The community nurse came to the house yesterday to have a look at Nio.
Everything looks really great and she's really happy with his development.
She didn't measure his length, but did measure his head circumference...which was 36cm. It was 34cm at birth.
In other good news...he's up to 3.3kg! Nearly back to birth weight. He's put on nearly 300g in less than a week! :D
Over the weekend, I started giving him a bottle of ebm (expressed breast milk) for his 6am (approx) feed. I'm up anyway...and this way, Louise can get a bigger block of sleep. It's also great for me...because I have an hour where it's just me and Nio (and Freya watching intently).
There's not much that is as beautiful as a baby looking into your eyes as he feeds.
I continue to be amazed by him every single day.
I also find that I'm thinking about Thomas more than usual too. Maybe because Nio looks so much like him...maybe because I just miss Thomas so much...maybe both.
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Jaundice
They let us leave the hospital on Monday morning. They said that Nio was a little yellow, but should be fine...just to keep an eye on him.
Tuesday was great. Wednesday morning was great.
Late Wednesday morning (17 October), Louise was starting to get a bit worried because he hadn't had a proper feed since 6 that morning...and he was sleeping heavily. She woke him up for a feed and noticed that his eyes were a bit yellow.
So, she called the doctor and got an appointment for that afternoon.
Her mom took her and I left work early to meet them there. The doctor was a bit concerned and suggested we take him to the hospital...just to get checked out.
We got to the hospital at about 4:30...he had had a 45 minute feed at 6 am, a 30 minute feed at midday, and a 5 minute feed at 3pm. And he showed no interest in feeding...mainly because he was not waking up to feed.
His reflexes were fine, he was just too tired to eat.
They put a cannula in his arm...and I cried as much as he did. The most amazing thing happened though...he was crying and Louise put her hand on his head and said "Mumma's here, Nio..." and he calmed right down. It was just beautiful.
He was pretty dehydrated and more yellow. They tested his bilirubin levels and they were at 308. Borderline for being under the lights.
Since he was only 6 days old and hadn't been feeding properly during the day, they decided to go ahead and put him under the lights for the night.
Only one of us could stay the night...and that had to be Louise, since she's feeding him. It was SO hard leaving them to go home... :(
As you can see, he looked quite comfortable...which made it a bit easier. He was in the best place, having the best treatment. They were keeping a close eye on him...it just didn't seem fair that we only had him at home for two nights before he had to go back.
I went back in at 6 am the following morning and there was a huge difference in him. He was more alert, not as yellow, and he had gained 20g overnight. (Birth weight was 3.425kg, weight on Wednesday was 3.04kg, weight on Thursday was 3.06kg)
The midwife on duty gave Louise some great breastfeeding tips...and they worked like a charm!
By Thursday afternoon, Nio's bilirubin levels were down to 240...and they let us bring him home!
Louise had to take him in on Friday for one last test and it had come down even more to 211. The doctor is convinced that he's just fine. After all, jaundice is pretty common.
It may be common, but seeing him so floppy and non-alert scared the hell out of me.
He's all good now, though! :D
Tuesday was great. Wednesday morning was great.
Late Wednesday morning (17 October), Louise was starting to get a bit worried because he hadn't had a proper feed since 6 that morning...and he was sleeping heavily. She woke him up for a feed and noticed that his eyes were a bit yellow.
So, she called the doctor and got an appointment for that afternoon.
Her mom took her and I left work early to meet them there. The doctor was a bit concerned and suggested we take him to the hospital...just to get checked out.
We got to the hospital at about 4:30...he had had a 45 minute feed at 6 am, a 30 minute feed at midday, and a 5 minute feed at 3pm. And he showed no interest in feeding...mainly because he was not waking up to feed.
His reflexes were fine, he was just too tired to eat.
They put a cannula in his arm...and I cried as much as he did. The most amazing thing happened though...he was crying and Louise put her hand on his head and said "Mumma's here, Nio..." and he calmed right down. It was just beautiful.
