Introducing Rider Eli

Rider Eli Sheffield

Feb 15th, 2011

6:58am

4lb 5oz 17in

(at 2 weeks old)

The Birth Story

Rider was born about 5 weeks early. I had been measuring small for a while but at 32 weeks pregnant I started measuring several weeks too small so the Dr ordered an ultrasound. Baby was 31st percentile for weight and amniotic fluid was a little low at 9 (Dr wanted it higher than 10). Not too bad but Dr. wanted to keep monitoring me so I had another ultrasound 2 weeks later at 34 weeks. Baby was now 9th percentile for weight and amniotic fluid dropped to 7. Dr. was now getting concerned and ordered a higher level ultrasound 2 days later along with an S/D ratio. Baby lost weight and was now in the 5th percentile, amniotic fluid now 6 and the S/D ratio was elevated indicating Intrauterine Growth Retardation due to an insufficient placenta. Dr told me to pack a bag and check into the hospital for 24hr IV fluids to try to get the amniotic fluid up. At this point he told me there was a 50% chance that he would induce me the following week! I was freaking out! We weren't ready to have a baby yet, we didn't even have a car seat yet! Dr. assured me that everything would be fine and we would have plenty of time to purchase the things that we need because the baby would be in the NICU for a week or two. Wait - what?! It was a lot to process. I prayed in the car on the way home that if Rider needs to come early that He would give me peace about it and that I would trust in His perfect timing.

I spent Thursday night in the hospital on IV fluids and continuous monitoring and had an ultrasound Friday morning fully expecting to be discharged that afternoon. I was really wanting to be at home over the weekend to finish getting the nursery ready, purchase last minute items and get a million other things done. Baby's heart rate was fine but fluid was still at a 6 and S/D ratio had increased. Dr. wanted me to stay in the hospital through the weekend for fetal monitoring and would induce on Monday. Wow, I was really nervous but super excited about seeing my baby at this same time. I sent Justin to the house to grab extra clothes, the baby book and all that stuff you are supposed to pack for delivery. I also sent him to Babies 'R' Us to to buy a car seat, breast pump, breast pads, etc... haha can you imagine him wandering around the store picking that stuff out? :) I have to tell you that my husband was a wonderful encouragement through all of this. He would pray with me when I felt really anxious and he stayed the night with me on the pullout sofa the entire week I was in the hospital. I am so thankful for him.

The weekend seemed to drag on forever in the anticipation of induction on Monday. I tried to at least taste the hospital food tray at each meal so that I could tell my patients that yes, I have tasted this food that they complain about and perhaps make some suggestions on what they should order.

Pitocin was started Monday morning and I wondered if I might have a Valentine's Day baby. Not even close. Pitocin ended up being turned off at 4pm due to a few dips in the baby's heart rate. I was having contractions but they weren't painful. I was 1 cm dilated and 70% effaced. At 8pm that evening, Dr. gave me Cervadil to soften the cervix and told me we would restart Pitocin in the morning. Dr ordered me an Ambien and encouraged me to take it to ensure a good night of sleep before laboring in the morning. Taking it ended up not being the best idea but I things happen for a reason.

In the middle of the night I started having contractions that were getting more and more painful and I was feeling nauseated. I don't remember many events that happened throughout the night due to being sleepy and loopy from taking Ambien and pain meds. The following details were told to me by the nurse later. Apparently the nurse checked me a few time during the night and I only remember being checked once! Around 5am I finally asked for something for pain. I was only dilated 2 cm so my Dr went back to sleep after the nurse called him for an order. My water broke 30 minutes later. I remember feeling that I needed to pee really bad (I guess that was the baby descending) and the next thing I remember is the nurse telling me that I was completely dilated! This was at 6:09 - I went from 2cm to 10cm in about an hour! She thought she hadn't checked me right and had the charge nurse on duty check me to make sure! No time for an epidural and I started pushing as soon as the Dr got there. Now at this time I was extremely tired from all the drugs in me and was sleeping between pushes! On the positive side, I don't remember being in much pain and I think the drugs relaxed me causing my labor to accelerate. I pushed for about 30 mins and Dr threatened me with an episiotomy if I didn't push hard enough. Fortunately I didn't need one.

Rider Eli was born at 6:58am. I got to see him for a brief moment before he was whisked away to the NICU. He had to be under the oxygen hood and was in the NICU for 9 days before we brought him home. The week he was in the hospital was a whirlwind of running errands, getting the house ready for his homecoming, pumping breast milk and visits to the NICU. Even though the sleepless nights were hard after he came home it felt nice to stay home and not have to always be on the go. The last 6 weeks since I was admitted to the hospital have flown by and Rider has already grown and changed so much! We praise God that he is so healthy and we look forward to watching him grown up! Thank you so much for your many prayers and words of encouragement. This has been such an exciting time in our lives.

3 weeks old

4 weeks old