Dr. Duke came by on his way to the OR and checked Jenna before scrubbing in on his other C-section and...no change. He says the odds are very strong for a C-section. He should be back in under an hour to check her again and make a final decision.
Not so fast my friend
Well Jenna hasn't changed any, but she gets a reprieve until a decision has to be made. A C-section got put on the board before Dr. Duke had to make a decision. So there is no change but he's going to wait until the other woman's C-section is complete (about 1 1/2 hours) and then reexamine her and make the decision then.
I'll keep you posted.
I'll keep you posted.
Small Setback
Dr. Duke just checked Jenna and said she hasn't progressed any so he's less optimistic about a vaginal birth. He's going to give us 1 more hour and if Jenna hasn't dilated any more then he's going to do a C-section. Keep your fingers crossed and continue to send your love and prayers to Jenna and Noah.
4cm and that dang heartbeat
We're up to 4 cm now!!!
They decided to put Jenna on oxygen. Noah's heartbeat drops with each contraction which is normal, but it was taking him a long time to get back up to his 'normal' range. The nurse said he's acting like a tired baby so they hoped oxygen would get him to perk up.
They decided to put Jenna on oxygen. Noah's heartbeat drops with each contraction which is normal, but it was taking him a long time to get back up to his 'normal' range. The nurse said he's acting like a tired baby so they hoped oxygen would get him to perk up.
Doing good on oxygen
Noah's doing fantastic since Jenna was put on oxygen. His heartrate has been strong and steady over 140 even during contractions.
We're still going slow but that's okay because Pops (Jenna's Dad) hasn't made it yet. So far we have Granda (Jenna's mom), Magga (my mom), and Papaw and Mamaw (my dad and step-mom) here. Just waiting on Pops and we can get this party going :)
We're still going slow but that's okay because Pops (Jenna's Dad) hasn't made it yet. So far we have Granda (Jenna's mom), Magga (my mom), and Papaw and Mamaw (my dad and step-mom) here. Just waiting on Pops and we can get this party going :)
3 cm
Well Dr. Duke just measured her at 3cm. It doesn't necessarily mean she's moved 1cm in the past few minutes. 2 different people measured so it's possible they just measure different.
They also want to get a better reading of Noah's heartbeat so they inserted a scalp monitor. It's a small metal lead they put under the skin of his scalp. The monitor helps them differentiate between his heartbeat and Jenna's.
His heartbeat has really leveled off since they scaled back the Ptosen.
They also want to get a better reading of Noah's heartbeat so they inserted a scalp monitor. It's a small metal lead they put under the skin of his scalp. The monitor helps them differentiate between his heartbeat and Jenna's.
His heartbeat has really leveled off since they scaled back the Ptosen.
Dilated to 2cm
We're finally making progress with her cervix. They upped the Ptosen a couple of times and the contractions were doing better and then...Noah became distressed again. So...they dropped the Ptosen back down. What's happening is Noah's head is right in the money spot. But, since she's not dilated much, his head is getting a lot of pressure from her contractions. Pressure on his head is freaking him out so it looks like we're here for a while :P
8 1/2 hours and counting
We've crossed the 8 hour mark and not much has changed. Jenna's contractions are a lot stronger so we're just waiting for her body to get fully ready. If we end up having one of those marathon labors at least Jenna's not in pain.
Good and strong
Everything from the new Ptosen drip is doing well. Noah's heartbeat is stable at 130-140 and Jenna is doing good. Contractions are 2-3 minutes apart and are getting stronger. Dr. Duke has said now that he may have to break the scar tissue himself. Not sure how he'll do that but he seems confident :) I'll update when something new happens.
New monitor
They put a new monitor on Jenna that measures the strength of the contractions. They think the Ptosen made her contractions too strong too fast and it was stressing Noah. They stopped the Ptosen and increased her fluid. Now they've started the Ptosen back at 1/2 the rate they were earlier. With the new monitor in her contractions are almost the strength they want but they are a good 2-3 minutes apart.
She is still dilated at 1cm but Dr. Duke said it feels supertight so he thinks the scar tissue is keeping it closed. She's 80% effaced so she's progressing well.
Noah's heartrate has Jenna stressed out but our nurse, Maria, is doing a good job of keeping her calm.
She is still dilated at 1cm but Dr. Duke said it feels supertight so he thinks the scar tissue is keeping it closed. She's 80% effaced so she's progressing well.
Noah's heartrate has Jenna stressed out but our nurse, Maria, is doing a good job of keeping her calm.
Ptosen Stopped
They stopped the Ptosen because Noah's heartrate still won't stabilize. It keeps jumping all over the place. I'll keep you up to date.
Ptosin
Jenna's contractions stopped when she got the epidural so they have started her on Ptosen. Now the contractions about 2-3 minutes apart and everybody is doing good.
Some excitement
We had a little excitement a second ago. Jenna laid her bed back to get some sleep. About 3 minutes later 3 nurses hurriedly walked into the room. One shoves a thermometer into her mouth, another goes to the monitor and yet another puts gloves on. Noah's heartbeat had fallen to the 40's and they wanted to know why. His heartrate went back up when they laid Jenna on her side so now she's not allowed to move much. The nurse said he probably grabbed the umbilical cord and cut off the bloodsupply for a little bit. They want her to stay on her side for a bit but she's comfortable so it's okay.
Contact stuff
You can call us at our room at 479-684-3014.
