Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Maia's Birth
For some time, I have been wanting to write down the entire story of Maia's birth and finally feel like I have the time and energy for it. So, here it goes...
I have always bruised easily and discovered I had a low platelet count several years ago. I didn't really think about it during pregnancy, but it definitely changed all of our plans.
A low count in September sent us to a hematologist, who prescribed steroids to bring the levels up. I wasn’t terribly comfortable taking them, but after talking with our doula who is also a midwife, I realized a count in 30,000 was pretty low and steroids would probably bring them up the quickest. Normal levels are 150,000 to 400,000. My research on this condition, ITP or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, showed that no one really knows why it occurs, but basically, the antibodies fro my spleen attack my platelets and sometimes it worsens during pregnancy. There are alternate forms of treatment through Chinese herbs, etc., but none of these work very quickly.
The steroids (which also gave me gestational diabetes) worked for a couple weeks, but then they started dropping again and by Halloween they were at 16,000. I went in for an IV treatment the next day at my hematologist office. Again, the levels went up for a week, but dropped by two weeks later. We tried a different IV treatment (which included a 14 hour stay in outpatient at Providence, luckily there were a lot of good movies on). My midwife visited me there and let us know that things had definitely changed and the OBs were talking c-section because of the risk of another treatment.
Our appointment on Wednesday with the OB went as we expected except she wanted us to go in for an amnio the next day and, if the baby was mature, a c-section the following day. We decided to wait and see where my platelet levels were the next morning at the hematologist. Kim and I went for dinner after and it finally hit me how worried she was about me, I had been focusing on the baby only. There are studies of women giving birth with platelets below 20,000, but it seemed risky to wait till I was full term and hope they didn’t go to zero. I wasn’t ready for an induction, which would probably lead to surgery anyways. At this point, I was finally realizing that I should worry about myself, not just the baby. I was so worried about her being born early, I wasn’t thinking about myself.
My levels were the same as they were earlier that week, 97,000. However, they still weren’t very high and with levels below 100,000, most anesthesiologists would opt for general rather than local anesthesia. That would mean I would be completely out and Kim couldn’t be there with me. I realize I was lucky to know beforehand, as many people have to do it in an emergency, but it was still hard to take. We decided that there would be a chance for local anesthesia if we did it right away and most likely my levels would go down again in a few days.
On our way to the hospital on Friday, I asked Kim if we could find out the sex of the baby since it was most likely I wouldn’t remember finding out and we wouldn’t be able to enjoy it together. Now, when I was first pregnant, I really felt like it was a girl, but people had almost convinced me it was a boy over the months. That last week, I had begun to believe again that it was a girl, and couldn’t believe it when the technician said it was a girl. Kim and I cried and we named her right away. I think knowing Maia Rae was coming (and we had a great picture of her face from the ultrasound) got me through that day. My platelet levels were checked again and they had gone down to 70 and they moved the surgery to later that night instead of Saturday.
The rest of the day was spent with Lucy ( a wonderful nurse who was with us when we first got there) in a pre-op room and visiting friends and relatives. I was pretty out of it and was trying to use Hypno relaxation exercises, but was unable to concentrate. When my doula showed up, my source of strength and peace along with Kim, we still had to wait another hour before going in. Finally, they came to wheel me in and it all went so fast.
I was expecting I would be out before I got to the OR and was scared that I had to see all the bright lights and equipment. However, everyone was so friendly and welcomes me to the birthday room that I started to relax a bit. It was even one of the nurse’s birthday and he stayed right by my head. All of a sudden, the anesthesiologist said that my levels were 90 and they could do a spinal. They sat me up and started prepping for the spinal instead of general. I was so excited and asked for Kim and my glasses. They sent someone to get her and it seemed like it took forever to get there, but she finally came in blue scrubs and mask, very cute. I felt nothing during the surgery, which surprised me and they held up a mirror so I could see Maia being born. I asked for them to put her on my chest right away, but they wouldn’t. She got the scrubdown, etc, but finally was in Kim’s arms and next to my head, but it was hard to see her. Finally, in post-op, I was able to hold her. The nurse wanted to keep her under the heater, but my doula helped me ask for her to be placed on my chest skin to skin so I could nurse her. She latched like a pro and I feel so lucky to have had that experience. After a couple hours, we were moved to our home for the next five days. The stay in the hospital was very hard, partly because of the high steroids I was on, but the nurses and especially Kim made sure Maia and I made it through. Coming home was the best and we were able to spend the next two weeks in baby bliss as Kim was home from work.
Overall, I am not as disappointed as I thought I would be having a surgical birth because of the beautiful treasure we are now enjoying. It helped me get over my control freakishness as I know there will be many more surprises to come in the coming years.
