Jon & Amanda's New Journey

[Heywie]

I just read your story and I'm so glad everything worked out for you! It sucks your epidural didn't work as well as mine did!!! I didn't feel a thing! And you had to do it 3 times?! Yuck!

Your little Amelia is just adorable! Are you all out of the hospital and recovered from the jaundice? It's gotta be so hard to see your little one under all those lights!

Congrats again! You have a beautiful little girl!

[Goin2thechapel]

okay..Here is the real deal to being a mother everyone, and once you learn this one valuable lesson, you'll be golden:

When having a baby, The only thing you can do is plan to have no plans... You'll be golden if you have no plans or expectations when it comes to having a baby. LOL

Soo, here is MY similiar week to Haley without highjacking her journal :)

Last Thursday Amelia went in for another doctor appointment (her 6th at 6 days old) and the doctor sent us for ANOTHER billi count. We flew to the lab because she ordered the results STAT. We got there around 11am. Around 1 the phone rang and the doctor told us that her billi numbers went back up and are now at the point of hospitalization in the NICU to recieve phototherapy.
So we head straight into the hospital and get checked in. Because I'm a breastfeeding mom I needed to stay in the labor and delivery ward AT THE OTHER END OF THE BUILDING!!! Soo, Every time she needed to feed they would call my room and I would walk to the NICU to feed her and head back to my room to sleep. Literally 2 hours later, another phone call to feed her. This happened all night long. Not to mention, I was walking through the hospital in my pajamas. LOL
The next day we got to the NICU and expecting to leave. Well, the rule is that she needs to stay for at least 24 hours under the lights, so we're there until at least 1pm. Plus they drew another billi count at 2pm to make sure it was coming down. THEN, the policy is that if there is a child in the NICU the parents meet with the hospital Social Worker. Talk about feeling criticized!!! LOL...The social worker was AWESOME and made us feel like we were doing everything right. She was concerned about OUR mental health and sleeping patterns. She talked with us for about 45 minutes and said that she thought we were going to be great parents.
Finally the doctor discharged Amelia on Friday at 5pm.
She had a follow up appointment on Saturday. She gained 3 ounces!!! Less than 24 hours. Huge progress. The doctor told me to continue with the breast milk and if she's looking for more, then we need to give her a pacifier becasue she's eating enough clearly.

Every night she's been emptying both breasts and still looking for more! So Jon and I give it to her even though the doctor told us not to. We start with any pumped milk we might have and then use some formula.

Well, today's follow up appointment showed that Amelia was DOWN AGAIN. She went from 7lbs 12 oz on Saturday to 7lbs 7oz. GRRRRR...And this was WITH the formula! So we explained how much she's been eating (expecting to be yelled at) and she said we were doing everything we could. She said that she'd like us to see a specialist in Boston. A gastroenterologist. She thinks that there is something wrong with her intestines since she's not spitting up (reflux issue) and she's eating and producing adequate waste.
Her stool had trace amounts of blood in it (only seen under microscope). Soo the doctor needs me to see the specialist to make sure her bowels are in tact. She also needs me to stop eating ANY dairy, eggs, soy, or nuts just incase her issues stem from a food allergy and she's getting it from my breast milk. Those are the most common allergies in a child.

Sooo, now trying to find something I can eat is the tricky part.
Her appointment at Mass General in Boston is on Thursday.

I swear that we got shoved into parenthood. No easy transition period. LOL. It was a full forced shove! This is what being a mom is all about. It's no longer about me, it's about her!! and ONLY her!

Breastfeeding is going soooo well. She loves to breastfeed and I love it too. The faces that she makes when feeding make my heart melt. Or when she's latched on and reaches up with her little hand and places it on my neck. It's such a bond that I have with her! I love that time and I'm NOT giving it up. I already told the doctor that. Luckily the doctor is VERY pro breastfeeding! But we need to give her the formula too until she fattens up :)

But like Haley said in her journal. Breastfeeding is PAINFUL at first. The first latch feel like putting your nipple in a meat grinder!!! Shooting pains radiate through your body, but after the first couple of sucks, it's not too bad. I promise.

I'm definitely now an advocate for breastfeeding although it's not for everyone. It's ALOT of work. The baby relies on YOU 100 percent! It's VERY tiring.

