Birth Story

Warning:  While I'm not over sharing, some people may find this blog to be TMI.  Read at your own risk!

On August 7th we were anxiously awaiting my induction on the 9th.  Justin was at work and I was home with my Gram and the kiddos.  It was a seriously lazy day.  I wanted to nap all day but I tried to take a snooze in my bed and failed.  I fell asleep for about 10 minutes on the couch but then had to make the kiddos lunch.  Around 3pm I headed to bed again to try and nap, I had dinner in the crock pot so I had some time to kill.  Shortly after I finally fell asleep Justin called to say that he was on his way home.  I got up to put rice on the stove to go with my crock pot dinner then headed into the bathroom to pee.  I finished, washed my hands, got to the door, and my legs were soaked.  I called for my gram to get me a towel as I had been washing all of them but she couldn't hear me over the tv.  The kids were even farther from the bathroom so they couldn't hear me either.  I couldn't leave the bathroom and risk getting amniotic fluid all over the carpets so I sat back down and figured I'd call Justin.  After that I called Labor & Delivery to let them know I'd be coming in.  I spoke to them for almost 20 minutes so that they could be prepared for me.  I then called my gram's cell phone but she didn't answer.  That's when I remembered that I had rice on the stove and decided to make a run for it with wet pants to turn the stove off and grab a towel.
Fast forward a tiny bit and Justin and I are settling in at the hospital.  I had Gestational Diabetes, was GBS Positive, and had the bi-lobed placenta.  I had one on one nurse care because of all of this so the nurse hardly left the room.  I wanted another drug free labor and delivery but with the GD I needed hourly testing & fluids with sugars.  With the GBS I needed antibiotics for at least 4 hours.  Then I needed round the clock monitoring of the baby which meant the second she was off the monitor the nurse would push the belt into my belly harder.  She was driving me nuts!  By 7pm I was finally hooked up to everything and was allowed out of bed.  I sat on the birthing ball for quite a while because I was only 2-2 1/2 cent. when I arrived.  I felt the contractions but they weren't painful.  The nurse asked about my other deliveries and on the night went.  I remember the 4th time they checked my sugar (that meant it had to be 10pm) I was shocked at how fast the time was flying by with little pain.

Shortly after the 10pm check I asked to use the bathroom again but the nurse said she wanted to check me first.  Into the bed I went and of course that contraction HURT.  She reached for my tonsils and said I was 5 cent.  I felt so defeated!  I had been having all of these easy contractions and of course they weren't helping me progress quickly and baby was still high.  Boo.  So I headed to the bathroom where I had two good contractions that were super painful.  While I was in there I heard the nurse calling for a delivery table (with all of the gadgets and gizmos) and she was telling Justin not to touch anything blue.  I heard them counting items on the table, and came out to see them finishing up.  I thought they were a bit premature with the delivery stuff... I was only 5 cent!
I got back on the yoga ball for a good contraction and told my nurse that my body was starting to push on it's own.  She had me get back into bed so that she could check me.  That's when the bad contractions started.  The contractions that you try and breathe through, then you end up moaning a bit on the exhale.  I asked the nurse if it had been 4 hours yet for the antibiotics, she said it almost was.  No sooner than she declared me an 8 with a 'melting cervix' I got the shakes.  I reassured Justin who looked scared out of his mind at my shaking.  "It's just the final stages, it's normal!  I'm ok!"  The nurse typed something into the computer and said she had to grab something but if I felt the urge to push to call her asap.  The second she walked out my body pushed down hard and I let out a curse.  I think that's when I told Justin that I couldn't do this.  I crawled into bed as the nurse said, "If she pukes we are checking her again" and right on cue I puked.  No checking needed as the doctor walked in and could see Alivia's head.  I asked for a pillow behind my back and the nurse put it behind me only half way.  You had better believe that I told her about the pillow placement after that contraction!  haha!
The doctor told me that I could go ahead and push if I wanted and I started talking a mile a minute explaining that I never actually had to push a baby out.  They always just sort of come out on their own; I told her I didn't think I could do it.  She told me to try so I did and I felt myself ripping as I counted, "1, 2, 3" in my head so I stopped.  My body did not like that and gave me a killer contraction.  The doctor told me that one push would bring us our baby.  Well I have seen enough episodes of the baby story and I know that they say that over and over for hours and hours sometimes.  So I asked if she could see the baby's head.  She said she could.  I then asked if she was sure one push would do it and explained again that I never pushed before.  She assured me that one push was it and asked if I wanted her to count.  I think I snapped at her when I said, "No!"  I HATE the whole counting thing.  So I gave it one big push, felt everything rip, and out Alivia's head came.  Then she was stuck.  The easy shoulders were not budging.  And the contractions were killing my back so I pushed and said, "Please just pull her out!" and out she came.  Little stinker thought coming out with her hand by her head would be fun which made her shoulders harder to deliver.

