I wanted to write this while everything was still fresh in my mind. I started researching and packing my hospital bag at 19 weeks, so I was super prepared!
The items I used and actually needed as below:
1. Eye mask. NEED. Hospital rooms are bright and nurses are in and out all day and night. We were there for 4 days, 3 nights and I was glad to have my eye mask to allow me to catch sleep for a few minutes here and there.
2. Cute Socks. NEED. I didn't wear flip flops or slippers, but getting in and out of the bed, I had my socks on. I wore my PUSH socks during the active part of my induction and loved them. If anything, next time I would pack another pair as I only packed two.
3. Clip on Fan. NEED. I had a magnesium IV due to pre-e, so my whole body felt like it was on fire. My fan clipped to my hospital bed blowing in my face was a GODSEND. However, I didn't realize the battery was a rechargeable battery and didn't pack the USB charger, so Nick had to go to the gift shop and buy me a charger. I'll remember that next time.
4. Dry Shampoo. NEED. I was in the hospital for 4 days. I took 2 showers while there, but never washed my hair as I didn't want to have to deal with blow drying and styling. My hair was never greasy or smelled bad. I swear by Living Proof Dry Shampoo.
5. Nightgown and robe. NEED. I brought one robe and two maternity nightgowns. After delivery, you are wearing mesh underwear and the biggest pad you have ever seen. You don't want to be pulling up and down pajama pants or leggings. Plus, your hospital bed will have a potty pad to sit on catch any leaks.
6. Delivery gown. NEED. I wore the hospital provided gown for the first night while I had the cervidel in. The back didn't cover my backside and the material was scratchy. I wore my delivery gown for my acual induction day and it was soft and comfortable, covering everything, but giving the nurses access to everything they needed.
7. 10ft iphone charging cord. NEED. I packed two and both were used. I always had access to my fully charged phone because induction is a long process.
8. Makeup. NICE TO HAVE. I wore makeup on days one and four. The other two I couldn't have cared less. It was nice to feel fresh and made up when we left the hospital.
9. Chapstick and ponytail elastics. NEED. There is something about the air in a hospital that your lips are always dry. I kept mine on the table right besides me. And my hair was always in a top knot or pony.
10. Toiletries bag. NEED. This is a hospital not a hotel, so nothing is provided to shower. I brought travel sized items like: Shampoo, conditioner, dry shampoo, bodywash, deordorant, fluffy, facewash, razor, toothbrush and toothpaste. Nick was able to use all these items as well (he brought his own toothbrush!)
11. Fridababy Friget, the Momwasher NEED. The hospital will provide a squirt bottle, but this one is SO MUCH BETTER. It even comes with a travel bag to bring to the hospital. Trust me. You will need this.
12. Heating pad. NEED. I used this with my 10 year old son while in labor before I get the epidural and it was a godsend the second time around too.
The only item I packed that was absolutely a waste was the Amazon Fire Stick. DO NOT NEED.
The hospital tour stated the TVs were compatible, but we found that not to be the case. The nurse and electrical guy that was called couldn't get it to work either. We tried using this on day one when I just had cervidal placed and was in good spirits to pass the time watching TV. The problem seemed to be there was no way to switch to HDMI since the remote was a hospital bed programmed remote.
Wednesday, October 10, 2018
Monday, October 8, 2018
Week One at home with baby
We were released from the hospital on Tuesday afternoon and home by 5pm.
The wheaties were in full on curiousity mode as the "belly puppy" was now home. The first night was exhausting, so was the second night. Matheson had his first visit with Dr Penn. He has been Tristan's pediatrician for 10 years now. Nick liked the Dr as I knew he would. Dr Penn is older and has a Mr Rogers vibe. Very im
On Thursday, Dr Penn called with his billirubin results and it was higher than anticipated, so he instructed us to go to Texas Children's Hospital and have it re-tested with rapid results to see if it had gone down any. We left right away and ended up admitted for 12 hours of photolight therapy. That night was super hard as we didn't anticipate spending the night in another hospital. Also, do you know how hard it is when your baby cries, not to pick him up to comfort him? Very hard. We could only remove Matty from under the lights for quick feedings every 3 hours. Nick and I took shifts. One would sleep, the other would watch to make sure his neoglasses stayed on and give him his binky when he cried. He was released the next morning when the blood test showed his levels had gone from 18.4 to 14.2.