Phew...other than that motherhood is GREAT! :) LOL

[gwenshack]

Oh wow, crazy week. Little Amelia is lucky to have you as her mommy. You're doing such a great job taking care of her. :soppy:

[amisteratwisterandme]

Did you mention how brave you have to be to be a mommy? Sounds like between you and your doctors she is getting the best possible care. I will keep my fingers crossed that they can get her healthy as soon as possible.

[lize566]

Thank you so much for being so forthcoming with how things are going! What a rough first week, though! You guys already are great parents. I'm glad to hear BF is going so well. I hope things only get better from here on out :)

[uptowngirl]

Oh Amanda! Little Amelia has the best possible parents she could have! I can't believe everything you three are going through...I hope Amelia's appointment goes well, and that whatever is going on with her is easy to diagnose and fix!

Thanks for the breastfeeding report! I want to be able to do that soooooo badly, so it helps to read a positive review!! (I just skipped over the meat grinder part, LOL)

[FFC]

You're going through the wringer as well Amanda - geeze!!! I'll be praying that Amelia gets a clean bill of health and that the doctors can figure out how to get her to hold on her weight. Good luck tomorrow!!!! :hug:

[Danielle9608]

Aww Amanda I am sorry it been such a rough start! But you are doing great! And you are such a awesome mom! Amelia is so lucky. I hope the appointment with the specialist goes well and they can find out what's wrong very soon.

[dizy1j62881]

oh my goodness she is so precious!! I love that pic!!! Also I feel your pain on the epidurals!!! Only mine they popped the space, and that was like i heard a shot go off in my ear!! Glad to see how great things are going!! oh goodnesss she is just too cute!!!

[lize566]

I hope Amelia's dr appt went well today and you guys got some answers :)

Also, I was wondering if you had any tips on being how to handle being induced over night...like should I try to rest as much as possible before hand or not, so I sleep over night? Also, should I eat a big meal or anything before I go? I won't be going in until after 8 p.m. Sunday night, and they probably won't start me on Pitocin until Monday morning unless i have some drastic changes between now and then. I know you have a lot going on-I'm kind of nervous and was just wondering what your thoughts were. TIA!

[Goin2thechapel]

Hey Liz,

No problem...happy to help, and I just happen to be on :) Lucky you!!

We ate dinner at the hospital while waiting to be induced. My husband brought me a turkey sandwich. The doctors told me nothing too heavy. They placed the cervadil (the start of my induction) and I was allowed to eat so I did.
Honestly, once the contractions started, I couldn't even think about food. I never once got hungry. I did get extremely thirsty for some reason, and I was thirsty during my entire labor.
The pitocin was started the next morning at 6am.
The pitocin was all the way up to 20 (the maximum dose for this hospital) and I was barely making progress even though the contractions were strong. So I decided to take the nubaine (narcotic shot) and it worked SOOO well because I was able to get some sleep. Once I woke up I was dilated enough to have my water broken. THAT'S when it starts to hurt BAD. Once I got the epidural I was golden. I went from 5-10 in 2 hours and only pushed for 30 mins.
The epidural allowed me to relax a little bit (still felt EVERYTHING) so that it just started to dilate on it's own :)

I promise, you'll be a-ok. It's sooo worth it in the end!!!

Good Luck sweetie! I can't wait to hear about your little man coming into the world :)

[lize566]

Hey Liz,

No problem...happy to help, and I just happen to be on :) Lucky you!!

We ate dinner at the hospital while waiting to be induced. My husband brought me a turkey sandwich. The doctors told me nothing too heavy. They placed the cervadil (the start of my induction) and I was allowed to eat so I did.
Honestly, once the contractions started, I couldn't even think about food. I never once got hungry. I did get extremely thirsty for some reason, and I was thirsty during my entire labor.
The pitocin was started the next morning at 6am.
The pitocin was all the way up to 20 (the maximum dose for this hospital) and I was barely making progress even though the contractions were strong. So I decided to take the nubaine (narcotic shot) and it worked SOOO well because I was able to get some sleep. Once I woke up I was dilated enough to have my water broken. THAT'S when it starts to hurt BAD. Once I got the epidural I was golden. I went from 5-10 in 2 hours and only pushed for 30 mins.
The epidural allowed me to relax a little bit (still felt EVERYTHING) so that it just started to dilate on it's own :)

I promise, you'll be a-ok. It's sooo worth it in the end!!!

