Evan, Aidan, Bella & Sophia » August 2006 Journal Entries » AboutMyBaby - online baby scrapbooks, photo albums, videos, birth and pregnancy announcements

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Wed, Aug 30, 2006 10:00 PM
Izabella's umbilical cord fell off today. Part of me was sad - it was the last reminder of my pregnancy with her. It's gone now. Of course, it does make changing her diapers and clothes easier and less painful (for her).

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Wed, Aug 30, 2006 4:00 PM
Happy 3rd Wedding Anniversary, Slawek. I love you dearly.

Slawek surprised me. We had previously agreed not to exchange gifts this anniversary, especially with little Bella's arrival and me not being able to really shop for anything (since I was on bedrest, etc.) Slawek went out to his car and carried in a card. I opened the card and inside was a beautiful yellow & white gold heart with 5 diamonds inside. 1 diamond for each of us (Slawek, me, Evan, Aidan & Bella). I started crying. I was so happy and surprised he went to so much effort. He's definitely a wonderful husband and father.

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Wed, Aug 30, 2006 9:00 AM
Today was Bella's 1st Pediatrician appt. We saw Dr. Dine today.

Bella's weight was only 8 lbs. 0 oz. I was shocked. Just yesterday she weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. on the scale the home nurse brought to our house. How could she have lost 5 oz? And on top of that, Bella nursed more frequently last night than you could even imagine! There's no way she lost weight. I am thinking it's just the difference in scales, as it just doesn't make sense. Hopefully she gains more weight the next time she is weighed. I feel like I constantly feed her. Seriously, she is eating just about every 2 hours thru the night, and every 2-3 during the day. It's exhausting keeping up with her. I was a little depressed when I saw her weight today, I must admit.

Dr. Dine told me not to worry about her weight, she is normal and healthy. He said I can come in for a weight check next week if I want to, just to make sure she is doing ok. I think I may take him up on that. I keep looking at Bella, wondering if she is gaining/losing/growing. She isn't crying, she is a really good baby, so I MUST be doing something right, I hope.

Bella also measured 20" long (smaller than her hospital length of 20.5" long). Again, it could be just a difference in the person measuring her.

She is doing great. She is such a good baby.

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Tue, Aug 29, 2006 11:00 AM
Happy 1 Week old baby Izabella!

Today a home nurse came by to examine Bella and me. Good news! Bella has gained some weight. She weighs 8 lbs. 5 oz. (when we were discharged from Good Sam, Bella weighed just under 8 lbs.) I am VERY happy to hear the news that she has picked up some weight. Hooray for a little breastfeeding success!

The nurse was not concerned with Izabella's jaundice, either. Bella's eyes, face and torso are still yellow, but her limbs are fine (pink/pale colored). The nurse said since she is 1 week old today, her jaundice level will be getting less and less now.

My scar is just fine, as a matter of fact, I haven't taken any ibuprofen in days now. I am up and about (probably doing way too much) and I feel great for the most part. Everything is ok as far as I am concerned.

We are all adjusting to life with Izabella. I can't imagine life without her. She is such a joy. I hold her way too much, I suppose. I can't seem to put her down. I guess that goes along with the breastfeeding territory - which I am enjoying tremendously. I love this bond I have with her and am so thankful that I am able to experience breastfeeding with her (something I tried with the boys, but they were never able to latch on). She truly came out of me knowing how to breastfeed like a pro. She actually taught me how to breastfeed.

Sleep is few and far between. Izabella definitely has her days and nights mixed up. She wakes at 11 pm and wants to continuously nurse until about 3 - 4 am. When I put her down, she is wide awake and just cries. She ends up using me as a pacifier. We're trying to work on keeping her more awake during the day, so she sleeps more at night. Slawek and I are exhausted!

We're adjusting just fine!

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Sat, Aug 26, 2006 10:35 PM
I created a Photo Montage of Bella's birth (from conception 12/16/05 thru her arrival on 8/22/06). Paste this link into your browser and enjoy the video:

http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=1160947b669fe73fc61b7a&skin_id=0&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

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Fri, Aug 25, 2006 3:00 PM
We were released from the hospital today - both me and Bella. Bella's pediatrician released her around 11 am and Dr. Lambers FINALLY released me around 3 pm. We left as quickly as we could, as we were anxious to introduce Bella to her home!

