Preterm Labor

How is the due date calculated?
Your baby needs to continue to grow inside you for the full term of your pregnancy.  Your due date is calculated based on your menstrual cycle since most people do not know the day they conceived.  The human gestational period is 38 weeks from conception to birth.  During a normal cycle, a woman has her menstrual period starting 2 weeks before her fertile period.  So, that is why pregnancy is said to last 40 weeks.

What is preterm labor?
Labor earlier than three weeks before your due date can lead to the delivery of a premature baby with some associated risks.

Report to your Healthcare provider with any of the following symptoms:

• low, dull backache
• 6 or more contractions per hour, or every 10 minutes or less
• increased pelvic pressure (may include thigh cramps)
• something feeling different, such as sensation of baby dropping
• flu-like symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• increased vaginal discharge 
• vaginal bleeding

What do uterine contractions feel like?

• menstrual cramps
• sensation of the "baby rolling up in a ball"
• abdominal cramping (may include diarrhea)
• increased uterine activity compared to previous patterns 

What do I do if I have some of these symptoms?
Before calling your doctor, there may be things you can do at home to stop the increased contractions.  Having a full bladder or being dehydrated can cause these premature contractions, so once these problems are resolved, they may go away on their own. 

• Stop what you are doing and empty your bladder
• drink 3-4 glasses of water
• lie down on your left side for one hour while feeling for and counting contractions
• put your hand on your abdomen and feel for tightening and hardening of your uterus
• count how many contractions you have during the hour you are lying down
• if your contractions do not slow down after these actions, call either your doctor's office or Labor and Delivery at your hospital immediately, and they will give you directions from there 

 If you have any of these symptoms, report them to your doctor immediately:

• change in vaginal discharge, such as color or amount
• leaking clear fluid
• spotting or bleeding
• vaginal discharge with a fish-like odor immediately after intercourse 

 If you need to go to the hospital:
If you have some of these symptoms, and your doctor believes your are in preterm labor, you may be told to go to the hospital.  Once you arrive, your doctor, midwife, or nurse may:

• ask about your medical history, including medications and supplements you have been taking during your pregnancy
• check your pulse, blood pressure, and temperature
• put a monitor on your belly to check the baby's heart rate and your contractions
• swab your cervix for fetal fibronectin, which can help predict the risk of delivering early
• get a urine sample to check for UTI and signs of infection 
• check your cervix to see if it is opening

found on https://www.healthtap.com/user_questions/233264

What will happen if I am in preterm labor?
If you have been determined to be in preterm labor after all of these checks, they will first try to stop the labor, unless you are very late in pregnancy and have had a low-risk pregnancy.  If they are unable to stop labor or if your water has already broken, they may do other things to slow it down and improve the risks for you and the baby.  These are some things they may do once you are determined to be in preterm labor:

• give IV fluids
• give medicine to relax your uterus and stop labor
• give medicine to speed up the development of the baby's lungs 
• give antibiotics
• admit you to the hospital

My personal experience
I personally experienced preterm labor with my first baby.  I was around 26 or 27 weeks pregnant, and I noticed I was having a lot more Braxton-Hicks contractions than normal.  I laid down on the couch and drank some water, but felt no relief.  I laid on the couch for over an hour with contractions that were every 6-8 minutes apart, but they were not regular nor painful.  So, I hesitantly called my doctor, and he told me to go ahead and come to the hospital.  They took my vital signs and my urine and hooked me up to the monitor to find that I was in fact in labor with some strong contractions.  My urine came back from the lab as positive for a urinary tract infection, so the doctor determined that the UTI was the reason my body went into labor.  They gave me magnesium to stop my labor, which was an unpleasant experience because my blood pressure bottomed out, and they had to give me something else to raise my pressure.  Once my labor stopped, and my blood pressure was normal, I was sent home with antibiotics for my UTI.

I was so thankful that everything worked out, and that I was able to have my big (9lbs, 2oz) healthy baby boy at 39 weeks.  I pray that none of you have to experience preterm labor or delivery of a preterm baby as it can be a scary experience.  But you can use this post as a reference if you are experiencing any symptoms.

Thanks for reading!
 

