 Carter was a complete and total surprise. Since we had used a fertility drug to conceive Quinton and had not used birth control for almost 3 years after Quinton was born we never gave birth control a second thought. I went on the pill for other reasons, screwed them up, and was waiting for a new cycle to start them up again but that opportunity never came, which wasn't unusual for me. It still didn't occur to me that I was pregnant. I was tired and nauseous a lot. All that time I kept thinking, 'gosh, this flu stinks and won't go away!' In November it finally occurred to me that my symptoms resembled morning sickness. I bought a home pregnancy test and that was the darkest line in the second window I'd ever seen. Went to the doctor for the official word and had an ultrasound. I was about 6 weeks along and in total shock. It wasn't exactly a good time space-wise nor money-wise for a baby. I feel guilty about it to this day but unlike Quinton, I didn't call the doctor once about anything when I was pregnant with Carter. I did worry a little about things all moms worry about...birth defects, etc. But it wasn't the constant obsession like it was with Quinton. Maybe that's normal for a second baby, I don't know, you tell me! And the morning sickness lasted for a good 4 months at least!
Everything went along fine until I had the usual glucose test. I had gestational diabetes. I was sent to "The Diabetes Center" where I worked with a nurse and a dietician. They showed me how to test my glucose levels with a finger stick and a little machine 4 times a day. I was given a strict low-carb diet to follow. Following the diet kept the diabetes under control for awhile but, as in many cases, as the pregnancy progresses the diet isn't enough anymore. This is because the hormones present during pregnancy inhibit the ability of your insulin to work right. (I hope I worded that right) As your pregnancy progresses, the hormones increase, and makes it even harder for your own insulin to work. And so, I started giving myself an injection of insulin once a day...which, towards the end, became twice a day. I know what you're thinking because I too was thinking the same thing. I can't give myself a shot!!! But I could and I did. It was much easier than I thought it would be. I eventually learned to do it so well that many times it didn't hurt at all.
When we were getting towards the end of the pregnancy we found out Carter still hadn't turned head down. He was breach. My doctor wanted to try to turn him. I forget exactly what they call that. Something version, I think. There are risks to that procedure including tearing the placenta, injuring the baby, and being sent into labor. She wanted to do it that very day but I said no, I wasn't ready to have a baby THAT day no matter how small the risk. She also made it sound like there was little to 0 chance of him turning himself at this point. I was scheduled for a c-section. Lucky for me, he did turn on his own. Must have been while I was sleeping since I didn't feel any big flops. That was a pleasant surprise. My doctor scheduled me to be induced into labor 2 days after my due date. Many doctors, to my knowledge, will let you go 2 weeks past your due date before they will induce labor. But because gestational diabetes can create very large babies, especially if not properly controlled, I only had to go 2 days past! YAY me!
I arrived at the hospital at about 6a.m. on July 1st 1999. They gave me an IV of pitocin to try and induce labor. I walked the halls, played cards with Dave, and watched tv. I had contractions that didn't even hurt all through the morning and was extremely bored and began to wonder if I was even going to have a baby that day. My doctor came on shift at 5p.m. and broke my water at about 20 minutes after 5. Then left and went home. They told me it would probably be awhile yet because he hadn't dropped much at all. He was pretty high up in there. About 15 minutes after she broke my water...BAM...I went from little crampy contractions to all out hit-the-ceiling ones in a matter of minutes. (Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it!) I gritted my teeth and tried the breathing that worked so well with Quinton, it didn't help. I think because they just hit so hard all of a sudden instead of a gradual build-up like with Quinton. Dave mentioned something about the TV...big mistake! I yelled at him that I didn't really care at all about what was on TV...using a few more nasty words than that. He was also trying to make conversation and I just had to tell him to shutup! During Quinton's birth when I told him not to touch me I actually apologized for it. He said he was waiting for an apology this time...didn't get one though. DUH! After maybe 30 minutes of horrid contractions I asked for an epidural. They promised they'd get the anesthesiologist there as quick as they could. A short time later the nurse walked in and I said, "believe it or not, I feel like I have to push" She checked me out and sure enough, he was coming. The nurse called the doctor, who had gone home and started to prepare for the birth. Saying she'd delivered babies before, she could do it again. You could tell she really preferred not to though! The doctor came running down the hall and made it just in time. I think she was there for 3-5 pushes and out Carter came. He arrived long before the anestesiologist did at 6:39p.m. just about 1 hour and 20 minutes after they broke my water. Now why couldn't they have done that at 6a.m?!
He weighed in at 7lbs 13oz. A really nice size for a gesational diabetes baby. I was so afraid I'd have a huge 10 pounder. His blood sugar was at normal levels. Sometimes babies will have really low blood sugar at birth because when mom's insulin stops working right the baby's body starts over-producing their own insulin, lowering their blood sugar. I was faithful to my diet and injections and I'm very proud to say I did the best for him before he was born and will have no effects from the diabetes. He had lots of brown hair, that he didn't even rub off! Just a little doll.
I'd also like to mention what a totally different experience my two births were. I had Carter with me every second I could as soon as he was born. He nursed less than 2 hours after his birth too. Quinton I didn't even get to hold for a couple days. And for those 3 weeks he was in the hospital we never got to be alone with him but twice towards his release. Hospitals need to think of a way for parents to bond with their preemies and have a little privacy without risking the baby's health. Tall order I know, but it would make a world of difference for those parents and preemies.
Although, he wasn't planned I wouldn't trade that crazy little boy for anything. Carter is a whirlwind. He's everywhere and into everything all day. He loved to climb on things before he could even walk. And he is a living doll!
|