Also our room number is 14. When you come into the hospital go straight back to the 2nd nurses station. Take the immediate right and we are the next to last room on the right. Just be sure to knock first :)
Also our room number is 14. When you come into the hospital go straight back to the 2nd nurses station. Take the immediate right and we are the next to last room on the right. Just be sure to knock first :)
Epidural is Here
Jenna just got her epidural so she can relax now. We all know how nervous she was. Her contractions were pretty mild leading up to then so its gonna be a pain-free process (hopefully). Jenna's mom is here now and the rest of the families are on there way. We're 4 1/2 hours into labor now so hopefully Noah will be here soon but there's a chance it will be awhile.
At the Hospital!!!!!
Jenna's water broke this morning at 6AM. So we're at the hospital now. They've admitted us and she just started her IV. Her contractions are 3-5 minutes apart and aren't that strong yet. The doctor said things are going well. We're waiting for her blood work to get back so she can get her epidural and then it will be a waiting game. WE CAN'T WAIT!!!!!! I'll put updates up as the day goes along. Yeah!!!
He's a Sullivan
Well I guess I get to save money on a paternity test because Noah has proven he is my son. He's late. I've seldom been on time for anything in life although I've truly worked to get better.
Today's Dr. appointment showed we weren't getting closer. He now thinks a previous procedure Jenna had may have some scar tissue preventing her cervix from dilating. So we can still go into labor naturally, but it will take Stage 2 labor to have strong enough contractions to dilate her cervix. It's possible the scar tissue will not break and we'll have to have a C-section but he's pretty optimistic about her delivering the baby.
The short end is that we go back on Monday and if she STILL hasn't progressed we'll be admitted to the hospital Tuesday night and they'll induce her labor Wednesday morning.
Keep your fingers crossed and keep Jenna in your prayers.
Today's Dr. appointment showed we weren't getting closer. He now thinks a previous procedure Jenna had may have some scar tissue preventing her cervix from dilating. So we can still go into labor naturally, but it will take Stage 2 labor to have strong enough contractions to dilate her cervix. It's possible the scar tissue will not break and we'll have to have a C-section but he's pretty optimistic about her delivering the baby.
The short end is that we go back on Monday and if she STILL hasn't progressed we'll be admitted to the hospital Tuesday night and they'll induce her labor Wednesday morning.
Keep your fingers crossed and keep Jenna in your prayers.
Down the Homestretch
Well yesterday we went back to the doctor. Jenna was the same. No more dilated or effaced, so we're in a holding pattern of sorts. He did say Noah had 'dropped' and her belly is measuring just right for her to go into labor. Just no labor :) So the plan is to do 1 of 2 things. 1. Go into labor naturally. 2. Schedule an induction when she dilates 2-3 cm. If you schedule an induction too soon the labor can go on forever. So we have an appointment next Wednesday. If she is dilated 2-3 cm we can schedule the induction as soon as the next day. If not....he really didn't say. Jenna really is tired of being pregnant but at least this is her last week of work. So if she does have to carry the little man a couple of more weeks at least it will be on our couch instead of at her desk.
Everyone keep sending your thoughts and prayers. Be sure to include Jenna in those prayers, because the fun of the pregnancy is kind of over with for her. Mostly pray for a safe labor delivery that finally brings Baby Noah home.
Everyone keep sending your thoughts and prayers. Be sure to include Jenna in those prayers, because the fun of the pregnancy is kind of over with for her. Mostly pray for a safe labor delivery that finally brings Baby Noah home.
Progress
We went to the Dr. on Wednesday and Jenna is finally starting to show progress towards Noah's arrival. She is dilated to a fingertip (I'm telling everyone 1-2 cm) and 50% effaced. She went from zero to 50% effaced in 5 days so he may be coming sooner rather than later.
Also last night she said she has noticed more contractions. She also packed her bag for the hospital, something I've been trying to get her to do for weeks so maybe she subconsciously knows something. Only time will tell.
We have concluded all of our classes. Childbirth, breastfeeding, and Infant CPR are all in the books. The childbirth classes even gave us a certificate of completion so when Noah's a teenager I can yell at him, "See this piece of paper. This means I'm CERTIFIED to be your parent, so GO TO YOUR ROOM....AND NO VIDEO GAMES." Sorry just practicing.
Also last night she said she has noticed more contractions. She also packed her bag for the hospital, something I've been trying to get her to do for weeks so maybe she subconsciously knows something. Only time will tell.
We have concluded all of our classes. Childbirth, breastfeeding, and Infant CPR are all in the books. The childbirth classes even gave us a certificate of completion so when Noah's a teenager I can yell at him, "See this piece of paper. This means I'm CERTIFIED to be your parent, so GO TO YOUR ROOM....AND NO VIDEO GAMES." Sorry just practicing.
Still not close
The doctor on Friday said Jenna's still not dilated or effaced at all so the odds are good we'll go to term. He also said they wouldn't allow her to go beyond a week late so Noah will be here by May 10th no matter what.
We spent the weekend with friends just hanging out. Jenna's taking a long nap on the couch today trying to conserve her energy. Her last day of work is the 28th no matter what so everybody send positive thoughts her way. I think the next 2 weeks are gonna be hard on her.
Love you guys and Happy Easter.
We spent the weekend with friends just hanging out. Jenna's taking a long nap on the couch today trying to conserve her energy. Her last day of work is the 28th no matter what so everybody send positive thoughts her way. I think the next 2 weeks are gonna be hard on her.
Love you guys and Happy Easter.