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Tue, Aug 22, 2006 10:24 PM
We are proud to announce the arrival of our Daughter:

Izabella Christine Gorczyk
8 lbs. 13 oz, 20 1/2" long
Born 8/22/06 at 10:24 pm via emergency c-section (after amniotic rupture)

Earlier today (Tuesday, August 22, 2006), I had my weekly doctor's appointment and joked with Dr. Lambers that I needed to have my c-section NOW. My belly has been measuring 7 weeks ahead and to be honest, I have been utterly miserable. Dr. Lambers joked that I only had ONE more day until my amniosentisis and just TWO more days until my scheduled c-section. "You can do it," she said. I went home that evening and around 5 pm felt a gush of fluid. It didn't happen again, so I suspected it was nothing and chose to ignore it. Then around 7 pm, during dinner, I had a significant gush of fluid. I quickly ran to our bathroom, Slawek behind me, and sure enough ~ it was my amniotic fluid. I quickly called Good Samaritan Hospital and informed Dr. Coppage, who was on call from the Seton Center (my Perinatology group). She said to come in right away, and if it were, in fact, my amniotic fluid, we would be having a baby tonight.

I took my time. I knew this was it - we were having a baby tonight, our Daughter. I went upstairs and started brushing my hair. I had Slawek gather the bags we had packed long ago: one for him, one for me, and one for Bella. Off we went.

We arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital around 8:45 pm on 8/22/06. Testing immediately confirmed that my amniotic sac had ruptured. I was set for an emergency c-section at 10 pm. The epidural went beautifully. This time I had a drug called Mirtacain (I think) instead of Litacain. During my last 2 epidurals, the anesthesiologists confirmed that I do not respond well to Litacain. One dose of Mirtacain did the trick. I didn't feel a thing. The C-section was beautiful. I wasn't shaking uncontrollably during the surgery like I did during my prior c-section with Evan and Aidan. As a matter of fact, I commended both the anesthesiologist and Dr. Coppage for making this the best delivery experience I have had.

Izabella was born at 10:24 pm and came out wailing. Slawek and I immediately said, "Evan." Her cries remind us of our older boy, Evan. He can throw a mean temper tantrum, that's for sure. She screamed for the longest time, which worked well at clearing her lungs. I cried and cried; mostly at the thought that we were having a normal birth experience (not another premature one where we had to watch our sons be wisked away to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). Izabella has a TON of beautiful hair and is VERY chunky. We certainly never imagined having almost a 9 lb. baby born 3 weeks early! She is beautiful, healthy and is everything we ever dreamed of. Daddy can't stop talking to her and Mommy can't take her eyes off her. I have put at least 4-5 different outfits on her already!

Breastfeeding is going better than I ever imagined. Izabella started nursing almost immediately after birth and she is a real pro. I am loving the bonding experience I am having with her during feedings. I never imagined breastfeeding to be so rewarding. This is such a different experience than being tied to my pump all day and night. I love looking into her little eyes during feedings.

This has been such a priceless experience for me and Slawek. Just seeing our daughter for the first time, weighing in at more than TWICE what our Twins weighed, is so surreal.

Thank you for all your prayers, support and friendship. We love you all!

I loaded lots of photos - take a peek at Izabella's birth photo album.

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Tue, Aug 22, 2006 9:00 AM
37w4d - LAST Weekly Peri appt, NST and AFI
Today was my VERY last Perinatology appointment! WOO HOO!! I saw Dr. Lambers today. The protein level is even higher (2+) and when Dr. Lambers walked in, I immediately said, "Please tell me we can do a c-section today with my protein level being so high, I am ready." She laughed at me and said, "Call 911!" She then said "You can do it Christine, I know you are miserable. You have your amnio tomorrow and your c-section on Thursday." Ok, she is right, I can do this. Not only that, but it will help Izabella mature and grow for each day she is in utero. I'm miserable, but it's doable, I guess.

I lost 1 lb. - yeahhh! That puts me at a total weight gain of 33 lbs. during the ENTIRE pregnancy. Not too bad, considering I think Izabella is a big girl. The ultrasound tech things Izabella will weigh around 7 1/2 lbs. at least, but that's just a guess and not based on actual ultrasound measurements. My last ultrasound measurement was over 3 weeks at and she was estimated at 6 lbs. 2 oz. Time will tell!

