He's here a little early (birth story)!

joannaLA · #1 (**permalink**) 03-18-2006, 11:10 PM

I've finally found a few minutes to post his birth story.
Julian Patrick was born Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 3:03 am. He weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces and is 22 1/2 inches long. Not bad for a 37 week baby.

On Monday I went to my monthly and final perinatologist appointment at 37 weeks. I was scheduled to be induced at 38 weeks on the 20th because of the blood thinners I take.

The peri said the baby looked great, but my amniotic fluid had gotten too low. This usually doesn't happen until after 39 weeks. He said it can cause increased blood flow to the baby's brain to compensate for the reduced water. The baby can also go into distress. He said this can happen for various reasons, my blood condition, late gestation and or age.

Then he looked at me and said, "I'm calling your OB, I want you to be induced today." He wanted to make sure our baby was delivered before any problems started. Since I was 37 weeks I was considered full-term anyway. Luckily, I had just put my overnight bag for the hospital with the cord-kit in my car that morning just in case I needed it sooner.

My OB said ok and I went to his office to have a chat with him before checking into the hospital. His biggest concern was I had taken heparin and aspirin the night before. He said if my blood was too thin they would give me vitamin K on an IV and monitor the baby overnight in the hospital and wait to induce me until later the next day. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to have an epidural.

After the baby was monitored in triage for 2 hours the ob came in and said I was ok to be induced. He talked to an anesthesiologist and the pharmacist and they both said I was safe to have an epidural after 12 hours of no heparin. Apparently it leaves your system much faster than Lovenox.

So they started my pitocin at 3:45pm on Monday and he was born at 3:03 on Tuesday morning. It was a good steady labor with no complications. I only pushed for 33 minutes. I pushed for 40 minutes with my daughter. This time I watched him come out on the birthing mirror. It was so cool. Last time I was too chicken.

My pain has been very managable. The second birth recovery is much easier so far. I've had cramping while I breast feed, but that's about it. This guy latched on right away!

He looks a lot like our daughter with more hair. I'll post photos as soon as possible.

Thanks for everything girls. I can't wait to hear your birth stories!

Babydust!
joanne

Mom to 2 IVF babies!
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tai · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2006, 06:35 PM

cangrats! i hope you are feeling well and baby is doing great!

CopsWife · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 12:58 PM

Yeah Joanne! So glad to hear he's here and doing well. I'm so happpy for you sweetie.

Jen D

fbaby · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 07:37 PM

Yeah!!!!!! I also got your email

What a beautiful birth story hun!

So proud of you

Cannot WAIT for pics!

Suekcal · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 10:06 PM

Joanne!

I am so happy he's here! I can't wait to see pictures! Drake was a surprise early delivery due to low fluid too, so I can understand how you must have felt! Excited but a little taken aback - not THAT ready yet!

But how exciting that he's here now! I hope you can get into a routine quickly and that he adjusts to "outside living!"

AussieJenn · #6 (**permalink**) 03-21-2006, 05:45 PM

Congratulations on the safe arrival of baby Julian.

I'm back lurking on the Baby Dust and Just Add Baby Boards - and thought I'd add a post here and encourage you to come visit and post on the Parenting After Infertility/IVF Board that I host (that's if you have the spare time Joanne what with a toddler and a newborn!) and also to any other Infertility graduates. You may find some familiar faces from your TTC days over there....but it's a hard board to find in that those in charge decided to put it on the Toddler to Teen boards rather than the Baby boards.... here is a link:
Link to She Knows: Parenting After Infertility/IVF Board

best wishes to all those still struggling to conceive, I remember all too well how awful that is......may your time to become a mother be just around the corner....

Twinsmommy · #7 (**permalink**) 03-23-2006, 04:10 PM

Oh Joanne!

I'm so thrilled to hear that everything is fine. You now have one of each! Thank goodness everything turned out great. How is Siena with her brother? I just love the pic of her kissing your belly. It's so sweet. Many hugs to you and the family. What wonderful news to share.

Love,
Karen

joannaLA · #8 (**permalink**) 03-24-2006, 07:19 PM

Thanks for all the kind thoughts and wishes.

Siena is actually doing great as a big sister. She really wants to help with diapers and feeding. I try to pump at least one bottle a day so she can feed him Sometimes she wants to do too much and we have to ask her to back off a bit. I'm hoping she doesn't get jealous, but we'll see how she acts once he starts grabbing her toys.

I can't believe it's been nearly 6 years since DH and I started ttc. After several surgeries, IUI's and IVF's are kids are here. I actually wouldn't have it any other way. I've been blessed to meet the wonderful women on this board and all the medical professionals who helped us get here. I feel like I understand much more deeply what a gift and miracle children are.

I hope to be able to support, educate and watch many more of you fulfill your dreams!

Babydust!
joanne