Friday, June 26, 2009

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Quick Update

Addelyn and mommy continue to do well. Addelyn was strong enough at birth that she never had to see the NICU- impressive for a 34 weeker (except the quick run through to meet all of mommy's friends/ co-workers). Addelyn has dropped in weight to 4 pounds 5 ounces but continues to act mighty like a term baby. She has not had any feeding issues, temperature issues or blood sugar issues. Mommy is taking things extremely cautious and only attempting breast feeding for 5 minutes or so (trying not to wear her out). She is always wrapped snug with a few blankets, hats and socks to keep her temperature up.

Mommy and Daddy are adjusting well to being new parents again. As for Aaliyah- she pretends to be a second mom and will be a DEFINITE help around the home. She carries her around like a baby doll and has mastered diaper changes and feedings.

Will update with pictures soon after discharged from hospital (probably on Saturday).

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Addelyn is HERE!

Addelyn was born at 5:04 pm. Both Mom and baby are doing well (and John & Aaliyah too)! She is eighteen inches long and 4 lbs 11 ozs! She is so precious and she can't wait to meet all of you!

Soon to be Addelyn's birthday!...4pm???

Dr. Lupton came and visited Cindy earlier this morning (I'm not at hospital so I don't know what all occurred). Cindy was finally able to eat something since they would not let her eat last night (John was on the way to get her something when "strike two" came and we had to call him and tell him she couldn't eat anything now in case she would have to go in for c-section and be put under). The plan as of right now is for Cindy to have a C-Section at 4pm (Eastern time), UNLESS something critical happens before then. Dr. Platt did not like some of Addelyn's heart rates last night though...I will be at the hospital later this afternoon and hopefully be able to provide more details.

No "strike three" yet...

Addelyn has decide to cooperate (she must have known how much mom did not want to be put all the way under) and Cindy has made it through the night without "strike three" (a few minor dips, but nothing alarming). Hopefully she holds off as long as possible, but most critically for Cindy--she can have a spinal at 8am! Cindy is doing well--a little uncomfortable from laying on her side, but otherwise hanging in there (John probably didn't sleep too well in the hospital chair!). I'll contiune to update...

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Baby Addelyn is ready to see the world...

(update from Cindy's sister Jess)...Cindy received a call from Dr. Platt and after reviewing her test results wanted her to come back in for a 3:30 appointment today because the baby's heart rate dropped during the non-stress test. She did a repeat ultrasound and everything looks to be developing just fine, but continues to measure small. Beacause of the heart rate dip during the test, she decided to admit her into labor and delivery. They gave her "three strikes" (meaning that Addelyn can have three heart rate dips) and then she will be having a C-section. Because she is on Lovenox, they cannot give her a spinal until 24 hours after her last dose (8:00am tomorrow) but they would be required to put her under general. We are on strike two....so pray that Addelyn will wait until 8am tomorrow morning! (I will do my best to keep this updated!) If you would like to call me for anything, my cell number is (317) 496-9778. Please keep Cindy and baby Addelyn in your prayers!

34 weeks and 1 day

Today I had a repeat ultrasound followed by a Dr's appointment. The ultrasound tech did a lot of measurements and determined that she is measuring a few weeks behind and she said my placenta looked "old". She checked again to verify that the placenta was still covering my cervix (which it was).

Following the US, I met with Dr. Lupton. He said that he was also concerned with what was discovered by US. He said my placenta looked like a grade 3 (I guess they are measured by maturity and go from grade 1-3). He said that mine is where it should be when I am at term. He said that this could be the reason she has stopped growing- because the placenta is beginning to die off. There was a blood flow still through the umbilical cord, so she continues to get oxygen and nutrients, but it is unknown how much she is getting at this point. He scheduled me for a non stress test after the appointment. The NP didn't say much about the results from that, but she didn't seem too active during the 20 minutes that I was monitored. He also wanted me to meet with Dr. Platt (the high risk Dr.). The soonest she could get me in is tomorrow at 3pm. He said she will possibly do a repeat ultrasound looking at the exact about of blood flow from the placenta. She will decide from there if delivery would be in the best interest or if postponing delivery and waiting things out would be a better option??

