Parker has joined us!

Friday, August 31 started off like the usual day in the hospital.  Antibiotics were served up at 6:00 AM, vitals were checked and the doctor/resident came in to check on me at about 6:30.  I find it interesting that all medical staff wants you to sleep, yet they wake their patients up extremely early and check vitals every 4 hours throughout the night.  The visit from the doctor this time was better as we set the date for me to be induced!  I only had to make it to September 19^th, which would put me at 34 weeks.  To me this was a very long time to be in the hospital on bed rest, but keeping Parker in the womb was the most ideal.  Apparently Parker had other plans.

At 1:45 PM I was taken down for my non-stress test, which was a daily occurrence.  They would watch the baby’s heartbeat and my contractions for 20 minutes.  There I am, laying on the table, texting Jared and playing on my phone when I feel this gush of fluid… and then a second gush.  I call my nurse in, and yes my water has broken.  Within 5 minutes the contractions have begun and I am off to Labor and Delivery.  Poor Jared is in North Salt Lake, at least 30 minutes away as he gets the text that my water has broken and I am in labor, on my way to labor and delivery.  Jared left work immediately and sped to the hospital.  By the time Jared arrived I had my epidural and was dilated 6+. At about 4:45 PM they took me to operating room as I was dilated to a 9.  It took a bit to get to a 10.  After an hour of pushing the doctor’s way, I looked at the doctor, told him I was going to push my way and within 2 pushes my little Parker had joined us.  He was passed thru immediately to the NICU.  Jared went in to spend time with our little miracle, while I was taken care of. 

I must admit, I am grateful for epidurals.  It made labor amazing!  I would highly recommend an epidural!    

Parker entered the world on Friday, August 31, 2012 at 6:17 PM.  He was 18 inches long and 4 lbs 14 oz.  Parker was a great size for being 31 weeks and 2 days.  He was stuck in the birth canal for an hour, so his poor little head was very misshaped and bruised. 

 I didn’t get to see my sweet boy until later, as I was taken to recovery and I had to wait until I could stand.  My legs were so incredibly numb; it was a very strange feeling.  About midnight my amazing hubby took me down to the NICU to see my miracle boy.  He was perfect. 

His first night he was using a C-Pap to breath.  His lungs were still premature, even though I had both steroid shots to help his lungs.  But he is a rock star and was moved to a nose canula the next day.  Parker has seen his tough days where he struggled remembering to breath and his heart rate would decrease.  Those instances have decreased immensely. 

Poor Parker was born with my sensitive skin and bad veins.  He had an IV that blew, creating a sore on his little wrist that the staff ended up calling in a wound care team to look at it and take care of it.  It is now healing and looking so much better, after about a week.  After that vein blow out, then put the IV in his forehead. It broke my heart.  They then put in something similar to pick line, but it entered at his wrist and the tube was in his vein up to his shoulder.  This was scary, but so much better for him. 

Tuesday, September 4^th was a tough day for Parker, Jared and I.  This was the day of the forehead IV, the pick line and Parker struggled with breathing and keeping his heart rate up.  It was a scary day for all. But Parker is a fighter and has pulled out if it amazingly.

On September 9^th, Parker had several firsts. He was finally able to wear clothes, he was breathing on his own, no IV’s, and he was in an open bed!  This was a huge step and blessing for him.  Parker loves to pull his leads off and his feeding tube out, so now his hands were covered, as were his leads, to help prevent this.   

This week has been much better.  He is handling his feedings so well that I was able to start non-nutritive feedings. With this, I pump and then as he is eating, I try to have him latch on.  This is great practice.  It is the first step in being able to give him oral feedings, including bottles.  We are trying this twice a day and are having some success! 

We are so grateful for our little miracle and how well he is doing.  We are grateful for all of the love and support we have been shown, as well as all of the prayers.  Thank you so much!