Our Princess Is Home

Addison was released from the NICU yesterday and we are thrilled to have her home at last. That was the longest 5 days ever! I know we have so much to be thankful for because there are so many babies in the NICU that have been there for much longer than our angel. She has been great! Everything I imagined. We have to go back to the hospital on Friday for follow-up bloodwork. Since she had a blood transfusion the test must be done 7 days from the first one. It's just routine from what I understand. The first appt with the pediatrician is next Tuesday. I guess that will be the true test to see if Blake & I know what we are doing with this little girl! LOL

Addison

I was discharged from the hospital today, but given a courtesy room until Addison goes home next week. The NICU doctor is confident we should be home by Wednesday. Today they took the line out of her belly, but she still has the IV's in each hand for fluids. All of her tests & my tests came back negative for infection, so we now know the blood loss was strictly from the cord breaking when the doctor was removing it from around her neck.

We will get to hold & feed her again tonight. All day long we go back there & just stare at her. It's a feeling that can't be put into words. Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts & prayers. We have such wonderful friends & family!
Love,
Dewana, Blake & Addison

Addison Update

The pics below were taken last night at our visit. Addison is responding well to her medications. The nurse said she will likely come off the oxygen today. She is being given blood since she lost some during delivery due to the umbilical cord incident.

*38 week check-up & Birth Story*

Tuesday was the 38th week check-up. It was discovered that I have PIH (Pregnancy Induced Hypertension). Dr. Lee suggested inducing the morning of Thursday 4/24. So, I was admitted to the hospital Wednesday @ 5 p.m. to start Cervidil. Cervidil is inserted into the cervix to ripen/soften for inducing. It was pretty painful, but once inside it didn't bother me.

This morning (4/24) at 3 a.m., I woke up to contractions. I was in denial until
5ish when I finally asked for drugs. Shortly after, the Cervidil was removed & Pitocin was started around 5:30 a.m. At 7:30 a.m. I asked for more drugs. The contractions were pretty strong & very uncomfortable. Dr. Lee arrived at 9:30 a.m. & broke my water (I was 2 cm progressing well). At 10:45 a.m. it was time for the Epidural (I was 4 cm). The epi wasn't nearly as painful as I thought it would be! Maybe it was because my contractions were taking priority over a needle going in my back! Finally at 12:30 p.m.when the nurse came in I told her that I felt lots of pressure & a need to push. She checked me & said 'oh, we're about to have a baby'. That was music to my ears. Not that I was in pain or anything, but what I have dreamed about for so long was about to become a reality.

Addison Claire was born at 1:33 p.m. & weighs 6lbs 6ozs. Blake was a brave daddy & cut the cord! Unfortunately, the cord was around her neck, she was very pale & her heart rate had increased during labor. She was placed on my chest for just a few seconds & then taken away to the NICU. The next time I saw her was when we were moving from the Labor & Delivery room to the post-partum room. She was fussing & kicking (just like she did in my belly). When the dr was removing cord from Addison's neck - it broke. This caused significant blood loss & Addison was in critical condition. Right now Addison is on oxygen, has IV's in each arm & one in her belly going to an artery. Blake & I will see her again at 9 & will hopefully have more answers. Thanks for all your calls & prayers! I will keep everyone posted.
Love,
Dewana, Blake & Addison

37 week ultrasound

*37 weeks*

Today was our 37 week appt! Wow! Addison still wasn't cooperative during the ultrasound today. We did manage a couple of photos & some incredible video of her breathing the amniotic fluid in & out through her nose. She is measuring right on target now @ 37 weeks & is in the 44th percentile. The tech is estimating her weight right now to be 6lbs 9ozs. No wonder I am beginning to feel some discomfort! I have a watermelon in my belly!

*36 week check-up*

Today was another routine appointment. Addison's heart rate was 150 & I have only put on a pound since last week! Nothing else to report :-)

Uncomfortable

I think I did too much today! Blake & I went shopping earlier & ever since we got home I have been contracting (Braxton-Hicks only, I think). I have tried a warm bath, drinking water, laying on left side, walking around, etc. Now I am ready for sleep, so hopefully they will subside & I can rest. Addison is very active, as always. I wonder if she will be this active outside of my belly??? Probably so!

Ankles?

Well, yesterday for the first time, I experienced 'swelling'. I took my shoes & socks off, but my ankles were nowhere to be found! Hope this doesn't last the next 5 weeks. Warmer weather = sandals & capris - BUT not if you don't have ankles. LOL Other than the annoying swelling, me & Addison are doing fantastic.

*35 weeks*

Yesterday was our 35 week appointment. Now we start going once a week until Addison decides to make an appearance. Her heart rate was 145 & so was my weight this time. Dr. Lee isn't concerned at all about how much weight I've gained. I've had a textbook pregnancy without any problems and me & Addy are both healthy. We have another ultrasound scheduled for 4/15. Dr. Lee wants to do another growth check & estimate her size. I sure hope Addison likes cameras more than she likes ultrasounds :)