Will try to update tomorrow after the appt...

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

33 weeks and 1 day

Hooray... we've made it to 33 weeks (and I've officially made it to all of my baby showers...still preggers!!) Everyone was worried since I went so early last time that they decided to set the shower dates a little earlier this time around! :)

I have kept myself very occupied on "semi-bedrest" and haven't really ever felt bored yet. It's amazing all the things you can do while sitting. :) I have had a ton of visitors which has been very nice! Thanks EVERYONE!! It has also been nice to spend a lot of time with just Aaliyah this summer before baby.

I had my final baby shower this weekend for my mom's family/ sisters/ friends/ John's stepmother (all the way from Michigan). Thanks to everyone who had it for me and who came- it turned out great and I (once again) got so many wonderful things. Addelyn is a very lucky baby and has way more than she will ever need.

We got all of our baby furniture last week (HUGE thanks to John's dad) and I have been able to finish the nursery (with the exception of hanging a few things on the wall). It looks really great and is completely baby ready :)

I had a Dr.'s visit today. Dr. Lupton is out of town so I saw one of the nurse practicioners. She was wonderful. The one I had seen last time did not impress me much, but this one had actually looked at my chart before coming into my room! Impressive! She said Dr. Lupton should probably be talking to me about setting a date for the c-section at my next appointment. She seemed to be more with Dr. Platt and didn't think that delivery at 36 weeks would be a bad idea vs the risk of me bleeding when I do start to dilate. I think Lupton is more on the conservative side and wants to wait until 38-39 weeks. I guess we will see...

I have been having some cramping (not contraction-like cramping) off and on. She said this is semi-normal at this time, but to continue to look for any signs of blood. She seemed very happy that I have made it to this point with no bleeding yet.

I have a repeat ultrasound and Dr. appointment scheduled for next Tuesday. They will be checking the position of my placenta again and checking to make sure Addelyn continues to grow. Will update after that appointment and will try to post pics of the baby shower and the nursery soon...

Thursday, June 4, 2009


31 weeks plus a day. My poor belly button is starting to pop out.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Work Shower Photos














The kids all had a blast with bubbles...












The girls that were able to make it (minus a few)











Monday, June 1, 2009

Quick Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that everything is continuing to go well. I have noticed that around the time my medicine is about due, my contractions seem to pick up a bit, but nothing too bad. The procardia has definately helped, along with a little more rest and relaxation.

I had a Dr. appt today. Nothing new there. He did not repeat the Fetal Fibronectin and I am not sure he will? My next appt is scheduled for Monday at 10:25 (I am guessing he is going to start seeing me weekly now???). He wants another US done at 34 weeks to make sure the baby is growing alright (from the antibodies my body produces) and to check the placement of my placenta once again? I received a lot of conflicting information from what I had received in the hospital on Thursday, so I am confused about a few things. I am trying to sit back and let them do their jobs, but it is hard.

I had another wonderful baby shower this past Saturday that the girls from work threw for me. There was such a great turn out and I received tons of wonderful things. I am determined I have the best group of c0-workers out there. They have all been so supportive this pregnancy. I love them all!! I will try to get pictures up soon.

More updates to come...

Thursday, May 28, 2009

I spent another day in labor and delivery today- still contracting every couple of minutes. The terb shots I got Tuesday night worked only very temporary. I was hoping that when I called the office, they would just prescribe me some kind of pill to take every few hours and that would be it but they wanted me to go back up to Labor and Delivery to be hooked up and checked out.

Dr. Platt (the high risk OB) was on for Dr. Lupton. She did a vaginal ultrasound to confirm that my placenta was in fact covering my cervix (she said that these are often diagnosed, but many times are not correct b/c they are diagnosed with an abdominal ultrasound). Unfortunately, this was not the case, I am still a complete previa. She said that most people would have started bleeding by now with all the activity from my uterus, but since by cervix is "long" it has probably helped in preventing it. I have also not yet started to dilate. Hooray!

