Another Case of the Bili-Blues

Lanie's life is off to an exciting start, so it seems! Just like Elijah, Ethan & Kaden, Delanie has developed a high bilirubin count within the first few hours of her life and so we sit and wait at the hospital once again.

Eli and Kaden's levels were high, but never high enough to be hospitalized. Both Ethan and Lanie's counts, however, have gone up quickly enough for the doctors to not let us go home after the delivery and we have been transferred to the Special Care Nursery portion of the hospital. Ironically, Kevin and I just found out the reason for the repeated jaundice issues - it seems that after nearly 10 years of marriage, we are incompatible!

ABO Incompatible, that is.

Kevin has type A+ blood and I am O+. Come to find out that if our children are born with type A+ blood (which they all have been), the antibodies in my blood cross the placental barrier, attach to the baby's red blood cells, and then mediate destruction of the baby's red blood cells by the their own immune system. This, in turn, releases large quantities of hemoglobin from the baby's blood cells. One of the breakdown products of hemoglobin is bilirubin. Bilirubin is metabolized by the liver, but the baby's liver is not efficient at that until after the baby is born and the liver is mature enough to tackle all of the bilirubin on it's own. If too much bilirubin accumulates in the baby's brain, brain damage can occur. Now, none of our babies have gotten even close to that point, but the doctor's won't let it get close before they start assisting the baby with phototherapy.

Thus, Delanie has become another bili-blue baby (Ethan was our first). She spends most of her day and night wrapped up in a blanket that emits a beautiful blue glow and the phototherapy helps her body break down the bilirubin. Last night her bili-count was at 11.2 and today it is at 13. It is continuing to rise, but they hope that it will plateau today (babies usually peak on their 3rd or 4th day of life). We know this process is necessary and we aren't overly concerned since it is being actively treated. Plus, Ethan's bili-count was over 20 and he was able to recover just fine - we know Lanie still has quite a cushion of safety with her numbers.

However, it is no fun sitting at the hospital watching your baby get poked and prodded, and being unable to go home and settle in to your new life. The Special Care Nursery is nicely equipped to accommodate visiting families, but it is not suited for mom and dad to stay with the baby. There are no beds, no TVs, no amenities for the families that want to be with their newborns the entire time. This was very hard for me to deal with initially since the maternity suite we were in just previously had been so exceptionally nice. The adjustment was somewhat upsetting, but now we are settled in as best as possible and have a great nurse taking care of Lanie and helping us.

We are really hoping that the blood test they take this afternoon will determine that Lanie's liver is mature enough now to handle the onslaught of bilirubin and that we will be home this evening. We won't know, however, until after 5 or 6pm. Please pray for Lanie's body to continue to develop and strengthen and that we can get our life as a family of six started for real. Thanks for all of your love, prayers and concern. We love and appreciate you all!

Here We Go!

Today or tomorrow we are having a baby!

At my last doctor's appointment on Tuesday, my protein levels were back up. My doctor decided she is not comfortable letting the pregnancy continue due to the stress it is placing on my kidneys, and she actually asked me if I could go straight to the hospital right then. Of course my mind was rushing with the overwhelming number of thoughts and logistics to process with that idea! I hesitated mostly, though, because I was still hoping the ABC was still an option. She is a great doctor, and although I know it would be easier for her to just send me over to the Labor & Delivery in Novi, Dr. Pezeshki began thinking of alternative options to try to give me a chance for the ABC. As long as my protein levels are the least bit elevated, I am not permitted to be induced at the ABC (by having my bag of waters broken) because I am considered high risk (that is, the LOWEST high risk possible, but still officially "high risk"). However, if my proteins levels came back down there wouldn't be an issue. So, Dr. Pezeshki said that we would delay the induction until she had the time to run one more protein test (a different, more accurate test) that would take 3 days to process.

