Lucas Bradley

Our second son and Thanksgiving baby, Lucas Bradley, was born on November 19, and I’m just now finding time to post again. Been a little busy…and sleep deprived. He started sleeping through the night (5 or 6 hours at a time) when he was 6 weeks old. Last night, it was from 9 pm to 7 am. That makes for one happier mother!

Lucas was due on 11/20, and I had an appointment with the OB/GYN on Friday the 19th at 4 pm. She said I had dilated a centimeter but didn’t think I’d “do anything” soon and scheduled an induction for that Tuesday. We wanted to schedule it on Monday, so that I’d be out before Thanksgiving, but they were booked. So, we went home and just figured I’d be there over Thanksgiving and someone would have to pick up my sister, Sarah, who was flying in from Indiana on Wednesday. My mom had flown in a couple days before.

So, we were eating dinner, and I thought I was having mild contractions fairly regularly. I called the doctor, and she thought it was just from being examined a couple hours before. She thought I should wait an hour if I came to the hospital, but she said I could go ahead and go if I wanted to. So, by 7 pm, I thought I was having contractions every 5 minutes, and Nelson and I headed for the hospital. Thankfully, Mom was there to watch Jacob.

When we got to the hospital 45 minutes later, the nurse said they’d monitor me for an hour, and if nothing had happened they’d send me home. Still, nobody thought I was in labor, but I was 2 centimeters by then, so she said that was a good sign. Half an hour into the “monitoring”, I started having painful contractions and pushed my call button and asked if she could check me. Sure enough, I was 5 centimeters. The nurse finally confirmed she thought I was in labor, and I immediately asked for was an epidural—something I didn’t get with the first birth because it went so quickly. She said she’d have to run fluids for 15 minutes, and then we could do the epidural. Right then, fear struck that it would be a repeat of last time. I really wanted an epidural this time around.

Well, the next thing I knew, the doctor showed up. She checked me, and sure enough, I was 9 centimeters. I’m not even sure if all the “fluids” were run. I was just in excruciating pain, and the doctor broke my water so I could start pushing. After I’d pushed for a while, Lucas’s heart rate went down, and the doctor said we’d have to do a c-section if it didn’t go up. Then, I heard the nurse say to the other nurse, “Can you help him?”, and looked over to where my dear husband, Nelson, had been standing. He’d fainted. Eventually, I pushed Lucas out, and Nelson had awoken in time to take pictures of him getting a bath and weighed.

He was born at 10:59 pm, almost 3 hours after we arrived at the hospital. He was 21.75 inches and almost 7 lbs. He’s absolutely beautiful! Jacob loves being a big brother. These first 6 weeks have been rough, but I am blessed.

Off Bedrest and Baby Probably Not Coming This Week

When they tested my fluid a few days later, it was back up, and it had gone up at my visit this week as well. So, it looks like everything's back to normal, thank you Lord! It actually ended up working out well because I had to quit work a week early, but I'd told the daycare we'd pay through the end of October, so I had three freebie days to rest a little, finish some Christmas shopping, and do a few things around the house. Very nice.

So, now I'm just trying to drink water and waiting. Less than 3 weeks to go!

On Bedrest Until Monday

I went to the hospital on Wednesday to have another one of those "stupid tests" that I mentioned earlier, and it turns out that maybe they weren't so useless after all. :)

My amniotic fluid measured border-line low, so I'm on bedrest and supposed to drink a lot of water before Monday, when I go back for another test. The baby is at 36 weeks, so he should be ok if they have to induce early, but it would be best if he could wait a few more weeks. So, I'm trying to be a good girl and rest and drink my water.

A good friend from church is watching my three-year-old today, and hubby went out for groceries and made lunch. A couple friends from my MOPS group have brought over dinner the last two nights. It's a blessing to have good friends when our families both are out-of-state.

Being of Advanced Maternal Age

So,  I went to the doctor last week for my 32-week checkup, and she mentioned again that they really recommend a "non-stress" test for women 35 and older (women of advanced maternal age), once they hit 32 weeks. "How often am I supposed to do this?" I asked. She said, "Every week until the baby comes." I'm thinking, "This is ridiculous."

I asked the doctor if most women actually do it every week, and she said they do. I have my doubts, and I also know their practice and the testing site are owned by the same people. I'm sure they get a share of the payment from my insurance.

I'm not trying to be negligent and want the best for my baby, but I haven't had any complications. I'm just considered "high-risk" since I'm barely over 35. And, I work part-time and only have two days off during the week, not to mention having to line up a babysitter to pay to watch my 3-year-old every week for at least two hours while I go over to the hospital to lay in bed for a half hour with a monitor strapped around my belly.

Anyway, I told the doctor I could do it a few times but can't every week. She seemed to sympathize. Why does all the technology available to us today just make life more stressful? It's seems to just increase the number of difficult choices we have to make. It's called a non-stress test because it doesn't place any stress on the baby, but what about the mother??

Choosing a Name

So, we found out baby #2, coming in November, is going to be a boy, so my husband and I have been talking about names. We've decided on the first name (no, I'm not ready to reveal it) but can't agree on the middle name. Hopefully he'll come to his senses soon and agree with me! lol

Since we're going through this process, I found an article in Parents magazine this month to be interesting. It talked about baby-naming customs around the world.

Germany
You need government approval before naming a child, and officals can veto names that don't clearly indicate the baby's sex (like Riley) or that could possibly subject the child to teasing or harm. I think I had read that it's illegal to name your child Hitler--probably a good idea.

Ukraine
Many leave the naming decision up to their priest. Parents can suggest ideas, but the priest gets the final say at a ceremony eight days after the birth.

Nigeria
Among the Ibo people, baby-naming is a group activity. The father, mother, and grandmother all take turns suggesting names. Guests contribute too. Afterward, the household debates the options. Sort of a group effort, I guess.

India
Parents don't choose a child's name before she's born, since what the stars say about the birth date is a big influence.

It's Another Boy!

I had an ultrasound this week, and we found out we're having another boy! Still due around Thanksgiving. I must admit, I'd been entertaining thoughts of pink outfits and girly stuff, and really thought it would be a girl. Even had a dream the night before that it was a girl. WRONG! But, now I can say I'm just as happy with another boy, and I know that is right for our family. And, Jacob will be thrilled with a brother to grow up with. I remember saying in college that I'd like the chance to raise up some good, Godly men. So here's my chance! God, give us wisdom and direction--but first help me find where we stashed away all those baby clothes!