She's Here!!

On Sun, 28 Nov 2004 20:30:26 -0600, "Donna Metler"
scribbled:

Allison Joy Metler
6 lbs 11 oz
November 26, 2004, 12:30 pm CST (35 weeks)
19 1/2 inches
And definitely NOT expected, or for the anticipated reason-I actually went
into labor!

Congratulations!!

Nan

Allison Joy Metler
6 lbs 11 oz
November 26, 2004, 12:30 pm CST (35 weeks)
19 1/2 inches
And definitely NOT expected, or for the anticipated reason-I actually went
into labor!


My blood pressure was consistently high on Wednesday, and I just plain
didn't feel "right", so after checking the BP on another meter (which gave
an even worse reading), I called my OB, expecting it to be just another
"Yep, it's up a bit, but the baby's fine and the lab work's fine, so don't
worry."

Well, turns out I was contracting every 5 minutes (I am still amazed that I
could be in labor and not know it). So, they went ahead and gave me blood
pressure medication and muscle relaxants, plus IV fluids, in the hope that
this was simply false labor and would calm down overnight. The next morning,
contractions were still continuing, and were downright painful-so they gave
me pain meds and ran some tests to make sure Allison was ready to arrive. My
blood pressure was also worse than it had ever been, and my swelling had
increased dramatically, so it looked likely that I was moving into true
pre-eclampsia. Since she appeared to be strong and healthy, both my doctors
decided that it was better to go ahead and deliver now, rather than try to
stop the labor, especially with the other symptoms increasing.

So, two hours later, I was having a C-section. Uneventful, but because of
the scarring from my previous pregnancy and C-section, it ended up being
more complicated than expected, and will take longer to heal because of the
extra damage. I also have a huge amount of swelling-most from the last 24
hours before delivery, or less. My BP right now is running just slightly
over 140/90, but isn't nearly as high as it was the last day or two before
delivery, so hopefully will drop back to normal.

Allison came out screaming-which was by far the most beautiful sound I'd
ever heard. She was able to go to the regular newborn nursery while I was in
recovery-so even though she's 5 weeks premature, she wasn't struggling.

Mostly, for the last few days, she's slept. We're having some problems with
feeding, because her sucking reflex isn't really strong (very common with
preemies), and it's taking a LONG time for my milk to come in, and so far
none of the options we've tried for supplementing and nursing short of just
plain bottle feeding have worked well-she's getting enough to get by, but
it's very frustrating for both of us. If anyone has any experience using a
SNS and pumping, please let me know, because right now that's what we're
trying to minimize the use of formula as much as possible. She's also
confused as to when day and night are, and tends to sleep through most of
the day if we let her, then wake up every hour or so at night wanting to
eat. Not really good for mommy sanity. We're trying to wake and feed her
frequently during the day, but she can get very frustrated when woken up to
nurse, and then it works even less well than when she's hungry and wants it.

She has lost 12 oz from her birth weight, but this appears to generally be
retained fluids, not actual weight, and based on diaper counts, she's eating
enough that she should stabilize, but her pediatrician is a bit concerned.

Her official pictures probably won't be up until tomorrow, and I'll post a
URL as soon as I know she's up there.

--
Donna DeVore Metler
Orff Music Specialist/Band/Choir
Mother to Angel Brian Anthony 1/1/2002, 22 weeks, severe PE/HELLP
and "Cuddles", EDD 12/24/04

Congratulations
Amanda

--
DD 15th August 2002
1 tiny angel Nov 2003
DS 20th August 2004

"Donna Metler" wrote in message
.. .
Allison Joy Metler
6 lbs 11 oz
November 26, 2004, 12:30 pm CST (35 weeks)
19 1/2 inches
And definitely NOT expected, or for the anticipated reason-I actually went
into labor!


My blood pressure was consistently high on Wednesday, and I just plain
didn't feel "right", so after checking the BP on another meter (which gave
an even worse reading), I called my OB, expecting it to be just another
"Yep, it's up a bit, but the baby's fine and the lab work's fine, so don't
worry."

