Elijah's Birth Story

Our little man has arrived!

Elijah Blaze Mentze

May 21, 2012 (my birthday as well) at 2:59PM at 7lbs 3oz and 19in

He was an amazing birthday gift!

So what happened?

God had his hand on us all the way! We look back so thankful that nothing went to plan according to our plans. However, we got the result that we wanted.

At our birthing class the first week of May I met with our midwife for our session and we talked about my swelling of my hands and feet. She was a little concerned, but I had no other symptoms of Preclaymsia or PIH (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension). She made me take a 24 hour urine test just to make sure. I did the urine test, turned it in, and had blood work done *again*. The results came back normal except one reading on my kidney's that seemed a little off. Because Pre-eclampsia can progress so fast, they decided to continue to monitor me. No big deal, it's just the hoops you have to jump through to not be induced early. They sent me to have a NST (non stress test) and blood work done *again*.  I passed with flying colors. 

However, it's not over yet...

I had to do the 24 hour urine test again (now a week later) and then get blood work done *again* since I was so close to my due date. I did the test on Saturday and turned it in on Sunday (the 20th) and had another NST. The NST was fine however, when my blood work and urine test came back my urine went from spilling no protein one week previous to spilling 280mg (you are diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 300mg).  Because I progressed so fast, they officially diagnosed with preeclampsia.

So what do you do? There is nothing they can do. I didn't change my routine or diet at all. The only cure for it is to give birth. My options were to go on bed rest for a few days or be induced.  Since I was at 39 weeks 5 days, with the guidance of the midwife we chose to be induced (this is on Sunday May 20th).

Another situation that came up previous to this was that I tested positive for Group B Strep. Again, not a big deal. They just have to treat me with antibiotics when I go into labor. Since I have a billion allergies to antibiotics I am a "special needs" patient. At one of our appointments I asked them to double check my allergies to make sure what they would give me would not allow me to react. They cross referenced a little more and it turned out they were not comfortable with giving me what they had planned and so the next step was to give me an antibiotic that can only be given at the hospital. The plan then became that I would be treated at the hospital and then go to the birth center to deliver. Because of the induction this placed us at the hospital no matter what.

So we got the news of the induction around 11AM on Sunday. We went out to lunch one last time as just us, and then came back for everything to begin. (DEEP BREATH)

When they checked me, my cervix was very soft but very far back (they assured me that it would move forward with labor progressing) and I was barely 1cm (if that). They checked me in and started with Sideateck (spelling?). This would soften the cervix and would be given every 4 hours. They strapped me to the bed with monitors and IV.

BTW: I really don't like hospitals because of all the nurses checking on me constantly and being strapped to things.  Nothing personal nurses, just not my thing.

After about 24 hours had passed we had no progression except that my cervix was softer.  This meant Pitocin was the next step. I really didn't want to go there at all...but once you start the process it's a snowball effect from there. So they started the Pitocin and also treated me for GBS (with an epi pin on hand just incase). After a little bit maybe 30-45min I reacted to the antibiotics (nothing severe). I also started the Pitocin and this is where things got interesting...

The pitocin began and I could start to feel some contractions but nothing severe...just mild cramps. As the contractions started I was just sitting and playing Banana Grams with Erik when I look over to the monitor and see a contraction starting. I could barely feel it and then I see the baby's heart rate drop from the 150's to 70-80's. The baby did not like that at all. In came the nurses where they asked me to lay down and put oxygen on. In my mind it's still okay but...what's going on? After the baby's heart rate went back up I needed to use the restroom and I just really wanted to get out of the bed. So they let me and I had to get back on the monitor. The baby's heart rate crashed again. After the first incident they had to take me off of Pitocin (I was on it for about an hour). The midwife was very concerned (but didn't show any signs of stress to us).

My thoughts were that if the baby can't even handle a contraction when I'm barely at 1cm what's going to happen when I'm at a 9-10? I also could only lay on my left side to get his heart rate back up. I also thought...how can I even get into a position to push if I can only be on my left side?
The heart rate crashed a total of 3 times. Once when playing banana grams just sitting, once when I went to the restroom and once when I just stood up to try different laboring positions.

