate Ling told me that he was almost out, so when the doctor said she was ready I finished that 2nd push and Julian was born. 2 1/2 pushes and my son was born at 6:57am.
Then after 9am we were moved to my postpartum room, which ended up being another L&D room. It was so tiny I felt claustrophobic. The nurses were great; the room sucked! I hated it! I wanted to go home! So the next day we were discharged.
This week has been crazy. Despite Julian's APGAR score of 9.9, we have been in & out of Kaiser to get lab work, see the doctor, lactation nurse, and worst of all, re-admitted to Kaiser SF for phototherapy due to Julian's jaundice. We're still not out of the woods. We have to go back to the lab for more bloodwork. But I'm happy that Julian's breastfeeding.
Life as a family of four has been tough. But Jay has been a supportive husband and father and Jordan has been an understanding brother, despite his age. I think we're going to do just fine. I just have to take my naps throughout the day and I will be able to survive.
Julian was born on Sunday, August 10, 2008. It was a quick labor and delivery. I was having contractions for a while, but on Sunday morning a strong contraction woke me up a little before 4am. I squeezed Jay's hand in bed and did my breathing exercises, which woke him up. I timed two more contractions before I realized that this was it. I called my brother to come over and watch Jordan, then called my mom and Jay called his sister to tell them we were leaving for the hospital.
We got to Kaiser SF after 5am, but since it was so busy we did not get admitted until 5:55am. During that time my contractions were getting stronger and stronger. The prenatal yoga really helped me out. I concentrated on my breathing and used the Kegel exercises to control the urge to pain. Our nurse at Kaiser was awesome! RN Sarah got all the paperwork and the room ready. She also checked how far dilated I was since all the doctors were busy. I was 7 cm!!! In an hour I was able to get 10 cm dilated and fully effaced. I told my support team that I was ready to push and RN Sarah got a doctor in the room. I only pushed twice. On my second push they told me to stop (apparently the doctor "in-training" did not have her hands in the correct position to catch the baby if he were to pop out). Ate Ling told me that he was almost out, so when the doctor said she was ready I finished that 2nd push and Julian was born. 2 1/2 pushes and my son was born at 6:57am.
Then after 9am we were moved to my postpartum room, which ended up being another L&D room. It was so tiny I felt claustrophobic. The nurses were great; the room sucked! I hated it! I wanted to go home! So the next day we were discharged.
This week has been crazy. Despite Julian's APGAR score of 9.9, we have been in & out of Kaiser to get lab work, see the doctor, lactation nurse, and worst of all, re-admitted to Kaiser SF for phototherapy due to Julian's jaundice. We're still not out of the woods. We have to go back to the lab for more bloodwork. But I'm happy that Julian's breastfeeding.
Life as a family of four has been tough. But Jay has been a supportive husband and father and Jordan has been an understanding brother, despite his age. I think we're going to do just fine. I just have to take my naps throughout the day and I will be able to survive.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Week 39
I am officially 39 weeks and still pregnant. This is the longest I've been pregnant, although this is only my second time. It seems like forever in comparison to my first pregnancy. By this time my son was out and about and I had given up breastfeeding already (which was my huge mistake). However, being pregnant longer this second time around has given me a chance to appreciate the time I do spend with my son now. At times I feel guilty thinking that soon enough another person is going to join our family and I won't be able to give him all the attention that I used to. I hope my son doesn't get upset at the baby for taking up my time. I guess we'll have to wait and see how their relationship develops.
These extra weeks of pregnancy also gives me hope that breastfeeding will not be as difficult as it was the first time. I've been to 2 breastfeeding classes, read 2 breastfeeding books, loads of pamphlets and visited tons of websites just to prepare myself. I've been wearing breast shields (although not on a daily basis) to prepare for breastfeeding. I have all the gear (still have the rental from last year; it was never picked up and I never got a bill or phone call for having the rental this long). Now all I need is to give birth and hope that this child will latch on immediately.
