Jaundice/Nursing

Colby was good in the hospital. He was nursing really well. Then Saturday, they told us he had slight jaundice. They said it is common in breastfed babies. They brought him back to me that night saying he had been crying ever since they got him. They thought he was still hungry. He wasn't trying to suck on my finger or anything. But, they wanted me to give him a bottle. So I gave him a little and he passed gas and poo'ed. That was the problem, he had an upset stomach. They said he needed to poo and pee lot's to get the jaundice out of his system. Well, since my milk hadn't come in, I supplemented with formula. I made a mistake in not bringing my own bottles. The ones they had were nothing like breast nipples. That is what they call nipple confusion for him. They told me it was good if he was eating every 3-4 hours with getting the colostrum. But, to still try and top it off with formula.

Birth Story

OK, let me try to write this while I'm not completely exhausted. I'm not going to get into that right now though.

Colby Paul Compeaux
Born on 3-23-07
Weighing 8lbs 15 3/4 oz
21 inches long

We got to the hospital at about 7:30am and signed in. Before I was examined, they asked me if I was going to stay. Not knowing what I was getting into, I said yes. What I meant was yes, I want to get examined and see if I had progressed. What the nurse meant was we would induce if there was still no change. They pt me on the monitor. The Dr. examined me and I was still only 1cm. We had a long talk. I told her how afraid I was about the Pitocin (induction medicine) hurting me. She assured me that once the epidural was in that I would not hurt. I was planning on having an epidural anyway. She said that I could keep having contractions like that for several days. I wanted him to come on his own. But, by that point it didn't seem like he would. I decided that we'd just go for it. So, they started the drip at about 10:00. By 11:30, my contractions were 3 minutes apart.At 3:00, I got them to start the epidural. It really didn't hurt. I was glad that it took correctly with my scoliosis. Right after that the Dr. examined me and I was 3cm and she broke my water bag. O, I want to mention what was going on with all my visitors. At some point the asked what some of the numbers on the monitor meant. They were told that as the number went up meant my contraction was at it's high points. So, they were "experiencing" them with me! They'd let me know when I was hurting more and less. Like, here it comes...OK, you're better now. By 7:00, I hadn't dilated any more so they put an internal monitor in. That was to see how severe my contractions were. Apparently some can can cause dilation and some don't. She said she'd be back in two hours to check me. Then again two hours after that. If nothing progressed by then, we'd do a C-sect. I was not in too much pain. But, the epidural was really getting on my nerves. I had been used to tossing and turning at night in bed. Or at least adjusting myself. I couldn't feel my legs or move them for a long time. When 9:00 came, I told my visitors to open the door and get someone. They didn't do it quick enough so I pressed the buzzer. The doctor was on her way in. I said it is 9:00. Everyone thought that was funny. She examined me and nothing changed. She said my contractions weren't strong enough. We decided not to wait another 2 hours...what was the point. So, I got prepped for the C-sect.I had never heard any stories about a C-sect hurting. All the TLC shows about it never show them hurting. I don't know what made mine different. But, believe me towards the end, I felt every pull and tug they did. The anesthesiologist was right above my head. I was just moaning the whole time. He told me he could switch it to general anesthesia. But, I wouldn't know what was going on and it would take longer for me to recover. The doctor had just said they were almost to the baby. So, I figured I could hold off. After what felt like forever, he finally came into this world. They got him cleaned up and brought him to me to kiss. I told him Happy Birthday and he was off again. They said he was so calm through all the newborn things they had to do to him. The doctor said there was no way he was fitting out of me naturally. After all my stitching and post-op stuff, I made it to my room. I was so glad I could finally feel my feet and eventually my legs.
So, what happened was exactly what I didn't want to happen. I went through the whole induction process just to end up in a C-sect. I kept telling everyone he'd be too big to come out. They'd just laugh. They did the kind of C-sect to where I could go natural next time. But, they can't induce again because of the medicine they use. But, I would never go through that anyway. If no progress is happening, I'd do a C-sect way sooner. I don't know if they even gave me that choice. I really wanted to leave his Birthday up to God.

