36 wk Check Up

On wednesday Feb. 22nd I had my 36 wk check up with Dr. Neidhart. We got in and got my weight checked and then we headed back to the room to check my blood pressure and get on with my first internal exam. The nurse checked my blood pressure and said it was high and that she would talked to Dr. Neidhart before she came in to see us. I was a little worried at first because I also had some wicked swollen feet and legs and have seen some spots in my vision. So back came in the nurse and she said Dr. Neidhart wanted to do a non-stress test to see how the baby is doing. Well they hooked me up and I had to squeeze this button when I felt the baby move...well after 10 minutes or so they unhooked me and put me back in the room so I could wait to talk to Dr. Neidhart. They checked my blood pressure again and it was still pretty high. Well about 10-15 minutes later Dr. Neidhart FINALLY CAME IN. She sat down and even before she said a word I was ALREADY FREAKING OUT...she told me she apologized for the appt taking so long but with all my symptoms ranging from my high blood pressure, my swollen feet, headaches, spotty visions and pains in my side I had Severe Preeclampsia and that we had to go straight to the hospital for an induction. Mind you I just barely got started on my bag for the hospital and Patrick's bag was as ready as it could be! Alright now my heart is racing....how could I let my self get this sick!!! So before we left she wanted to do an internal exam and do a quick ultrasound to see if he was head up or down. With a quick exam...I was completely closed up and he was head down. We quickly headed over to the hospital but before arriving we called our parents. We arrived to the hospital at about 5:30 and headed up to the birth suites and they got me in to a triage room and got me all hooked up. After about 2 hrs and several phone calls to our family and our bosses telling them what was going on we finally were admitted to our birth suite. I was most excited to use the shower....after daydreaming about it after our Tour of the hospital the Sunday before! Thank goodness we got that tour in before our induction. So they had me on magnesium to lower my blood pressure or at least try because my blood pressure was elevated the whole time in the hospital. So the next day the doctors check me and I was still closed up so they decided to put this balloon inside and eventually it would get bigger and dilate me and then would eventually pop out. A few hrs later they started the pitocin and then about 5 hrs later possibly more the balloon FINALLY pooped out. About 15 minutes later the on call OBGYN came in and checked to see how dilated I was and I was at 3...really only 3! During the next contractions...mind you I could feel them yet, he broke my water at about midnight and then I took a little snooze. After a hr or so of sleeping I finally could feel the contractions. I went about 2 hrs with contractions coming 1 after another and then I was ready for that epidural! Then the anesthesiologist came in and gave me the epidural. After I was given the epidural things started to get a little bit more scary because my back started to bleed where the catheter was put in. After all the bleeding stopped, I was finally able to get some much needed rest. I awoke about 9:30 and the nurse checked me and I was fully dilated. Thank goodness...mind you I was already exhausted since I had been in the hospital for over 30 plus hrs. Then after 2 hrs of pushing and an extra snip to help get him out...our baby boy Patrick James Hummel arrived. Patrick arrived on Friday Feb. 24th at Noon weighing 5 pds 10oz and measuring at 17 1/2 inches long. Well after weighing him and checking in on him they finally allowed me to see the little boy I had carried for 9 months. After a few minutes being able to kiss him and look at him they whisked him away to the NICU because of all the magnesium in his system. After being all stitched up...I had quite a few visitors. After about 30 minutes of visiting I needed some sleep and food but since I was still high on magnesium I had to wait 24 more hrs to eat. Neal was able to go visit Patrick while I slept. Mind you I havent ate since wed feb 22nd at 2 or so in the afternoon...so this new momma was a HUNGRY BEAR!!!! Finally at about midnight my blood pressure went down enough that I could finally eat something and drink some fluids. After a few bites of the nasty turkey sandwich and a few sips of diet pepsi I was able to finally use the restroom with out having to use a nasty bedpan. After using the bathroom I was whisked upstairs to our family care suites....mind you we werent truely a family because little Patrick was down in NICU and not with us :( The next morning I was finally able to meet and hold my little boy. He was definately worth all the pain! Sunday afternoon I was able to leave the hospital but little Patrick had a few more days in the NICU. Monday Feb. 27th Neal and I spent about 8 hrs visiting Patrick. We learned how to give him a bath, taught me how to breastfed and just gave us alot of info on our little boy. Patrick latched on right away and we have been doing very well breastfeeding since we started! On tuesday we waited for the phone call to tell us wheather or not we would be able to take our baby boy home. After noon I was too impatient and called the NICU and they gave us the go ahead to come get him! Well after a quick pump we headed over to Target to get some last minute stuff before we picked him up. We arrived to the NICU and a certain little boy was ready to eat...so we tried another round of breastfeeding before we were ready to discharge him. A few hrs later we got him ready in his cute going home outfit. So after 4 days in the NICU we were ready to take our baby boy home to meet his kitties!