Safe Medications During Pregnancy

This is the 3rd part to my series on pregnancy safety information.  Click here to see general information on pregnancy.  Click here to find out more about common discomforts of pregnancy. 

found on www.babymed.com

Medications during pregnancy is a issue that is very difficult.  While there are always risks with everything you take, there are some medications that have a very high safety level.  There is always a potential for the baby to receive the medication when you take it, so it is important to avoid medications when possible.  But if you are completely miserable and need something to relieve discomforts, there are plenty of medications that are safe for your baby.  Many of these medications are commonly used during pregnancy.  Another thing to remember is as the pregnancy progresses, these medications have even less risk for the baby.  But always discuss medications with your health care provider.

Here are medications and other remedies that are considered safe to take during pregnancy.  I put them each under discomfort categories so that you can find one to take for different ailments.  I have included over-the-counter, prescription medications, and home remedies.

Common Cold:  
Sudafed (do not take if you have a history of high blood pressure and avoid Sudafed 12 hour)
Actafed
Robitussin, Robitussin DM, Robitussin PE 
Benadryl
Tylenol Sinus
Tavist D
Dimetapp (not Dimetapp Cold and Allergy)
Cholraseptic (for a sore throat)
Deconosal
Saline nasal drops or spray
Warm salt/water gargle

Heartburn/Indigestion
Tums
Maalox
Mylanta
Pepcid
Mylacon
Zantac
Tagamet
Axid
Gas X
Gaviscon

Allergies
Benadryl
Claritin
Zyrtec
*Ask your healthcare provider before taking these in the first trimester.

Asthma
Theodur
Provential
Alupent
Theophyiline

Constipation
Colace
Metamucil
Fibercon
Milk of Magnesia
Ducolax
Surfak

Pain/Headaches
Tylenol
Extra-strength Tylenol

Hemorroids
Anusol Suppositories
Preparation H cream
Preparation H ointment
Tucks pads 
  
Diarrhea
Kaopectate (liquid only)
Imodium

Nausea/Vomiting
Phenergran 
Emetrol
Vitamin B6
Ginger root 

First Aid 
Bacitracin
J&J First Aid Cream
Neosporin
Polysporin

Rashes
Benadryl cream
Caladryl lotion or cream
Hydrocortisone cream or ointment
Aveeno oatmeal bath 

Others
Monistat (for yeast infection)
Zithromax (for upper respiratory infections)
Macrobid (for urinary tract infection)
Gyne-lotrimin (for fungal/yeast infection) 
 
Thanks for stopping by!  My next post I will be sharing about my experience with pre-term labor and some guidelines for what to do if your experience it.
 

Becoming a Mother, part 2

from www.elizabethyarnell.com

When you become pregnant, you expect the big belly, the battle of the stretch marks, and the glow, but you don't always realize how many other things can come with the growing of a baby.  There are so many changes to a woman's body when they conceive that it can become a little disconcerting to have so many odd symptoms pop up.  If you are a worrier, this can be an extremely anxious time for you.  However, if you know the physiological changes going on in your body, you can then understand why certain symptoms are showing up.  I believe many women struggle with the lack of control you have of your own body when you become pregnant.  But I think it helps to understand what is happening in the background.  Here I would like to summarize a few common discomforts pregnancy can bring and give a little physiology as to why this could be a symptom you experience.

Constipation can be caused by changes in the digestive tract due to hormones slowing the movement of food through the system.  The iron in prenatal vitamins can also cause constipation.  To avoid this discomfort, drink plenty of liquids and eat fruits and vegetables with a high fiber content.  It also helps to stay active and not to sit for long periods of time.

Hemorrhoids can be caused by strained bowel movements and from the extra pressure on the veins of the intestine from the uterus which is growing heavier as the pregnancy progresses.  This can make it difficult for these veins to drain.  Do not push hard during a bowel movement as this can cause even more pressure on those veins.  It also helps to try to avoid constipation in order to prevent hemorrhoids as well.  Drink lots of water!

Nausea and vomiting are symptoms that are also caused by hormonal and metabolic changes.  The cause of these symptoms are not completely understood, but tend to come with the increase of pregnancy hormones.  Before rising in the morning, eat crackers or something bland and do not get up too quickly.  It helps to sit at the side of the bed for a bit first.  Try to eat small meals every 3 hours and eat protein-rich food about an hour before going to bed at night.  Do not lay down right after eating.  Since your sense of smell is elevated, it also helps to avoid foods that trigger your nausea and eat foods cold or room temperature since aromas are stronger when hot.

