Amy Update 6-16

[ead79]

Thank you for the update, Pat. I will pray that Amy will be able to be more comfortable and find a position that doesn't hurt. {{{HUGS}}} for you all.

 

[nativetxn]

Thanks for the update, Pat. I'm continuing my prayers for Amy and Kimberly Jane. So far so good.

I did not feel that my c-section was a terrible experience--it was much less painful than the other abdominal surgeries I have had, of course, that might have been because I was so happy about getting a baby boy out of the deal

 

[Wendy P]

I don't really know your whole story. I just stumbled onto your post and wanted to give you some encouragement about the c-section.

I've had 2 c-sections. The first was because I was pregnant with breech twins. One of the twins had stopped growing so I delivered by scheduled c-section when they were 36 weeks. I knew I was having a c-section and I went into it with a good attitude. I did not have any labor so I was not exhausted from hours of pushing. I did GREAT with it. I had them on a Friday morning and left the hospital with them Monday morning! They were on the small side (4-8 and 5-13), but I got to hold them both right away. It was a joyous experience and I wouldn't change anything about it. Two days after I delivered I went to a class and I remember seeing a woman who had obviously delivered naturally. She was very gingeraly sitting herself down on a donut - I walked right in and plunked myself down! The only thing different about the c-section was that I could not drive for 2-4 weeks afterward and I took it easy on stairs for the first couple weeks. That was it. Everything else was the same - I was able to breastfeed them and care for them from the start.

My second (pregnancy - third child) I tried to deliver natural, but he went into distress and was an emergency c-section. Even with that one I did great. I had been on the fence about having a VBAC and had prepared myself for the possibility of c-section ahead of time. Again, I felt great right away.

So I think it's all in the attitude. Some people think that natural is the only way to go and assume c-section is the worst thing that can happen to you. If you take the attitude that you will do what you need to for the health of your child and if a c-section is it then so be it. Prepare yourself mentally and physically and ignore the people that will try to put you down.

Good Luck to you and your wife. My thoughts are with you....

Wendy

 

[jjarman]

Don't worry about the c-section. Just know it is the best thing for little Kimberly. Everyone I know who had one would do it again in a heartbeat. And those c-section babies always have the prettiest heads.

 

[pammypooh]

Pat & Amy,

So happy to hear your update on your family!

Sometimes I think some women want to scare a first time mother with their own delivery stories. But remember - these women also tend to have a negative approach to most things in life. (IMHO & experience with my own co-workers!) The key is to remember that whatever you go through - the reason is to give your daughter the best possible environment to live in until you get the glorious opportunity to meet her face to face. Sometimes it may be tough on your own body and mind, but I can tell that your family is supportive and loving and you fully comprehend the amazing world of Kimberly that is inside Amy right now!

I had 2 c-sections that were planned due to complications, but I know that was the best delivery option for me as well as each of my daughters. Please don't let someone scare you into thinking c-sections are a bad thing, or that somehow you are less of a mother because it wasn't a "natural" delivery. I guarantee that when you look at your girl you will not worry about how she came to meet you. You are just going to want to see her and touch her.

Pat - I hope that you are speaking to Kimberly because she can hear you Daddy! My husband went with the nurses and my daughters after the deliveries, and he said that both times the babies were crying, but when he started talking to them, using their names, they stopped crying and seemed to know that their Daddy was there. Of course, the crying does start up again, but it can be a joyful noise!

You are already such great parents!

Many warm wishes for you and your family. I will keep you in my prayers. Remember faith, hope and love - the greatest of these is love!

Pam

 

[Rajah]

Pat, you're an inspiration to anyone who's going through rough times. How you keep such a positive attitude is beyond me, but it's a huge inspiration and is great. Keep up the good work, and keep us posted!

 

[katerkat]

Originally posted by Pat_Elliott
Kimberly should be about 8 months old. That seems to be the right age. She'll be "on the bottle" by then

LOL

Tell her not to worry about the c-section -- a friend just had her second child, and she said having the c-section this time was much easier than labor/delivery of her first kid. She was up and walking for our guys' graduation a mere 4 days after the c-section!

You totally need to hook Amy on the DIS -- it's something for her to do when's she's bored! And you have to be sitting to DIS, so... Some other good baby community sites are http://www.babycenter.com/community/, http://www.ultimatebaby.com (a $25 yearly fee, but so worth it!) and http://www.thebabycorner.com/boards/

We're all praying for you!

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Pat - I hope that you are speaking to Kimberly because she can hear you Daddy! ]

Thanks for writing Pam!

You'll be glad to know I speak with my daughter several times a day. Of course, I'm a bonifide weirdo (I'm here, aren't I?). Marriage and this whole fertility/pregnancy game has changed me dramatically. I used to be every father's worst nightmare for their daughter, a big ol' bruiser (6'2" 200#, flaming red hair, loud, rough, gruff, and every other adjective that suggests an alpha male who hasn't grown up yet). Amy certainly didn't calm me down, but she mellowed me.