He was pretty dehydrated and more yellow. They tested his bilirubin levels and they were at 308. Borderline for being under the lights.
Since he was only 6 days old and hadn't been feeding properly during the day, they decided to go ahead and put him under the lights for the night.
Only one of us could stay the night...and that had to be Louise, since she's feeding him. It was SO hard leaving them to go home... :(
As you can see, he looked quite comfortable...which made it a bit easier. He was in the best place, having the best treatment. They were keeping a close eye on him...it just didn't seem fair that we only had him at home for two nights before he had to go back.
I went back in at 6 am the following morning and there was a huge difference in him. He was more alert, not as yellow, and he had gained 20g overnight. (Birth weight was 3.425kg, weight on Wednesday was 3.04kg, weight on Thursday was 3.06kg)
The midwife on duty gave Louise some great breastfeeding tips...and they worked like a charm!
By Thursday afternoon, Nio's bilirubin levels were down to 240...and they let us bring him home!
Louise had to take him in on Friday for one last test and it had come down even more to 211. The doctor is convinced that he's just fine. After all, jaundice is pretty common.
It may be common, but seeing him so floppy and non-alert scared the hell out of me.
He's all good now, though! :D
Birth Story - Part 2
I spent most of that day going back and forth between the nursery and Louise's room. She obviously needed the rest and I wanted to be able to give her as many updates about our son as possible.
On my third trip down, I noticed that he had a tiny tube in his mouth. One of the nurses came over and explained what was going on. Apparently his oxygen sats had dropped again...and his heart rate was still a bit high. They put in a small tube and suctioned some mucous out of his stomach...and instantly, his heart rate dropped to normal and his oxygen went up to 98%.
The poor little guy was working so hard to get the mucous out, but just couldn't.
The tube didn't stay in for long and soon after they had taken it out, I was able to take him back to the room for a cuddle and a feed. We kept him in the room with us for a little over an hour and then I had to take him back.
Louise had a sleep...I went and found something for dinner.
It kind of felt like we didn't have a baby...because he wasn't right there with us. A few hours later, I went and got him for another feed and the nurses told me that they'd more than likely release him to the ward the following morning.
I could have stayed the night, but Louise needed to get as good of a sleep as she possibly could...and I needed to get home to feed the furkids.
So, after I took Nio back to the nursery and got him settled in for the night, I went back to the room and made sure Louise was settled in. It was hard leaving, but I knew that neither one of us would get a decent rest if I stayed.
The following morning, they brought him into the room...and he's been with us ever since.
Pretty uneventful birth story, compared to some others that I've read. But, our uneventful story resulted in a live, healthy baby...and that's all we care about.
:)
On my third trip down, I noticed that he had a tiny tube in his mouth. One of the nurses came over and explained what was going on. Apparently his oxygen sats had dropped again...and his heart rate was still a bit high. They put in a small tube and suctioned some mucous out of his stomach...and instantly, his heart rate dropped to normal and his oxygen went up to 98%.
The poor little guy was working so hard to get the mucous out, but just couldn't.
The tube didn't stay in for long and soon after they had taken it out, I was able to take him back to the room for a cuddle and a feed. We kept him in the room with us for a little over an hour and then I had to take him back.
Louise had a sleep...I went and found something for dinner.
It kind of felt like we didn't have a baby...because he wasn't right there with us. A few hours later, I went and got him for another feed and the nurses told me that they'd more than likely release him to the ward the following morning.
I could have stayed the night, but Louise needed to get as good of a sleep as she possibly could...and I needed to get home to feed the furkids.
So, after I took Nio back to the nursery and got him settled in for the night, I went back to the room and made sure Louise was settled in. It was hard leaving, but I knew that neither one of us would get a decent rest if I stayed.
The following morning, they brought him into the room...and he's been with us ever since.
Pretty uneventful birth story, compared to some others that I've read. But, our uneventful story resulted in a live, healthy baby...and that's all we care about.
:)
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Birth Story - Part 1
With a new job and a new baby, it's a wonder I'm able to get anything done anywhere. *LOL*
Okay, so here we go...
