A couple of weeks earlier, I had gotten PIH - pregnancy induced hypertension, or high blood pressure. So, I had been on bed rest, in the hopes that we could wait for a natural delivery. The doctor wanted to do a cesearean, since I wasn't ready to deliver, but said it was safe to wait a little longer.On Monday 2nd, I went to see the doctor only to discover that my, normally quite low, blood pressure had reached a dangerous high and we would have to deliver one way or the other - I was 38 weeks along. The choices were a cesearean or an induction that would probably end in a cesearean, since my body wasn't ready for labour. After prayer and discussion, Eric and I decided to try an induction, and so I was admitted to the hospital that night, and induction was started at 8pm.
The next morning we continued with the induction, and by late afternoon the doctor still thought it wasn't going well and would end in surgery. However, between 4pm and 7pm, everything sped up and Lilah arrived healthy and well at 7:21pm, much to our doctor's surprise! - she thought we'd still be there at midnight...
Lilah was a tiny 2.62 kg (5lb 12 oz) at birth, partly due to my blood pressure issues. She also was found to have low blood sugar, for the same reason, and so was admitted into the Special Care nursery. She had a feeding tube inserted through her nose, and was fed formula to try to stabilise her blood sugar levels.We were thrilled at how well everything turned out and so glad to have a healthy baby!
Lilah was very sleepy, and slept through every second feed for the first few days, so these feeds were done via the tube. However, by Friday she was finished with all that and was allowed to 'room-in' with me that night - oh what a night! Her increased strength, coupled with coming off formula meant that she didn't sleep at all that night or the next few nights - and there was a lot of screaming. However she had adjusted better before too long. She's still fairly nocturnal, but is much better.
On the Sunday we were allowed to go home, and it's been fantastic ever since. Lilah has been such a good baby, with only a few really unsettled periods so far.
She's still tiny, but is quickly catching up. At her 4 week doctor's appointment she weighed 3.5 kg, and had grown 4.5 cm. She's now average newborn size (at 4 weeks old).
Lilah has been smiling at us more and more lately, and at her toys, books and the gift cards sent to us by family and friends that I have hung in her room - she loves them! She has an adorable smile, and spends her awake times taking in her surroundings. She also loves bath-time.
Here is a short video of Lilah at 4 weeks old on her change table. She has the hiccoughs...
1 comment:
The video is precious! She is so adorable. We are thrilled that she and you both are doing well. We think of you all the time. Give Lilah a hug and kiss for us and we send our love to all of you.
Ron & Marie XO
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