Izabella was reactive on her Non Stress Test (of course), and her Amniotic Fluid level is 20.6 cu. cm. Everything is normal and perfect.

My fundal height (belly/pregnancy measurement) still measures 43 weeks (same as last week). Dr. Lambers said maybe it stayed constant because Izabella is dropping. Not hardly. She hasn't budged from under my rib cage.

My bloodwork came back and I am Group Beta Strep NEGATIVE - which is awesome. I am very happy about that (no risk to me or baby). Dr. Lambers did not do an internal/cervical exam. Why bother at this point? Who cares what my cervical length is when I am delivering in just 2 days.

Please send "Mature Lung Vibes" our way for our amniosentisis tomorrow. I am nervous about the procedure and told Dr. Lambers I wished I could skip it completely. Something about a 2 ft. long needle going directly into my belly just does not sound like fun to me. If Izabella's lungs are mature, we are set for our c-section on 8/24/06 at 1:30 pm. If Izabella's lung should NOT be mature (<20% chance), then it will be postponed ~ and I will cry.

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Sun, Aug 20, 2006 9:47 PM
37w2d
I am utterly miserable. I cannot believe how uncomfortable these final days of my pregnancy actually are. My ribs feel like someone has taken a sledge hammer to them (Izabella's butt is on top of my ribcage on the left side and her feet are on top of my rib cage on the right). When I stand or walk, it feels like she is going to come out of me, and bring a few organs along with her. I can't walk whatsoever.

My nights don't really consist of sleep at this point. I sleep an hour or so in our bed, until I wake up in dire pain with my ribs. I come downstairs and try sleeping in our recliner. That only lasts about 1 hour, until my cervix feels like it's going to explode from Izabella's head/pressure. Then I migrate over to the leather sofa and sleep on my left side for a while, until my rib cage starts aching again. I am offically getting no sleep.

I measure much larger (my uterus/pregnancy belly) than I did during my last pregnancy, so that explains a lot of the pain and discomfort I feel. I just don't remember being uncomfortable like this. Honestly.

Just a few more days until we get to meet our Daughter face-to-face. I can't wait to see her.

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Fri, Aug 18, 2006 6:44 PM
Evan and Aidan FINALLY started to feed themselves (with a spoon). They have been feeding themselves by hand for a LONG time, but refused to feed themselves with a spoon. Both would sit there, rebel/scream and want to be fed by me, my mom, Slawek, etc. FINALLY, I got them interested! Check out the photos in their 21st month photo album. They are doing a great job!! Mommy and Daddy are so proud.

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Fri, Aug 18, 2006 8:00 AM
37 WEEKS - I'M FULL TERM!!!!!!!!

Izabella:
On average, at this time, a baby weighs about 6.8 pounds (3100g) and measures about 14 inches (35cm) from crown to rump and 21 inches (47cm) total in length.

Your baby is still growing and gaining weight. Your baby may gain as much as 1 ounce (28g) a day at this point.

If your baby is a boy, his testes should have descended into the scrotum by this time. Your doctor will check that his testes have descended after delivery. About one percent of boys will have undescended testes.

Your baby has been building up waste in his intestines for the past few weeks. Called meconium, this waste is greenish-black and is made up of material from blood cell break down, shedded cells from the lining of the intestine, skin cells and lanugo shed into the amniotic fluid and swallowed, as well as other sources. Meconium is the first waste your baby passes and the first diapers that you change will probably be comprised of this greenish-black, tar-like substance. There is also a chance that your baby will excrete meconium before delivery and have some covering his body.

My Pregnant Body:
You have probably gained around 30 lbs (13.5 kg) by now and you won't gain much more at this point. You feel tired and ready for your pregnancy to end.

You may have an unusual sensation inside your vagina when the baby's head presses against the muscles of the pelvic floor.

You may experience false labor contractions before the real contractions begin. These are not like Braxton Hicks contractions and may feel as strong as real labor. The difference between real and false labor is that false labor contractions do not become regular and often disappear when you move around. While you are likely to really have no doubt when real labor begins, you may want to call your doctor or caregiver if you think you might be in labor and then he or she can help you assess whether or not you need to head off to the hospital. It is not unusual to go to the hospital with false labor pains and be sent home again.