Fortunately she said that she hates terbutaline and went ahead and tried procardia on me. She also gave me a shot of celestone (a steroid to help with fetal lung maturity). I continued to contract and received another dose of the procardia an hour after the initial dose. She went ahead and released me after that and said that she thinks it had slowed things down and I was just having some uterine irritablity at that point. She sent me home with a prescription for Procardia to take every 4 hours around the clock and wants me to go back in to the office for a second dose of celestone tomorrow at 1 pm. She also wrote a script for me to not return to work until after delivery. I am not on "bedrest", but "bedrest as much as possible". I am going to try my hardest to obey!!

My next Dr. appt is scheduled for Monday still. I will update then...
Thanks Amy for heading up to the hospital with me!!! I really appreciate everyone and all the help I have been given! I love you guys!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Round 2...

Starting Friday of this weekend, my contractions really started to pick up. I had a very relaxing (non busy) weekend, so this time I can't blame it on my activity. I made it through the weekend and figured if the contractions got strong enough, I would eventually start bleeding (b/c of my previa). That is a typical nurse for ya!
After work last night (I got off at 11 pm) I went ahead and headed over to Labor and Delivery just to see what was going on. I had thought my contractions setteled down at rest. I was proven wrong. I was contracting every 4-5 minutes. The nurse paged the Dr. (Dunlop was on for Lupton) and he said to go ahead and hook me up (he didn't know I was already on and for them to give me terbutaline if I was contracting). I had a contraction and immediately got a dose of terb. Since John was home with Aaliyah, I was in that room by myself. If anyone has had a shot of terb, I am sure you can relate, but I honestly felt like an addict withdrawing from some kind of drug (and I was stuck in a room wigging on my own). That stuff is terrible- My heart rate raced up to 160 beats a minute and I couldn't sit still. I HATE that feeling and this drug. But, it did help to slow things down. Since I was still having a contraction here and there, they decided to give me another dose. Megan (a co-worker/friend) had came to my room by this point and was able to stay there with me for the second dose. The side effects are not as bad when you have someone there with you. :) Thanks Megan and Ebony! I was not contracting at all on the monitor by this point and was able to be released. I have only had about 5 contractions in the last couple hours this morning which is unusual for me.
In talking to Dunlop, he mentioned that with a complete previa and me contracting like I am he didn't seem so sure working was all that good for me. He told me that I was done with work until my next appointment with Lupton (which is on Monday) and he would let him make that decision. I am hoping for a modified schedule- atleast a day or two a week. I guess we will see then. I will keep this updated...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Baby Shower Pictures (John's side)



Moving right along...


Today we are 29 weeks and 3 days! Hooray, we have made it past the gestation that I delivered Aaliyah! I have been doing fine. I still continue to contract on occasion (when I am up and moving around) but, they seem to settle with rest. I have had no bleeding at this point.

I had a Dr. appointment on Tuesday and he did a repeat Fetal Fibronectin which came back negative again and I have not started to dilate! Hooray! He will continue doing these every two weeks with my appointments. Her heart rate sounded great-144 beats a minute and she has been very active lately. She was so active last pm at work that the kicking almost started to hurt. :) The girls at work were able to see my belly moving without having to feel it. As you can see from the picture, my Lovenox bruising contines to get worse. It is becoming more difficult to find places to stick that aren't bruised already.

I have continued to be an emotional mess. I keep thinking that I am at an emotional peak and eventually my mood will start to get better. Now I am in the third trimester and they have only gotten worse. I guess my family will have to keep putting up with me a while longer. Poor John- I think I have divorced him 20 times so far this pregnancy- and the crazy thing is- at the time I really feel he deserves it- leaving dishes in the sink??? It is bad. I guess Aaliyah has begged her Nana to pick her up from school instead of myself on a few occasions b/c she says I have been in really grumpy moods lately. Poor thing. It will be over soon.