The midwife started to talk to us about our options of progressing labor other ways and what they can do (because they had to take me off the Pitocin for the baby's heart rate to go back up). They could break my water but she said she wouldn't even do it because I wasn't progressing and she would ask another doctor to do it. She also brought in another doctor to talk about our options of breaking the water and placing a monitor on the baby to see what was going on or doing a c-section. They both said that in all their experience that this was most likely a cord issue and there is nothing they can do about it.
The midwife checked me again at one point and I still hadn't progressed beyond a 1-2 (they really couldn't even reach my cervix) and when she did that she pushed the baby's head up (his heart rate went up to normal).

Erik and I took some time to talk about it...we cried about it and we knew at that point what road we had to take. If we took the road of breaking the water and such it could end us in an emergency c-section.  Not a pleasant experience.  The alternative was to opt for a planned c-section.

We chose to have the c-section at that point. Within the hour there were nurses and doctors in our room prepping us for what was coming up.

It seems so easy to make the decision mentally but emotionally it was very hard. We were very freaked out and it took us time to "get there" emotionally. I chose to have a spine block (less recovery time vs. the epidural). They wheeled us in and they started in on everything. Erik was still in the hallway when the doctor came by and was able to bring him in. Everyone in the room was great. They knew the situation was really stressful for us and totally not what we wanted but they kept the mood light and fun. It was "just another day at the office" for them.

So as I'm on the table it's freezing in there and the medication makes you shake anyways so I felt very "out of control." After a little bit of time I started to smell this burning smell. I asked..."what's burning?" Well it was them cauterizing me...but it didn't register in my mind. The anesthesiology asked Erik if he wanted to see them take the baby out and he said yes (of course!). So Erik stood up just as they were taking him out. What they discovered is that the baby had the cord wrapped around his head, body, and arm AND was holding it. This kid did not want to be born.  And who can blame him, it was warm on the inside...

Elijah Blaze scored a 9.9 on his Apgare test (dad is proud). From there it's a blur (but we took a couple pictures and videos). We went back to our room and within an hour we were moved to postpartum.

Because I started labor on my birthday they couldn't give me any food just in case I ended up with a c-section. I only had 2 pieces of toast for 24 hours. Every time the nurse came in for the next 24 hours I would beg for food. When they finally gave in I scarfed down another 2 pieces of toast and swallowed hard. I didn't care if I was a bit nauseated, I hate throwing up so I kept it down.

They also prescribed me some pain medication. They usually do a pretty strong narcotic. I HATE those! I feel completely out of my mind.  After I felt like the pain was under control I asked that I have a non-narcotic pain reliever.  The pain was totally manageable however, I was strapped to the bed for at least 24 hours.  Getting up was pretty interesting and Erik had to help me move around and shower.

The first night Erik was responsible for taking care of Eli.  He had to do everything.  He's not super kid savey so he had a nurse show him something every time they came in to check on us...which was frequent.
The parade of nurses, doctors, pediatricians, baby hearing tests, birth certificate, photographer, people to check your vitals, midwives, lactation consultants came constantly.  When they say to sleep when your baby sleeps...it's impossible.  This was extremely frustrating to us, and bye the 2-3 night we were VERY ready to be done.  We were exhausted.  We had to ask them to come back at other times or just leave us alone.  I know they are doing their job but at what point can you just leave us alone and adjust?

Eli ended up loosing 12% of his weight over the first few days in the hospital.  This was very concerning, and he hadn't peed or pooped in 24 hours either.  The nurses kept "telling us" to supplement to get his weight up.  However, we hadn't tried all the breast feeding techniques.  We met with one lactation consultant and she gave us some techniques but really forced her own views on us on how to breast feed.  We also knew that a possible problem adding to the factor was that Eli was a bit tongue tied (which we got fixed about a week later with his pediatrition).

