So my baby's due date was August 24th. At our 36 week visit we had an ultrasound to show that she had found her way into the head-down position. The Dr. said that once they find their way into this position they rarely move from it. Over the next few days I even felt her start to drop!
I went to my 38 week appointment and after feeling around my belly the Dr. decided to do another ultrasound. As soon as she turned on the screen I knew that we were not looking at a head, but instead, a butt! Turns out baby girl changed her mind! When we finally located her head (up near my ribs) she was just sitting there sucking her thumb. I could imagine her thinking "what? I didn't like the other way!" That little stinker!
We scheduled a c-section for the 20th since a planned one is much better for your body than an emergency one. We discussed all options, but since they all could result in c-section anyway, we went ahead and scheduled it. I got a phone call the next day to tell me I had protein in my urine and would need to do a 24hr urine collection. Yay for me! I got to collect all my pee in an orange jug that I had to store in the fridge! Really, it was just as fun as it sounds!
I went to the hospital to turn in my jug. I thought I was just dropping it off, but it turns out if you are that pregnant, and especially if you are dropping off urine, they don't let you leave without checking you out first! They had me lay on a bed and hooked me up to the monitors. Everything looked great! The Dr. came in and did another ultrasound..... still breech. Little stinker! My results on my urine were very high. That is a sign of preeclampsia. I had not been diagnosed with preeclampsia because I did not have any of the other signs. Since, however, it could easily become preeclampsia, the Dr. moved my c-section up to Saturday, the 17th.
Holy cow! Saturday seemed so soon! While I was a little nervous for everything, I was super excited to finally be able to hold our little girl in my arms! We started getting everything ready for Saturday.
And then the story continues....... The Dr. asked that I go in on Wednesday just to get my blood pressure checked. Just a quick appointment, in and out! Or so I thought..... My blood pressure was just fine, but they wanted to hook me up to the monitor for a bit. I asked if they knew if she was still breech. They felt around on my belly and said, "Yes, that is her bum right there. Still breech!" They hooked up the monitors and I relaxed in the chair enjoying the sound of my baby girl's heartbeat. All of a sudden she started to move around a lot. I love feeling her move, so I didn't think anything of it. The nurse came in and took the monitor off and got out the ultrasound to measure my amniotic fluid. We decided to take a peek at the baby only to find a head where the bum had been before! All that movement I had felt while on the monitor was her flipping! The Dr. looked at the printout from the monitor and there was a period of decreased heart rate (most likely she pinched the cord a little when she was flipping). He wanted to be sure so he sent me over to the hospital to be monitored more. Seriously? Every time I think I'm just going for a quick visit they decide to keep me forever!
I called Lucas and told him I was going to the hospital and they were going to monitor me for a couple hours so he should come. And then I added, "Oh, by the way, she's not breech anymore!" I got to the hospital (next door to the Dr's office) and they put me in a room and got the monitors hooked up. Lucas showed up and they decided to run some blood work on me. When they drew my blood the decided to put in an IV just in case I needed it. Um, I just came to get my blood pressure checked today. What is all this? Lucas and I just relaxed watching TV for a while. The Dr. came in and said that since I had early preeclampsia and the baby was no longer breech, there was no use in waiting until Saturday. He wanted to induce me that night!!! WHAT? I looked at Lucas and said ok, let's do this! I was a little panicked at first. Our hospital bag was still at home! Lucas went home to get everything and I called everyone to tell them that this was happening!
At 8pm they gave my a drug that gradually starts contractions. I definitely felt them getting stronger, but nothing too painful. They told me to get lots of sleep so I would have the energy to push the next day. I tried my best to sleep, but the bed was SO uncomfortable. My back was killing me! At about 4am my contractions were really hurting. I wasn't getting any sleep because every 3 min or so I had to breathe through a contraction. I decided it was time for my epidural! After that little gift from heaven I was able to sleep just fine! At about 7am they broke my water and then gave me some Pitocin to really kick things into gear. Around lunch time I got to eat a popsicle! (I had not eaten in 24 hrs so that was the best popsicle I had ever had!) I was completely numb from the waist down, but I was starting to feel my contractions again, and they hurt bad! The nurse didn't want me to click my epidural button because she wanted me to be able to feel enough to push. She told me I was ready to try pushing! We did a "practice" push and suddenly there was a head! She said most 1st time moms take an hour and a half to get to that point. It had taken me 10 seconds! The nurse ran into the hall and said, "Get the Dr. we are delivering very soon!" The Dr. came in and 15 min later we had a baby girl!
Introducing Madilyn Laura-Ann Fannin!
Born August 15, 2:11pm
6lbs, 4oz
20in
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