36 wks Pregnant!!!

Today marks Neal and I at 36wks aka 9 MONTHS PREGNANT!!!! Scary to believe he will be here in about 4 weeks...I'm ok with going a smidge early but not too early! I have been feeling alot of pressure in my lower back, not sure what that means but I was thinking he is pushing against my spine and that is why it hurts so bad. I was busy putting groceries away today and was squatting putting the eggs and such away and then I stood up and felt this sharp pain in my lower back....boy oh boy did that not feel the greatest! I also have been noticing when I'm sitting in a chair or sitting on the floor with my babies at work....that I feel alot of sensation down yonder and lots of elbowing or kneeing. My hope is that Patrick is face down and that is why I get that sensation! I still havent had any leakage from my chest....I'm so worried that I wont make any milk supply to feed my baby boy, but I'm hoping in the next wk or so that all starts to change! Over the last wk and a half I have notice my socks and shoes are getting to be a bit tight on my feet, so needless to say my feet and ankles are starting to swell! I'm hoping the dr isnt concerned at my next check up on wednesday...b/c this mama needs to work as long as possible so we can make it when I'm on Maternity Leave! I had a baby shower this past wknd and boy did I feel special! The sweets, company & gifts were amazing! I also had a surprise baby shower at work on Thursday and boy is Patrick "almost" as spoiled as his mommy! Thanks to everyone who made it to the showers and those who gave us gifts! Neal and I recently had our Childbirth Class...I feel a bit more prepared with knowing all the breathing techniques, but I know that when the day comes I will probably forget everything I was taught! We also went to the Breastfeeding Class last monday night and boy I had no idea how difficult breastfeeding can be! I can see why so many people only do it for a short period of time and why alot of babies are bottle fed! Tomorrow Neal is getting off early so we can go tour the hospital. We meet a couple last Saturday at the Childbirth Class and we are also looking forward to spend another hr with them at the hospital. They are due 3 wks after our due date! Monday Neal is off and I am also off but have a training all day but after my training we have my Postpartum Class at the Hospital. Then on Wednesday we have our 36wk check up and my last appt that are 2 wks apart from the last one, and then we are gonna be visiting Dr. Neidhart every wk! A few hrs after our 36 wk check up we have our last class before Patrick comes...Caring for the Newborn! I think I'm pretty prepared since I've been working with infants for almost 9 yrs now but I may not know about keeping the belly button, the circumcision clean from infection and how to bath a newborn. So this class is mostly to teach Neal but also to freshen me up. So that is all I've been up to. Here are a few pics. I will take more pics of his baby room when it is all set up and clean!

Here is Patrick's Crib all set up minus the mattress and crib set.

Here is a few pics of my extra LARGE belly! Only 28 days left til we meet you!