SO, here we are . . . I went to the office yesterday with my sample and for bloodwork, and today I find out where I stand. Will I be induced today at the ABC or tomorrow at the Labor & Delivery? Either way, this is a momentous day for me since it is the last day I will be pregnant (almost positively the VERY last time, unless God has other plans). I am so thankful and relieved to know the end is very near because I have reached the very big, very uncomfortable, very yucky stage of pregnancy - but my longing for this to be over with is definitely bittersweet. I may never feel the butterfly flutters and the martial artist kicks again. I may never cradle my belly and know that there is another being growing miraculously in my womb. I may never be an intimate part of nurturing the development of a new life through the amazing and miraculous capacity of my female body. I will definitely miss these incredible and awe-inspiring parts of pregnancy. These last few moments will certainly be treasured and filed away in the area of my brain reserved for the most important memories of all, crowding out all of the unpleasant realities pregnancy can bring (morning sickness, heartburn, total and utter exhaustion . . . you know the ones).

Realistically, the fact that either today or tomorrow we will be holding our newborn daughter is our arms has me incredibly excited and overwhelmingly nervous all at the same time. I am so ready for this, and I am so NOT ready for this all at the same time! Her birth has been highly anticipated and the days could not have gone quickly enough for us, but I've done this newborn thing before and I know how much work I am in store for. Am I a glutton for punishment? Even as uncomfortable as I am right now, it is still easier to care for the baby in utero then it is the first three sleepless months. Apparently some part of your reasoning and common sense dims at this stage of pregnancy, however. ;)

Today or tomorrow! I think I can wait, just that much longer . . . !

Please pray for us today and lift up the baby's safe delivery, if you could. I wouldn't mind either if you asked for quick labor and easy pushing for me while you're praying, if it's not too much to ask. :) Thank you all, for your love and support throughout this pregnancy. I hope to have pictures, stats and information posted soon after the baby is born. Check back in a few days.

Thank you and God bless!

Doctor's Report

I just returned from yet another doctor's appointment and I am happy to report that I have finally received the news that I have been hoping for - my blood/protein ratio is FINALLY at an acceptable level!!! I am so thrilled because this means that we will now be able to deliver at the Alternative Birthing Center at the Southfield Providence Hospital again. We delivered both Ethan and Kaden at the ABC and both experiences were wonderful (as far as labor and delivery go, let's be realistic now . . . LOL). It may seem like an insignificant thing to some, but it actually created much anxiety in me to think that the ABC may not be an option this time around. I go 100% natural during my labors and the idea of having to be in the typical labor and delivery area of the hospital made me nervous - I didn't know if they would insist on monitoring, IV fluids, restrictions, etc. I know they have the very best intent for my baby and me, but I much prefer to be as hands-off as possible. With my first labor and delivery I was in the L&D in the hospital and really felt out of control (they really pushed drugs I did not want and my birth plan was all but ignored). In contrast, the ABC is an extremely calm, warm and relaxing atmosphere where I have found that the nurses really listen to your wishes and plans. It helped me feel more in control and comfortable with the natural process my body was going through. I was also able to deal with the pain in ways that were comforting to me (yoga ball, hot shower, walking and standing as much as possible, etc).

Have I mentioned that I am thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver there again?! :)

I would really love and appreciate your prayers that my protein levels would remain where they are (or lower even) and that labor would begin soon. At my ultrasound last week the baby looked 100% healthy, strong and fully developed, but she is already packing on the pounds. I know the female body is fully capable of delivering babies of all sizes, but I would really desire another baby under 7lbs. Kaden was 6lbs 6oz and the difference between him and Ethan (7lbs 4oz) was certainly noticeable. Because she is in the 60th percentile for weight already, the baby will probably be over 7lbs by the middle of next week. Currently I am 3cm dilated and 60% effaced (cervix is completely soft) so labor could begin at anytime, but I have now been at this stage for the last week and a half. C'mon baby, could we get this show on the road?! :)

I know the end is near and I am trying to enjoy these last few weeks of pregnancy, but I am admittedly restless. God's timing is perfect, but it is hard not to be impatient. :) I hope to be sharing exciting news of the baby's birth very soon!