I have always bruised easily and discovered I had a low platelet count several years ago. I didn't really think about it during pregnancy, but it definitely changed all of our plans.
A low count in September sent us to a hematologist, who prescribed steroids to bring the levels up. I wasn’t terribly comfortable taking them, but after talking with our doula who is also a midwife, I realized a count in 30,000 was pretty low and steroids would probably bring them up the quickest. Normal levels are 150,000 to 400,000. My research on this condition, ITP or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, showed that no one really knows why it occurs, but basically, the antibodies fro my spleen attack my platelets and sometimes it worsens during pregnancy. There are alternate forms of treatment through Chinese herbs, etc., but none of these work very quickly.
The steroids (which also gave me gestational diabetes) worked for a couple weeks, but then they started dropping again and by Halloween they were at 16,000. I went in for an IV treatment the next day at my hematologist office. Again, the levels went up for a week, but dropped by two weeks later. We tried a different IV treatment (which included a 14 hour stay in outpatient at Providence, luckily there were a lot of good movies on). My midwife visited me there and let us know that things had definitely changed and the OBs were talking c-section because of the risk of another treatment.
Our appointment on Wednesday with the OB went as we expected except she wanted us to go in for an amnio the next day and, if the baby was mature, a c-section the following day. We decided to wait and see where my platelet levels were the next morning at the hematologist. Kim and I went for dinner after and it finally hit me how worried she was about me, I had been focusing on the baby only. There are studies of women giving birth with platelets below 20,000, but it seemed risky to wait till I was full term and hope they didn’t go to zero. I wasn’t ready for an induction, which would probably lead to surgery anyways. At this point, I was finally realizing that I should worry about myself, not just the baby. I was so worried about her being born early, I wasn’t thinking about myself.
My levels were the same as they were earlier that week, 97,000. However, they still weren’t very high and with levels below 100,000, most anesthesiologists would opt for general rather than local anesthesia. That would mean I would be completely out and Kim couldn’t be there with me. I realize I was lucky to know beforehand, as many people have to do it in an emergency, but it was still hard to take. We decided that there would be a chance for local anesthesia if we did it right away and most likely my levels would go down again in a few days.
On our way to the hospital on Friday, I asked Kim if we could find out the sex of the baby since it was most likely I wouldn’t remember finding out and we wouldn’t be able to enjoy it together. Now, when I was first pregnant, I really felt like it was a girl, but people had almost convinced me it was a boy over the months. That last week, I had begun to believe again that it was a girl, and couldn’t believe it when the technician said it was a girl. Kim and I cried and we named her right away. I think knowing Maia Rae was coming (and we had a great picture of her face from the ultrasound) got me through that day. My platelet levels were checked again and they had gone down to 70 and they moved the surgery to later that night instead of Saturday.
The rest of the day was spent with Lucy ( a wonderful nurse who was with us when we first got there) in a pre-op room and visiting friends and relatives. I was pretty out of it and was trying to use Hypno relaxation exercises, but was unable to concentrate. When my doula showed up, my source of strength and peace along with Kim, we still had to wait another hour before going in. Finally, they came to wheel me in and it all went so fast.
I was expecting I would be out before I got to the OR and was scared that I had to see all the bright lights and equipment. However, everyone was so friendly and welcomes me to the birthday room that I started to relax a bit. It was even one of the nurse’s birthday and he stayed right by my head. All of a sudden, the anesthesiologist said that my levels were 90 and they could do a spinal. They sat me up and started prepping for the spinal instead of general. I was so excited and asked for Kim and my glasses. They sent someone to get her and it seemed like it took forever to get there, but she finally came in blue scrubs and mask, very cute. I felt nothing during the surgery, which surprised me and they held up a mirror so I could see Maia being born. I asked for them to put her on my chest right away, but they wouldn’t. She got the scrubdown, etc, but finally was in Kim’s arms and next to my head, but it was hard to see her. Finally, in post-op, I was able to hold her. The nurse wanted to keep her under the heater, but my doula helped me ask for her to be placed on my chest skin to skin so I could nurse her. She latched like a pro and I feel so lucky to have had that experience. After a couple hours, we were moved to our home for the next five days. The stay in the hospital was very hard, partly because of the high steroids I was on, but the nurses and especially Kim made sure Maia and I made it through. Coming home was the best and we were able to spend the next two weeks in baby bliss as Kim was home from work.
Overall, I am not as disappointed as I thought I would be having a surgical birth because of the beautiful treasure we are now enjoying. It helped me get over my control freakishness as I know there will be many more surprises to come in the coming years.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
It's a girl!!
Maia Rae Halson, born 11/21/08 @ 7:50pm,weighing 6 lbs. 3 oz.