By Thursday morning my milk was in and he wasn't eating (ouch).  We were tired and VERY frustrated and stressed.  The lactation consultant came in again (a different one) and started working with us.  She gave us some options and then also asked that people not come in our room to give us some space and time to rest.  This was a heaven sent.  She later came in and told us that the nurse said that we were interested in supplementing or pumping.  We both looked at each other and said, "No, they NEVER suggested pumping...can we do that?"  She then got us all set up to pump and WOW what a relief.  Eli's weight went up and we were all set to pump and HE POOPED (and hasn't stopped since)!

By that afternoon we were allowed to be discharged (YEAH)!

Both of us look back and we are SO THANKFUL for everything that we went through at the hospital.  It was VERY HARD emotionally to have to have a c-section and the next few days were just the hard and frustrating but we learned a lot.  Nothing went to plan...nothing...but everything went according to God's plan and it's so much better than ours.

Ready, Set....WAIT!

So tomorrow I am officially 36 weeks pregnant.

Mentally and physically I'm so DONE being pregnant. I appreciate the little movements that I feel. He lets me sleep really well so I don't have any complaints in that department. I am using the restroom 2-3x's more than what I was. My clothes don't fit. However, I'm really doing well since my cold 2 weeks ago. It was miserable. As far as right now...I feel him moving south. Everything is stretching and with that comes "moments" of sharp pain in my hips that can stop me in my tracks (yes it's normal).

People say to "enjoy" this time of pregnancy. I am, by going on special dates with my husband. However, there is nothing enjoyable about being HUGE and uncomfortable. I know that less sleep is coming...but at this point I'm willing to trade almost anything just to have my body back. I want to fit in my clothes again. I want to shave my legs normally, I want to use my abs to sit up, I want my thighs to not rub together, I want to sleep on my stomach, and I want to eat something without dropping it on my stomach, I want to stop being clumsy...I think the list can go on but I'll stop.

This has been the hardest part of pregnancy by far. It's a hurry up and wait for that moment. I just want to know when it is.

There you have it...my brain and emotions.

32.5 weeks and counting

How far along?: 32.5 weeks.

Heart Rate of Baby: Not sure. I'll find out tomorrow.

Gender: ALL BOY

Total weigh gain: 25-30 pounds

Maternity clothes: not really. I kept all the clothes that I wore when I was heavier.

Stretch Marks: No

Best moment this week: Painting our little boy's room and getting some decorations up.

Sleep: About every other night I get a great night of sleep. On the off nights I wake up at 2AM and this little boy has decided to throw a party in the belly.

Miss anything?: My size 4 jeans

Movement: A ton a movement. He really likes to hang out on the right side of my body.

Food cravings: nope...just healthy lean and green foods with some yummy fruits

Anything make you sick or queasy?: overeating...I feel horrible.

Labor Signs: I don't think so. Just some cramps here and there...but I don't know what that feels like yet.

Belly Button in or out: Almost all the way out.

Wedding ring, on or off? Off. I could wear it but it's getting pretty warm down here. I'm not swollen but I would rather not risk having it stuck. I was thinking about going and buying one super big flashy big chunky ring to wear for fun.

Mood: Pretty good. Not too emotional or grumpy.

Looking forward to: seeing what this little boy looks like AND repossessing my body!!!!

Most annoying thing: Everyone asks "How are you feeling?" I'm not sure if I should answer that question honestly: Health wise I feel good...body wise...I feel like a whale. Since I never know if people really want to know...I just say fine or great.

Are you ready? Well we have some of a bag packed and we have a car seat. I don't know if we are really READY though.

How is Erik doing? He's doing great! He hasn't gained a pound, gets some great sleep, his belly button is still in and he's wearing his wedding ring. He's also in a pretty good mood too.

Well that's about it!

Budgeting, Hormones, and Taxes oh boy!

Okay...It's been a while. But, most readers are followers on Facebook so I don't have this urgency to divulge every little thought on here.