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Tue, Aug 15, 2006 9:30 AM
36 1/2 Week Peri Appt (plus NST & AFI)
Today I had my weekly Doctor's appt (with Dr. Brady), NST (Non-Stress Test) and AFI (Amniotic Fluid Index) ultrasound. You are NOT going to believe this.....

I am measuring 7 WEEKS AHEAD. My fundal height (belly) is measuring 43 weeks (3 weeks overdue). Dear Lord! No wonder I can't breathe, my ribs feel like they are going to explode and my heartburn is horrific. Ugh!

My ankles are HORRIBLY swollen, as are my calves. I spilled 2+ protein in my urine, which is up from 1+ all the other weeks. I gained 5 lbs. in 1 week (all water, according to my Peri), so he wants me to do the pre-eclampsia panels of bloodwork again, plus 24 hour urine collection. I will go in tomorrow for 11 different blood tests (5 vials). My blood pressure is 90/60 (excellent) and my total weight gain is now 34 lbs. (which includes the 5 lbs. of mostly water I gained this week).

I had my 2nd Group B Strep test also, hopefully it comes back negative again (first one at 25 weeks came back negative).

My amnio is 8 days away! My scheduled C-section is 9 days away. I asked Dr. Brady what are the chances that Izabella's lungs will NOT be mature at my amnio, scheduled for 37w5d. He said she has an 80% chance of having MATURE lungs. So this means she has a 20% chance of NOT being mature enough for delivery. We'll see next week. If her lungs are not mature, my c-section will be postponed.

I asked about being effaced and whether Izabella has dropped or is engaged. Dr. Brady said it is VERY hard to tell effacement with a cerclage, but he still feels length of cervix, so I am fine. Also, he said Izabella has NOT dropped whatsoever! Yeah, I knew that, I feel like she is collapsing a lung here.

Izabella scored her usual 8/8 on her Non Stress Test and her amniotic fluid level is 20 (normal is 5-25). All is well!

That's the news for now!

I can't believe I will meet my daughter face-to-face in just 8 short days. Whoa, this pregnacy has flown by. Amazing. Part of me is really ready for this to be over. I am at the worst part of being uncomfortable. I can't sleep, I can't eat, I can't breathe. I am retaining water pretty badly. But then again, part of me will miss this special time with Bella. I don't have to share her with anyone. She is my little girl and goes everywhere with me. I know she is there, she is always letting me know she is moving around and is ok. That special time is just about over, and I will never be able to experience that again with her.....

Ready or not, here she comes.....

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Tue, Aug 8, 2006 9:00 AM
35 1/2 week Peri appt (with NST/AFI):
Today was my appt. with Dr. Marcotte. I was very glad to go this week, as I have been utterly miserable these last 3 days or so. I guess a lot has to do with her size. Dr. Marcotte said Izabella is right around (or under) 7 lbs. now and I am measuring 40 weeks pregnant (fundal height=40 cm). That's 4 1/2 weeks larger than I should be measuring. I lost 1 lb., making my total pregnancy weight gain 29 lbs. My blood pressure is 90/62, which is good. Izabella was reactive on her Non-Stress Test (NST) and scored a perfect 8/8. As a matter of fact, the ante-partum nurse said Izabella always "shows off" for her NSTs. My amniotic fluid measures around 19 cm., which is great (normal is between 5-25 cm).

Af far as the pains go (and what Dr. Marcotte had to say about them), the pains and details are below:

#1 - Knifing pains in my c-section scar (sharp/shooting pains). They have been coming and going the past 3 days and they are strong enough to send me on the floor crying.

#2 - SEVERE rectal pressure/pains. As if I have the worst constipation of my life, but I'm not constipated. It feels like a watermelon is stuck in there.

#3 - Contractions. I have so many contractions a day, especially at night. I thought for sure my cerclage was tearing or my water was going to break last night (or both).

This is what Dr. Marcotte had to say:

#1 - the Knifing/sharp pains are normal in my c-section scar for a repeat c-section. He said it is from my c-section scar. When I asked about the possibility of uterine rupture, he said that uterine rupture pains are constant and will not come and go as the pains I describe, and also, Izabella would show signs of distress on her NSTs if I had uterine rupture. He also said I would be seeing blood, too.