We had a few complications and had to go early, but things seem to be working out well so far. Sarah and Maia are doing great and getting used to the new situation.
life is grand!!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
35 weeks
Things are getting close and we might be meeting our baby sooner than we think.
Here is a photo of sarah taken just last night at 35 weeks.
We are feeling ready and anxious to meet baby Halson soon.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
July 18th 2009
Sarah & I were thinking about tying the knot next year in Cali on our 9 year anniversary.
We thought it would be great to share something special with our California friends and family (and in Sarah's hometown!). We could bring the baby to meet eveyone and have a beautiful memory of a very special occassion. Sarah's biggest concern was not having everyone there.
We were truly surprised, like most folks in the country, to learn that prop 8 passed.
This puts a ban on same sex marriages in the state of California. California is a big state with a lot of different people and a fairly large gay community as we all know. This proprosal had a lot of money behind it from both sides. The biggest finicail suporter of the ban was the Mormon church.
Sarah & I
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Baby Shower/Blessing Way
We had an amazing day with wonderful friends, family, food and gifts. It was an emotional day for us as we gathered for acircle of blessing and were presented with beads, love and stories of wisdom. Sarah & I really wish that everyone could have shared this experience with us.
Thank you for all of your support.
We and baby Halson will really need your love in this crazy world.
Friday, September 19, 2008
new photo
Here is the latest and greatest photo taken just last night. Sarah is feeling pretty good for the most part anyway...
We are slowly chugging away on our to do list and getting things in order. Hoping everything goes well, maybe not as planned, but well. We realize that you can have a birth plan but then there is actually the birth that you get. (Whimsically referred to as "babies choice"in our hypnobirthing class....but whatever!) This is why we are at the hospital and can only hope for the best case scenario....baby and mom are safe and healthy.
This Sunday's project....building a changing table for our dresser. Thanks Jon & Amie for the advice on this, you make it look so easy!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A sad day for my feet
So, my very favorite shoes, the sandals I am so excited to pull out of winter storage the second the temperature goes above 50, my beloved REI garage sale $10 Keens... no longer fit. I can wear them, but they give me blisters and I have finally decided that blisters are not worth it anymore.
Of course I was expecting my body to change, that I would need new clothes and that has been kind of fun. I have been fortunate to find some maternity resale shops and a couple friends with tops that will fit any day now. It has been fun to start a whole new wardrobe and develop somewhat of a new style.
However, the idea that I would also need shoes did not cross my mind. I already have wide feet and therefore, have a hard time finding shoes. I rarely go shoe shopping and when I do, I usually come home empty handed. I have very few pairs of shoes and wear my Keens in the summer, my tennies and boots in the winter and dressy when I must.
Obviously, this is just one of many (and one of the smallest) sacrifices that will be part of my life from now on and I welcome it openly. I have been amazed and excited each day to experience my pregnancy and the changes taking place in my body. I believe this is what I was meant to do and embrace it fully and lovingly.
I am also cherishing these last few months of time alone with Kim, our animals, quiet nights and the constant knowledge and feeling of the baby growing inside me. I know that our lives are about to change forever, for the better and the lovelier.
And, REI is having another garage sale over Labor Day weekend. Who knows what I will find...
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
sarah august 12th, 2008
We 've had many requests for a photo of Ms. Sarah and she has finally approved of this one.
Sarah is 22 weeks and in the honeymoon stage of her pregnancy.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
august update
After some serious consideration.
We've decided to give birth @ Providence in the alternative birthing center.
This center has been around for over 30 years and is all natural baby! They have a Queen size bed, a mini fridge, microwave, water tub for relaxation during labor, and full bathrooms.
Sarah will be able to move about the room, eat, drink and give birth in any position that works for her. I'm not only allowed in the room, but have some major duties to be responsible for..
~Keep Sarah focused on practicing the hypnobirthing as the birth partner
~CATCH THE BABY~~Yeah~ She has to ask me if it's a boy or a girl!
~Set baby on Sarah for some good bonding time
~cut the cord (after it's finished pulsing)
~weigh and give baby the first bath (after about 6 hours!)
Our baby will stay with us through the night, and not go to a nursery!!
We have hired Stacia to be our Doula. She will be giving us advice in the next few months
and is the midwife that helped us become pregnant! We love her!
Once labor begins, Stacia will come to our house and help us determine the right time to get to the hospital. We do not want to get sent back home!! Once at the hospital, Stacia will become
Sarah's advocate to help with any major issues regarding the birth.
We were thinking about doing a home birth, but decided we might give that a try next time.
We've been to orientation, selected our health care provider (metro partners- midwives), and have started hypnobirthing classes.
We still need to find a pediatrician that will be flexible with immunizations and comfortable with our situation.
I'd like to leave you with one of our many beautiful affirmations from our hypnobirthing class.