A few things for me to keep in mind:
1) Don't let the hospital take the baby away without having him first try to breastfeed.
2) Don't let the hospital give a pacifier or supplemental feeding.
3) If breastfeeding doesn't work the first two weeks, keep on trying.
I am inspired by my friends who breastfed even though it was hard at the beginning. I also remember how much we spent on formula for my first son and in this economy, realize that we need that money for things like daycare. Daycare is so expensive, and my boys are actually going to somebody who charges us less than most family daycares. However, daycare for both boys for a month is equivalent to half my monthly paycheck. Isn't that crazy? I don't know how we're going to afford mortgage, car payment, insurances, and daycare... not to mention all the other expenses we have.
Week 39... it is 3 weeks longer than my first pregnancy, but I am ready (both mentally and physically) to have this child.
These extra weeks of pregnancy also gives me hope that breastfeeding will not be as difficult as it was the first time. I've been to 2 breastfeeding classes, read 2 breastfeeding books, loads of pamphlets and visited tons of websites just to prepare myself. I've been wearing breast shields (although not on a daily basis) to prepare for breastfeeding. I have all the gear (still have the rental from last year; it was never picked up and I never got a bill or phone call for having the rental this long). Now all I need is to give birth and hope that this child will latch on immediately.
A few things for me to keep in mind:
1) Don't let the hospital take the baby away without having him first try to breastfeed.
2) Don't let the hospital give a pacifier or supplemental feeding.
3) If breastfeeding doesn't work the first two weeks, keep on trying.
I am inspired by my friends who breastfed even though it was hard at the beginning. I also remember how much we spent on formula for my first son and in this economy, realize that we need that money for things like daycare. Daycare is so expensive, and my boys are actually going to somebody who charges us less than most family daycares. However, daycare for both boys for a month is equivalent to half my monthly paycheck. Isn't that crazy? I don't know how we're going to afford mortgage, car payment, insurances, and daycare... not to mention all the other expenses we have.
Week 39... it is 3 weeks longer than my first pregnancy, but I am ready (both mentally and physically) to have this child.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Still no baby
It is Sunday, August 3rd... 10 days away from my due date, but 2 weeks and 3 days later than when I had Jordan (I gave birth to him at 36 weeks and 1 day). I've been walking every day and doing my prenatal yoga almost every night. At my last doctor's visit I dilated to 1 cm. ONLY 1 CM! I don't think this baby wants to get out. When I found out my due date was August, I didn't expect to actually make it til August. In a way, I guess it is nice because that means that I don't get off maternity leave until late October / early November. That means I miss practically the entire first quarter. WOW! This will be the first year in a while that I don't have to do parent / teacher conferences, which is always a stressful part of teaching.
On the other hand, if I deliver this week that means my husband & I will miss our friend's wedding. We're already missing one that is in Rome this Friday (8.8.08); the other is in San Francisco on 8.9.08. My dad wants the baby born on 8.8.08, although it is really not up to me. He will show up when he wants to. I'm just praying for a short labor and fast delivery. With Jordan, I was in active labor for 4 1/2 hours and pushing for 40 minutes. The doctor and a lot of articles I've read said that the 2nd delivery is usually faster than the first since the muscles & the mom know what to expect and do.
I hope the next time I post it is to introduce the world to my second son.
On the other hand, if I deliver this week that means my husband & I will miss our friend's wedding. We're already missing one that is in Rome this Friday (8.8.08); the other is in San Francisco on 8.9.08. My dad wants the baby born on 8.8.08, although it is really not up to me. He will show up when he wants to. I'm just praying for a short labor and fast delivery. With Jordan, I was in active labor for 4 1/2 hours and pushing for 40 minutes. The doctor and a lot of articles I've read said that the 2nd delivery is usually faster than the first since the muscles & the mom know what to expect and do.
I hope the next time I post it is to introduce the world to my second son.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