We got to the hospital at 5:55 on the morning of Thursday, 11 October 2012. I dropped Louise off at the front door and I went to park the car at the train station (free parking!). She messaged me to let me know that she was in a private room.
At first I was nervous...because in the back of my head, a private room for a pregnant woman doesn't make me feel all that secure. I finally get to the maternity ward and a midwife told me that she was in room 6.
Room 6 is next door to room 7. Room 7 is where Thomas was born.
Walked in and she was sitting calmly on the bed. I rubbed her belly and told our little boy that we'd be meeting him soon. After all, we were first on the list...and they start at 8am.
At a few minutes past 7, another midwife came in and handed me a pair of scrubs. We were getting ready to leave for the operating room. It wasn't long before an orderly arrived to wheel Louise's bed out of the room. She had been doing so very well until that moment...and then the reality of what was getting ready to happen hit her.
They took her into the operating theatre...and made me wait out in the hall until they got her ready. It felt like forever that I was sitting there, but in reality...it was probably only about 15 minutes or so.
At 8, they took me in and everything was all set up. They directed me to a stool next to Louise's head and said "You have access to that hand", meaning her right one. I grabbed it pretty quickly and we just chatted for a little while.
At 8:30, I was starting to get a bit worried because it was taking so long to get him out. At 8:38, Dr. K said "Get your camera ready, he's almost out"...and then I heard him cry. The most beautiful sound I've ever heard.
At 8:39, our Nio was here. And screaming about the injustice of it all.
The took him over to an examination table and told me to come over so I could trim the cord. I got that done and then just stood there...in awe of this amazing being who was screaming.
Within a few minutes, the decision was made to take him to the special care nursery. He was okay, he was just having some issues with his breathing and his heartrate was a bit higher than they liked. I asked Louise what she wanted me to do...and she told me to go with him.
I followed them down to the nursery and they were all wonderful. They could tell I was scared and did everything they could to reassure me. It was all precautionary.
I sat next to him and talked to him and gently stroked his arms and legs....and waited for Louise. Because they said that they would bring her through on the way back to our room.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the orderly wheeled her bed right through the nursery and stopped right in front of our son. It was then that we confirmed to each other (and everyone else standing there) that his name was definitely Nio. It just suited him.
Louise could only stay for a few minutes, but it was wonderful to watch her eyes light up when she looked at our son...this beautiful little boy that she created.
I had intended to write the whole story, but it's nearly time for me to go home...and since my computer died, I can only do this at work for the time being.
I'll write Part 2 tomorrow. :)
Okay, so here we go...
We got to the hospital at 5:55 on the morning of Thursday, 11 October 2012. I dropped Louise off at the front door and I went to park the car at the train station (free parking!). She messaged me to let me know that she was in a private room.
At first I was nervous...because in the back of my head, a private room for a pregnant woman doesn't make me feel all that secure. I finally get to the maternity ward and a midwife told me that she was in room 6.
Room 6 is next door to room 7. Room 7 is where Thomas was born.
Walked in and she was sitting calmly on the bed. I rubbed her belly and told our little boy that we'd be meeting him soon. After all, we were first on the list...and they start at 8am.
At a few minutes past 7, another midwife came in and handed me a pair of scrubs. We were getting ready to leave for the operating room. It wasn't long before an orderly arrived to wheel Louise's bed out of the room. She had been doing so very well until that moment...and then the reality of what was getting ready to happen hit her.
They took her into the operating theatre...and made me wait out in the hall until they got her ready. It felt like forever that I was sitting there, but in reality...it was probably only about 15 minutes or so.
At 8, they took me in and everything was all set up. They directed me to a stool next to Louise's head and said "You have access to that hand", meaning her right one. I grabbed it pretty quickly and we just chatted for a little while.
At 8:30, I was starting to get a bit worried because it was taking so long to get him out. At 8:38, Dr. K said "Get your camera ready, he's almost out"...and then I heard him cry. The most beautiful sound I've ever heard.