Heartburn occurs when digested food from your stomach is pushed into your esophagus.  This can happen, again, because of hormonal changes in the digestive tract or because of pressure put on your stomach from your growing uterus.  Try eating smaller quantities of food, several times a day.  Avoid spicy and greasy foods, and try not to eat right before bed.  Sometimes sleeping with your head elevated by two or three pillows will help.

Fatigue occurs because your body is doing a lot of different things while pregnant, and hormone changes can leave you feeling exhausted.  My husband says, "Well, yeah, you're tired!  You're growing a person!"  It can also be caused by your sleep being interrupted by getting up during the night to use the bathroom and from feeling uncomfortable when trying to sleep.  It helps to try to get eight hours of sleep at night and to eat a balanced diet.  Take naps if you are able.

Headaches may occur because there is more blood in your body to share with the baby.  It may take some time for your body to adjust to this increase in blood volume.  Usually headaches go away after the first trimester.  If you experience headaches, take some acetaminophen and apply a warm or cold compress to your head or neck.  Try to find out what triggers the headache.  Dehydration, certain foods, stress, fatigue, excessive heat or cold, or tobacco smoke are some common triggers.

Frequent urination occurs because of hormone changes that have your kidneys working harder to filter out things in your blood stream, and because your blood volume increases, there is more fluid for your kidneys to filter into your bladder.  It also occurs because of the extra pressure on your bladder from your growing uterus.  Continue to drink plenty of water and do not resist the urge to urinate.

Stretch marks can result when your body grows faster than your skin can keep up with, and the elastic fibers just under the skin's surface break.  In pregnancy, it can happen on the abdomen, the sides, and on the breasts.  These brightly colored marks fade after pregnancy.  Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent these marks because they tend to be genetically determined, but keeping your skin moisturized and your body hydrated are good ways to keep away the itchiness that also happens with the stretching.

Varicose veins are swollen veins that bulge near the surface of the skin and appear blue or purple.  They are produced by the pressure of the uterus on the pelvic area, which makes circulation difficult during pregnancy.  Usually, they appear in the legs, but can also occur in the vulva area.  It can be painful or uncomfortable because blood is backed up in that area.  Move frequently to improve circulation and elevate your legs when possible.  Support stockings may also help you if this becomes a big problem.

Breathing can become difficult at times during pregnancy, especially towards the end.  This can happen as the baby grows larger and takes up more space in the abdomen.  There is less space for your lungs to expand.  Breathe deeply several times a day to ease discomfort.  Sleeping propped up on pillows may help at night.

Backaches can occur as the body's weight increases and its center of gravity moves forward.  The natural curves of the spine become much more pronounced.  This can occur as early as the end of the first trimester.  To help prevent strain, wear low-heeled supportive shoes.  There are also maternity girdles and other supportive clothing that can be purchased.  Make sure that any supportive clothing used is not binding.

Swelling can occur due to retention of water in the tissues of your body.  Mild swelling is related to the normal and necessary increase in body fluids in pregnancy and the difficulty of circulation of the lower extremities.  Some swelling of the ankles and legs is considered completely normal.  Swelling of the hands and face can be signs of blood pressure issues, however.  Try to elevate your legs whenever possible and avoid binding clothing and jewelry.

That is all I have for tonight!  If you have any questions or ideas for me to write about, please comment below.  Also, stay tuned for more about safe medications during pregnancy and a word from my friend about bringing home a new baby to a family of many small children.  I'm looking forward to hearing her tips and advice for that time in life!  

Becoming a Mother, Part 1

There are so many questions around pregnancy and then there are even more questions once the baby comes.  I started thinking about this subject a few months ago when I started receiving questions from my sister, who is pregnant with her first baby.  There is so much information thrown at pregnant women these days from information given at the doctor's office to information found (or should I say stumbled upon) on the internet to unsolicited advice from seasoned mothers.  How does one sift through it all and know what is true?  