Amongst my stranger quirks of the moment: Every night since "the Danville incident" as it's come to be known in my house, I have quiet time with Kimberly. Amy half dozes (the best she's pulling off these days) and me being there calms her. So I get close to her gut and talk. At first it was concern talking, basically emotional babble. But now that we're seeing some light, I've done everything from told her about her grandparents to reading her the newspaper. I also tell her all about Disney. Maybe I'm crazy, but I believe she listens.

Just another reason Amy thinks I'm a couple sandwiches shy of a picnic.

Pat

 

[Dan Murphy]

Well Pat, from this read, sounds like C's are just fine. Should help Amy feel even more cofortable. And that is good. My continued good wishes and prayer follow you both, and Kimberly too.

 

[LadyLt]

Originally posted by jjarman
Don't worry about the c-section. Just know it is the best thing for little Kimberly. Everyone I know who had one would do it again in a heartbeat. And those c-section babies always have the prettiest heads.

I had a c-section after more than 14 hours of hard, induced labor. I did great. The c-section was much easier than those hours of intense pain. And complete strangers in the hospital were going out of their way to tell me how beautiful she was. It really is easier on the baby not to be squeezed through that small area. Christi's head was perfectly shaped and she was light pink, not red like most new babies.

About the Moms staying, that is just what Amy needs. My mother was great. She stayed with me for about two weeks. She did not do any of the "mom" stuff to the baby. If the baby cried, she picked her up and handed to me. She realized that diapering, cuddling, and feeding needed to be done by me. But my mother spoiled me. Cooking, bringing me things, and just being there for me. It was GREAT.

 

[helenabear]

Pat, thank you so much for the update. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers. Best wishes for the three of you

 

[montessori]

Pat,
It is always a pleasure to read your posts.
I'm keeping you all in my prayers and I hope to meet you on Main Street in May!

 

[momof2inPA]

I would choose a c-section over labor any day, hands down. Honestly, breast feeding is more painful than a c-section and my babies did just fine.

After reading about your wife Amy, my sister Amy was diagnosed with slight placenta previa. She is due in Sept. and is still up and around, but because of your wife's story, I have tried to be extra helpful to my sister.

Hang in there.

 

[meandtheguys]

Pat, please tell Amy to be careful mentally of the research she does, esp. on the internet. As a nurse was telling me very recently the percentage of problems is grossly over reported, because the people who do just fine, don't post. Some people have problems with procedures, illnesses, meds or whatever, it happens. But the majority of people don't and therefore have no need to process this information with others. I am an over-researcher myself and have scared myself half silly with information. With a scheduled section the docs will have all potentially necessary assistance on stand-by, Kimberly will have a little round head, and she will not have to deal with the dreaded epesiotomy (sp?).
Michelle

 

[MdmMim]

Another Mom here--with 2 C-sections. Two beautiful children were the result, and I'd go through it all again in a heartbeat!

Thank you for the update. I'm sending lots of PD your way!

 

[4forDis]

Hi Pat,
Tell Amy to hang in there. I am the Mom of two and my almost 4 year old daughter was my previa pregnancy. After taking it easy for 4 months and then 6 weeks of bedrest I was able to deliver a healthy baby at 36 weeks.

A c-section is really nothing to worry about. Yes, there is pain the first few days following the surgery, but I can honestly say I was back to my old self in one week and I can tell you I did not feel that good after delivering my son naturally.

It sounds like Amy is doing everything right, taking it easy and educating herself. Just listen to your Drs. and I am sure that everything will be fine.
Congrats!
Denise

 

[B'rer Karen]

Thanks for the update Pat! I'm so glad you're all hanging in there. Sending more prayers and pixie dust your way.

 

[Alice28]

Pat-

I am sending many positive thoughts and prayers your way; while I do not know you or Amy, I enjoy your posts and feel that you are a very nice guy.

It was almost exactly this time two years ago that I was put on bedrest for complications- not placenta previa, but high blood pressure. It is aggitating for sure to not only be pregnant, which can be hard enough, but to constantly be monitoring your every action, and thoughts consumed with "is everything ok." Plus the countless visits to the doctor- those last 3 weeks for me included an average of 3-4 visits to the doctor/hospital a week. But, hey, it kept me on track and the baby did better after I took it easy. I am sure Amy is going to be fine, as will Kimberly. I know it!

And as for a c-section...well I can't speak from experience, as I have had two "regular" deliveries, but let me tell you, I wish I had had a c-section with my 2nd (the one I was on bedrest for). I was induced and was in hard labor for 12 hours, and then he was born and weighed a whopping 11 pounds 2 ounces. The doctor said, "Wow....if we had known that we would have done a c-section this morning." I was like, "thanks....now that my insides feel like they were torn apart, now you tell me that..." Anyway, as everyone else has said, giving birth isn't a contest--no one can top anyone in how they did...the important end result is a healthy Mom and a healthy baby.

please keep us posted.

Robin

 

[SuiteDisney]

I really look forward to your updates, Pat. The three of you are on my mind quite a bit and I'm always sending best wishes your way and remembering all of you in my prayers.

Pat, you look EXACTLY like my uncle when he was younger!!! This delights me to no end. I have to admit, my uncle isn't the best of people and I'm delighted to see someone as loving and caring as you wearing that familiar face and gorgeous red hair!

 

[Tony-NJ]

Pat, for the update. Continued prayers!