A bit of drama

I'm afraid I have neglected this blog when making baby announcements. :^( So, I'll try to make it up by putting in some information that hasn't been released to the general public! Yes, you lucky few readers will be the blessed recipients of some (probably minor) details about the birth! Don't you all feel lucky?!

Well, we had a bit of worrying ahead of time, but God was good to keep things running smoothly without any need for concern.

Wednesday we went in for a check on the amniotic fluid levels and got a bit of a surprise. First we had gotten a non-stress test (basically they listened to the baby's heartbeat) and there were lots of remarks about how very good everything seemed - some itty-bitty contractions were happening that C couldn't even feel, Beta was was moving, heartbeat was strong and shifting according to activity. All sorts of good things were being said.

Directly after that, we got the amniotic fluid check and found that we were a bit low - 6.6 when they liked to see 10. Wow, what a reaction! They said they considered ordering an inducement right then, but were willing to "compromise" to 7:30 the next morning. We said we'd think about it, but probably not the next morning.

We didn't know at the time, but I did some research later that night and found that anywhere from 7-10 is considered "normal" in a pregnancy, and that fluid intake and exercise can affect the fluid levels. C had clogged on Tuesday, and felt she hadn't drunk as much liquid as she normally does on Wednesday. We were measured at 6.6, the nurse mentioned that there was a fair bit of fluid around the face that they couldn't count, and amniotic fluid levels aren't considered to be low until it gets down to 5.

Regardless of stuff like that, they wanted to induce right away, or at least the next morning. We headed home and called them back that evening, saying we would like to have another check on the fluid levels on Thursday, and then if it showed signs of dropping further we would go ahead with an induction on Friday. Not something we particularly wanted to do.

I wonder if the bit of worry and stress triggered off the contractions starting in ernest just a couple hours later. Maybe. Maybe not.

All's well that ends well, though. In this case, it was VERY nice that the contractions started up and we had the baby very soon after. (note that very generous use of the word "we") Considering that "we" had to go through three hours of pushing, it felt like a long time, but looking back on things, it was only 8 hours from the very beginning contractions that C could feel to the final delivery. Not too bad. God is good!

Three Years Ago...

The anniversary of our engagement isn't until Monday, but it was three years ago after the BBQ for the graduating class that there was a ring/candlelight ceremony hosted for me and thus was my engagement announced to the PHC student body and community. Graduation day, I think I got as many wishes of congratulations as some of the graduates did, as the word continued to spread among students, faculty, staff, and their families.

Now, three years later, as I'm typing this, I'm taking breaks to feel and watch my belly move. Another three months and I'll be the mother to a baby that I can hold in my arms.