DUE DATE

Well, today was my due date and my baby is 2 and 1/2 weeks old.

I went to the doctor for my normal twice a week appointment on Thursday, March 29, 2007, and my blood pressure was elevated (even after lying on my left side for 15-20 minutes). Because of my previous history with severe pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome when Dylan was born (and the fact that I had already been on bedrest for 2 months) the doctor decided it was best to go ahead and deliver instead of waiting for me to get sick like last time.

So, around 4:00 in the afternoon, I walked, yes - walked, to the OR. My MIL had picked up Dylan from school, so he got to see me before I went in for the c-section. I think all of the tubs and needles scared him, but we did get one picture with his hand on my stomach before I went in for surgery. He and MIL waited in the waiting room for the baby to be born.

Jason got changed into scrubs and waited outside for me to receive the epideral. I had really been hoping for a VBAC, but I wasn't dialated at all and my doctors will not induce for a VBAC. The fact that I didn't get to VBAC wound up being a good thing. Apparently, the baby was so wedged up in my ribs that the doctor doubted I would have been able to get him out on my own. As it was, I had the doctor's assistant practically sitting on my chest pushing on my abdomen trying to get him out.

Well, all was well. We made it to 37 weeks, 3 days. Brady Alan Lane weighed 7 pounds and was 18 3/4 inches long. His APGARs were 8 and 9. He cried wonderfully after a little bit of time. He did not need to go to the NICU, which we had been warned could be needed. Except for the first night, when I had to stay alone and couldn't get out of bed, he roomed in with me the whole time in the hospital. I actually got to bring a baby home from the hospital on the same day I went home. This has been a whole new experience for me.

My c-section recovery has been amazing. I have had virtually no pain. I could actually stand up completely straight the first time I got out of bed (and those of you who have had a c-section know how amazing that is).

Things are going well at home. I am extremely tired, as I am breast feeding this time so Jason doesn't have to get up at night (and since he is working, I don't think he should since he can't really do anything to help me anyway). Breast feeding is going well, Brady was back up to birth weight before we hit the two week mark. I will find out at his one month how much more he has gained. His days and nights are a little mixed up right now, but hopefully that will begin to straighten out soon.