Saturday, I was starting to feel like myself again and even decorated the front yard with Halloween decorations. Nick and I were getting into a groove of feedings and naps. He was getting more and more comfortable being a dad. I love that man more than he will ever know. Watching him care for our son and for me has given me a since of calm and security that I did not have with Tristan.
Monday was our follow-up visit with Dr Penn. Matheson is doing great! More bloodwork to make sure the levels were continuing to go down. Now at a 12.
Tuesday morning, today, I was on my own for the first time as Nick returned to work. I was sad he only got one week of paternity leave and 4 days of that was spent in hospitals.
I brought Matty to get his newborn photos taken with Bri Sullivan in The Woodlands. We needed to be there at 8am. He was PERFECT during his photoshoot. A complete natural and I can't wait to see the photos in 3 weeks. These will be used for our Christmas card, so I won't be posting on social media just yet.
The wheaties were in full on curiousity mode as the "belly puppy" was now home. The first night was exhausting, so was the second night. Matheson had his first visit with Dr Penn. He has been Tristan's pediatrician for 10 years now. Nick liked the Dr as I knew he would. Dr Penn is older and has a Mr Rogers vibe. Very im
On Thursday, Dr Penn called with his billirubin results and it was higher than anticipated, so he instructed us to go to Texas Children's Hospital and have it re-tested with rapid results to see if it had gone down any. We left right away and ended up admitted for 12 hours of photolight therapy. That night was super hard as we didn't anticipate spending the night in another hospital. Also, do you know how hard it is when your baby cries, not to pick him up to comfort him? Very hard. We could only remove Matty from under the lights for quick feedings every 3 hours. Nick and I took shifts. One would sleep, the other would watch to make sure his neoglasses stayed on and give him his binky when he cried. He was released the next morning when the blood test showed his levels had gone from 18.4 to 14.2.
Saturday, I was starting to feel like myself again and even decorated the front yard with Halloween decorations. Nick and I were getting into a groove of feedings and naps. He was getting more and more comfortable being a dad. I love that man more than he will ever know. Watching him care for our son and for me has given me a since of calm and security that I did not have with Tristan.
Monday was our follow-up visit with Dr Penn. Matheson is doing great! More bloodwork to make sure the levels were continuing to go down. Now at a 12.
Tuesday morning, today, I was on my own for the first time as Nick returned to work. I was sad he only got one week of paternity leave and 4 days of that was spent in hospitals.
I brought Matty to get his newborn photos taken with Bri Sullivan in The Woodlands. We needed to be there at 8am. He was PERFECT during his photoshoot. A complete natural and I can't wait to see the photos in 3 weeks. These will be used for our Christmas card, so I won't be posting on social media just yet.
Thursday, October 4, 2018
Birth story! Matheson is here!
Matheson Paul Norstrom
10/1/18 Born 1:37am
6lbs 13oz 19" long
36 weeks gestation
Today is October 4, 2018.
I type this from my home office while Matheson is currently dreaming away in his Mamaroo swing a few feet away from me. We had his first pediatrician visit today as he is showing signs of jaundice. Bloodwork was done and we were instructed to go outside or keep him close to a sunny window for vitamin D.
Saturday, September 29
My birth story starts on Saturday. At 11:45am, I needed to bring my 24 hour urine collection to the hospital and be observed for the 1-2 hours that it took to get the urine results. My last collection 4 weeks prior had me at 275 and 300 was the cutoff for pre-eclampsia. As my blood pressure continued to rise, headaches that couldn't be resolved with Tylenol and I had a feeling that I would end up with pre-e and be admitted. I packed the remaining items in my carry on bag and loaded into the car. Nick and Tristan stayed home as I was just supposed to be gone a short amount of time.