She was placed on my chest, her umbilical cord got to pulsate until it was empty, Justin cut his first cord, and we just stared at our precious girl.  After about 45 minutes we realized that we didn't have either camera out.  Things had went so quickly that we forgot!  Whoops!  Alivia Pagie was born at 11:15pm and weighed in at 7lbs. 2oz. and was 19 1/2" long.  They got Livi cleaned up while I got up and used the bathroom and change my gown.  Then we all settled in for a long night of nursing, with little to no sleep.  I was exhausted, but I remember the nurse commenting on my make-up (which I hardly had any on) and Justin saying, "Babe, your hair looks really good."  I told him to 'shut up' and he explained he was serious.  He snapped some photos of us and I must say that compared to my other kiddos I looked great.  I remember being so swollen after their deliveries, hair up like a 'hot mess', and just plain exhausted.  Maybe the quick delivery played a part?  Anywho... the nurse was apparently curious so she pulled up the computer logs for the evening.  She then told us that from the time I was checked to be 5 cent. to the time of Alivia's birth, only 45 minutes had passed!  So very thankful for a quick delivery as I didn't have pain meds!

Our doctor was awesome and showed us the sac with the bi- lobed placenta.  I wish we had the camera out because it was super cool.  Nothing like the scary stuff they speak of, it was inside the sac all nice and cozy near the big placenta with a super thick vessel attaching the two.  Not sure how you wouldn't deliver both being they are both in the sac, but better safe than sorry I guess.

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

All around

Hope is springing up from this old ground

Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of the dust

You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us

Succenturiate Placenta - No Signs of Vasa Previa

Best news ever! While I do indeed have a succenturiate placenta, I do NOT have Vasa Previa! It was a long agonizing ultrasound and I'm in quite a bit of pain now from all of the tummy pushing and laying on the table for an hour and a half but we are so very blessed! I told Justin it's our miracle and asked if he could pinch me. He assured me he could pinch me and I decided just repeating "How can we go from 95% sure I have VP to 95% sure I don't" seamed better than a pinching. The tech said that is why she spent so much time scanning. We'd see what appeared to be the vessel in front of the cervix but she then thought that was the cord floating around. She pushed the baby out of the way so many times I swear I'm going to have bruises. But we'd do it again for the reassurance! (And we will at 37 weeks!) Ty Ty for all of the prayers! God has truly blessed us!

Thank God for Gestational Diabetes!

Hello everyone! Please continue to pray for my pregnancy! Today I learned that my perfectly healthy baby has 2 placentas. The vessels appear to cross the cervix so the risk of her bleeding out is HUGE. I am being referred off base to another hospital with complicated OB doctors and if vasa previa is confirmed I could start hospital bed rest immediately. 
I want to say how great our God is! Gestational Diabetes rearing it's ugly head seamed so unfair and yet God was in control. GD allowed me to get another ultrasound (to measure the baby) and see the placentas that were missed by Langley. Might I also add that God let me argue with Langley's U/S department until I was so mad I made an appointment at 7am in Portsmouth which just played a huge role in saving her life. He is in control! ♥ Please pray that he blesses us with this sweet baby girl in my womb!

