Friday, February 4, 2011

The Story of Gus

Let's back up a bit, to last Tuesday, January 25th . . .

Tuesday afternoon I started feeling congested.
Wednesday and Thursday the congestion worsens.
11 p.m. Thursday night I take some Robitussin before bed.
3 a.m. Friday morning I wake up with a fever, chills, nausea, and diarrhea.
Aches and pains continue throughout the night.
9 a.m. head to the hospital, started on an IV for fever and dehydration.
Given swab tests in nose and throat to rule out flu.
3 p.m. fever breaks, preliminary tests show no flu, good to go home.
7 p.m. fever returns, hits 103 degrees.
Back to the hospital, check in to be monitored overnight.
More IV's, tests, blood cultures, etc.
1 a.m. Saturday morning fever breaks, feeling much better.
Visit from OB, suggests the possibility of moving up the induction.
12 p.m. return home, take shower, start preparing home for early delivery.
2 p.m. fever starts again, rising to 102 degrees.
On-call doctor suggests coming in to be induced.
Spencer gets bags packed, car seat installed, I receive a blessing.
6 p.m. ready to leave for hospital, fever breaks almost instantly - never returns.
6:30 p.m. check in to labor and delivery.
7 p.m. start pitocin, congestion clears up.
Receive epidural, progressing smoothly.
3:30 a.m. Sunday morning receive an extra dose of epidural.
4 a.m. dilated to a ten, baby has one more station to go.
Transition, four pushes, 5:27 a.m. Sunday morning Gus arrives.
7:30 a.m. moved to postpartum room, nurse and bathe babe.
I begin hemorrhaging, losing a lot of blood, as well as passing large clots.
Excessive amounts of epidural fluid begins leaking from back.
Gus' blood sugars are low, body temperature is as well, taken to nursery.
Babe receives supplemental feedings and stays under warming lights for 3-4 hours.
Resting, waiting.
5 p.m. nurse babe, family arrives to visit, take percocet for pain.
Begin experiencing dizziness, nausea, and vertigo; throwing up.
Epidural fluid continues to leak, three gown and two bed sheet changes.
Started on an IV with anti-nausea, receive oxygen, blood drawn for testing.
Hoping to avoid need for transfusion and spinal patch.
Gus taken back to nursery to monitor blood sugars.
11 p.m. finally fall asleep.
8 a.m. Monday morning wake up, feeling much better.
Hemorrhaging has stopped, epidural fluid no longer leaking.
Gus brought into our room, Spencer heads to school.
11 a.m. nurse babe, have shower, relax.
1 p.m. meet with lactation consultant, nurse babe, have lunch.
3 p.m. headache coming on, possibility of a spinal headache?
6 p.m. headache has worsened considerably, nauseous.
Begin to throw-up, started on another IV with anti-nausea.
Fall asleep at some point.
2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Tuesday morning attempt to nurse Gus, headache persists.
11 a.m. headache gone, feeling good, discharge procedures begin.
1:45 p.m. given last okay from OB to go home.
3:30 p.m. anesthesiologist provides insight and advice on headaches.
4 p.m. finally leave hospital and take Gus home.

Thursday, February 3, 2011