Week 39/Week 1

Week 38

No picture for week 38-let me tell you why! Probably more information than you want, but I need to write it down before any of it might escape my memory!

Thursday, June 19th- I had a doctors appointment and was dilated to 1 cm and 50% effaced. My doctor said I was on the right track for delivering near my due date of July 6th. 

Friday, June 20th- Spent the morning at the pool with the Morris', took a nap, and went to dinner with Lisa & Andrew (little did we know this would be our last date night before Kennedy arrived).

Saturday, June 21st-I was super lazy (I think the most productive thing I did was brush my teeth). Early evening I started to have a lot of pain in my back. I was up all night with what I thought was Braxton hicks contractions and back pain. A cramp would start in my stomach and then move to my back. Every time it happened I got out of bed and walked laps around the house. The pains would come at random-sometimes anywhere from a few minutes apart to an hour but never seemed to last more than a minute. Contractions in my stomach never got stronger or closer together-so I really didn't think I was in labor. I was waiting for 511 (contractions every 5 minutes, lasting 1 minute, for 1 hour).  

Sunday, June 22nd-Pain in my back continued-over powering anything happening with my stomach. I started to lose mucus and my mucus plug, but again from what I had read/heard that could mean labor was close or still weeks away. Around 12:30 Jason left to go buy a heating pad to see if that helped my pain. At 12:42-he texted to see if I was okay and if he had time to pick up McDonald's for lunch-I said yes. Around 12:50 I was heading to the restroom and my water broke on the toilet. I texted Jason back letting him know he needed to come home! I called the doctor and they told me to head to the hospital. We had our bags packed and I slowly got the rest of the things and myself ready. I think I was in shock and forgot about any pain I was having. The hospital was about 25 minutes away. The first few minutes were fine, but then it seemed we got trapped between every slow car and hit every red light-of course at that time contractions started coming hard and fast. Jason was driving with his flashers on, cutting in front of cars on the median and the shoulder with his window down telling people his wife was in labor and asking to go in front of them when the light turned green! As we pulled into valet parking at the hospital-go figure-they don't work on the weekends. We frantically left the car at the curb with all of our bags and McDonald's still in the car. I took what felt like the longest walk to the elevators and was that crazy lady in the halls. When I arrived to the room around 1:45 I was already dilated to 8 cm! There was no time for an epidural! So all those back pains was really part of labor! I tested positive for Group B Strep (a bacteria) during the 36th week of my pregnancy so I needed to have antibiotics before delivery (ideally 4 hours before). They wanted to get 2 doses in my system before I started pushing but only had time for 1 dose. After about an hour and 45 minutes of pushing Kennedy Jayne was born at 3:48 pm weighing 7 lbs and 19 1/2 inches long. 

 

As we rushed to the hospital Grandma & Grandpa Rutenbar, Grandma Watson, & Aunt Stacey were on their way to the airport. Late Sunday night the nurse came in to show Jason how to swaddle Kennedy and expressed concern with the color she was turning when she was crying and was holding her breath. They took her to be evaluated and were worried about her oxygen levels so they admitted her to the NICU and did a chest x-ray. They allowed me to go to the NICU to breastfeed her.

Monday-Grandma Watson, Aunt Stacey, and Grandma & Grandpa Rutenbar spent the day with us at the hospital. They were able to see Kennedy in the NICU. Kennedy spent less than 24 hours in the NICU and was released because she was too healthy and didn't belong in there! :) Her visitors finally got to hold and love on her.

Tuesday-We went home! Grandma Watson & Aunt Stacey had to fly back to Michigan. :(

Wednesday- Went to the pediatrician-Kennedy weighed 6 lbs 6 oz. and her jaundice is looking better. 

Friday- Met with a lactation specialist at the pediatricians office. Kennedy weighed 6 lbs 9 oz. She gained 1 1/2 oz after eating there. The specialist told us that her tongue is tied and if she continues having difficulty breastfeeding or gaining weight an option to consider is having her tongue clipped. Grandpa Rutenbar went home. :(

Still amazed that Jason and I created life. Just last week she was in my stomach and now she is living with us. We are totally in love with Kennedy Jayne. :) 

Week 37

Week 36