We have been reading this passage nightly to Sarah's baby belly~~~
When you are born, little baby, We will give you love so that you may grow in love and trust in yourself and others
We promise to talk to you in such a way that you will listen, and we promise to listen to you in such a way that you will talk
We will respect your right to be yourself, and We will help you to learn to respect the rights of others
We promise to encourage you to seek answers that will lead you to know and appreciate the wonderful world around you
We will provide opportunities for you to help you grow in love and happiness
We see you, little baby, coming from mama's womb, and we see you cradled in our arms
We love the thought of you coming to us
Dear little baby we love you!!
We've decided to give birth @ Providence in the alternative birthing center.
This center has been around for over 30 years and is all natural baby! They have a Queen size bed, a mini fridge, microwave, water tub for relaxation during labor, and full bathrooms.
Sarah will be able to move about the room, eat, drink and give birth in any position that works for her. I'm not only allowed in the room, but have some major duties to be responsible for..
~Keep Sarah focused on practicing the hypnobirthing as the birth partner
~CATCH THE BABY~~Yeah~ She has to ask me if it's a boy or a girl!
~Set baby on Sarah for some good bonding time
~cut the cord (after it's finished pulsing)
~weigh and give baby the first bath (after about 6 hours!)
Our baby will stay with us through the night, and not go to a nursery!!
We have hired Stacia to be our Doula. She will be giving us advice in the next few months
and is the midwife that helped us become pregnant! We love her!
Once labor begins, Stacia will come to our house and help us determine the right time to get to the hospital. We do not want to get sent back home!! Once at the hospital, Stacia will become
Sarah's advocate to help with any major issues regarding the birth.
We were thinking about doing a home birth, but decided we might give that a try next time.
We've been to orientation, selected our health care provider (metro partners- midwives), and have started hypnobirthing classes.
We still need to find a pediatrician that will be flexible with immunizations and comfortable with our situation.
I'd like to leave you with one of our many beautiful affirmations from our hypnobirthing class.
We have been reading this passage nightly to Sarah's baby belly~~~
When you are born, little baby, We will give you love so that you may grow in love and trust in yourself and others
We promise to talk to you in such a way that you will listen, and we promise to listen to you in such a way that you will talk
We will respect your right to be yourself, and We will help you to learn to respect the rights of others
We promise to encourage you to seek answers that will lead you to know and appreciate the wonderful world around you
We will provide opportunities for you to help you grow in love and happiness
We see you, little baby, coming from mama's womb, and we see you cradled in our arms
We love the thought of you coming to us
Dear little baby we love you!!
Monday, July 21, 2008
It's like coming out..again!
It's amazing how comfortable we become in life. Even though we have the love and support of our family & friends daily. We have been facing some new challenges. People naturally assume that when a woman is pregnant that she has a husband or a boyfriend. :)
Sarah really gets a kick out of enlighting these unsuspecting strangers as they realize that she is not the norm. It seems that Sarah enjoys being an advocate for alternative lifestyles!!
Honestly we have been finding that most people are very supportive, especially in the healthcare industry. This is not a new topic for folks, but to hear about it is very different from experiencing it first hand. I'll be sure to post any interesting situations as Sarah begins to show more and more. I'm sure we will run into some poor homophobic stranger in the grocery aisle! I just hope for their sake that they aren't trying to rub Ms. Sarah's belly as this is happening.
My sweet and supportive sister just had to explain the situation to her 15 year old son.
He is a smart guy and already had Sarah & I pegged. I'm not surprised. He just asked when the baby is due.
We have had some positive support at work as well. This is going to be a long journey for us and our child, I'm just glad that there is so much love in this world. Okay, now I'm getting sappy! (The world needs all the love it can get!)
Sarah really gets a kick out of enlighting these unsuspecting strangers as they realize that she is not the norm. It seems that Sarah enjoys being an advocate for alternative lifestyles!!
Honestly we have been finding that most people are very supportive, especially in the healthcare industry. This is not a new topic for folks, but to hear about it is very different from experiencing it first hand. I'll be sure to post any interesting situations as Sarah begins to show more and more. I'm sure we will run into some poor homophobic stranger in the grocery aisle! I just hope for their sake that they aren't trying to rub Ms. Sarah's belly as this is happening.
My sweet and supportive sister just had to explain the situation to her 15 year old son.
He is a smart guy and already had Sarah & I pegged. I'm not surprised. He just asked when the baby is due.
We have had some positive support at work as well. This is going to be a long journey for us and our child, I'm just glad that there is so much love in this world. Okay, now I'm getting sappy! (The world needs all the love it can get!)
Friday, July 18, 2008
First pictures
Introducing baby Halson! Contrary to what the name of our blog implies, we are waiting to find out the big question until we meet him/her for the first time.
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