Be warned - I'm whining here

So now I'm getting to the point where the sleep deprivation is getting to me. Isaiah is still sleeping so much better than our other two did, but after several weeks at the end of pregnancy of getting up every 2 hours, surgical delivery and recovery then 3 weeks with a newborn is starting to wear down my patience. That's the bad part. I don't feel overly exhausted. After working night shift for several years, I'm used to not getting 8 hours of sleep. It's my attitude with my 2 older kids and husband that's bothering me. I've noticed that the usual things kids at 3 adn 4 do are setting me off much quicker than they used to, and I've raised my voice at them more than I'd like to admit. They have been a bit trying. I feel like a broken record telling them not to run in the house, to quit playing on the stairs, to pick up their toys, and to sit still and eat their meals. Meal time has always been a pain in the a*s. Jacob refuses to eat most foods and Clara bounces in her booster seat, drops her fork and falls out of her chair. And they'll sit there and not eat for 45minutes! Lately, I've been setting a timer and they get 30 minutes, and if they don't eat, then they have to wait until the next meal. I've been told that's what you should do, but it's hard to watch your kids not eat and then whine in 3 hours that they're hungry.

Husband has also been a bit annoying. The first week I was home, he was wonderful. He made sure the older kids were taken care of, laundry done, meals, and made sure I didn't try to do things I shouldn't do. But man, the last week he's been the complete opposite. For example, he hasn't gotten up to change the baby's diaper in the last 1 1/2 weeks. I am breastfeeding, exclusively until 6 months. The plan was he would change the diapers since he doesn't have the equipment to do feedings. That didn't last. And the other day, after a more fussy night and I didn't get much sleep, fighting to get 3 kids into the van only to find that husband didn't move the middle seats up so the kids had leg room (I'm not strong enough), didn't put gas in the van and he had taken the debit card (of course, I was out of cash). I had pictures at a friends followed by yet another MD's appointment and he complained that he didn't get a nap that day. This complaint was voiced to a woman who by 4 pm had only eaten 2 pieces of toast and drank 1 glass of water and a can of pop. Needless to say I was a bit irritated. I managed to bite my tongue, which is a HUGE feat for me because I knew it'd get ugly. I did remind him the next day that I could be formula feeding or supplementing and he could be getting up and doing every other feeding in the middle of the night instead of sleeping. Men, I tell ya.

Anyway, last night was the best night so far. Isaiah was the fussiest he's been from about 8 until 10:30. I think he was gassy and overtired, but once he fell asleep, he slept until 3:30 and went back to sleep and didn't wake up until 7a.m.! It was great. Well, I've rambled on enough.

Mid-morning ramblings of a sleep deprived mom and RN

One thing I've been wondering about the last week or two is how I sound when I talk to patients on the phone. We get phone calls in L&D in the middle of the night, usually it's a patient who's been worried about something, tried to go to sleep, couldn't and either needs to come in, or needs reassurance that something they are experiencing is normal. Like feeling mild cramping at 39 weeks. We aren't allowed to give any advice over the phone for liability reasons. All we can say is either come in and let us check you out, or call your doctor. Occasionally someone will call with a concern about something that turns out to be usual pregnancy/early labor symptoms. I'll admit that sometimes I've been frustrated by a few calls that, to me, seem pretty simple. I'm not perfect, but I try to remember that not everyone is as familiar with pregnancy as I am. I just hope that I never sounded irritated, put-off or that I thought they were dumb to call in, although I'm sure I have. It's is always best to err on the side of caution and call or be seen. Here's what got me thinking about all this. I had called the OB's office, oh, last week about symptoms I was having and the nurse really blew me off, stating everything I was experiencing was normal and she really sounded like she thought I was ignorant and couldn't believe I was concerned about what was going on. I suspected I was working on growing a nice uterine infection, but I'm a L&D nurse. I don't see patients after a few days. So I accepted her answer, but I was still a bit concerned because things were different that what I thought they should be and how I remembered them after my first c-setion. Anyway, it turns out I was right. I did have a lovely uterine infection which I'm taking antibiotics for. I should have been a more persisitant in explaining my symptoms, but I wasn't. I feel much better after taking the antibiotics for the last few days. So, I guess I need to trust my own instincts a bit more.