Fast forward a few hours, after being observed in L&D and I did indeed delevop pre-eclampsia and the on call doctor wanted to move forward with an induction THAT NIGHT. I signed admittance forms via an ipad and was quickly moved to another room. Nick brought Tristan to my moms and made arrangements for the dogs and then headed to the hospital.
I was given Cervidil, which was in a tampon form to be inserted for 12 hours. I received it at 6:43pm on 9/29. It was to be removed the following morning. I was also started on a bolis of 4mg of magnesium at 10pm for 30 minutes and then 2mg every hour there after until I delivered. Never in my life have I experienced such an awful feeling from a medication. My whole body flushed and felt hot, the IV felt like pure fire entering my veins. I needed an ice pack just on the IV port. The nurse dropped the AC in the room and everyone froze while I felt my body be on fire. It also caused flu like symptoms. In other words, I was miserable.
Sunday, September 30
Once the Cervidil was removed at 6am, I was allowed to shower and put on my hospital gown that I brought. Pitocin was started at 8am that Sunday. I was still only 1cm dilated after the cervidil. The contractions started pretty soon after the Pitocin and I was given an epidural at 11:30am.
The epidural was traumatic. Not at all like I experienced with Tristan. Last time, I remember there being a burning sensation that quickly resolved. This time, there was pain and burning and I couldn't stay still to have it inserted. I was having contractions and my blood sugar dropped very low, which caused me to be extremely emotional. I held the nurse, Elizabeth and cried as the anesthesiologist tried multiple times to insert, which caused more pain each time. Once done, I still couldn't stop crying. Nick was not allowed to be in the room during this and now I understand why partners aren't allowed as my pain and distress would have certainly caused him to get upset.
I got relief pretty quickly from contraction pain and the need to urinate, but the magnesium feeling of awfulness never went away. I dilated slowly. Each check, I was still only 2cm. The nurse would move me in different positions from side to side to using a peanut birthing ball every 30 minutes. Nothing. Still not dilated anymore. Shift change at 7pm and I received another nurse, Cynthia. Both Nick and I loved Elizabeth and didn't want her to leave. I need to bring her cookies or something because she truly went above and beyond. Every other nurse asked me what I needed, Elizabeth anticipated my needs when I didn't even know what they were like bringing me a popcicle when I hadn't eaten since the night before or trying to figure out with Nick how the Amazon Firestick worked on the TV. She was simply amazing.
After each cervical check, my Pitocin was increased. By the time I was ready to push, the Pitocin drip was already maxed out at 30. The maxed doses caused intense contractions that started nausea and the shakes. I threw up several times back to back and needed to be put on something stronger than Zofron. I don't remember the name, but it finally took away the need to puke. I was also using the button to release more numbing medication into my epidural. I was at 7cm when all this was occuring and I was started to get delusional that I would actually succeed in having a vaginal delivery. I hung in there.
Monday, October 1st.
I was in labor for over 30 hours at this point. In the wee hours of the morning on the first day of October, I was finally dilated to 9.5 and the need to push was also layered with the need to poop! Matheson was engaged in my birth canal for awhile putting pressure on my rectum. Pure agony even with epidural. I begged for the nurses to just let me push. The doctor on call, Dr Macintosh agreed to let me start pushing. It felt surreal at that point as the overhead lights were turned on and here I was spread eagle naked for all to see and I just didn't care. I pushed once and the doctor stated she could see his head and it would happen very quickly. The dynamics changed as the doctor changed into her birthing gown and we started again. I pushed for less than five minutes before Matheson made his way into the world! I felt no pain during the active part of pushing. At 1:37am, he was put on my chest covered in amnotic goo and I was so in love with that face! Matheson was very alert and looking at me while the nurses cleaned him up. He was then whisked away to the warmer. He was crying, but more like singing, so he was taken to the nursery for a quick one over to make sure he was breathing properly. He was breathing normally and was brought back a few minutes later. His APGAR score was 8/9, so pure healthy perfection!
