Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Kate's Blessing
We blessed Kate on Sunday and my mom and 3 sisters were able to come here to Spokane and visit over the weekend. It was so great having them here. I will post more pics later. Kate looked so sweet in her little dress and Nate did a great job giving her a blessing. Thursday, March 25, 2010
Kate's Diagnosis
On Monday Kate had a liver scan done to see how everything is working. Then we met with the pediatric gastroenterologist on Tuesday to get the results. Based on blood tests and the liver scan, he found that Kate has Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. It is a pretty rare genetic condition that puts her at a higher risk for liver and/or lung problems in the future. I guess both Nate and I are carriers for it, so we passed it on to her. We are going to meet with a genetic counselor and we will be tested to find out more about how we might pass it on to future children. Although, I don't think it would affect our decision to have more children. I found out that my cousin actually had a very severe case of this disorder and he had to have a liver transplant when he was 5 years old. The doctor told us that there is a pretty small chance that Kate would ever need a transplant. He has seen 40 or 50 children with AATD and only 1 had to have a liver transplant.
Many people with AATD are not diagnosed with it until they are adults and they start having lung problems. Infants and children who are diagnosed are more likely to have the liver problems. But generally, it seems like lung problems are much more common with this condition. There is no cure for it, and so far there aren't really any effective treatments available. The main things we can do for Kate are to make sure she is protected from cigarette smoke, pollutants, etc., and to keep an extra close watch for any infections, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. Those things could cause her lungs to break down faster than an average person's lungs. She will also have blood tests and possibly ultrasounds every 6 months or so to monitor the condition.
We were definitely hoping to find out that everything was fine, or that whatever problem she had would just get better with time. I'm pretty bummed and stressed about all this. There are so many unknowns with this condition, which makes it really stressful. But from what I've read, it seems like many people who have this condition turn out just fine, or have mild symptoms. I'm just going to hope and pray for the best. That's all we can do.
This website explains the disorder if you want to learn about it.
Many people with AATD are not diagnosed with it until they are adults and they start having lung problems. Infants and children who are diagnosed are more likely to have the liver problems. But generally, it seems like lung problems are much more common with this condition. There is no cure for it, and so far there aren't really any effective treatments available. The main things we can do for Kate are to make sure she is protected from cigarette smoke, pollutants, etc., and to keep an extra close watch for any infections, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, etc. Those things could cause her lungs to break down faster than an average person's lungs. She will also have blood tests and possibly ultrasounds every 6 months or so to monitor the condition.
We were definitely hoping to find out that everything was fine, or that whatever problem she had would just get better with time. I'm pretty bummed and stressed about all this. There are so many unknowns with this condition, which makes it really stressful. But from what I've read, it seems like many people who have this condition turn out just fine, or have mild symptoms. I'm just going to hope and pray for the best. That's all we can do.
This website explains the disorder if you want to learn about it.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
We're going home!
Kate and I will be leaving the NICU in the next hour or two. I am so relieved. We found out yesterday that all the tests for different infections came back negative. So all those IV antibiotics were for nothing, which is really frustrating. But I know the doctor was just trying to be safe. There are still a few test results pending and we have a couple appointments set up for next week. One is a procedure where they will do a scan of her liver functions and how bile travels through the ducts. That's where they think there may be a problem. So we should know if there is truly a problem by the end of next week. I hope there is nothing serious going on with her. Again, she seems perfectly healthy. The doctor and nurses keep saying that same thing. I look around the NICU and think, Kate does not belong here.
We're just glad to be finally taking her home and we're hoping for some good news next week. Or at least some not-so-bad news. That would manageable. Thanks again for your prayers!
We're just glad to be finally taking her home and we're hoping for some good news next week. Or at least some not-so-bad news. That would manageable. Thanks again for your prayers!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Kate's Birth Story
Although this week has been the most stressful one of my life, I was lucky that it started out with a great delivery!!
I should start out by mentioning that throughout this pregnancy I had planned on having a natural birth. I really wanted to experience the whole thing and not be numbed up at all. Also, I was not happy with my epidural for Paige's birth, for several reasons, so I wanted to go without it this time. I was open-minded though, because I know that you can never plan for exactly how your labor will go. You'll see how my plan played out...