Good Luck sweetie! I can't wait to hear about your little man coming into the world :)

I didn't even look to see if you were on, so thanks for the super speedy response!!

They are going to start me on cervadil, too, at least that's the plan. I'm going to be so anxious on Sunday, I will probably do whatever I can to take my mind off it! And I'm supposed to call at 8 to find out when they will have a bed for me, so it could be even later, so I will probably have dinner at home, then have snack before I go. I drink a ton of water, so I know I'm going to be thirsty-I've already warned Stephen that he might want to just assign one of our mom's to stay on ice chip duty :laugh2:

Thank you for all the info and encouragement...I feel better about it. Honestly, hearing all of the stories on OW has helped so much-even though many have been traumatic, you all survived!! Thanks again :hug:

[Goin2thechapel]

I didn't even look to see if you were on, so thanks for the super speedy response!!

They are going to start me on cervadil, too, at least that's the plan. I'm going to be so anxious on Sunday, I will probably do whatever I can to take my mind off it! And I'm supposed to call at 8 to find out when they will have a bed for me, so it could be even later, so I will probably have dinner at home, then have snack before I go. I drink a ton of water, so I know I'm going to be thirsty-I've already warned Stephen that he might want to just assign one of our mom's to stay on ice chip duty :laugh2:

Thank you for all the info and encouragement...I feel better about it. Honestly, hearing all of the stories on OW has helped so much-even though many have been traumatic, you all survived!! Thanks again :hug:
It really is nerve wracking KNOWING when it's going to happen!!! I hated that about my induction. It was like, everything was planned and I just needed to wait. Have I mentioned that I'm not the most patient person in the world?!?! LOL

They actually took out the cervadil in the middle of the night because I was SOOO uncomfortable and having too many contractions but not making any progress with my cervix.

Also, Don't be affraid to take the medication. I was, and tried to go without it...but it was soo counterproductive because my body was not relaxed at all and I wasn't making any progress because of it. You'll enjoy the experience more IMO. :)

You'll be fine hun, I promise!

[lize566]

It really is nerve wracking KNOWING when it's going to happen!!! I hated that about my induction. It was like, everything was planned and I just needed to wait. Have I mentioned that I'm not the most patient person in the world?!?! LOL

They actually took out the cervadil in the middle of the night because I was SOOO uncomfortable and having too many contractions but not making any progress with my cervix.

Also, Don't be affraid to take the medication. I was, and tried to go without it...but it was soo counterproductive because my body was not relaxed at all and I wasn't making any progress because of it. You'll enjoy the experience more IMO. :)

You'll be fine hun, I promise!

OMG I know-I thought having an ending date would be better, but the anticipation is insane! And I'm pretty sure this week has been the slowest week of my life! Breckan said the same thing in my journal about the epidural, so I am probably going to get one. It's reassuring to hear that from so many people though!

[Danielle9608]

I have a question Amanda. Did they ask you if you wanted drugs or did you have to ask once you were uncomfortable?

[Goin2thechapel]

I have a question Amanda. Did they ask you if you wanted drugs or did you have to ask once you were uncomfortable?
They asked me...And I said no the first two times.

Then they asked a third time (now about 2 hours after) and I said yes. The nurse said she was happy to hear that since I'd be able to get some rest and relax a little bit. But no one forced me and I never felt pressured. I felt completely in control of the situation :)

[Danielle9608]

They asked me...And I said no the first two times.

Then they asked a third time (now about 2 hours after) and I said yes. The nurse said she was happy to hear that since I'd be able to get some rest and relax a little bit. But no one forced me and I never felt pressured. I felt completely in control of the situation :)

Oh I want the drugs, lol

[FFC]

Oh I want the drugs, lol

LOL Danielle! I don't really have any doubt in my mind that I'm going to end up getting the drugs :rofl:

[Goin2thechapel]

Oh I want the drugs, lol
I'm a FIRM advocate for the drugs. Honestly, I enjoyed my labor! It was painful and tiring, but I wouldn't change anything... It was amazing knowing that I was having a baby. And even with the epidural, I could still feel the contractions. Soo, it's not like you're missing out on the experience.

The only thing I didn't like was that I could feel Amelia's head coming out and it BURNED!!!! I needed some stitches through my urethra because she tore upwards. That I could feel and it was not too comfortable. BUT the second she came out I couldn't feel anything!!! Not the stitches, cleaning up, nothing!