I was going through papers I came across while unpacking boxes in our new house and found some information packets given to me when I was pregnant with my second baby.  Because it was my second, and I was too busy chasing around my 2 year old and traveling around the world, I didn't actually read the information.  I had decided I would send some of it on to my sister who would appreciate good information.  But as I read it, I realized that a lot of the information was either a little off or completely wrong.  They were just information sheets the Japanese nurse had typed up to hand out to all the obstetrics patients seeing her at the Navy base clinic where I was being seen the first half of my pregnancy.  

I decided then and there that I would type up my own information based on my experience and on my research on the subject.  I typed up some basic information for the first sheet to send to my sister, and then decided that I should make up a whole packet and share it on the internet.  I am not sure if I am just adding to the problem of information overload for these women, but I want to make sure there is good information out there for those who would trust a registered nurse with two babies of her own.  This is the latest information and research I could find, and there really is ongoing research and new information coming out all the time. 

40 Weeks of Pregnancy: General Guidelines to Get Started

Normal Discomforts 

• Constipation
• Hemorrhoids
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Heartburn
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Urinary frequency
• Stretch marks
• Varicose veins
• Strenuous breathing
• Backaches
• Swelling in lower extremities 

 Over-the-counter Medications to Avoid (unless approved by your doctor):  

• Aspirin
• Motrin/ibuprofen
• Aleve/naproxen
• Dayquil/phenylephrine
• Nyquil/doxylamine
• Pepto-Bismol/bismuth subsalicylate

Over-the-counter Medications that are Safe (unless contraindicated by your doctor):

• Tylenol/acetaminophen  
• Sudafed/pseudoephedrine
• Robitussin DM/dextromethorphan and guaifenesin
• Mylanta/aluminum and magnesium antacid 
• Tums/calcium carbinate

*If unsure, ask your doctor for approval of medications.

  

Activities:

• Try to minimize caffeine consumption to 1-2 servings a day (up to 1 cup of coffee).
• Avoid x-rays unless your doctor finds it absolutely necessary.
• Normal weight gain during pregnancy is 25-25 lbs.
• Regular exercise is recommended.  Do not lift more than 20-25 lbs.  Brisk walking, swimming, and stationary bicycling are recommended forms of exercise.  You may continue whatever form of exercise prior to pregnancy.

Contact Your Doctor If:

• You have vaginal bleeding that looks like a period.
• You have severe abdominal pain or cramping.
• You have a fever over 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit not lowered by Tylenol/acetaminophen.

*This is just the very first and basic information pregnant women should receive.  Please use this information as a reference.  Stay tuned for part 2 with more pregnancy information and some advice from a friend who has 4 children and lots of good experience.

Levi "James" Scripture

James was born on August 25th at 2:05 am.  He was 7 pounds 11 ounces and 19 3/4 inches long.  One week later, he was already at 8 pounds 3 ouncesI've tried not to compare him with Bronson too much.  I know that it can cause problems later in his life to be compared to his older brother too often.  But it is still fun to see all the differences they have as newborns.  He looks very different from Bronson and seems to be more quiet.  He definitely doesn't cry as much as Bronson did.  He is also very sensitive to sounds.  This could become a problem with a two-year-old brother running around while he is trying to nap.  But so far, it has been okay most of the time.

These pictures were taken when he was 15 days old.

How to turn a normal room into a Nursery

 

A crib is a good start.

 

Oh, good!  The baby fits!

 

Next, a theme...or just some cute bedding.

 

Add some personal touches.

Given to me by my Aunt JoAnn.  Hand quilted by my Great Grandma.

 

Lastly, fill up the shelves and walls with educational material...and adornments.

And you've got yourselves a nursery!  More pictures to come.

Finally Home!

Hello again. Since Sarah has been pretty busy with Bronson (kid LOVES to eat!) and sleeping whenever she gets a chance, I'm posting the next installment of the Saga.

Ready to go home.

Comfy carseat...slept the whole way home.

We brought Bronson home on Sunday afternoon. What a relief! We were in the hospital for 2 1/2 days, but halfway through Day 2 (Saturday) we were VERY ready to go home. Since neither Bronson nor Sarah had any complications, it's not like they were doing much with us. Maybe it's hospital policy to keep everybody that long. I think it was because not as many people are there on the weekend and everything moves slower.

An old friend of Dad's made me this cool hat.