On Wednesday the 10th I had a doctors appointment and had my membranes stripped. I was 3-4 cm dilated and 40% effaced at that point. For the rest of that day and all day Thursday I had irregular contractions. Sometimes they were actually painful and not just the uncomfortable kind. On Thursday night I was still having some contractions, but they were about 10-20 minutes apart. I thought they would probably just go away. For some reason I just didn't think Kate was ever really going to come out. :)
So I went to bed at about 1 AM and then woke up at 3 AM with a painful contraction, which I felt mostly in my back. I pretty much jumped out of bed because it hurt so bad and I had to remind myself to breathe through it. I didn't want to wake up Nate since I didn't know if this was the real thing or not, so I wandered around the house, doing some last minute things. I started timing the contractions and they were around 10 minutes apart I think. They were really, really painful. I was shocked. With Paige, I was in labor for 12 hours, and on Pitocin, and I never thought the contractions were nearly as bad as this. I realized that I was having "back labor." From 3 AM to 5 AM the contractions got worse and they were suddenly 3-5 minutes apart. I frantically woke up Nate and he started doing the dishes. Ha ha. It was the only thing that I had left un-done and he didn't want a mess to come home to. He's cool like that. I hopped in the shower and while I was in there I started having some contractions even closer together. I was crying and crying because it hurt so bad. I got out of the shower and told Nate, "We have to go NOW!" And then I threw up. Nate's brother headed over to stay at the house with Paige and we left for the hospital.
We got there at about 6 AM and they monitored my contractions for a while to make sure I was really in labor. I think they were around 3-4 minutes apart, but sometimes closer. Every time one would come, Nate pressed on my lower back as hard as he could, which helped, but I was still in tears with almost every one. I knew even on the way to the hospital, that my drug-free labor was NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I was pretty much begging for an epidural when they got me to the delivery room at 7:30 AM. I was 6 cm when they gave it to me and my doctor broke my water soon after. The epidural went in very easily, unlike with Paige. And it took effect right away. I was so amazed and relieved.
Everything was great for a while and then I started feeling insane pressure in my butt. If you've had a baby- you know exactly what I'm talking about. Right? I was like, "How about more drugs!" They upped the epidural, but it did nothing. I knew it was time to push. There was so much pressure.
It was just before 10 AM and I told Nate to yell for the nurse because I felt like Kate was about to fall out. Seriously. I said to the nurse, "I think she's coming out right now!" She acted like I was an idiot. Then she checked me and said, "Oh, you're 10 centimeters!" I knew it!
So they started setting up the room really fast and called my doctor. This was the worst part because I felt like I needed to push so badly, but they made me wait for him to arrive. He came into the room 5 minutes later and after about 2 minutes of pushing Kate was born at 10:08 AM. Wow. It was so fast. It took maybe 2 pushes and she was out. The best part was that I didn't tear at all! (Is that TMI?) I'm sure the fact that Kate was so tiny helped.
When they laid her on my chest I was shocked. She was SO SMALL. 5 lb 12 oz. Almost 2 lbs less than Paige. I was scared that there was something wrong because of how small she was and because she was purple. But she was crying really loud and started to get more pink over the next few minutes. Everyone assured me that she looked completely healthy- just small. Her APGAR scores were perfect. I was so happy to have her out and to finally see our little angel. We love her so much. She is such a sweet baby.
I have to say that recovery, when you have no tearing, is a breeze. Wow. I don't feel like I just had a baby at all. That's one major benefit of having a little baby.
I should start out by mentioning that throughout this pregnancy I had planned on having a natural birth. I really wanted to experience the whole thing and not be numbed up at all. Also, I was not happy with my epidural for Paige's birth, for several reasons, so I wanted to go without it this time. I was open-minded though, because I know that you can never plan for exactly how your labor will go. You'll see how my plan played out...