Cabin Fever

I'm starting to get cabin fever already. I'm just not used to staying at home as much as I've done the last 3 weeks. Before Isaiah was born, Jacob and Clara and I would go out somewhere, whether it was just the grocery store, about every day. Now, I've only been out I think 5 times since I've been home from the hospital. It's just too cold and nasty to go out. Today, though, I'm taking the three kids over to my co-workers house to have pictures taken. She took my maternity pics which turned out great. It'll be the first time I take all three of them out. Hopefully it will go okay. It'll me nice to get out. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to be home with the kids. I just wish it was nice enough to go for walks, or whatever. Before I know it, I'll be back at work. Oh well. I am very glad to not be a work right now. After talking with my coworker yesterday, it sounds like there are a lot of changes going on. All but 2 practices have had major changes with MD's switching call groups, leaving practices to start on their own (after major issues in the old practice) and one doc retired. I guess it's been like a soap opera with all the issues surrounding the changes. As long as I know who to call about a patient when I go back to work, I don't really care. The one thing that worries me is staffing. We've been taking mandatory call since last spring to cover the 3-11 shift holes. Well, now 11-7 is the shift with the holes, major staffing holes, and the call is now voluntary. Gee, I wonder why? God forbid that some of the day shift or evening shift have to work the dreaded night shift, even though us night shifters had to fill in holes on shifts we don't usually work. I understand that if you aren't used to working nights, it's difficult, but come on, a 4 hour slot here or there won't kill anyone. Maybe some experienced nurses that want to work nights will fall from the sky before I go back.

2 weeks

It's only been 2 weeks since Isaiah was born, but it feels like I was pregnant, blinked and he's 2 weeks old. He's still a pretty even tempered baby. We keep waiting for the crying all night, marathon nursing sessions and general fussiness like we had when Jacob and Clara were newborns, but he's still pretty easy to please. Nursing is going very well and I know how much of a blessing that is. So many people have problems nursing for many different reasons. His 2 week check-up was today and at two weeks, they just expect the babies to be back to their birth weight. Well, this little guy was 7lb 15 oz at birth...and he's now 8lb 11 oz! I'm pretty sure I've got a good milk supply!

A couple nights ago, my two elder munchkins were playing in their toy room and I was on the phone when I heard a blood curdling scream from Clara. I figured Jacob hit her. I check to see what's wrong and she shows me here tongue and there's blood in her mouth and a gash on her tongue. Apparently they were playing on this long chair we have in the toy room, Jacob somehow jumped on her head and she bit her tongue. Of course I didn't see it so I'm not sure exactly how it happened. Luckily, she's just fine and it doesn't seem to bother her now.

I'm slowly starting to feel like my old self again. My whole lower abdomen is still pretty tender from my belly button down, especially on the right side. I also think I may be working on a uterine infection (based on symptoms I've been having that I won't get into because it's pretty gross). I called the office and talked to the nurse about what was going on, which is significantly different than the last two times, and she pretty much blew me off. I hope she's right, but sometimes you know when something is off, and, not that I know everything, but I am an OB nurse whose had 3 children. I have an appointment next week so we'll see. Here are a couple of pictures. (Don't worry, the picture of Isaiah sleeping on his stomach was staged. I had been holding him and set him down for a picture. He always sleeps on his back.)

Isaiah

I finally got a chance to sit down at the computer this morning. Husband took the two older kids to church and was going to get groceries after, and Isaiah has decided that his sleep time is in the late morning. He really is a good baby. He doesn't cry that much (yet), he nurses great, and really he sleeps pretty good so far. Jacob and Clara seem to have taken to him. There is some jealousy, of course, but they want to hold him, help change his diapers and they try to give him his paci when he's crying. It's pretty cute. Anyway, here's a run down of Isaiah's birth