It has been fun having a few visitors to see the little guy. Jenny and Jacqueline came by the hospital on Saturday. Kacie, Wendy, and Adam & Anne Reid visited Sunday afternoon/evening. Wendy also brought us some delicious pulled pork for dinner. SO good. (not going to lie, Dad is really enjoying the whole dinner delivery thing. Makes me want to have another one) Carrie came over yesterday (again, with rotisserie chicken for dinner...mmm) and met Bronson. We have SO appreciated everyone's encouragement over the past few days, whether dinners, visits, gifts, or notes, we know we have lots of friends and family who are thinking of and praying for us.

Snoozin' with Dad

So now we just have to figure out how to take care of this little guy while still getting enough sleep to function and continue to take care of the dog and the house and all the other things we have to do.

Laika's still not sure what Bronson is...she'll figure it out.

 

Thank the Lord I get to take 10 days of "Daddy Leave," so I'll be around to help all-day every-day for another week. Sarah's mom & grandma are on the road right now, they'll arrive sometime tomorrow evening, to visit and help for a week as well. That will be great for Bronson to hang out with Grandma Stuckey and Great-Grandma Hufker. (my parents and grandma will be here in a few weeks)

Can't wait to meet Grandma & Great-Grandma!

Please continue to pray for us as we figure this thing out. Any of you who are parents know what I'm talking about (they don't come with instructions). We still don't totally know what we're doing, but with your encouragement and the Lord's help, we'll get the hang of it.

yep...I'm adorable

Come by anytime and meet the little squirt.

-L

Jonathan "Bronson" Scripture

So after much anxious anticipation, our little (and by little I mean, relatively huge) package has finally arrived. Would you like to meet him?

 "Hello. My name is Jonathan Bronson, but Mom and Dad usually just call me Bronson...or maybe Jon Bron. I was born on April 29th at 9:35 a.m.  Everybody kept talking about how big I was. I only weighed 9lbs 2oz and was just 21" long, but I guess that's pretty big considering I wasn't supposed to be here for another week.

 "Mom and Dad were SO happy to see me. I was pretty glad to finally be here, weird as this place is. I was especially glad to meet Mommy; she is so beautiful...and she feeds me. She was pretty tired afterwards, but the Doctor said that she and I were really healthy

 "It was quite a trip to get here, so I was pretty tired...and hungry, and then tired again, then hungry.

 "I've been hanging out with Dad some too. He doesn't quite seem to totally know what he's doing, but he sure seems to be trying hard, and he does seem to be pretty fond of me. I think he'll be alright.

 "At least I know I'll be rolling in style. Some volunteers at the hospital made me this awesome beanie to wear. It's cool. Handmade for me...no big deal.
I'm sure you'd like to see some more of me...who wouldn't? But Mom and Dad forgot to bring the camera cord, so the rest of the pictures will come later. Looking forward to meeting you all soon."
 -JBS

Starting to come together...

We got orders yesterday!  We are officially going to Japan sometime in July.  I say "we", because the baby and I also get to go.  Yay!  It's nice to finally have some definite answers for people and to be able to plan.  It's weird that I'm more relieved to know what's going on than relieved to be able to go with Luke over there.  Maybe I've been so distracted by the coming of a baby that I haven't thought much about having to stay in the U.S. by myself with a newborn.  Or maybe God gave me peace in whatever decision was made.  In any case, I'm just glad to have some dates and definites.

Luke will be finished with his training here in Jacksonville at the end of May.  He will detach from the squadron here and head to SERE (Survive, Evade, Resist, and Escape) school in Maine for 2 weeks (June 6-17).  Meanwhile, we're not sure the details of when they will be moving our stuff or whether they will pay for his flight back to Jacksonville (They may only pay for a flight to Japan from there.).  He then has until the end of July to report to his squadron in Japan (HSL-51).  We haven't officially gotten leave approved, but we're hoping they give us 30 days.  Then begins our farewell tour (or Tour de Bebe', as Luke has named it).  We're wanting to see as many of our friends and family as we can before we take the big flight out to Tokyo.  It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out with the inflating gas prices and the new experience of traveling with a new baby, but it should be fun.