I say go for it. You'll enjoy the experience more :)

[FFC]

Amanda, I gotta say thank you for that. I haven't heard many positive reports on labor and the epidural, and your story/report makes me a lot more comfortable. :D

[Goin2thechapel]

Amanda, I gotta say thank you for that. I haven't heard many positive reports on labor and the epidural, and your story/report makes me a lot more comfortable. :D
Can't give you anymore rep, but you're welcome.

And I only tell my story because I've heard sooo many horror stories about migraines afterwards, it not working properly, etc. that a positive story every once in a while is a good thing to hear :)

[dizy1j62881]

oh amanda that story sounds wonderful!! i hope 2nd time around my labor is like that!!! You are like poster mom for me with good labor now!!

[Spatch4Officers]

Oh my i'm so glad Amelia has you as a mommy - I can't imagine goin through all that right after delivery!!! I hope your appointment goes well and the docs can help you guys get through this!!! How has Amelia been doing lately??

[Goin2thechapel]

Amelia is doing much better. We have an appointment today to check on her weight gain. I would be SHOCKED if she didn't gain at least a pound. She's a chunker now! We are supplementing with formula and it kills me since I wanted to exclusively breastfeed and I LOVE TO BREASTFEED. It is such an intimate time between her and I. Plus the cute little faces and looks that she gives me while feeding makes my heart smile. :) But, her health comes first. I can still breastfeed but we're now "topping her off" with formula. It seems to be working really well for us.
Thursday we get to see the gastroenterologist again. Hopefully her give us the thumbs up with her weight and send us on our way. He told me that I need to supplement and didn't really give me the option... She was down 12 percent from her birth weight! The cut off is 10 percent. Plus he told me that by 2 weeks old they want her to be at or above her birth weight and she was 8 ounces away from that!!!

But enough about Amelia and the doctors...How about some pictures??? LOL

Our first shopping trip to buy Mommy a rocking chair!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/rurumydog/DSC01356.jpg

After our shopping trip. She loves sleeping on DH's chest!
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/rurumydog/DSC01367.jpg

And in case you're wondering...YES, I do have eyeballs! LOL
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/rurumydog/DSC01392.jpg

[dizy1j62881]

oh amanda congrats on making some headway!! Your so sweet, i can tell from your posts how much you love your adorable daughter!! She is just too sweet!!! OMG!!! i love that first pic!!!

[FFC]

I just LOVE your updates Amanda! They make me all warm and fuzzy inside hehe!

That yawning pic is awesome! I mean, they all are but that one's my favorite :hearts:

[Danielle9608]

Awww Amanda she is so beautiful!!

[uptowngirl]

Oh my gosh Amanda she is SO sweet!! That little yawn is absolutely precious!

If you get good news from the doctor will you be able to drop the formula, or do you need to stick with it for a while? It sounds like she is doing pretty good as far as nipple confusion if she is still breastfeeding and taking a bottle too! What bottles are you using?

[savepaws]

First of all your daughter is so beautiful! I had to go back and catch up, I've missed a lot in your journal and you brought tears to my eyes several times!! I am so excited to meet our girls and can't wait to experience what you are experiencing. I love that you had a pretty good experience during labor and you are just so positive about it, which I'm sure helps the women that will be facing childbirth soon!

[lalaland13]

Oh, Amelia is so pretty and sweet! Although her yawn is making me yawn.

What color are her eyes? They look sort of green, but it could be the camera. Either way, she has gorgeous eyes. She's gorgeous, period.

[gwenshack]

Aww she's so sweet. :soppy: Love the one of her sleeping on daddy's chest. :heart:

[saltyveruca]

What a cutie pie!

[Goin2thechapel]

Oh, Amelia is so pretty and sweet! Although her yawn is making me yawn.

What color are her eyes? They look sort of green, but it could be the camera. Either way, she has gorgeous eyes. She's gorgeous, period.
They are blue actually.

I think they might look a little greenish in the picture maybe because she still had jaundice in this picture and the whites of her eyes were yellow.

Thanks for the compliments everyone. She is awesome, I agree :)

[Nekochanpurr]

She is sooooo cute!!! :)

[f77g4]

What a beautiful baby!

[Spatch4Officers]

Awe little Amelia is so precious!! I love the bonnett (sp?) and the pic of her yawning ... so cute!