34 wk Check Up

On Monday Neal and I had our 34 wk check up with Dr. Neidhart. We arrived just on time, but since as most of you know Pregnant Ladies have to pee all the time! So I asked Neal if he would check me in so I could quickly use the bathroom...mind you I pee'd prior to leaving the house which is only 15 minutes away! So they called my name and as usually they asked me nicely :) to step on the scale...150.4 pds....only 3 pds since my last check up appt 2 wks. Dr. Neidhart told us that she is actually on call the day of my due date...so here is hoping he decides to come into this world on that day so we can have our Ob "actually" deliver our baby! The only changes I have really started to notice is that my shoes are starting to feel a bit snug, my hands are aching more (possible swelling?), my back is aching more, my heartburn is in FULL SWING! and I'm having a hard time getting up of the couch, bed or floor! Mind you it is probably funny watching me doing a few crunches while trying to get up! Next wk we will be having the Capt. of the Fire/ EMS dept put in and inspect our carseat! Hard to believe that our backseat of our car won't be for storage use for much longer. On Saturday Neal & I have our Lamaze/Childbirth Class and it will also mark us 5 wks away from our due date! On Sunday Neal's mom is having a baby shower for me! I'm pretty excited to see all the cute gifts we get for our handsome boy! Well our next appt is on Wed. Feb 22nd @ 3:45, this will be my last 2 wks b/t appts! This appt I will be getting a Group B Strep Screen test and my 1st internal exam to tell us if Patrick is head up or head down! I can't wait for the next 2 wks to fly bye so I can find out, but I'm more excited to see him in about 5 wks!

Patrick James Hummel just shy of 35 wks!

32 wk Check Up

Tuesday Neal & I had our Meet & Greet with a potential Pediatrician. Our appt was at 10 am. We arrived a few minutes late b/c I had to change since I wasnt going back to work. I really hadnt thought of any questions to ask Dr. Moriarty prior to driving to the appt, so I quickly went and searched for questions to ask your pediatrician...so I jotted a few down. Dr. Moriarty seemed very well knowledgeable and just seemed like a one of a kind doctor. Which was perfect b/c I only want the best for my baby boy. Neal came up with a few questions of his own and man was I impressed with the questions he came up with! She gave us some info on when Patrick will need to be seen for his routine check up and which appt's will he be given his shots. Now all we have to do is tell the nurses at St. Mary's that our pediatrician will be Dr. Moriarty and we will be all set for his first check up at 2 wks old. Neal & I left and I was hungry for Culver's but since it was too early Neal didnt want to go, So I suggested going to Perkins since he loves their muffins. So off we went to have our breakfast...well my 2nd one of the day! On the way home I was complaining about my bra being too tight...mind you I just got a new one on Sunday afternoon. So I dropped Neal off and headed to Hilldale to exchange my bra. After talking over with the manager she let me exchange my bra for a bigger size and I also got a bra that I can wear at night and I can also use it when we come home from the hospital. Later in the afternoon we had our 32 wk check up with Dr. Fitzgerald since our Ob was not in that day. We got their a few minutes early so I quickly checked in and then hurried over to the bathroom. When I got back Neal said they were ready for us....mind you I was dreading hopping on the scale. So I hopped on with a angry look on my face...147.2pds. Almost 3 pds since my last visit...YIKES!!! D-Day needs to arrive so I can start losing! My blood pressure was good...110/70. Dr. Fitzgerald came in and ask how I was feeling and I told her that I'm starting to get more uncomfortable...changing positions all the time both at night and during the day. She asked if I have had any Braxton Hicks Contractions and I said nope not yet...but she did tell me that they would probably show up in the next couple of wks or so. She asked if I had any questions and I said yep..so she told me to hope on the bed so she could measuring my growing tummy. I'm measuring about 33cm....right were I should be! We got to hear Patrick's heartbeat and as usually he is very strong! I asked her if Dean rent's breastpump's since I plan on breastfeeding but I dont feel comfortable spending 250 plus on one when I'm not sure if he is going to take to the breast or if I'm going to produce much milk. She told me that at St. Mary's you can rent them & then if he takes well to the breast I can always buy one when need be. I asked her what other test they will be preforming prior to due date and I will be having a Group B Strep Screen taken & if it is positive I will just have to be given meds while giving birth. I also asked her how long Dr. Neidhart lets you go past your due date before she schedules us to be induced and she said about a wk past your due date and then they will schedule it! So we will definitely will be celebrating a birthday sometime in March! So all in all we are all good till our next appt in 2wks. Can't believe February is right around the corner & that means Patrick will be here in about 7 wks or so!

32 wks & 8 more to go!!!!

Here are a few pics of me at 32 wks! Hard to believe that he will be here in a few months!

