Baby Frey

Born: 2/8/09
Gender: Grrl
Weight: 7lbs 13.3oz
Books We Have: Official baby librarian Christine set us up on Library Thing.
Medical Issues: Gestational Diabetes

Birth Story
We thought we were going in for an external version (where they try to turn the breech baby head down for a vaginal birth) and induction. The obstetrician, a man we had only met once before because our main guy was booked up for the week, came in to our hospital room looking dubious.
'What have you been told about the chances of success for the version?" he asked. We had been told 70%. "Well," he said, "that's true for the general population, but you have just about every possible risk factor. Frankly, I give it about 5%. And even if it succeeds, you're going to have a lot of painful bruising in recovery."
One of the biggest factors was the low amniotic fluid, which is another side effect of gestational diabetes. There was plenty right up until the recent week, when it declined aharply. They wheeled in an ultrasund machine to see if it was still low, and it looked like the only fluid pockets left were small and full of umbilical cord. Even we could see there was no place for her to go. If they tried to turn her, there was a much greater chance we would end up in an emergency c-section.
So we just opted for the C-section. I told the anaeshthesiologist when I met him ahead of time that I didn't do well with surgery or pain medication, that I always experienced more side effects than most people and unusual things tended to happen. I'll give him credit for not rolling his eyes (although I'm pretty sure he was doing it on the inside). They never believe me.
I already felt terrible when they wheeled me in to the surgery. I had a terrible cold and could barely speak. Coughinh hurt. My head was a solid block of mucous (and they can't give you anything for it because of the baby). So in addition to feeling dreadful, I was very self-conscious sitting naked on the surgery table in a cold room in front of a bunch of strangers. (There was a surgery gown involved, but it didn't count for much.) I sat with my legs over one side so they could get to my back. My lower back had broken out during the pregnancy, due either to hormones or some of the medicines I was taking to get my nausea under control. So I was naked, wheezy, pale, swollen, fat, and pimply, in front of all these young healthy people, none of whom were remotely terrified at the moment. As the anaesthesiologist was prodding and prepping my back I joked, "Now, I want to keep the tattoo."
He laughed, "Actually, it's providing some good landmarks."

Philosophy of Stuff
We're not really into stuff and are determined not to let the birth of our baby be a reason to fill a landfill with disposables. So we're using cloth diapers, looking for used durable goods, and discouraging plastic toys.

sarah ann
Born: 2/8/09 Gender: Grrl Weight: 7lbs 13.3oz Books We Have: Official baby librarian Christine set us up on Library Thing. Medical Issues: Gestational Diabetes Birth Story We thought we were going in for an external version (where they try to turn the breech baby head down for a vaginal birth) and induction. The obstetrician, a man we had only met once before because our main guy was booked up for the week, came in to our hospital room looking dubious. 'What have you been told about the chances of success for the version?" he asked. We had been told 70%. "Well," he said, "that's true for the general population, but you have just about every possible risk factor. Frankly, I give it about 5%. And even if it succeeds, you're going to have a lot of painful bruising in recovery." One of the biggest factors was the low amniotic fluid, which is another side effect of gestational diabetes. There was plenty right up until the recent week, when it declined aharply. They wheeled in an ultrasund machine to see if it was still low, and it looked like the only fluid pockets left were small and full of umbilical cord. Even we could see there was no place for her to go. If they tried to turn her, there was a much greater chance we would end up in an emergency c-section. So we just opted for the C-section. I told the anaeshthesiologist when I met him ahead of time that I didn't do well with surgery or pain medication, that I always experienced more side effects than most people and unusual things tended to happen. I'll give him credit for not rolling his eyes (although I'm pretty sure he was doing it on the inside). They never believe me. I already felt terrible when they wheeled me in to the surgery. I had a terrible cold and could barely speak. Coughinh hurt. My head was a solid block of mucous (and they can't give you anything for it because of the baby). So in addition to feeling dreadful, I was very self-conscious sitting naked on the surgery table in a cold room in front of a bunch of strangers. (There was a surgery gown involved, but it didn't count for much.) I sat with my legs over one side so they could get to my back. My lower back had broken out during the pregnancy, due either to hormones or some of the medicines I was taking to get my nausea under control. So I was naked, wheezy, pale, swollen, fat, and pimply, in front of all these young healthy people, none of whom were remotely terrified at the moment. As the anaesthesiologist was prodding and prepping my back I joked, "Now, I want to keep the tattoo." He laughed, "Actually, it's providing some good landmarks." Philosophy of Stuff We're not really into stuff and are determined not to let the birth of our baby be a reason to fill a landfill with disposables. So we're using cloth diapers, looking for used durable goods, and discouraging plastic toys.	12 weeks, 2" bean, head on rt 20 weeks, 1 lb, can see face on rt, spine, hip, and femur on left 26 weeks, 2.5 lbs, too big to see all at once, face on rt with toothbuds (overbite?), hand raised over face, belly filling out
Things We Have Thanks to everyone who has already stepped up with hand-me-downs. It's a huge cost saving and we really appreciate it.
Jen & Matt co-sleeper bath baby monitor 3 newborn bodysuits, 1 3-6mo jumper Baby Einstein Mozart and Galileo Colors ABC Numbers book by Priddy Books Richard & Kate cradle Susan maternity clothes	Kim & Joe changing table crib clothes & blankets car seats (infant and toddler) high chair back pack baby carrier front pack baby carrier pack n' play toys and toys exercise saucer (non-rolling)