At 8:39, our Nio was here. And screaming about the injustice of it all.
The took him over to an examination table and told me to come over so I could trim the cord. I got that done and then just stood there...in awe of this amazing being who was screaming.
Within a few minutes, the decision was made to take him to the special care nursery. He was okay, he was just having some issues with his breathing and his heartrate was a bit higher than they liked. I asked Louise what she wanted me to do...and she told me to go with him.
I followed them down to the nursery and they were all wonderful. They could tell I was scared and did everything they could to reassure me. It was all precautionary.
I sat next to him and talked to him and gently stroked his arms and legs....and waited for Louise. Because they said that they would bring her through on the way back to our room.
Sure enough, a few minutes later, the orderly wheeled her bed right through the nursery and stopped right in front of our son. It was then that we confirmed to each other (and everyone else standing there) that his name was definitely Nio. It just suited him.
Louise could only stay for a few minutes, but it was wonderful to watch her eyes light up when she looked at our son...this beautiful little boy that she created.
I had intended to write the whole story, but it's nearly time for me to go home...and since my computer died, I can only do this at work for the time being.
I'll write Part 2 tomorrow. :)
Friday, 12 October 2012
Wombat has arrived!
I'll write the story later (because I want to get to the hospital), but for now...pictures!!!
Nio MacDonald Oatley Harrison
8:39am 11 October 2012
3.425kg
52cm
Nio MacDonald Oatley Harrison
8:39am 11 October 2012
3.425kg
52cm
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Today is the day!
Leaving in about 10 minutes to head to the hospital.
Hopefully there have been no emergencies overnight....we're first on the list!!!
In just a few short hours, we'll finally be meeting our son! :D
Hopefully there have been no emergencies overnight....we're first on the list!!!
In just a few short hours, we'll finally be meeting our son! :D
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
TWO Sleeps!
El had her pre-admission clinic yesterday...everything looks good and the anesthetist is recommending a spinal tap for the caesarian. She was telling me how he had described it...and I had to sit down as it was making me feel a bit faint. LOL. This has nothing to do with the procedure itself, it just made me think about the spinal injections I had to have before I had my back surgery a couple of years ago.
Installation of the new lino for the kitchen and the new carpet for the living room is today. In fact, the lino guys are there now. I'm not going to recognize the place when I get home tonight. :)
While moving furniture out of the rooms last night, I needed a place to put the pram. So I put it in the car. And it made everything seem so real. There's a pram in our car! :D
I'm hoping that we'll get the car seat in tonight. If not tonight, DEFINITELY tomorrow night. Because...El's my instruction reader, so I need her there. ;)
I'm hoping that in 48 hours from now, we'll be holding our son...and being completely overwhelmed by how amazing he really is.
TWO MORE SLEEPS!!!
Installation of the new lino for the kitchen and the new carpet for the living room is today. In fact, the lino guys are there now. I'm not going to recognize the place when I get home tonight. :)
While moving furniture out of the rooms last night, I needed a place to put the pram. So I put it in the car. And it made everything seem so real. There's a pram in our car! :D
I'm hoping that we'll get the car seat in tonight. If not tonight, DEFINITELY tomorrow night. Because...El's my instruction reader, so I need her there. ;)
I'm hoping that in 48 hours from now, we'll be holding our son...and being completely overwhelmed by how amazing he really is.
TWO MORE SLEEPS!!!
Sunday, 7 October 2012
Four Sleeps!
Four more sleeps and then we'll meet our little boy!
Last night, I put the pram together. I had planned on getting the car seat in the car this afternoon, but I ended up taking a longer-than-intended nap instead. :(
Tomorrow I have to get all of the furniture moved out of the living room and the pantry moved out of the kitchen. New carpet for the living room and new lino for the kitchen on Tuesday!
Tuesday night I'll have to move all of the furniture back into the living room. *LOL*
Wednesday morning, we'll go to our last Subsequent Pregnancy Group meeting before Nio arrives.
Wednesday night will probably be kind of sleepless...