A few weeks ago we found out that I have gestational diabetes.  Once you get the diagnosis you will need at least 2 additional ultrasounds to measure the baby's size.  Typically a healthy woman who has her 20 week anatomy scan would not get another ultrasound where I am seen.  So when I was told I needed another ultrasound within 2 weeks I called Langley right away.  After a week no one called me back so I went in and complained.  They told me they have 2 weeks to call me back and if I needed an appointment I should go to Portsmouth.  Portsmouth Naval Hospital is about an hour away, but I needed the U/S and they could get me in quickly.


I arrive for the U/S around 6:30 and they take me right back.  The tech was so wonderful, showing me everything, Oooing and Ahhhing at her little hands and feet with me.  Our baby measured right on track for 30 weeks and weighed in at 3lbs. 7oz.  Then the tech got quiet.  I asked her what was up and she explained that I have two placentas.  She was just trying to figure out if they were connected or not.  She was finished and when to check with the doctor to make sure the scans were ok.  She came back in to do another scan to see about blood flow.  She leaves again.  When she comes back this time she needs to do an internal U/S.  That's finished and I'm free to go.  I left around 8:15 with orders to see my doctor soon to discuss the 2 placentas.


By 9am my doctor was calling explaining that there were some things found in the U/S that could lead to fetal demise.  I didn't hear much after that except that they were consulting with an outside hospital trying to get me seen asap.  I did have a follow up appointment scheduled for my diabetes that afternoon so I figured I'd get more info then.  But for now I had a name to put with the commotion and it wasn't good.  It is not something that you want to Google because it will break your heart into a million pieces.  


I headed to my appointment at 11:30 after lots of tears and frantic phone calls to people I love for reassurance.  I just kept saying how blessed I was that God gave me diabetes!  As soon as the midwife walked into the room I lost it.  I was trying to hold it together but I just couldn't.  She was great, she explained everything again and let me cry as long as I needed.  She explained that as soon as the referrals went through we'd be moving really fast.  I'd see the complicated OB at the new hospital who would do his own U/S to confirm the diagnosis.  If confirmed I'd be admitted immediately and given steroids to help the baby's lungs.  From there we would play it day by day and deliver no later than 35-36 weeks.  But all my mind can think is, "My baby!"  and "If it's that urgent how can you send me home all weekend?"  


My first diagnosis is Bilobed Placenta and the second is Vasa Previa.  "Vasa previa is an uncommon obstetrical complication that poses a high risk of fetal demise if not recognized before rupture of membranes. It is vital that providers recognize risk factors for vasa previa and diagnose this condition before the onset of labor so that fetal shock or demise is prevented."


Basically, because my Bilobed Placenta was missed at the 20 week U/S the Diabetes may be what saves her.  Yesterday's 30 week U/S was a gift from God making us aware.  If I had went into labor on my own our sweet girl would have bled out and died within minutes.  If you Google Vasa Previa you will find lots of memorial pages for baby angels, and mother's with broken hearts and empty arms.  So if you're feeling like Googling it, please be aware!  


Please continue to pray for us!  Sleeping was so hard last night, I was so afraid I'd break the vessel with each turn.  I feel like I belong in the looney bin right now.  Just admit me!  Take me and watch me like a hawk!  Don't let me go into labor!  My mind is spinning.  The pending C- Section means nothing, I thought I'd be disappointed if I needed one after 2 drug free vaginal deliveries.  But just do it!  Get her out and make her safe!  (See clearly I need prayer!)

30 weeks pregnant!  

Below is some more info if you're interested:


Vasa previa is up to 95% deadly for the infant.  Or it is virtually 100% survivable.  It all depends on that prenatal diagnosis and appropriate management.  The International Vasa Previa Foundation (IVPF) doesn't have a single case of infant death from vasa previa in its records when the recommendations below were followed.  Not one!  Studies show this management works.  Our records back it up.

The IVPF recommends

- Pelvic rest 
- Hospitalization in the 3rd trimester, typically at about 30-32 weeks 
- Delivery by C-section at 35 weeks 
- Immediate blood transfusion and aggressive resuscitation of the infant in the event of a rupture 
Pelvic rest means nothing in the vagina.  Nothing at all.  No sex.  No tampons.  And except for transvaginal ultrasound which has been proven to be safe, no digital exams.