Edit: I forgot to mention that I threw up before going in for the C-sect and again after he was delivered.

He's finally here

Yes, Colby finally made his appearance. But, before I post his birth story, I want to talk about what had been going on leading up to it.

3-19 continued- When I went to my appointment everything was still the same. I was so disappointed. My Dr. had talked about doing an induction on 3-26. I asked her what the point in waiting till then was. She said just to see if he'd come on his own. She said it was up to me. That I could go in that night if I wanted to. I was seriously thinking about going in during the week. I wanted it over with.
I started researching induction after that. I saw a lot of people saying that the medicine Pitocin that they use makes labor way more intense and draws it out. I started getting afraid of. I got to the point that I'd was less worried about a C-section.

3-20- I decided to go shopping with Mom to try and get things going. We figure we walked about 2 miles between all the stopping to go pee.

3-22- I went have lunch with Christie. Then I went to the chiropractor. I had been afraid to drive by myself in case I started having contractions. But, at that point I was over that happening. I started reading about how Braxton Hicks contractions don't necessarily hurt. Someone said they take her breath away. Well, I had been having the tightening and breathing issues just like she had been. I realized that what I thought was Colby playing was actually contractions. They were an average of 25 minutes apart and very irregular.

3-23- I called the hospital to see how far apart they needed to be before I went in. the nurse said 5-7 minutes for 2 hours. They were about 14 minutes apart at that time. Then I timed them from 10-11 pm and they were an average of 6.5 minutes apart. I called the hospital and told them. I knew it hadn't been going on for 2 hours yet. But, I wanted to call anyway. She told me to go back to sleep. She asked how dilated I was. I told her that I was 1cm on Monday. That since I only lived 20 minutes away to wait till they were 2-3 minutes apart. Or till I couldn't take the pain. They still weren't hurting at that point. I did lose my mucus plug at about 10:30. I managed to get a little sleep. But, got up at about 3 because my back was hurting so bad. From 3-4 they were an average of 5 minutes apart. I decided to call my doctor at 7:00 to see if I could go in just to see if I had progressed. I didn't want to go by Monday's exam. She said to come on in.
Sorry but to be continued...

40w3d

Colby still hasn't decided to come out yet. Rowdy told me to tell him not to get spoiled in there. That he has to wait to come out to be spoiled. I told him that he has much more room to stretch and squirm out here.

I have an appointment at 2:15 today. I'm bringing my bag just in case. I can't wait to see what's (if anything) is going on. I really don't want a C-sect. But, I have a feeling he is too big now.

I slept a little better last night. Then I woke up at 6:30 and played online for like an hour. I went back to sleep and actually slept till about 11:15. I never got up to pee either! Sure I woke up like every 1/2 hour from being uncomfortable like I always do.

I will post after my appointment. Or better yet, they'll admit me and I'll post in a few days!

Today is my due date

Here's some of my last few belly shots including my 40 weeks shot.

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Just to recap for those who don't know. I had an appointment Monday. I lost 2 pounds. But, the Dr. said that is fine. I was 50-60% effaced. That means how soft I am down there. That number was good. He wasn't engaged at all. I was still only 1cm dialated. Of course you can't go by any of that because some people are 4cm dialated for 4 weeks. Then others aren't dialated at all one day. Then have the baby the next. No, I still haven't had any contractions. But, you can't go by that either. Please remember that just because I haven't had any contractions does not mean I have not had pain.
I managed to go to the chiropractor today. My hips were way out of wack. She said he has a clear path now.
I slept good Wed. night and took a good nap Thursday. But, I can't seem to sleep tonight. I'm fixing to go try again. I just want to post this in case anyone is actually looking at it.
We still have some hope he will come today. But, it's not up to us. I know God will not put me through something I can't handle and he has a reason for everything. I know I can hold on a little longer. My Dr. wants to wait till the 26th to induce. I think he'll come out on his own by then. I just keep thinking the longer he stays in, the bigger he gets. Then the chance of a C-sect gets higher.
I will try to post when there is something to report.

