Week one

WOW!!! What a difference a week makes. As you all know, we welcomed Sophia into our lives last week. She had a difficult start in that time. According to the doctors, she had a difficult delivery. She was not pink enough for the doctor's approval and was not raising her arms up and down like she should be. And when she would cry her oxygen level would low very low. So for the first six hours of life, she was not allowed to leave the nursery, which made it very hard on Marty and me as we really didn't know what was happening to our daughter. Finally a doctor from our group came to talk to us, and only said she was going to consult with the neo-natal doctor on call to check her condition. This new doc came to us and informed us that he thought it was best to admit her to the NICU. Marty and I were finally able to visit her at this point - I think it was about 1:00 am.

The doctors in the NICU told us a host of problems that she might have which really frightened us, and the only thing we could do was to wait and see what- if anything- was wrong with Sophia. The problems ranged from seizures to possibly swallowing some amniotic fluid. The tests began- it seems like every time we went to visit, there were new test results all that came back negative -- thank God!!! Since all the test we negative, she began to lose all her tubes and IVs. Sophia still had to stay in the NICU until Tuesday as most babies have a minimum stay of 7 days when they are admitted. The doctors told us that there are 3 kinds of babies that are born- healthy babies who have no problems, babies who have lots of health issues and 'troublemakers'- like Sophia who you think are healthy but are presenting like they have some little problem. So our little Sophia is a labelled a trouble maker from the start, but we will definitely take that since she is fine now!!! I assume since all the tests were negative, she just swallowed some fluid.

On Tuesday, we had to return to the hospital to stay the night with Sophie in a regular room and the nurse would check on us throughout the night just to make sure that we were getting along ok! all went well and were able to bring Sophia home on Wednesday! We are so thankful that we are all home together!!! Marty and I are so enjoying being her mommy and daddy and love to just stare at her and see how beautiful she is.

Thanks to everyone who prayed and kept us in their thoughts during this most difficult time.
Better go- Sophia is calling to me to nurse her!!!

Sophia Arrives Early

This past week has been the most exciting of our lives. We welcomed Sophia into this world on February 18, 2o10 at 5:o9 P.M. She weighs 6 pounds and 15 ounces and is 19.5 inches long.

The week started out as a normal week. My OB is out of town, so I had to go to see his partner for my twice a week appointments. I went in on Tuesday and had an NST which was normal, Sophia was moving around just fine. My blood pressure was also good!! He did the regular exam as well, and I was not dilated at all, but he said I was 50% effaced. He suggested that we go ahead and set a date to induce labor the following week to make sure that neither Sophia's health nor my health were risked. Sophia's arrival would be Tuesday, February 23, 2010~ very exciting for us to put a date on finally getting to meet and hold our daughter! Marty and I were so excited, although there were still many things left to do.

Needless to say, the best laid plans don't always work out the way you think, right? Wednesday night we went to bed, and I was awoken by a little water gush. I thought it was no big deal, so I tried to go back to sleep. No luck here, as it happened again. I woke up Marty and told him I didn't know what was going on exactly, but maybe we should call the hospital. A labor and delivery nurse told us to come on in and she would check me to see if I was in labor. So off we go at midnight to CBH, and low and behold it was time~ it was time to meet our daughter, well sometime within the next 24 hours.

Labor went on and on, there was no rest for Marty or me all night or into the day on Thursday. Family arrived to support us through this, and it seemed to me that Sophia would never get here. After 17 hours of labor, most not too bad, we finally were able to meet our daughter!!! We didn't get to spend too much time with her at this point, but I will explain all that in a future post. For now here are some cute pictures of little Sophia Mae Williams- she is absolutely the best thing that Marty and I have ever accomplished- a true miracle!!!

