The Story of Bailey

What a whirlwind of a story we have here…

David was in Vegas the first week of August, from the 1st to the 4th. Since that trip was booked, I just had a gut feeling that something was going to happen, and Bailey was going to come early. Since I had been SO swollen, and just not feeling well, David’s parents took Tucker from the 1st to the 3rd so that I could get some good rest and not have to worry about taking care of Tucker. The only thing I did do that week was go to the final Bunco for my group, which was probably more than I should have done, but oh well. Bunco was Tuesday night, and I woke up Wednesday morning and just didn’t feel right. I was still REALLY swollen from the night before which was not normal. Usually I would wake up fairly normal, and then swell throughout the day, but not on this day. So, I went back and forth on whether or not I should call my Dr., and I finally called to go in and have them check my BP. Turns out my bp was 140/102… if you don’t know how bp works, that is BAD! What made it even worse is that I had 4+ protein in my urine. These are both signs of preeclmapsia, which then leads to Toxemia. So, the Dr. ordered a 24-hour urine test (I had to collect my urine for 24-hours) and then he ordered an ultra sound for Friday. Since I already had a pre-natal appointment scheduled that Friday, I would just follow up with my regular OB. I called David and told him what was up, and he said that he would just work from home on Friday so that he could go to my appointments with me. When he got home Thursday evening I asked him if that was still the plan, and he said that he would like to go in to work in the morning and then he would meet up with me for my Ultra Sound. I said OK, but inside I was really disappointed that he wasn’t going with me. I started to not feel well, so I got up and had a bowl of cereal about midnight. Then, at 4:00, Tucker came in and I could not get up with him. I was dizzy and nauseas, and just knew that something was not right. So, David got up with Tucker and just turned on cartoons, then he came in and helped me as I was throwing up and had to pee at the same time… not fun. Finally we all settled down, and David did not go into the office that morning. We went into my Dr. appt. and my BP was still 140/102, again with 4+ protein in my urine. Now, normally my Dr. will come in the room and ask how we are, we’ll talk about OSU and then get around to checking the baby. Well, on this day we heard the nurse telling him in the hallway that my BP was high and I had protein and he came into the room and said, “You are pre-eclamptic, we have to deliver today.” I was surprised, but mostly because of how down to business he was about it. I knew that it was serious at that point. So, we scheduled the c-section for that evening at 6:00. Now, keep in mind that I had a bowl of cereal at midnight, then threw it all up. That next morning I had 1/2 a piece of bread and some water at 8:30, but because of the bread and water we had to wait 8-hours. Grrr! This was at 10:00 or so.

Once David and I left the Drs. office we let all of our family know. As we were driving home I started to cry because I realized that it would no longer just be Tucker and I. I was now going to have to share my time with him and I hated the idea of that. Not to mention that I was just an emotional wreck. When we got home all I wanted to do was cuddle Tucker, but I still had to pack for the hospital and tie up any loose ends. It was a whirlwind of an afternoon. My in-laws came down about 3:00 so they could be with Tucker, and my parents were in the car heading our way.

Before we left for the hospital David and my Father-in-law, Jon, gave me a blessing. It was so comforting to have that blessing, and I specifically remember it saying that I will still have a healing process after the baby comes, and that I will need to allow myself to rely on friends and family to help me and my family. Ah, looking back I can see why it said that. :)

Once at the hospital we were admitted and starting the preparation for the procedure. Shortly after we got there the nurse told us that a patient down the hall was being taken in for an emergency c-section. She was pregnant with twins and it was not safe to keep the babies in any longer. So we understood that. They told us it would be about 1-hour later than scheduled. Then it turned into 2-hours then 3-hours, then they were unsure. So, I asked them if maybe the Dr. would be willing to do the c-section Saturday morning instead. By this time it was 7:00 and remember, I had only had 1/2 a piece of bread and some water since 8:00 that morning, and had thrown everything up before that. So, that is BRUTAL on a pregnant woman. The nurse was awesome and said she would check, and came back in and said the Dr. said we would go ahead and do it in the morning. I was SO excited to order some food. The nurse then told us that the Dr. was in the clinic all day Thursday, then was on-call at the hospital all night Thursday night into Friday morning. He had a surgery Friday morning, and then was at the clinic all day Friday. So he was exhausted. I was grateful to know that he wanted to wait until Saturday morning. This worked well for us also, because my parents rolled into town about 8:00. I was able to visit with them for awhile, and then we were all able to get a good nights rest that night. Here is a picture of me Friday night… I was SO tired and felt like junk.

The next morning David came back to the hospital about 8:00, and shortly after that Dr. Bowen came in to say hello and answer any questions. My anesthesiologist came in and checked on me and then it was off to the O.R. Once I was in the O.R. my IV started to come out, this was the 3rd IV they had done. Finally my anesthesiologist did my IV and it was a good one. So, they got me numb and when I was all prepped they brought David in. I had mentioned, while they were prepping me, that Tucker was born at 10:04 and it would be cool if that happened with Bailey as well. Ironically enough, after much laughter and lightheartedness, Bailey was officially born at 10:04 in the morning on August 6, 2011. She was 3-weeks early and weighed in at 6 lbs. 10 oz, and 19 inches long. I remember when the nurse came and told me how much she weighed I said, “Who, my baby? I don’t have 6 lb. babies".” And she just laughed, then asked me how much Tucker weighed. When I told her 9 lbs. 14 oz. she about fell to the floor. We had a good ol’ time in the O.R. All of the Dr.’s and nurses were so nice and funny. My favorite and most memorable part was when all of a sudden the nurse says, “Oh, I see a foot. She just poked her little foot out.” It just gives me the funniest image in my mind. :) Here is our first picture with Bailey…

Once they wheeled me up to my room in the Mother/Baby unit, it didn’t take long for both sets of grandparents to show up, along with the brand new big brother! Tucker came in by himself at first, and pretty much wanted nothing to do with me or Bailey. I was warned that it may be like this, so I wasn’t too worried. Here is the first sibling picture…

Bailey was quite the sassy little diva the first few days after she was born. She cried more than I remember Tucker crying, but not as much as some kids. However, as soon as my milk came in, she was as content as could be. Our perfect little angel baby girl. The nurses always said how cute she was, and it was followed up with, “And Sassy too.” That’s our little girl. :) Tucker remained content with not wanting to do much with Bailey or I while we were in the hospital. It started to wear on me, but everyone said that he would get better once we got home and settled.

We were finally discharged from the hospital on August 9th. I was SO glad to be going home. Bailey weighed in at 6 lbs. .5 oz. when we left, so we were hoping that by her appt. 2 days later she would have put on enough weight. Here are the “going home” pictures… Yes, I am a swollen mess. But, it is what it is. :)