I ended up with a second degree internal tear. Dr Macintosh stitched me up while Matheson was in the warmer. She stated it was "not an impressive tear", which made me chuckle as to make sure I didn't overplay my battle ground labor story. Insert eye roll
After everything I went through with IVF, my baby boy was finally here. It was such a beautiful and emotional moment to realize that we made it. We survived infertility and were now parents to a healthy boy that shares the same birth day as his dad and brother, the first. A date that truly won't be forgotten.
I was moved to an antepartum room about an hour after delivery as I still needed magesium for 24 hours after delivery. I was not happy about this, but at least the dosage was lowered to 1mg during that time. I wanted an upgraded suite, but couldn't get one due to still needing care myself.
We were released to go home the next day about 4pm. It was a worldwind of people coming in and out of our room. I had a nurse and he had his own baby nurse. He needed a hearing check, a jaundice check, a circumcision and car seat check. The car seat check was only for babies born before 37 weeks. He needed to maintain his oxygen levels during a 90 minute session in the seat. He failed twice that evening and had to have it again the following morning, when he did pass. We were so ready to go at that point and were just hoping everything was ok.
I was so glad to finally get out of that hospital and to our own home. We did it!
I had the nurse use a rainbow inkpad for Matheson's footprints. I never want to forget the twins we lost before that made him possible.
10/1/18 Born 1:37am
6lbs 13oz 19" long
36 weeks gestation
Today is October 4, 2018.
I type this from my home office while Matheson is currently dreaming away in his Mamaroo swing a few feet away from me. We had his first pediatrician visit today as he is showing signs of jaundice. Bloodwork was done and we were instructed to go outside or keep him close to a sunny window for vitamin D.
Saturday, September 29
My birth story starts on Saturday. At 11:45am, I needed to bring my 24 hour urine collection to the hospital and be observed for the 1-2 hours that it took to get the urine results. My last collection 4 weeks prior had me at 275 and 300 was the cutoff for pre-eclampsia. As my blood pressure continued to rise, headaches that couldn't be resolved with Tylenol and I had a feeling that I would end up with pre-e and be admitted. I packed the remaining items in my carry on bag and loaded into the car. Nick and Tristan stayed home as I was just supposed to be gone a short amount of time.
Fast forward a few hours, after being observed in L&D and I did indeed delevop pre-eclampsia and the on call doctor wanted to move forward with an induction THAT NIGHT. I signed admittance forms via an ipad and was quickly moved to another room. Nick brought Tristan to my moms and made arrangements for the dogs and then headed to the hospital.
I was given Cervidil, which was in a tampon form to be inserted for 12 hours. I received it at 6:43pm on 9/29. It was to be removed the following morning. I was also started on a bolis of 4mg of magnesium at 10pm for 30 minutes and then 2mg every hour there after until I delivered. Never in my life have I experienced such an awful feeling from a medication. My whole body flushed and felt hot, the IV felt like pure fire entering my veins. I needed an ice pack just on the IV port. The nurse dropped the AC in the room and everyone froze while I felt my body be on fire. It also caused flu like symptoms. In other words, I was miserable.
Sunday, September 30
Once the Cervidil was removed at 6am, I was allowed to shower and put on my hospital gown that I brought. Pitocin was started at 8am that Sunday. I was still only 1cm dilated after the cervidil. The contractions started pretty soon after the Pitocin and I was given an epidural at 11:30am.