Hospitalization by 30-32 weeks may seem like overkill, but our records show an increased risk of rupture during this time as the mothers body begins to prepare for birth.  Babies that rupture at home simply do not survive, no matter how close they live to the hospital.  That said, there are certain isolated cases of vasa previa which can be successfully managed out-patient.  This is very rare though. Most mothers begin effacing and dilating weeks before term. This puts a vasa previa infant at far greater risk of rupture. While hospitalization is definitely preferred, if the cervix is 4 centimeters or longer AND fetal fibronectin testing is favorable for out-patient management, it can be attempted safely.  Both these tests together are good indicators for uterine activity not commencing in the next couple of weeks or so.  Out-patient management should never be attempted without adequate results from BOTH of these tests together!  

Why 35 week delivery?  Because studies show this gestational age to have the highest infant survival rate.  Yes, 35 weeks is quite early.  And a 35 weeker will likely spend some time in the NICU.  But the simple facts of the matter are that it is far easier to manage prematurity at 35 weeks than it is to manage a vasa previa rupture.  Babies that rupture die within minutes, leaving only moments to deliver them, aggressively resuscitate them, and give them blood transfusions.  

So you are in the hospital now and waiting for delivery.  You can expect to have a round of 2 steroid injections to help your baby's lung mature.  You will be monitored more often for uterine activity as well.  Some doctors will do an amniocentisis at 35 weeks to check on the baby's lung development and will put off delivery until 36 weeks if this isn't accomplished and the mother is not having any uterine activity.  Most doctors however, simply deliver at 35 weeks without doing an amnio.  Regardless, we've never heard of a doctor doing a repeat amnio.  Its always better to get them out before the risk of rupture increases.  Sometimes uterine activity will result in a baby being delivered before 35 weeks.

The International Vasa Previa Foundation believes that infant death due to vasa previa is an avoidable tragedy.  IVPF recommendations are based on the consolidated results of science, technology, and its experience with thousands of vasa previa families.  Infant death and injury can be prevented when vasa previa is prenatally diagnosed and Cesarean section is performed at 35 weeks.

Legs, Legs, Legs!

As most of you already know, Luke is a toe walker.  He wasn't always.  We first noticed that he just couldn't get flat when we moved back to VA in late 2010.  Thinking back and looking at photos he started toe walking when we lived in California.  I guess all of that sun, sand, and flip flops just let him rise up on his toes.  Then getting to Virginia when it was cold he was wearing boots and jeans most days so it really covered up the situation.  When he'd be home and barefoot we'd ask him to walk flat foot.  As the months passed his version of flat foot started to include sticking his butt out as he walked.  Then a few months later he's say, "ouch, ouch, ouch" with each step.
I took him in to see his doctor who wrote it off.  I went back a week later and another doctor took me seriously, and put in a physical therapy consult.  We waited months to get into physical therapy so of course he got worse.

We learned that Luke was a toe walker due to short Achilles Tendons.  When I speak of 'range' I'm using the scale they taught me.  Here's a quick rundown.  Negative range is on the toes, Neutral is flat foot, and Positive range is being able to get the toe up high above the heal.  Luke was -15 on the left foot and -15+ on the right.  (I think their measuring tool only went to 15).  "Normal" is +15 with a heal to toe walk.
We did therapy for a few short months and saw some improvement and we saw an amazing Orthopedic Surgeon at CHKD.  He recommended continuing therapy and let us know that surgery (if done now) would need to be repeated every year or two because every time Luke grows, his tendons would be too short again.  He said no matter what, he will most likely need surgery at 10-12.  Then Luke's therapist quit, we went back on the wait list, he lost range, and we were back where we started.  But we had AFOs made, we fought weekly to get a better fit.  Never did they actually work on him, so after 2 months we gave up and went back to the Orthopedic Surgeon.  He gave us two options, putting Luke under and stretching him as much as he could and casting in that position or get back in therapy.  Of course we did not want out baby on the operating table, surgery or not so he did everything in his power to get us therapy at CHKD asap, bypassing their HUGE wait list.  CHKD is the best, everyone wants to have their kids seen there, so we were grateful!  Sure enough, he came through within a week.  So quickly I was still fighting our insurance, and rallying prayers from anywhere I could get them.  God does things in his own time though and the day of the therapy, as I'm prepared to write a $400. check to not lose that precious spot, I get a call that the insurance went through.