What a Week

36 weeks is not all that I thought it was cracked up to be. I went to the doctor on Monday and my blood pressure was high again -- 130/100. My doctor was very concerned and added another medicine to what I am currently taking. We also conducted the non-stress test (NST) again, which was fine. Sophia is apparently not bothered by my HBP which is good. I also was scheduled for another NST and ultrasound for my next appointment to check her weight as well as a bio-physical profile to see if she is moving and 'breathing' on her own.

The Thursday appointment was scheduled at 3:00 so Marty was able to go with me. We went to the ultrasound first, and, of course, Sophia was asleep and only moved a couple of times. She didn't imitate any breathing; however, she did score better than she did the last time we were there. We were able to see her stick out her little tongue and move her lips open and closed several times. The tech also told me that she has some peach fuzz that she could see- good news because I was convinced she was going to be a bald little baby :) Her weight was 6 pounds and 10 ounces- also good according to my OB.

After 30 minutes of watching her sleep, we were off to the doctor's office. I knew I would have to have another NST since she was not moving around. (Funny how she moves so much, but when the doctors want her to- she stays still. A little stubborn, I wonder where she gets that?)Anyway, Karen takes my BP and it higher than it was on Monday- 155/100. My OB was very concerned to say the least, and decided the best thing for me to do was to head over to the hospital and be monitored for 24 hours at least. During my stay, I was told to stay in the bed and relax. I had to be hooked up to the blood pressure cuff as well as the NST machine to monitor her movements and to check to see if I was having any contractions. I soon graduated from having to be hooked up from the NST machine, but had the BP cuff on for a few hours. Soon my BP, normalized and I was taken off this. I then had to have my BP checked every 4 hours. Every time they took it, it was consistently about 130/80 which was ok with my OB. Late afternoon arrives and so does my doc, he tells I am looking good, and can go home- YAY!!!! At home, I am to take it easy- lots of rest, stay off my feet and not to do too much!!! Work is not good idea at this point, so I guess bed rest it is!! Did I mention that my OB is going out of town all next week???? Oh, my! Sophia will just need to stay put for the next week at least and gain a little more weight until he gets back :)

Honestly, I feel pretty good, just a little scared I guess. On Monday, I coughed and pulled or tore a ligament or tendon in my rib cage. Monday it really didn't hurt too bad, but Thursday I sneezed and WOW!!! it really hurts now. It is quite miserable, I know that if that wasn't an issue then I would feel absolutely normal besides the scared part. I just pray that it heals before we try to deliver Sophia because as of now it is so painful that I really cant move around easily or even take a deep breath, I cant imagine trying to push a baby out!

I guess that is all I have for now. I will certainly keep posted about what may happen next! I see my OB's partner on Tuesday and Friday next week. All will be fine, I am sure as long as I follow the doctor's orders. Marty has already told me that he wants me to do NOTHING!!! So for now, I am on the couch or in the bed and will be for the next few weeks or until she arrives.

Week 36 begins today!

Hard to believe that Marty and I only have 28 days left until we get to meet our daughter!! OH, WOW!! Both Mommy and Daddy are very anxious to meet, see, kiss, and love her.

We have been very busy since the last post. Sophia's room is almost finished- I think all that is left is hanging a couple of shelves and the curtains. This week at school, my team threw a shower for me, and really completed what we needed- we received lots of diapers and wipes as well as an additional base for the car seat and baby carrier just to name a few items. We are so blessed by everyone's generosity during this time! We have a few items that we have to have, but really not too much.

I have had to start going to the doctor twice a week for the last couple of weeks. My blood pressure was high, and my doctor said he was being overly cautious and wanted to keep a close eye on us. Since then, it has been fine so that is good :) I also have to have a fetal non stress test when I go to check her movements- all have been good. My doctor did tell me to be prepared to be induced during week 39 if she hasn't arrived yet. I also found out that he will be on vacation the week of February 15th, so pray she doesn't decide to come then. I plan to start my maternity leave on March 1st and it will go through the end of the school year, so barring no major snow storms I think I will be good to go!!! It will be wonderful to stay at home with Sophie for almost 5 full months.