I had my first planned shower this past weekend with John's family. It turned out to be a beautiful shower and I think I got almost everything on my registry. I am so thankful for such a wonderful family and group of friends on his side. I will add a few pics from that. The mom's from Aaliyah's cheer team threw me a surprise shower a few weeks ago when I freaked them out with my hospital visit. They are such a great group of mom's. Some have offered their help in running Aaliyah around, fixing dinners, etc. I am so fortunate to have people like this in my life!

My next appointment is scheduled for June 2nd. I will keep this updated if anything new comes up between now and then...

Thursday, May 14, 2009

28 Week Appt

Today we are 28 weeks and 3 days. We had our ultrasound done yesterday and they said she weighs about 2 pounds 12 ounces now. John (determined it's a boy) had them check for the 4th time now to determine the sex... It's still a girl! :)

We received both good and bad news yesterday. The good news is that my placenta and baby continue to grow at the normal rate. The antibodies my body produces haven't taken over at this point yet. The bad news is that I am still a complete previa (my placenta is completely covering my cervix). The ultrasound tech and Dr. Lupton said that the chances of it moving at this point are very slim. The main concern with previa's is that babies are not to be born vaginally (since the placenta would be delivered before the baby). Since I was already planning on having a repeat c-section, this is not a concern to me. After doing some research last night, it seems to be common for most people to be put on bed rest early on for bleeding episodes. They said that 10% of people make it to term without having any bleeding episodes. Some related the bleeding to contractions, while other sites said it comes with no warning signs at all. Let's hope I am in the 10% that make it to term with no problems. Maternal hemorrhage at delivery is also a concern. Since I am on the Lovenox, I have a few questions that I will bring up at my next appointment.

I have split my days up at work so I am not doing my three 12 hour shifts in a row. I think this is very helpful. I do still continue to contract when I'm up and moving and occasionally at rest. Nothing painful. Dr. Lupton says to call if I have more than 5/ hour and they will hook me up over in Labor and Delivery to see what is going on.

I will see him again next Tuesday for a repeat Fetal Fibronectin to make sure that still comes back negative. I will try to post a few pictures later on from our ultrasound. They did not do the 3D so they are not anything too exciting...

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Update

I decided to call the office yesterday (5-5) since I had never spoke to a Dr. in the hospital and felt that I had a lot of unanswered questions. Dr. Lupton ordered a Fetal Fibronectin test which indicates whether or not delivery will occur in the next 2 weeks. A negative result is 99% accurate, while a positive result is only about 38% accurate. We were hoping for the negative, more accurate, result (obviously). Sure enough, I got a call from the nurse this morning and it was negative!!! Hooray- now I can sign up for that Marathon next week ;)! Ha! This does mean that I will be able to continue working.

He was also able to check my cervix at that time. Fortunately, I have not started to dilate yet.

I will still see him next Wednesday with the follow up ultrasound (I saw a sign yesterday that the office just got a 3D ultrasound), so hopefully will have some more good news and pics to share...

Monday, May 4, 2009

and the contractions begin...

As some of you already know, I started this past Friday cramping pretty bad. I had debated calling the Dr. at that time, but decided to lay down, drink a ton of water and wait it out. After about an hour the cramping had stopped. I decided to hold off on calling the Dr.

I was fine until Sunday night when it started again. I laid down, drank water and it got better in a few hours.

Today when I woke up, I felt fine. Only a few contractions with no pain(which I have had for a while now). After talking to a friend/co- worker she told me how ignorant I was being, that I should know better, etc, etc and that I needed to talk to a Dr. I finally made the call. They told me that they wanted me to go to Labor and Delivery to be monitored a little closer.

Glad I called (thanks Megan)- they hooked me up and the nurse said I was having quite a bit of "irritability" with contractions. The baby's heart rate looked fine. The nurse gave me a shot of Terbutaline which slowed the contractions. They discharged me a few hours later and told me no work until at least Thursday and as much rest as possible. If I start the cramping/ contractions again, I will need to be seen prior to my Dr. appt with Lupton that is scheduled for next Wednesday and probably a more strict bedrest. I will continue to update...