D-Day

Aka: Delivery Day

Today marks a huge milestone in pregnancy number two. Jackson was delivered on this exact day in my pregnancy with him. No, this does not make it Jackson's birthday (that was back on August 6th). It means that I am 33 weeks and 1 day pregnant.

What does this all mean? No matter what happens, from this moment forward I have a better cooked baby! Jackson was medium-rare. We are hoping for medium to well done this time around.

I had a feeling my doctor was wary of this pregnancy, but that was confirmed a few weeks ago. She told me in all honesty that she thought this pregnancy would have progressed with HELLP syndrome rearing its ugly head around 23 or 24 weeks. I am pleased to report I have proved her wrong! Blood work shows that all is well. My blood pressure is fine, I am not swollen at all, and there have been no symptoms other than typical third trimester aches and pains. I love being right.

From this point forward I am entering pregnancy territory that I have never navigated. In fact, I would have been on bed rest for the past six days. Therefore, I have been experiencing pregnancy in a new way since last Wednesday.

I refuse to complain, because the last thing I want is to have another premature baby. However, it would be unrealistic to deny the fact that the next six weeks may be a challenge. Here is a short list of things that have come to mind several time as I ruminate on the next six weeks:

• I may have the honor of being the mama who is so ready for her baby to arrive rather than the mama sitting in the NICU all day for weeks hoping her baby can come home soon because he arrived too early.
• I may bake a baby who is big enough to eat and sleep well when he is born. However, that baby is baking in my belly while I am teaching in a middle school classroom. This ought to get more interesting with each passing week.
• Is it really possible for my belly to get bigger? Did I not get stretch marks the first time around because I did not get bigger than this? Better get some fancy lotion just in case.
• Will we actually get to the scheduled c-section at 39 weeks? Are we going to show up to the hospital prepared with bags packed? "Hi! I am here for my c-section." 
• What if I go into labor in my classroom? That would actually be kind of cool. Freaking out middle school kids is actually pretty fun. I mean, I was the teacher that put a preserved frog in a girl's locker last year and took a video of her reaction. (For the record, she had it coming with her dramatics during dissection.)
• Is this kid going to continue to stand on my pelvic bones and punch my ribs simultaneously? We may need to have a little chat.
• At what point is my stomach going to completely run out of space? How am I going to eat enough food to gain the recommended amount of weight? I can barely stand to eat a full meal now. 
• Tired. Just tired.
• Did I just drop something? Screw it.

All I can say is bring it on! I am up for the challenge. Let's take this pregnancy to term! I love proving people wrong.

The Lucky Ones

AKA: Complete Rookie Parents

Jackson had a febrile seizure on Monday night. Our pediatrician referred to it as the most terrifying, benign diagnosis there is. She is right on.

Around 10 p.m. I heard strange sounds coming from Jackson's room through the monitor. I can't exactly remember if it was a moan, grunt, or something else, but it wasn't a normal crying sound. Watching him on the camera, I could see his legs moving under the covers as if he was kicking them. Instinct alerted me that something wasn't right.

When I got to him there was a substantial amount of saliva in a pool on his pillow and bubbles were coming from his mouth. As I tried to move him, thinking he may vomit, he was completely limp. Lifeless. Couldn't even open his eyes and respond to me.

He was very hot to the touch, so I took his lifeless little body immediately to the tub, stripped him down, and started splashing cool water on his back. Colin called 911 because we had no idea what was going on and needed help ASAP.

The cool water brought him back to life. He started crying (finally, a normal response!) and I pulled him out of the tub and covered him with a towel. All I could do is hold him as he shivered uncontrollably, clenching my finger, crying. While I stayed relatively calm and in control, it still did not occur to me that he may simply have a fever and need some Tylenol.

After what seemed like an eternity, the paramedics arrived. His temperature was 102.6 at that point. After a quick check of his oxygen levels and blood sugar they diagnosed him with......a fever.

In my limited experience with first responders, I have found them to be extremely kind and empathetic. They never questioned why we called them or even asked why it did not occur to us that common knowledge states that a fever needs Tylenol. I felt grateful and extremely humbled at the same time.

To explain, I was grateful that they were not worried. Jackson had a fever and no other signs of life-threatening issues. We were not going on an ambulance ride. It was similar to my experience in the NICU: scary, but I knew everything was going to be okay.

I was humbled because despite his rough start to life, Jackson has been the picture of health. He has been to the doctor twice outside of his well baby checks. Both times he had an ear infection, but you would have never known because the kid is tough and doesn't complain. We have been so lucky thus far, perhaps we needed a little wake up call so we won't be in shock if Jackson's brother has more health issues than he has.

In the end, Jackson picked up a late summer virus and is likely on the road back to good health. A fever with no other symptoms is apparently common this time of year and every day his fever is getting lower and easier to manage. The doctor is confident that he is fine; no permanent damage done other than the flashbacks and lingering mental anguish experienced by me and Colin. Hopefully a full night's sleep is in our near future. And by the way, Jackson, thanks for waiting until the first week of school to get sick!

All of this being said, I feel like this has been another case of "Why does no one tell you this can happen?" So, for all the other rookie parents who may read this, here is some helpful information for you:

• Tylenol is not proven to prevent febrile seizures. Apparently, even if I had given him Tylenol before bed Monday night, his body would have likely responded to the virus the same way.
• Febrile seizures that last less than five minutes (five minutes!?!?) are more common than you would think and rarely cause any permanent damage. Your child's risk of epilepsy may be slightly elevated, but really only if it runs in the family. Otherwise, it is a "normal" immune response and your kid will likely either never have one again or grow out of having them.
• The cool water on the back worked for Jackson. I am not sure if it works for everyone, every time, but it may be worth a try. Keep in mind, cool/lukewarm water, not cold water. If they start to shiver after cover them up. The shivering causes the body to work harder and can actually increase the temperature.
• Viruses sometimes have no symptoms other than a fever. If your kid is perking back up after you bring the temperature down and every day they get better, you are likely dealing with a virus and things are going to be okay in a few days. If things get progressively worse, you are most likely dealing with a bacterial infection and need to seek medical care ASAP.
• Febrile seizures are damn scary and I would not wish this on anyone. Holding your seemingly lifeless child in your arms is exactly as you would imagine if you have not experienced it. Terrifying. My advice, try to stay calm and bring the temperature down. 
• When in doubt, call 911. That is what they are there for. Attractive paramedics in your bedroom while you are in your jammies is as embarrassing as it sounds, but it is not about you.
• Cherish every day that your child is healthy and feeling well. Snuggle them as much as you can, in sickness and in health. Bacteria, viruses, and accidents are lurking around every corner, and all you can do is try to find a balance between protecting your child and letting life happen. 

Despite this scary little bump in the road, we are still the lucky ones. We have a happy, healthy, "normal" little boy. My heart crumbles for parents of sick children. I can't imagine how awful it would be to have a child with chronic and/or life-threatening illness. As a parent, all you want is to take the pain and sickness for them and you can't.

All I can hope is that when baby #2 arrives, we can still be the lucky ones. A sick boy makes for a sad mommy.