The new things:

Erik and I are now on a BUDGET!! Some may think this is quite strange that we actually haven't had an actual "budget" since we got married but we haven't. We realized that we are really good at spending money and now with a little boy entering our world in about T-14 weeks we need to actually be responsible adults. We just never were on the same page with money to get started and now we are. It's been a fun challenge to tackle together. It has given us flashbacks to when we started Take Shape for Life. You have to be intentional about your goals and what you want in order to achieve them. We also had to make it "hurt" a little in order to break our bad habits. I have no doubt we are having success and gaining financial freedom...instead of carrying around that extra weight on a day to day basis. It feels great to move a little closer to our goals.

Hormones...well, they really aren't new but man, there are days that I feel like a psycho woman. I try to mentally talk myself through situations so I don't get overwhelmed or irritated with situations that don't matter. There are days that I will wake up mad at the world and have NO explanation as to why. When this happens I usually get very mad at Erik and don't remember why. Poor man....but don't have sympathy for him too much.
While this pregnancy has been really easy in the way of sickness and such it still doesn't take the "uncomfortable" things of pregnancy away. AKA: I'm feeling quite LARGE these days. While I appreciate the compliments that I look nice and I have a "tiny" belly I find myself really bipolar in this area. I'm sure every pregnant woman can relate to this at some point in their pregnancy...You know that "in-between" stage of where you don't look fully pregnant but you just look chubby? While I feel large on the outside I feel like everyone just sees me as "chubby"...so I don't know what I want to be...just chubby because I can't imagine being larger than what I am OR being REALLY large and everyone knowing I'm pregnant (I know you can all see the hormones coming out of my body right now as you read this). An example of this would be: I was shopping for a new top (I was wearing a pretty tight shirt that I thought might "show off" the baby bump) and when I went to the cash register to buy it the girl commented that it was a cute top. I said, "Yes, it will be great for pregnancy". She then replied, "Oh, your pregnant?" "Yup"....So there are two ways to read this story. She was being polite and not assuming I was pregnant or, she just thought I was chubby. I took it as the latter. *sigh*
There are MANY more hormonal stories but I'll save you from them.

This Valentine's Day was our last married without kids Valentines. Bitter and sweet. Bitter as we were on a budget but sweet because we got to dream up all the things were want to do with our family on this day. We had some great ideas of how to make it special. While dressing up and going out to dinner is always going to be a fun treat for all of us we thought of other things. We had ideas of going to a basketball game, going to Disneyland (if it falls on a President's weekend), renting a limo to go get ice cream or a dinner, staying in a hotel and going to play in their indoor pool...oh the ideas.

TAXES. It's a 5 letter word that really should be a four letter word. I mean, who really enjoys doing taxes except the tax nerd?!!! Well, they are DONE and we are relieved that we don't have to hand over a body part.

Well, there are a lot of other things going on but they are best saved for a later time...enjoy your day.

It's a....

Hey All,

So...Merry Late Christmas and Happy 4 days into the New Year!

This year is going to bring changes in our lives that well...we have no clue what we are in for. On December 21st we found out that we are going to be welcoming a little boy into our home!!! If you didn't see our fun video on facebook go check it out!
We were very surprised because we both went into the ultrasound expecting to hear girl...but he showed his "goods" right away....not shy...hmmm...he's already like his dad. We also saw him tapping his fingers and fidgeting a lot...hmmm...wonder where he gets that?

The past two days he has been super active and moving all over the place...super cool to feel the little movements. Erik felt him move for the first time last night. There will be random times when I'm trying to grab Erik's hand really quick to see if I can get him to feel the baby and he seems confused at what's going on...oh well...

We had a great Christmas in Portland! It was so good to see so many friends and family. Thanks to all who made time to see us. We probably won't be back to the Northwest until the fall for Thanksgiving.

We are slowly preparing for our lives to change this year...becoming more budget friendly. We have received almost every part of our nursery for free! A huge blessing!

Well that's about it...until next time.