Today marks us at 32 wks, so pretty much we are down to the final stretch! Next wk we have our Meet & Greet with the Pediatrician and then our regular 32 wk check up with Dr. Fitzgerald since our Ob is off that day. Within the next 3-5 wks we will be going to a Lamaze Class, a Breastfeeding Class, Touring the Hospital, a Postpartum Care Class & last but not least taking the Caring for a Newborn Class!!! Since my last appt I have been taking Maalox when needed (which is usually 3 times a day!) and it seems to be helping but I still could use something a little stronger. But I will give it another wk or so before I try the other options the Ob had suggested. We recently ordered our Carseat Travel System at Babiesrus, but had to ordered it online since the one we wanted was only online...so 4 days later the system came right to our door! Even though I had to wait several hrs before Neal got home to put it together! Here are a few pics of the new ride for Mr. Patrick James!!!
A huge thanks to my Dad & Lori for buying this carseat system for us! We really appreciate it!

I have really started to notice the protruding belly I am displaying...needless to say I'm also starting to get a bit uncomfortable! Mind you I still sleep several hrs at night but I have to toss & turn alot more to get comfy. I have started to notice alot more movement at night from Patrick, last night I just had to lay awake while he kicked & poked me for several minutes. My back has bothered me in the last wk or so, so I have been taking a few relaxing baths during the wk! I just have to remember not to lean my back so much at work & really remember to bend all the way down to pick up the kiddos at work. I have also had this sick craving for McDonald's Hot Fudge Sundae's...I have had 5 in the last wk or so! I just can't get enough of them! My chest feels alot heavier since my last dr appt, so I'm guessing my milk supply is coming in! This wknd Neal is off so we are cleaning out the babies closet, emptying out the room of stuff not needed for Patrick, vacuuming & cleaning the carpet! Busy wknd ahead of us, but a much needed priority to do!

30 wk Check Up

We had our 30 wk check up today & we meet our new doctor. Her name is Dr. Linda Neidhart & she is very nice! She is definitely someone I can work with & I can't wait for her to deliver our baby in 10 wks! Today we had our appt at the hospital since Dr. Neidhart was on duty! I stepped on the scale and I weighed in at 144.8pds. I'm not to happy with the number, but at least I know I'm gaining for a good reason! Dr. Neidhart was a few minutes late because she was delivering a healthy baby girl. I asked her a few questions that I had...mostly what else I could take besides Tums because as many as I took..nothing seemed to help. She suggested Maalox Plus or Rolaids Plus and if that doesn't work she gave me another option! Dr. Neidhart measured my tummy & I'm measuring right on at 31cm. Patrick is weighing about 3pds and sounds just as amazing as the first day we heard his heartbeat! I asked her if she could tell if he was head down or head up & she said it was hard to tell at this point but she would know more at my 36 wk check up when she does an internal exam. So I guess I will have to wait about 6 more wks to find out! So everything looks & sounds good! I'm getting so excited to meet our baby boy! Our next check up is in 2 wks and we also will be meeting with a possible pediatrician that day as well!

30 wks & 10 more or so to go!!!!

Patrick James Hummel @ 30wks

January 7th, 2012 marks us at 30 wks.....hard to believe in 2 1/2 months our baby boy will be joining our family! Within the last wk since my check up I have had horrible heartburn that won't even go away with Tums Extra Strength 1000 tablets. I have also been feeling more aches over the last wk as well....rough nights & unfortunately I can't get comfortable sitting on the couch or chair. I know it is only gonna get worse so I will just take it with a grain of salt! Patrick has been moving around alot more, definitely turn around. I haven't felt hard kicks or punches yet but I can't wait to feel them! Thursday night Neal was resting his head on the stomach watching tv, when Patrick just kept moving around. After 2 minutes he was like I can't lay like that anymore with him moving & I was like how do you think I feel when he is moving around & I can't sleep or get comfy! Then last night when I was lounging on the couch before Neal got home my stomach looked like it had waves were rolling back & forth....Patrick must have been moving around trying to get comfy!!! It is so cool to watch him move around, Neal thought it is pretty neat himself! Tuesday we have our 30 wk check up with our new Obgyn Dr. Linda Neidhart @ 3:30 at St. Mary's Hospital. (The only reason why we are meeting at the hospital is b/c she is only available that day at the hospital...so don't be alarmed, everything is fine!)