Colby's stuff

Here's all the clothes and other things we got for him. This is all from a combination of the shower, shopping after, Aunt Elaine, Grace and Ma Ma.

The baby care cart is from Angela. I'm sure we will rearrange the things in it. But, for now, I put diapers and wipes at the top. Then Burp cloths, bibs and wash cloths in the middle section. Then at the bottom I put bottles/Nursing stuff.

The top drawer of the dresser has two spots for gowns and two spots for footed sleepers.

The next drawer has onesies and T-shirts.

Next one is hooded towels and socks.

The bottom drawer has receiving blankets.

This is a portable closet we had to get. Rowdy uses the closet in this room. I put all the outfits I have for him in here. Keep in mind all the clothes in the drawers and closet are 0-3 months. I know you can't tell how much there is by the pictures. But, believe me, it is a lot. As I said, I'm sure I will be changing where I put things once he gets here.

I put all his sleep sacks in the basket under the bassinet.

Here are the boxes with all the 3-6 month clothes in them.

Here's the coming home outfit Rowdy picked out for him. I will put a gown or something in the suitcase too. Just in case he doesn't fit in it. I found all the stuff to match the outfit. In case you can't tell, there are mittens, cap, burp cloth, receiving blanket, bib, regular blanket and socks. Most of them have giraffes on them.

The room for baby stuff/Storage room

You can not imagine how frustrating it is to be asked if the nursery is ready when you don't have one. This is the room that comes the closest to it. I can not wait till he has a real nursery in our new house we are building! This rent house is just too small and has no storage! Just so you can see how it started out, I'll show you the pictures of the progress. If you just look at the end results, you wouldn't understand the work we had to do to get it to that point.

Before...

Round 1... Round 2...

Round 3...

After...

Shower

My baby shower was on 2-3-7. A lot of people did not come. But, you would never know it from looking at all the gifts. I was able to take my time and talk to everyone before and after. It took a lot of planning on the parts of the planners (especially Melanie). But, everything turned out great! Thnks so much to everyone who helped! Melanie also went shopping/returning for me after the shower. I didn't get many neborn size clothes. Of course, now it seems like he will be too big to fit in them when he comes out. Anyway, after Aunt Elaine and Grace gave me all the newborn size clothes they did, I don't think I needed those sizes at the shower. Thanks you guys! I will post pictures of all the newborn size clothes I have now. I washed all of them and put them in the dresser and closet. I have the 3-6 month is boxes over here. Everything bigger than that is at Mel's house. Colby is prety much set for a long time as far as clothes go.

So, here's some of my fav shower pictures...

Better late than never to start blogging

Well, I'm at the end of my pregnancy now. I've been wanting to start a blog for a long time now. I just never made the time. So, to catch you up on things, here's a couple of links on how my belly has been growing.

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Here's the Ultrasounds...

34 Weeks (My favorite) See the chubby cheeks?


26 Weeks


9 weeks


At the 33 week 3 day ultrasound, he weighed 5 lbs. Then I had one at 37 weeks and 5 days he weighed 7 1/2 lbs! So, he will be a big boy. I hope I don't tear too bad!

He has already let us see some cute things. At the 33 and 3 ultrasound, we got to see him do a thumbs up. Then I had another one at 34 weeks and he stuck his tongue out.

He is very active. They say how to count the number of movements to be sure everything's OK. Believe me, I don't have to bother with that.

Today I'm 38 weeks and 1 day. With each of my last few appointemnts, my cervix has been softening a little bit more and I'm not dialated. For awhile, I was in a hurry for him to come. But, now I'm thingking that he may just be waiting for his PawPaw's B-day to come. How special would that be!