The epidural was traumatic. Not at all like I experienced with Tristan. Last time, I remember there being a burning sensation that quickly resolved. This time, there was pain and burning and I couldn't stay still to have it inserted. I was having contractions and my blood sugar dropped very low, which caused me to be extremely emotional. I held the nurse, Elizabeth and cried as the anesthesiologist tried multiple times to insert, which caused more pain each time. Once done, I still couldn't stop crying. Nick was not allowed to be in the room during this and now I understand why partners aren't allowed as my pain and distress would have certainly caused him to get upset.
I got relief pretty quickly from contraction pain and the need to urinate, but the magnesium feeling of awfulness never went away. I dilated slowly. Each check, I was still only 2cm. The nurse would move me in different positions from side to side to using a peanut birthing ball every 30 minutes. Nothing. Still not dilated anymore. Shift change at 7pm and I received another nurse, Cynthia. Both Nick and I loved Elizabeth and didn't want her to leave. I need to bring her cookies or something because she truly went above and beyond. Every other nurse asked me what I needed, Elizabeth anticipated my needs when I didn't even know what they were like bringing me a popcicle when I hadn't eaten since the night before or trying to figure out with Nick how the Amazon Firestick worked on the TV. She was simply amazing.
After each cervical check, my Pitocin was increased. By the time I was ready to push, the Pitocin drip was already maxed out at 30. The maxed doses caused intense contractions that started nausea and the shakes. I threw up several times back to back and needed to be put on something stronger than Zofron. I don't remember the name, but it finally took away the need to puke. I was also using the button to release more numbing medication into my epidural. I was at 7cm when all this was occuring and I was started to get delusional that I would actually succeed in having a vaginal delivery. I hung in there.
Monday, October 1st.
I was in labor for over 30 hours at this point. In the wee hours of the morning on the first day of October, I was finally dilated to 9.5 and the need to push was also layered with the need to poop! Matheson was engaged in my birth canal for awhile putting pressure on my rectum. Pure agony even with epidural. I begged for the nurses to just let me push. The doctor on call, Dr Macintosh agreed to let me start pushing. It felt surreal at that point as the overhead lights were turned on and here I was spread eagle naked for all to see and I just didn't care. I pushed once and the doctor stated she could see his head and it would happen very quickly. The dynamics changed as the doctor changed into her birthing gown and we started again. I pushed for less than five minutes before Matheson made his way into the world! I felt no pain during the active part of pushing. At 1:37am, he was put on my chest covered in amnotic goo and I was so in love with that face! Matheson was very alert and looking at me while the nurses cleaned him up. He was then whisked away to the warmer. He was crying, but more like singing, so he was taken to the nursery for a quick one over to make sure he was breathing properly. He was breathing normally and was brought back a few minutes later. His APGAR score was 8/9, so pure healthy perfection!
I ended up with a second degree internal tear. Dr Macintosh stitched me up while Matheson was in the warmer. She stated it was "not an impressive tear", which made me chuckle as to make sure I didn't overplay my battle ground labor story. Insert eye roll
After everything I went through with IVF, my baby boy was finally here. It was such a beautiful and emotional moment to realize that we made it. We survived infertility and were now parents to a healthy boy that shares the same birth day as his dad and brother, the first. A date that truly won't be forgotten.
I was moved to an antepartum room about an hour after delivery as I still needed magesium for 24 hours after delivery. I was not happy about this, but at least the dosage was lowered to 1mg during that time. I wanted an upgraded suite, but couldn't get one due to still needing care myself.
We were released to go home the next day about 4pm. It was a worldwind of people coming in and out of our room. I had a nurse and he had his own baby nurse. He needed a hearing check, a jaundice check, a circumcision and car seat check. The car seat check was only for babies born before 37 weeks. He needed to maintain his oxygen levels during a 90 minute session in the seat. He failed twice that evening and had to have it again the following morning, when he did pass. We were so ready to go at that point and were just hoping everything was ok.
I was so glad to finally get out of that hospital and to our own home. We did it!
I had the nurse use a rainbow inkpad for Matheson's footprints. I never want to forget the twins we lost before that made him possible.
"Rainbow Babies is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn't mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy, and hope.” - Unknown