Hello world, here I am...
On May 28, 2011 at 11:11pm, I entered the world - after staying cozy in mom for five extra days! I wasn't ready to come out at all, but I didn't have much of a choice...
On that Saturday afternoon, mom went in for an untrasound and a non-stress test. The ultrasound went well (obviously, since she got to see me), and she began the NST. Since her blood pressure was through the roof, the doctor decided to induce her. As they prepared, they continued to monitor my heartbeat, and realized that each time she had a minor contraction, my heart rate would go down. Since they determined that I was in distress, they opted to perform an emergency C-section. Later in the evening, at 11:11pm, I entered the world at a whoping 6 pounds, 1 ounce!
On that Saturday afternoon, mom went in for an untrasound and a non-stress test. The ultrasound went well (obviously, since she got to see me), and she began the NST. Since her blood pressure was through the roof, the doctor decided to induce her. As they prepared, they continued to monitor my heartbeat, and realized that each time she had a minor contraction, my heart rate would go down. Since they determined that I was in distress, they opted to perform an emergency C-section. Later in the evening, at 11:11pm, I entered the world at a whoping 6 pounds, 1 ounce!
...but not without complications
Man, was I stressed in the womb. Mom never got all that big in her pregnancy, and I didn't have much room to stretch my feet. So, to stay comfortable, I used up all my stored fat energy; and, when I was born, my gluclose was drastically low. After posing for a quick picture with daddy, they wisked me away to the Special Care Nursery at Lowell General, and immediately got me stabilized. Fortunately, I was not in any pain, and just continued to sleep through the entire ordeal! A few hours later I was able to meet mom and Grandma and Grandpa - that was fun!
The next day, the doctors were able to let mom and dad know that since I was a tiny baby for going past my term date, this situation is fairly common, and I should be regulated by the time mom was ready to be discharged (in 5 days). However, I liked the attention I was getting from the nurses so much, I decided to keep my blood sugar levels low, or fluctuate them drastically, so I couldn't go home right away. So, they decided to put an IV in a vein in my head (maybe I should have cooperated...).
The next day, the doctors were able to let mom and dad know that since I was a tiny baby for going past my term date, this situation is fairly common, and I should be regulated by the time mom was ready to be discharged (in 5 days). However, I liked the attention I was getting from the nurses so much, I decided to keep my blood sugar levels low, or fluctuate them drastically, so I couldn't go home right away. So, they decided to put an IV in a vein in my head (maybe I should have cooperated...).
SInce the IV didn't phase me one bit, I decided to continue to be stubborn, and produce low numbers. I was tricky and threw in a high number to throw them off. This is what really began to concern the doctors. Since I was fluctuating so much, they decided that the best course of action would to get me in front of specialists at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Tufts Childrens Floating Hospital. I got a little nervous at that point. Fortunately, the doctor told mom and dad that there is a private room they could sleep in on the same floor. That made me feel so much better! About two hours later two EMTs, and a very nice nurse arrived to pick me up. Mom kept asking them if they would drive 4 miles per hour into the city, and they assured her that they would. They put me in this big plastic house with a ton of computers and wires. I wasn't all that impressed, so just fell asleep.
After arriving at the NICU, they took my head IV out, (and look what happened to my hair!) and inserted a larger IV into my arm (they tried through my tummy, but I wasn't having any of that). Immediately, my numbers got stronger, and the nursing staff was pleased with my progress. But, it's still early, and I haven't made up my mind as to what I want to do yet. Stay tuned to find out how Day 2 at TCFH goes!!! Mom will be updating the Milestone Blog with info on the upcoming days ahead for me =0)