Luke's therapist is amazing, he does so much at therapy now that he never did at the old location.  We were not welcome to go back at our old location, here we are encouraged to get involved.  And we have a 1 hour slot once a week, we are making huge strides!  Luke was very close to neutral!  Then his therapist recommended serial casting and the Orthopedic Surgeon signed off on it quickly.  We were told there was a wait list for that as well.  So I didn't stress about the insurance going through right away.  Two days later they had an opening, if I didn't take it he'd be waiting a few months, and as my belly was growing with baby #3 I didn't want to wait.  So I went to battle with my insurance.  They wanted me to drive one hour each way, once a week, for 6 weeks to the Naval hospital for casting.  I wanted all of our care at CHKD, minutes from our home.  Lots of tears, stress, and requests for prayers and God came through again, ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT!

Week 1 of casting, he was walking on his toes all week, how could this help?  

Week 2 of casting, still on those toes!  But we saw some great progress week 1 even on the toes so we put our faith in the professionals.  (He cannot walk for 1 hour after casting as he allows them to dry properly.)

Week 3 Luke was up to +10 range!  Enough to cast for AFOs!  And he picked some crazy Black & Glow in the Dark White Casts for the Pirate Festival that weekend!  

I'll keep you updated on his progress!  Thanks for reading!

Clomid Baby?

This year we have welcomed 3 adorable nephews into the world.  Jake, Nicolas, and Jaxon are some of the cutest babies I've seen in years, and I'm not just saying that because they are our nephews!  Being so far away is rough but we visit when we can.
Waiting for all of these boys to be born & seeing so many close friends enjoying their babies, Justin and I got the 'baby bug'.  Crazy enough after having two kiddos at a young age, here I was at 28 with no cycle for a year.  No birth control for 7 months while hubby was deployed and still, no cycle.  At first we thought we were pregnant the first birth control free month, but test after test came up negative.  And if you didn't know... you can't become pregnant when your husband is deployed... so I waited.  After 6 months of no cycle I headed to the GYN.  I started meds to bring on a cycle.  One month success, the next nothing.  This continued through-out deployment.  Justin gets back and my GYN put me on Clomid.  If there's one thing military wives know, it's that 'deployment babies' happen quite often.  With the guy gone for so long, the woman not on birth control... he returns and BAM!  Month one they are pregnant.  That wasn't us, even with Clomid.
Christmas time 2011 and I'm gagging at everything... we have family members who smoke and it's always bothered me and Justin.  I just assumed that was it considering I didn't have a cycle in October or November again.  But sure enough, I was pregnant!
So excited to be expecting baby #3!  What a blessing!

Infant Car Seat Cover

I saw this adorable Car Seat Tent online right after an old friend from High School had his son.  (Without going into too much detail...)  His son spent quite a while in the hospital and underwent a few surgeries.  Never did the family's faith fade, they stayed positive.  How could I show them support from a couple of hundred miles away? I let them know that I was praying for their precious son but after stumbling on the tutorial I mentioned above I thought, "Every parent of a newborn should have one of these to keep people from touching their babies!  A baby who has been in the hospital for as long as their son REALLY should have one."  And so I contacted my friend who loves to sew, bought the fabrics, and away we went!  I didn't get many photos as we went because after doing some cutting I was chasing my friend's 11 month old around while she did the major sewing.  But here's a few:

The straps almost ready to be attached.

Ta-Da!  All finished!

Cup Cake Hats

My Aunt makes these adorable hats for just $5.00 each!  Aren't they precious?  If you'd like one for your little cupcake please let me know!  Although you can't tell from the photos the frosting on these is pink with rainbow sprinkles.  Both are chocolate cake!  <3