#2 - The rectal pain I describe is normal for a CERCLAGE (caused by the cerclage). He said my stitches actually go thru the rectal muscal, and all the pressure from Izabella's head is pulling on those stitching. In a way, it's pinching my rectum. TMI, gross, I know.

#3 - He confirmed that my cervix has not changed and definitely looks like I will make it to my c-section in 2 weeks.

That's the scoop. Dr. Marcotte said I am going to be in some pretty uncomfortable pain for the next 2 weeks, and that he would prescribe me a pain pill prescription, if I wanted. I declined. I don't want anything that would have an effect on Izabella, and a pain pill certainly would (plus it could have an effect on my milk supply after delivery, too). Thanks, but no thanks.

Onto 36 weeks (Friday!)

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Mon, Aug 7, 2006 7:21 PM
These past 2 days have been the worst days of the pregnancy so far. Yesterday I thought for sure my water was going to break. I was having back-to-back contractions ~ 7 min. apart, then 6 min., then 5 min. And I have this persistent *knife* pain right at the area where my c-section scar is located. I thought I was dying last night, and ended up on my knees 4 times crying and gasping for air.

After timing my contractions, I ended up forcing myself to go to bed. I drank plenty of water and got on my left side. I had contractions all night last night, but I did sleep and get some rest. This morning I woke up feeling better and refreshed.

Today I have the WORST rectal pressure of my life. It feels like the most severe rectal pain - as if a watermelon is stuck and trying to come out. I am not constipated, but it feels like the WORST constipation EVER.

Thank God I have a Dr's appt. first thing tomorrow morning. I am utterly miserable, and very worried about uterine rupture (a thought that I can't seem to shake).

........come on 36 weeks, hurry.....

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Fri, Aug 4, 2006 7:00 AM
I'M 35 WEEKS! I can't believe it. My goal since the beginning of the pregnancy has been to get to this very day (35 weeks). I am so happy!

IZABELLA:
Your baby weighs about 6 lbs (2750g) and measures about 20.7 inches (46cm) in length. Crown to rump measurement is about 13.5 inches (34cm).

Your baby now feels lower in your pelvis.

Your baby continues to grow, kick, and move about.

Your baby's face has filled out and the cheeks now look plump and full. Fat baby cheeks are caused by fat deposits, but also by powerful sucking muscles which your baby has been honing by sucking her thumb.

Your baby's skull is firm, but it is not hard as it needs to give a little when it is passing through the birth canal.

Your baby's head is probably down by now, but about three percent of babies present in a breech (bottom down) position. Your doctor may try to turn your baby around if it is in a breech position by putting pressure on your abdomen. This is called external cephalic version (ECV) and is effective in about 50% of cases. If your baby is in a breech position, ask your doctor about what your options are for the birth. You may or may not require a cesarean delivery.

MY BODY:
You will probably now see your doctor or midwife once a week.

Now that the baby has settled lower in your abdomen, you may find breathing to be easier again. However, because your baby is now putting even more pressure on your bladder, you will have to urinate more frequently.

You may have gained up to 30 pounds or more by this point.

You are probably starting to get tired of being pregnant and you are probably focused on the birth ahead of you.

It may feel like you have been pregnant forever and you just want the baby out.

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Tue, Aug 1, 2006 9:00 AM
Today I had my weekly Dr's appt (with Dr. Voss this week), Non-Stress Test and Amniotic Fluid check. Unlike my last several Dr's visits, this one was rather painful. I have been having internal exams since 28 weeks of pregnancy (I am now 34 1/2 weeks) and haven't had any trouble with them. Unfortunately, today, Dr. Voss about tore me up. He said my cervix was tight, closed and that my stitches were perfectly in place. As I got up, blood immediately started coming out. I mentioned it to Dr. Voss and he told me it would be fine and that sometimes internals can be painful. Hmpfh. I certainly don't like seeing blood at this stage in the game. Hopefully the bleeding stops.

Izabella did great on her Non Stress Test. She received a perfect score of 8/8. Her amniotic fluid is 14.5, which is normal (normal is 5-25). My fundal measurement is 38 weeks.

I asked Dr. Voss if I would be receiving antibiotics (via I.V.) prior to my c-section, and he said "yes, more than likely." I was just curious, as I wasn't sure.

That's all for now. Onto 35 weeks (Friday!) WOO HOO!!!

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