I'm being induced on December 16th, in exactly two weeks! They probably would have waited a little longer, but Elliot's growth has slowed down dramatically. Previously, he was putting on a half pound a week, which would have put him around five pounds now. Today, however, he only weighed 4 pounds 5 ounces. He's practically fallen off the growth charts altogether. His bowel is also starting to dilate, or swell, which makes the doctors nervous, but it wasn't enough to cause major concern right now. They're more worried about how slowly he is growing.
The plan: My mom, dad, Aaron, and I will be driving down to Grand Rapids on the 15th and staying in a hotel for the night so we can all get a good night's sleep. At 8:00am on the 16th, I have my very last ultrasound and an amniocentesis to check his lung maturity. They'll start the cervadil {which ripens the cervix} at that time. Then we have the day to hang out in Grand Rapids and I check into the hospital to officially start my induction at 7:30pm.
And here comes the best part: we sent out the Red Cross message to my husband, and he got it almost immediately, within hours. HE WILL BE ABLE TO BE HOME FROM DECEMBER 14th to FEBRUARY 14th! Which means that not only will he be home for the delivery, but for TWO WHOLE MONTHS afterwards. This is such a huge relief!
My ultrasound pictures came out horribly- the bowel was all over the place, and he insisted on having his hand in front of his face, too. But there's a little preview of his adorable face!
Think we can move up a couple spots in the next two weeks? I think so!
Oh Wow, good luck on the 16th. I am sure everything will turn out great. And I am glad that your husband will be able to be with you during and after. Cheers! :)
ReplyDeleteyay december babies! the 15th is my birthday :) so exciting! and that's great that Aaron will be home for two months!!
ReplyDeleteOoh, how exciting, congratulations! And how fabulously wonderful your husband will be home. What excellent news.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you have a date and your hubs will be home all that time with you!! I have one thing to say-- don't be scared! I remember reading so may horror stories about inductions and about how people gave them bad rep. You know I was induced and let me tell you, it wasn't bad at all. Yes, it sucks to not go through the natural labor process, etc. but I was lucky enough to have some great nurses and I'm sure you will too! I hope, however, your induction doesn't take as long as mine did. Noah just didn't want to budge!! Anyways!-- I know you guys will all do great and I'll be thinking of you on the 16th!! :o) Please keep us posted best you can!!
ReplyDeleteSo it sounds like he'll be here the 17th?
ReplyDeleteI hope everything goes well and he puts on some more weight before then. AMAZING news that Aaron will be here in time!
Thanks ladies! I'm incredibly excited and a little anxious... looks like I have a deadline now! Two weeks to finish my to-do lists :)
ReplyDeleteErin- thanks. I'm a little wary of the induction- I've heard so many stories about inductions failing and ending in c-sections and etc. Hopefully things will go well for us. How long {from start to finish} was your induction?
Samantha- yep, probably the 17th. Unless I get lucky like my mom and have a 3 hour labor ;)
Hey! I just wanted to stop by first of all and say THANK YOU for stopping by my blog (sippy cups and cloth bums) and leaving such sweet comments! You are so sweet and I do read each comment so THANK YOU!!
ReplyDeleteOkay now on to this...Congrats on having your baby soon :)) These two weeks are going to fly by I am sure. I love the name, too! I can't wait to have another little one so seeing your sweet newborn when he arrives is going to make me want another litle M running around, haha! That is also so awesome that your husband will be home!!! And for so long, too that's wonderful. I can relate to feeling so relived that he gets to be home for so long after the baby. That was one thing I was really thankful for when I had M.
Oh, and I also noticed you live near Grand Rapids?! My fiance works on the Great Lakes (that's why he's gone so much we live in TX) and his company is based around that area. Well it's in Muskegon. But he's been to Grand Rapids.
Anyways, I totally wrote you a novel..sorry about that! Oh and I saw you have my button on your blog, thanks! I will totally return the favor and but yours on mine as well.
Thanks again!!
Oh and going to vote for you now :)
Okay I'll stop typing now bc this is way long, haha!
ok just re-read that and my post has a million typos sorry about that lol!
ReplyDeleteYay how exciting!!! That is great news that hubby will be home for the birth!!
ReplyDelete*** I totally picked the 16th on your baby pool!!!!!
OMG! You have a date, that is SUPER exciting! Wow, Elliot will be here before you know it. Enjoy these next two weeks and try to relax. I'm SO happy that your hubby will be able to be with you! What a relief!
ReplyDeleteSuch wonderful news that you will have your husband back soon, and for so long! Good luck in preparing in these next few weeks :)
ReplyDeleteThat is AWESOME news that your husband will be there for the birth and the first couple of months! What a huge weight off your shoulders :) I'm so so happy for you guys! Just a couple weeks til you meet your little guy. I'll be praying for you all!
ReplyDeletegood luck! i can't wait to see this baby :)
ReplyDeleteand how stoked you must be to have the hubs at home!
Wow, only two weeks to meet your little guy. I'm glad your husband will be able to be with you and Elliot for two months!. Good luck on the 16th!.
ReplyDeleteHey Jess, You know that I was also premature and only weighed in at 5 lbs or so.. and look at me now!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm also thrilled that your honey will be with you for so long. It sounds like a good time to be out of his current location anyways... You are so strong and have done so amazingly well these past months. I have been sooo impressed by your courage and grace. My prayers will be with you and Aaron and of course, Elliot. Much love, Auntie Martha
I have been a huge gob of emotions lately and reading this made me cry. I'm so happy for you and your husband. What a huge blessing!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! 2 more weeks! I'll be looking forward to seeing pictures! That's also great news about your husband!! Whew! I was induced and after an 87 hour labor I had a c-section, but don't let that make you nervous. I was really firm about having as little intervention as possible and nothing worked because of his positioning (sunny side up). I don't know why, but I thought that you had to have a c-section with Elliot's condition?
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear that your husband will be able to be there after all. I bet it seems surreal and also exciting that you now know when you're meeting your little boy.
ReplyDeleteI was born weighing only 4 pounds 4ounces and with a life threatening congenital heart defect. That was before all of the amazing medical technology they have now. :)
Thanks everyone! Keep the good vibes and prayers coming :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer- although most people {including myself} automatically assume that a c-section would be better, in this case, the opposite is actually true. A vaginal birth is less traumatic and easier on the exposed bowel- with a c-section there it is difficult to pull the baby out without causing more harm to his delicate intestines.
oh wow, that is AMAZING! and he'll be home for christmas!! yay :)
ReplyDeleteelliot's birthday is set. how exciting!
Oh, my goodness! So soon! Sending lots of prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteso great that you have a date and even better that your husband will be able to make it! I am so excited for you and keeping you and Elliot in my prayers!
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