FOUR SLEEPS!!!
Last night, I put the pram together. I had planned on getting the car seat in the car this afternoon, but I ended up taking a longer-than-intended nap instead. :(
Tomorrow I have to get all of the furniture moved out of the living room and the pantry moved out of the kitchen. New carpet for the living room and new lino for the kitchen on Tuesday!
Tuesday night I'll have to move all of the furniture back into the living room. *LOL*
Wednesday morning, we'll go to our last Subsequent Pregnancy Group meeting before Nio arrives.
Wednesday night will probably be kind of sleepless...
FOUR SLEEPS!!!
Thursday, 4 October 2012
OB Appointment
Everything still looks really good. Dr. K says that Nio is definitely above average for size.
He's actually in the 90th percentile. *LOL*
He didn't bother doing a pelvic exam, because there's really no point. He's nowhere near engaged and definitely not in the right position. Before he did a scan, Louise said "I'm pretty sure he's gone posterior again..."
Dr. K confirmed that.
So, caesarian it is. It's actually quite good to know now. No surprises, we know what we're dealing with. I think the only "bad" part is that there can only be one person in the delivery room with her since it's a surgical procedure. That one person is me and there's no way I'm giving up that spot.
But, it would've been nice if Sue (Louise's mum) could be there too...especially since she was there for Thomas' birth. I wish my mom could be here. :(
This weekend are steroid shots...one at 10:30 on Saturday morning and one at 10:30 on Sunday morning. This is normal protocol now for any caesarian. She'll have to go to a pre-admission clinic early next week and then we'll have to be at the hospital at 6 am on Thursday.
We don't know what time the birth will be because she's going on the "emergency" list. Not really sure why...I think I missed that part of the conversation while I was having a silent panic attack...*LOL* I think it has to do with the public health system...maybe? The important thing is nothing is wrong.
So, we'll get to the hospital, get checked in and then when there's a free time slot...we'll go get Nio. :)
There is a slight chance (if someone else has an emergency) that the birth might be pushed to Friday morning, but that's very slight...according to Dr. K.
All Americans reading this: if you can remember his birthday is in October, you'll be able to remember his birthdate. Start with 10 and count up...10/11/12. *LMAO*
And now...the major countdown begins.
SEVEN DAYS!
He's actually in the 90th percentile. *LOL*
He didn't bother doing a pelvic exam, because there's really no point. He's nowhere near engaged and definitely not in the right position. Before he did a scan, Louise said "I'm pretty sure he's gone posterior again..."
Dr. K confirmed that.
So, caesarian it is. It's actually quite good to know now. No surprises, we know what we're dealing with. I think the only "bad" part is that there can only be one person in the delivery room with her since it's a surgical procedure. That one person is me and there's no way I'm giving up that spot.
But, it would've been nice if Sue (Louise's mum) could be there too...especially since she was there for Thomas' birth. I wish my mom could be here. :(
This weekend are steroid shots...one at 10:30 on Saturday morning and one at 10:30 on Sunday morning. This is normal protocol now for any caesarian. She'll have to go to a pre-admission clinic early next week and then we'll have to be at the hospital at 6 am on Thursday.
We don't know what time the birth will be because she's going on the "emergency" list. Not really sure why...I think I missed that part of the conversation while I was having a silent panic attack...*LOL* I think it has to do with the public health system...maybe? The important thing is nothing is wrong.
So, we'll get to the hospital, get checked in and then when there's a free time slot...we'll go get Nio. :)
There is a slight chance (if someone else has an emergency) that the birth might be pushed to Friday morning, but that's very slight...according to Dr. K.
All Americans reading this: if you can remember his birthday is in October, you'll be able to remember his birthdate. Start with 10 and count up...10/11/12. *LMAO*
And now...the major countdown begins.
SEVEN DAYS!
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Time is crawling...
Eight days to go.
The past 5 days have taken about 2 weeks to get through, it seems. :(
The past 5 days have taken about 2 weeks to get through, it seems. :(
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