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About Madeleine Madeleine comes home Bonus information She's here! Pregnancy |
March 7, 2005 __________________________ March 8, 2005 Happy 'International Woman's Day'. It
would have been neat if she could have been born today. Madeleine comes
from a strong stock of women. I'm sure she would have lived up to the day.
Last night I had backache and slight contractions starting at 4 am.
Unfortunately, by 8 am, they had petered out.
___________________________ March 9, 2005 In the afternoon, I went to PNU Hospital for my weekly check up. Usually, the OB/GYN area is a zoo! I can't believe how many patients my doctor sees! Luckily, today was much calmer. Sanghee (the wonderful hospital liaison person that accompanies foreigners on their medical visits) had suggested I come at 3:30 when it's quieter. Well, it was quiet until they lost the baby's heart beat during a routine NST (Nonstress Test). I think Madeleine decided to reposition herself (I was lying on my side and I think she slipped down away from the electronic fetal monitor). Well, you wouldn't believe the mayhem that ensued! All of a sudden, the technician couldn't find her heartbeat and Dr. Kim rushed in with 6 interns and the sonogram machine. Of course he immediately saw her heartbeat on the screen, but everybody was on edge there for a few minutes. I was able to stay calm, believe it or not, because I had just felt her move a few minutes before. Also, I didn't think that my panicking would help anything. Dr. Kim asked me to keep vigilant track of Madeleine's fetal movements till the next visit and come in immediately if I notice any decrease. Well, let me tell you, she was quite active during the movie we saw tonight, 'Ray'. She must have her daddy's taste in music! ___________________________ March 10, 2005 I can't believe my mom is going to be here in 4 days and Madeleine still hasn't made her grand appearance. Yoo-hoo...baby...where are you! I'm so tired of having little to do that
I made myself a nice long list of chores I've neglected or put off. These and my regular household chores should keep me busy till Jon gets home. All the baby stuff is ready. Yoo-hoo, Madeleine... Maybe Jon and I should go for an extra long walk tonight.
___________________________ March 11, 2005 This afternoon I called Jo from the office to say see if she was interested in going out to eat. She said no that she was tired and wanted to stay home. A little later she called me back to say she was interested and was getting ready. During the conversation, she said that she hadn't felt any fetal movements since getting up from her nap. Dr. Kim had told us to come in if there was any decrease in movement, so we were off to the hospital instead of the restaurant at 4:30 in the afternoon. Once at the hospital we kept people from going home and they unlocked the room where the non-stress test's (NST) are done. The NST showed a worrisome slow-down of fetal heart rate during a contraction. So, the doctor suggested that Jo be admitted overnight for observation and periodic NST's. While he was interpreting Jo's NST, I felt such trust in him. He seemed a thoroughly competent doctor and very on top of situation. After the NST and Jo was admitted to the hospital, Jo had very regular contractions! They were every 10 minutes. Madeleine's head isn't engaged, so labor isn't likely. ___________________________ March 12, 2005 Jo spent a lonely night in the hospital and I at home. She reports that she had ample fetal movement since late yesterday and in the morning. The doctor said that was likely to stay in the hospital until Monday. So, Jo also reported a very long list of things that she wanted me to bring her. As I journeyed to the hospital for visiting hours ladened by the burden of Jo's needs, she called to say that Dr. Kim -- not the doctor on duty -- gave Jo a choice: she could stay in hospital until labor started or go home and return on Tuesday for an induction. We've opted for induction and Jo is on her way home! (update) Looks like the plan is turning out to be:
___________________________ March 13, 2005 Well, it's 5:30 pm in Pusan, and 3:30 am in Timmins. In 2.5 hrs mom will board a plane and start the longest trip she's ever taken! Have a look at the 'Grand-maman's visit' page to get update. Poor Jon, I'm feeling pretty BIG and uncomfortable these days, so he's been given a looooooong list of chores to do to finish getting ready for mom's visit. Luckily, I married a nice guy, who doesn't think it's 'unmanly' to wash floors, and does a decent job of it too. He also went to do a small grocery and cleaned up Jack's stinky area. All this and he brings home the bacon too! Am I lucky or what? No continuous contractions, no bloody show, no water breaking or trickling... NOTHING! Madeleine is WAY too comfortable in there. Maybe I should do some jumping jacks or play obnoxious heavy metal music to her. Aunt Diane wrote that my cousin Dominique's first two kids were 2 weeks late! Oh no! I hope that doesn't run in the family. Well, maybe it does. My mom said I was late (due Sep. 24th [my dad's b-day], came Oct. 3rd) and so was Michel (due Oct. 3rd [my b-day] and showed up Oct 15th). Maybe we were just being polite, not wanting to take away from other family members' special day. This baby is coming out this week, one way or another. ___________________________ March 14, 2005 Madeleine has been in my tummy for 41 weeks as of today, and is still showing no interest in the outside world. It's REALLY crowded in there now. All she can do is stretch out the walls of my stomach - no more kicking, punching or poking. Jon and I will meet Dr. Kim this afternoon and plan out the 'bringing Madeleine out' strategy. Then, we'll pick up mom at 9 pm. It's going to be a big day. We'll keep you posted! ___________________________ March 16, 2005 My apologies for the delay. For yesterday's action, please see grand-maman's visit. I just talked to Jo at the hospital -- you'll recall that Jo checked into the hospital Tuesday March 15 with the intent of inducing labor today Wednesday March 16 with pitocin. She had a long series of contractions last night and apparently they got STRONG during the night, so they moved her to the labor and delivery room. She didn't get much rest, either. This morning, though, the contractions slowed down. They checked her and she is dilated only 1 centimeter. The good news is that she's passed... she had a... you know there is no good way to say this, so the squeamish among you just skip to the next paragraph... she passed her mucus plug or had a bloody show. She said that her contractions were painful enough that she wasn't sure she wanted to start the pitocin -- it should bring on stronger contractions -- so she's delayed the start. I'm leaving for the hospital soon! I'll up date by email, phone and whenever I can post! |