It was about 5 degrees and windy the day we went in to the hospital, and of course, OB was busy. There weren't any postpartum rooms open, but there would be as people were discharged. I was really surprised at how nervous I was. Nervousness was to be expected, but it was hard for me to relax. Anyway, my co-workers had made me a diaper cake and had gifts waiting for us in our room. They got me ready and then checked to see if he was still breech. He had flipped around the right way. Of course. We decided to go ahead with the c-section anyway because we had planned on that day, I had a c-section before, I didn't want to be induced, and I was just anxious to meet my son. So, I walked back to the OR, everyone did their thing and I was finally able to relax once they started the surgery. They had a heck of a time getting Isaiah out because of the way he had wedged himself into my pelvis. My old incision was too small for him because he was more than 1.5 lbs bigger than Clara was. It seemed like eternity for me because I know the usual time frame it takes once they've gotten to the uterus. The scrub tech said "he's got an inch of dark hair" so I figured any second now. But, it was a bit longer. They pulled and tugged, cut the incision larger and used forceps to get him out. (needless to say I'm sore) It probably wasn't that long but when you're waiting, it seems like forever. Husband went with the pediatrician and baby to the nursery while I was stitched up and moved back into the labor room I had to stay in until a postpartum room opened. One of the things the anesthesiologists do here is they give a form of morphine in the spinal called astromorph, and it lasts about 18-24 hours. One of the side effects is itching and last time, I itched until I'd broken out into a rash. It was miserable. I hoped to avoid that this time and anesthesia said he's make sure I had medication to counteract that side effect. Well, I started itching before I left the OR. So I kn ew I was in trouble. Over then next 24 hours, I was given multiple meds to help with the itching. The only thing that really helped was narcan. It reverses the effects of morphine, but it takes away some of the pain control. But, I wasn't hurting and I'd rather hurt than itch. I felt better after the narcan, plus Benadryl, Zofran and Nubain for breakthrough itching. After I got over the itching, I started having right shoulder pain, which was referred gas pain. I walked, a bit too much which I paid for later on that night, drank prune juice (nasty, by the way) and took a suppository to help. It wasn't until the day I went home that I really was able to pass gas. But, back to baby. He was 7lb 15 oz and 20 inches long. He has dark hair like Jacob, but looks more like Clara in the face, but sometimes I can see Jacob in his facial expressions. The first hour, when most babies are in the "quiet alert phase", where they just look around, he decided he wanted to scream. All he did was cry, and we thought we were in trouble. I finally got him to calm down and nurse and things were better after that. Out of the three kids, he's the most laid back.

Recovery this time has been a bit more difficult. Part of it is having a 3 and 4 year old to tend to. Husband has been great with doing all the household things, and lettting me rest. My incision is really ugly. It's still swollen, mainly on the left side where the most pulling was happening trying to get the baby out and that's where they cut it a bit larger. Doc assured me that the swelling would go down eventually. Even though I had hoped that things would have gone smoother, I'm ecstatic that Isaiah is here. I know that I was very uncomfortable the last few weeks of pregnancy, and the first 48 hours post-op sucked, but I can't really remember the pain or itching. And I would even do it again. There's nothing like meeting your child for the first time, seeing the recognition of your voice in the baby's eyes, or watching your older children with their new sibling, or seeing your spouse be overly gently when handling the baby so as not to hurt him. This pregnancy went by so quickly, and I know it wont slow down now that he's here, so I'm really trying to savor this time before its gone. Here are some pictures. I did include a picture of the actual surgery, so I hope I dont gross anyone out.

He's Here!

Here are a couple pics until I get a chance to actually write his birth story. Everything went well and he is the picture of health as well as a very sweet baby. God truly is great and we've been very blessed.

Isaiah Edward

December 20, 2007 at 7:39 a.m.

7 lbs 15 oz, 20 inches

Tomorrow, tomorrow

Tomorrow is the big day. I can't believe that it's here already. I tell ya, this pregnancy went by so fast. It seems like just a couple days ago I took the pregnancy test, it came out positive and I sat there looking at it in awe and shock. Now in less than 24 hours, I'll no longer be pregnant but holding my son in my arms. Crazy. I will say that if I had my way, I would have gone into labor, just so I didn't know exactly what day and approximately what time he'll be here. But, really, it doesnt matter. I can guarantee tonight I won't be able to sleep because of nerves. My mom is coming up today and is staying overnight since we have to be at the hospital at 5:15 a.m. and we don't want to get the kids up that early. I'll try to post again with pics of the little guy once we're home. Wish us luck! Here's a last belly pic at 38.3 weeks. No one thought I'd carry this long (except for me) :)