Well, turns out I was contracting every 5 minutes (I am still amazed that
I
could be in labor and not know it). So, they went ahead and gave me blood
pressure medication and muscle relaxants, plus IV fluids, in the hope that
this was simply false labor and would calm down overnight. The next
morning,
contractions were still continuing, and were downright painful-so they
gave
me pain meds and ran some tests to make sure Allison was ready to arrive.
My
blood pressure was also worse than it had ever been, and my swelling had
increased dramatically, so it looked likely that I was moving into true
pre-eclampsia. Since she appeared to be strong and healthy, both my
doctors
decided that it was better to go ahead and deliver now, rather than try to
stop the labor, especially with the other symptoms increasing.

So, two hours later, I was having a C-section. Uneventful, but because of
the scarring from my previous pregnancy and C-section, it ended up being
more complicated than expected, and will take longer to heal because of
the
extra damage. I also have a huge amount of swelling-most from the last 24
hours before delivery, or less. My BP right now is running just slightly
over 140/90, but isn't nearly as high as it was the last day or two before
delivery, so hopefully will drop back to normal.

Allison came out screaming-which was by far the most beautiful sound I'd
ever heard. She was able to go to the regular newborn nursery while I was
in
recovery-so even though she's 5 weeks premature, she wasn't struggling.

Mostly, for the last few days, she's slept. We're having some problems
with
feeding, because her sucking reflex isn't really strong (very common with
preemies), and it's taking a LONG time for my milk to come in, and so far
none of the options we've tried for supplementing and nursing short of
just
plain bottle feeding have worked well-she's getting enough to get by, but
it's very frustrating for both of us. If anyone has any experience using
a
SNS and pumping, please let me know, because right now that's what we're
trying to minimize the use of formula as much as possible. She's also
confused as to when day and night are, and tends to sleep through most of
the day if we let her, then wake up every hour or so at night wanting to
eat. Not really good for mommy sanity. We're trying to wake and feed her
frequently during the day, but she can get very frustrated when woken up
to
nurse, and then it works even less well than when she's hungry and wants
it.

She has lost 12 oz from her birth weight, but this appears to generally be
retained fluids, not actual weight, and based on diaper counts, she's
eating
enough that she should stabilize, but her pediatrician is a bit concerned.

Her official pictures probably won't be up until tomorrow, and I'll post a
URL as soon as I know she's up there.

--
Donna DeVore Metler
Orff Music Specialist/Band/Choir
Mother to Angel Brian Anthony 1/1/2002, 22 weeks, severe PE/HELLP
and "Cuddles", EDD 12/24/04

"Donna Metler" wrote in message
.. .
Allison Joy Metler
6 lbs 11 oz
November 26, 2004, 12:30 pm CST (35 weeks)
19 1/2 inches
And definitely NOT expected, or for the anticipated reason-I actually went
into labor!

WOOOHOOO welcome to the world Allison! I am happy that everything went well
despite the scarring.

Tori

--
Bonnie 3/20/02
Xavier 10/27/04

CONGRATULATIONS DONNA!!!!!!!!!

What a great weight for a 35 weeker!
No advice on the SNS but I I'm glad to hear that you do have help.
She'll get the hang of it and your milk will come in. Have you tried
any Mother's Milk Tea?

karen

C*O*N*G*R*T*U*L*A*T*I*O*N*S* Donna

What a fantastic weight for a 35 weeker. My DD was 4lb 12oz at 16in long at
35 weeks. I'm so pleased for you

FWIW my milk didn't come in till day 4 after I had her.

Best wishes
Pip

Well that was a surprise to see pop up in my newsreader (and points out to
me how close I COULD be to the end of my own preg, although I suspect I will
go 41 weeks plus again ...)! Congrats! Hope for fast healing for you.
Take lots of Vitamin C!

What a big vigorous girl!

Best of luck also with the nursing stuff.

-- Dagny
Mom to Meg, 10/03
#2 expected 1/05

Congratulations!!!!!! Welcome to the world, Allison!

--
lisa
micksmom
28 months old
baby boy 2 due 2-8-05

"Donna Metler" wrote:

Allison Joy Metler
6 lbs 11 oz
November 26, 2004, 12:30 pm CST (35 weeks)
19 1/2 inches
And definitely NOT expected, or for the anticipated reason-I actually went
into labor!

Congratulations

rj

"Donna Metler" wrote in message
.. .
Allison Joy Metler
6 lbs 11 oz
November 26, 2004, 12:30 pm CST (35 weeks)
19 1/2 inches
And definitely NOT expected, or for the anticipated reason-I actually went
into labor!

Oh, wow! Congrats. That's a great size for a 35 weeker!

JennP.