On Wednesday I had my 37 week check-up. I was measuring 40 weeks and was 3 cm dilated. I spoke with my doctor because I was in a lot of pain. The pelvic pressure was so bad that I was having trouble walking. I'd had pelvic pressure for awhile and I had it with Isaac, but the amount of pain I was having was excruciating. My doctor said he could not induce before 39 weeks, but he would keep me from going back to work. I found out when I saw him at the hospital after Jared was born that during the exam, he had tried to help me out so I would go into labor on my own. Thank you, kind doctor!
Wednesday night I ate Scalini's and took a long bath. Around 1 am I started timing the contractions at 6 minutes apart. By the time we got to the hospital at 3 am they were 4 minutes apart and I was 4 cm dilated. Giving birth was relatively easy. It took less than 15 minutes and only 3 big pushes.
When Jared was born he was cold, so I only got to hold him for a minute. It took about 45 minutes to get his temperature high enough so we could hold him. I breast fed him and then the nurse came in to look him over. His blood sugar was low (it was at 37 and they wanted it at 50) so we had to give him formula to bring it back up. They took him to the nursery to monitor him and the next blood sugar test came back at 67. We finally got him back to the room with us around 3.
The second day was a busy one for Jared. He was circumcised, blood was taken for the PKU (it checks him for a list of diseases), the lactation consultant came by a couple of times, he had his pictures taken for the birth announcement, and the pediatrician came to check on him. She was very pleased with him and said he fits a 40 week old baby developmentally. Whew! I did ask about his skin color, since Isaac had jaundice and it was starting to look like Jared did, too. He was tested and had more blood taken. He does have jaundice, but for now we are able to take him home still. We just need to lay him in indirect sunlight and hopefully his levels will go down before his appointment on Monday. His levels have already gone down some from Friday evening to Saturday morning.
As for his weight, he did well while in the hospital. Most babies lose some weight, but they don't want them to lose more than 10%. Jared lost about 5%. He was 6 lbs, 11 oz and left the hospital at 6 lbs, 5 oz.
Nursing has been going very well. With Isaac I had trouble while we were still in the hospital and it was just easier for me to pump than nurse. However, this time it looks like it will be a different story, which is nice. I got some good advice from the lactation consultant and he has been latching on well. My milk started coming in today, which was very exciting! I'm pumping for a few minutes after each nursing session for now. The consultant said that babies born under 38 weeks have a harder time nursing, but even she was impressed with how well Jared was doing.
Jared really seems to be thriving and doing well, despite a few hiccups at the beginning. Now it's time to go home and see how we do on our own!
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