And no, we still have not had the baby.... :(  I have been scheduled for an induction on May 3rd, so we will have Baby Scripture no later than Tuesday. 

Big Belly

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment in which I will be having a procedure done called "stripping the membrane".  The doctor is hoping to begin labor with this very low risk procedure.  It is supposed to trigger the hormones that induce labor naturally.  He is nervous about letting me carry the baby much longer because of how big the baby is.  I'm really grateful for this type of attitude because I am SO anxious to have the baby.  I feel like I'm physically falling apart.  I'm so uncomfortable!  The doctor says that this procedure works for his patients about 50 percent of the time, so I'm hoping that it works for me.  If not, I may have to be induced within the next week.  I would of course rather go into labor by myself, but am definitely okay with being induced if it means getting a baby at the end.  How crazy to think that we will have another member of the family within a week!

Here are some pictures from about a week and a half ago that I haven't gotten up on the blog yet.

37 weeks

Luke drew henna on my belly.

 

Big Baby

I had another ultrasound at my doctor's appointment yesterday because last week I was measuring 3 weeks farther along again.  The doctor wanted to see if the baby was just really big or if maybe my due date was wrong.  It turns out that the baby is big.  According to the ultrasound, he's measuring 7 lbs 3 or 4 oz already.  I'm 37 weeks tomorrow, so I'm considered full term, but I technically have 3 more weeks until my due date.  The doctor said that the baby is in the 80th percentile, so he's definitely larger than normal but not "too big".  He also said that if the baby does get to be "too big", he will want to induce me at 39 weeks (2 WEEKS!!!).  I'm not sure when a baby is too big, but I'm pretty sure that the doctor is worried about my build birthing a "Luke baby".  :)  Until then, I'm supposed to cut down on sweets because the sugar goes straight to the baby.  We don't want to encourage the baby to keep growing too quickly. 

Nursery Projects #2

I'm very proud of the closet.  It was a disaster before I organized.

Cute wall stickers of frogs, turtles, and grasshoppers I found at Target

Rollo (Luke's old stuffed raccoon) and Lamb Chop

Yes, it's a flight suit made into a diaper bag!

Well, I think we're just about all ready for Baby Scripture to come.  The carpet has been cleaned, the dresser has been finished, and the room has pretty much been all put together.  I have a few finishing touches to add, and there are still a few things I'm going to need to buy before baby comes.  But now that the room is livable, I'm getting anxious.

I tried to keep the nursery simple, but still cozy and cute.  We're waiting for our glider rocker to come, and I may put up a couple more things on the wall.  Other than that, it's all done!  We also had our car detailed because it was full of Laika hair.  Luke did a trial car seat installation, which went very smoothly.  Now, we just need the baby!  Oh, the wait!

Baby Shower

I had a great time at my baby shower.  I received all kinds of gifts that will be useful once this little boy comes.  We also just had a great time of fellowship with one another.  It was fun to have  friends from all the different parts of my life together in one place.

Heather Clement did the leg work for putting the shower together.  The shower was themed "Asia," and had paper lanterns and Japanese characters hanging from the ceiling, and pillows to sit on everywhere.  The favors included:  socks to put on because the Japanese take their shoes off when entering a home, hair clips with pretty flowers, and beautiful wooden fans.  Carrie Kraus organized the food, which was delicious.  Lots of Asian food and tea was served.  We had cheesecake with cherries on top for dessert.  Yum!

Hair clip favor

Another special thing about the shower was that there was a guest in attendance only 5 days old!  I couldn't believe Kristen felt up to bringing the new baby.  I felt very honored to have Elaina Ann there.

 The game that we played was "Name the Baby".  Everyone was split up into teams and were told to come up with a name for Baby Scripture, since Luke and I aren't telling anyone the name.  They then had to present it to me in a creative way to convince me to name our baby that name.  The name that ended up winning was Jedidiah.  The church group ladies came up with quite an act.  Their reasons:  it's Biblical, has a great meaning, and can be shortened to Jedi which goes with the name Luke.  They said, "The force will be strong with this one."  :)

I received a few awesome helicopter outfits.

Emily Sun made this CUTE blanket!

The spouses of the guys in Luke's class came.  I was so glad to have them there!

From Great Grandma Lindemuth

Lamb Chop!  From Grandma Scripture