One Way or Another

On Wednesday, Ayden weighed five pounds and nine ounces (plus or minus 15 ounces), which was five more ounces from the previous Wednesday. His weight places him in the mid-30 percentile, which the doctors consider average. With the exception of his tummy size, his overall development appears to be average. His tummy was in the mid-60 percentile, which the ultrasound technicians describe as “chunky.” It’s the second time that we have discovered that our baby has some chub to him! (Bryan previously posted about his chubby leg.)

Ayden is still incredibly active. He especially loves his daddy, so Bryan takes full advantage of experiencing the movement of his son. All Bryan has to do is rub my tummy or talk in my vicinity, and our little one begins to look for his father. While Ayden still kicks and hits, he also slides his body across mine. The effect is somewhat alien-looking (and feeling), as one can actually watch Ayden move from one part of me to another. His favorite location is the right side of my belly button. (If you remember, he used to hang out to the left.) Since he doesn’t appear to want to take full advantage of the space (albeit small) that he has, my stomach often appears lop-sided.

I am experiencing Braxton Hicks, which are mini contractions. I went to the hospital the first time that I experienced them because I am understandably more sensitive about the safety of Ayden (and, being a first time mom, am also totally unaware of what one is supposed to feel while in labor!). I will admit that I felt stupid showing up to the hospital for false labor, but the hospital staff and my husband insisted that I did the right thing to protect the baby. Since then, I tend to have contractions after a long work day or a long work week; so far, sitting down and drinking water have helped them to subside.
____

The doctors prefer for Ayden to be born naturally, as they believe that that is the best for him. (I preferred this myself, so I was glad to hear their desire matched mine!) They do not want Ayden born on a weekend, which is when he is due, because they want to take advantage of a fuller weekday staff. As a result, Ayden will be induced on a weekday; that date/time has not yet been determined.

On Wednesday, besides experiencing the usual ultrasound and medical conversation, we also went on a tour of the Vanderbilt hospitals, and the nurse explained to us the expected process for us and our son. We will obviously start out at labor and delivery, where three additional people will join our delivery team. Those three people serve as support for Ayden and will check him immediately when he is born. If Ayden is struggling (specifically they are looking to see if he can breathe on his own), they will take him immediately to Children’s. If he appears to be doing well, they will hand our son to us. We get to hold Ayden as a family for only a few minutes before they take him to Children’s, approximately ¾ of a mile from where I will recuperate from delivery. Bryan will go with the baby, and I will have a phone that enables me to access the doctors and Bryan during the time that we are separated.

For approximately two hours, they will do various things with our son. They will scan his entire body to get a better view of his heart, as well as other organs. During this time, they will better be able to determine if Ayden does indeed have heterotaxy. They will also hook up two IVs to his body, one through his hand and the other through his belly button. At least one of those will be used to begin giving our son the medication to keep his patent ductus arteriosus open until his first surgery.

Ayden will be placed in NICU until his first surgery, which will occur within the first three days of his arrival. In NICU, Ayden will have his own room, and depending on how well he does, he will either have his own nurse, or he will share one with another child. After surgery, Ayden will stay at PCCU for at least three weeks. Again, the rooming and nurse situation is the same.

Visitation at Children’s is very strict in order to protect the lives of the children. If you come to the hospital, you will most likely not get to see Ayden. Not only does the staff wish to keep his stress level low, but he will be susceptible to illness, which is something that his body cannot handle on top of a heart condition. Bryan and I will see Ayden as much as we want, and we will most likely be staying at either the hospital or Ronald McDonald House during Ayden’s three week stay.

While on the tour, I was comforted by the knowledge gleaned and the obvious preparedness of the Vanderbilt community. While the above information is a best case medical scenario, I am hopeful for that scenario... or a miracle. I have to believe that our son will be okay, one way or another.