God bless!

Sneak Peek

Pictures of our baby girl at 36 weeks!This is her profile shot. She has her hand over her mouth so it may be hard to see the whole face. According to the measurement of her foot, leg bone, and a few other body parts, she is in the 60th percentile for size. She is already 6lbs and will be about 8lbs if she goes full term - my biggest baby yet!
This is a front view of her face. If you look carefully you can see her eyes (lids closed) and her nose, but her hand is covering her mouth. I thought it looked like she might have been sucking her fingers.

What's For Lunch?

Lunch is my nemesis, my daily mental block, my frustration. I love being creative with dinner and dessert ideas, but for some reason I am completely stumped when it comes to an interesting and varied mid-day menu. Our typical lunches are either leftovers, pb&j, grilled ham & cheese, soup (sometimes homemade, sometimes from a can), or mac & cheese. While these are fine and great, when we eat lunch at home at least 6 days every week, we get REALLY bored with the same ol' options.

To remedy this situation, I have been searching for better and more interesting lunchtime options via the Internet. I thought I'd share my findings with you all, as well as put out a request for more unique ideas. What do you like to eat for lunch? What are your quick and easy fixes when you are pressed for time? PLEASE share your ideas with me, I can use all of the inspiration I can get! :)

SOME IDEAS FROM US AND SOME FROM THE INTERNET:

Leftovers

Sandwiches:
PB&J
PB and banana
Lunch meat and cheese
Grilled cheese
Grilled ham & cheese
Tuna salad
Tuna melts
Egg salad
Chicken salad
Cucumbers and cream cheese
Bacon and cheese (with lettuce, tomato, or onions if they like them)

Tortilla roll ups or pita sandwiches:
PB&J
Lunch meat and cheese
Tuna salad
Egg salad
Veggies (julienned) with peanut sauce
Chicken salad
Stir fry leftovers
Cucumber (julienned) and cream cheese
Hummus with julienned veggies

Quesadillas
Homemade soup
Pizza on English muffins or bagels
Pizza or Stromboli
Mexican pizza on tortillas
Macaroni and cheese
Impossible cheeseburger pie (easy when you have onions and beef already cooked in the freezer!)
Fried Rice
Baked potatoes (they cook in 6 minutes in the microwave) - coat them in olive oil and coarse salt and pepper and prick with a fork before cooking
Pasta salad with meat and/or veggies added
Taco salad
Nachos with chili & beans
Hamburgers (use individually frozen cooked hamburger patties)
Octopus hot dogs - cut the wiener lengthwise about 2/3 of the way down to make tentacles then boil or microwave then make eyes with dots of mustard or canned cheese
Pancakes or waffles with fruit
Bacon, egg, and cheese English muffins (or sourdough bread sandwiches)
Rice and beans (the little packets are good)
Pinto beans and cornbread (soak your pinto beans the day before and cook them overnight in the slow cooker)


Any other suggestions?

Not For Weak Stomachs

DISCLAIMER: Do not watch these videos if you have a weak stomach . . . :)

WHAT TRANSPIRED: Kaden was watching Kevin and Elijah play on the computer when he fell off the chair and hit the corner of the desk with his head. Immediately there was a lot of blood and when we got it mopped up there was about a 1/2 - 3/4 inch gash that went very deep and gaped at least a 1/8 inch. Although I wished we could just ignore it, it was obvious this needed stitches. Here is Kaden at the Lakes Urgent Care:

THE RESULTS: Kaden received 4 staples and a cool looking "headband" after the procedure. He was such an amazing trooper and even received compliments from the doctor and urgent care staff. He only cried when they injected the area to numb it, otherwise he laid very still and allowed the doctor to do what needed to be done.