On Wednesday the 10th I had a doctors appointment and had my membranes stripped. I was 3-4 cm dilated and 40% effaced at that point. For the rest of that day and all day Thursday I had irregular contractions. Sometimes they were actually painful and not just the uncomfortable kind. On Thursday night I was still having some contractions, but they were about 10-20 minutes apart. I thought they would probably just go away. For some reason I just didn't think Kate was ever really going to come out. :)
So I went to bed at about 1 AM and then woke up at 3 AM with a painful contraction, which I felt mostly in my back. I pretty much jumped out of bed because it hurt so bad and I had to remind myself to breathe through it. I didn't want to wake up Nate since I didn't know if this was the real thing or not, so I wandered around the house, doing some last minute things. I started timing the contractions and they were around 10 minutes apart I think. They were really, really painful. I was shocked. With Paige, I was in labor for 12 hours, and on Pitocin, and I never thought the contractions were nearly as bad as this. I realized that I was having "back labor." From 3 AM to 5 AM the contractions got worse and they were suddenly 3-5 minutes apart. I frantically woke up Nate and he started doing the dishes. Ha ha. It was the only thing that I had left un-done and he didn't want a mess to come home to. He's cool like that. I hopped in the shower and while I was in there I started having some contractions even closer together. I was crying and crying because it hurt so bad. I got out of the shower and told Nate, "We have to go NOW!" And then I threw up. Nate's brother headed over to stay at the house with Paige and we left for the hospital.
We got there at about 6 AM and they monitored my contractions for a while to make sure I was really in labor. I think they were around 3-4 minutes apart, but sometimes closer. Every time one would come, Nate pressed on my lower back as hard as he could, which helped, but I was still in tears with almost every one. I knew even on the way to the hospital, that my drug-free labor was NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I was pretty much begging for an epidural when they got me to the delivery room at 7:30 AM. I was 6 cm when they gave it to me and my doctor broke my water soon after. The epidural went in very easily, unlike with Paige. And it took effect right away. I was so amazed and relieved.
Everything was great for a while and then I started feeling insane pressure in my butt. If you've had a baby- you know exactly what I'm talking about. Right? I was like, "How about more drugs!" They upped the epidural, but it did nothing. I knew it was time to push. There was so much pressure.
It was just before 10 AM and I told Nate to yell for the nurse because I felt like Kate was about to fall out. Seriously. I said to the nurse, "I think she's coming out right now!" She acted like I was an idiot. Then she checked me and said, "Oh, you're 10 centimeters!" I knew it!
So they started setting up the room really fast and called my doctor. This was the worst part because I felt like I needed to push so badly, but they made me wait for him to arrive. He came into the room 5 minutes later and after about 2 minutes of pushing Kate was born at 10:08 AM. Wow. It was so fast. It took maybe 2 pushes and she was out. The best part was that I didn't tear at all! (Is that TMI?) I'm sure the fact that Kate was so tiny helped.
When they laid her on my chest I was shocked. She was SO SMALL. 5 lb 12 oz. Almost 2 lbs less than Paige. I was scared that there was something wrong because of how small she was and because she was purple. But she was crying really loud and started to get more pink over the next few minutes. Everyone assured me that she looked completely healthy- just small. Her APGAR scores were perfect. I was so happy to have her out and to finally see our little angel. We love her so much. She is such a sweet baby.
I have to say that recovery, when you have no tearing, is a breeze. Wow. I don't feel like I just had a baby at all. That's one major benefit of having a little baby.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The latest on our sweet girl
Thank you so much for all of your comments and your prayers. They really helped me. Its nice to know I'm not alone.
I talked to the doctor today and Kate has an inflammed liver. Unfortunately, there are a million different reasons why this can happen, so they have a million tests to do. Many of the tests take a few days to get results. I think we are going to be here for a while. As of now, they still have her on antibiotics until they find out whether or not it is an infection. They want to be ahead of the game, even if its not an infection, since she is so young and can't fight off infection like we can. Its frustrating seeing her get all these antibiotics when we dont even know if she needs them. Not having answers is the worst part.
After today I am planning on going home at night, just to sleep. I will be here all the time other than that. It will be hard not being here, but I need better sleep and I need a tiny bit of normal life.
I'm having a really hard time with the fact that I haven't seen much of Paige over the past 5 days. I miss her sweet face so much. I am so thankful that Nate has a lot of time off from work, so he can be there for her. We also have some of Nate's family close by and they have helped a lot with Paige.
Please continue to pray for our sweet little Kate. I feel like she is going to be ok, but its so hard not knowing what is wrong. I want to take her home (healthy) more than anything in the world right now.
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