Bryce Andrew Jensen

Our little B-Bug entered this world on Thursday November 15th, 2012 at 9:29pm weighing 8 pounds, 14.5 oz, and 21 inches long! He is a big, healthy boy and we couldn't be happier for this little guy in our lives. We feel so blessed and are so in love. I never imagined I could love the little guy this much. It's unreal and overwhelming.

 

 

My Birth Story



I was 40 weeks and 2 days when Bryce entered the world. I had a doctors appointment on Tuesday 11/13/12 for my weekly 40 week appointment. My blood pressure was high, and had been slowly climbing in the previous weeks. I had no other signs or symptoms of pre-eclampsia at all. Basically just pregnancy induced hypertension with blood pressures of 140s/90s. I was only dilated to 1cm and 70% effaced. My midwife, Lynn Anderson, told me to get some labs drawn and go home, and come back tomorrow on 11/14/12 to reevaluate the situation and whether or not to be induced. I came back the next day and my blood pressure was still high, but my labs were pretty normal. Lynn said she could induce me that night anyway at 5pm, gave me some papers, and told me to go to Labor and Delivery at 5pm, that they would be expecting me.
11/14/12 at 5pm Kyle and I arrived at the hospital on Labor & Delivery in room Sierra 218. My nurse was Brenda when we got there, then switched to Danel. They hooked me up to the monitor and Bryce looked and sounded great - everything was fine. I got settled in, and Lynn came in around 7pm and inserted a foley cervical balloon into my cervix. It was to help me dilate from 1cm to 5cm and sometimes sends people into labor immediately. I had contractions pretty close together and strong right away, but they tappered off and werent as strong throughout the night - although I had the contractions all night.
11/15/12 in the morning at approximately 7am my nurse was Killeen. Lynn came into to see me and I was dilated to 5cm, 75% effaced. They took out the cervical balloon. At 9am Lynn broke my water, but wasn't completely sure it had broken all the way, as she said my bag was very tough. I sat up in the bed for a while and started feeling leaking fluid. Throughout the say my fluid continued to leak pretty well and was clear without any problems. I started to have contractions that were pretty strong but tolerable to breathe through after my water had broke. Kyle was an amazing support through each contraction and helped me stay focused. Jenna and my mom were also in the room with me. I was on and off the monitor, fluid was leaking, blood show all day, and could be in any position I really wanted. At one point I decided to get on the yoga ball and immediately got nauseous and threw up. From that point on, I was throwing up throughout the day until I gave birth. At about 2pm my contractions were very strong and I couldn't stay concentrated or breathe through them anymore. I was breaking down and could barely stand the pain anymore. I asked to be checked, and I was still only 5cm!! I about lost it but asked for an epidural. I was sure I had progressed more than 5cm but I didn't. I was disappointed in myself and felt bad that I couldn't do it natural. I wasn't opposed to an epidural when I went to the hospital but I wanted to try very hard to have a natural labor. I didn't get any pain medication through my IV though, which is what I requested and stuck to. At one point before getting my epidural I asked for something, but Kyle helped me change my mind and stick with my plan. At about 2:30pm, the anasthesiologist came in and gave me the epidural, which wasn't bad at all. I quickly progressed from 5cm to 7cm. I was relaxed and comfortable and slept a little bit for about an hour or two and I started to feel my left side and contractions on that side. I pushed my epidural button a few times but it didn't really help at all. Eventually the epidural wore off completely on the left side and I could feel every contraction and pain... It wasn't fun and I was upset it stopped working on that side, but there was nothing I could do. I just breathed through the contractions and had Kyle holding my hand and helping me. At 8:00pm I was fully dilated to 10cm and 100% effaced and ready to push. My nurse was now Jamie. At this point my epidural had completely worn off except that my right leg was completely numb. Kyle held my right leg up while I pushed and I held my left leg and had help from my nurse to hold it up while I pushed. I pushed for 1.5 hours and felt the entire thing! Kyle gowned up and was ready to help catch the baby with Lynn's assistance and cut the cord. At 9:29pm Bryce Andrew Jensen was born!! The only thing was that Bryce had passed meiconium inside of me and we hadn't noticed because my fluid was clear all day... Very weird!! So Kyle didn't get to catch the baby but he did get to cut the cord! When Bryce came out Lynn was freaked out and said to the nurses "Call RT right away!" (respiratory therapy) and about 3 other people came flying in the room. They whisked Bryce away immediately to the warmer in the room and started suctioning him. He cried immediately and they said he was okay, but had to keep suctioning him. When a baby passs meiconium in the womb, there is a risk of getting into the lungs and getting very sick.... That's why there was a moment of panic. I started to cry and asked if "B-Bug" was ok?? Kyle was holding my hand, and my mom was holding my other hand at my bed. They said the little guy was okay!! I was so relieved to hear that.. It was very scary. The other scary part was that I developed a temperature while in labor of 101 and Bryce was born with a temperature. They weren't sure why, but honestly it was SO hot my room - We had the air turned to the max but it was still about 80 degrees - it wasn't working properly. My mom and Jenna were fanning me while I was pushing Bryce out. We were all sweating! Jenna almost passed out as Bryce was coming out - she was hot, pregnant, hadn't eaten much and was scared when Lynn got freaked out about the meiconium! I didn't know this until after delivery and Kyle told me. I was so thankful that Lynn acted quickly and helped us.
I had a 2nd degree tear that was stiched up while Bryce was being taken care of and suctioned. After I was sewn up and Bryce was ready - he was placed on my chest skin to skin, and I said "B-Bug!" That was the best feeling in the entire world... Holding my son for the first time. I loved him from the second I leanred I was pregnant and loved him even more the second I held him and looked into his eyes and felt his tiny body on my skin.

After delivery, Jenna went home. Then Kyle's mom, dad, sister Aimee and brother James were outside waiting and they came in to see him. They stayed for a few minutes and held Bryce, and then left for the night. Kyle went with Bryce to the nursery for his first bath while my mom helped transfer our belongings to our new room on post partum in Sierra 315. I was transfered there and met my new nurse for the night - Eden. While I waited for Bryce to get done in the nursery, Kyle came back to the room and I took a shower, which felt great to get cleaned up. I was very wore out though. Kyle then wheeled me to the nursery and we sat by Bryce for a minute when the nurse said he was ready to go to our room. Since Bryce passed meiconium in me, they had to take a lot of blood tests, check his blood sugar and vitals frequently throughout the night. He was perfect in the end and there were no problems, which we are very grateful for! We stayed up with Bryce and I tried to feed him a few times, and we went to sleep around 3:30am.
The next morning 11/16/12 Bryce had multiple tests, circumcision, and other things done so he was in and out of our room throughout the morning. My nurse in the morning was Julie who was so amazing. She was patient and very informative and helpful. I tried to breastfeed Bryce throughout the day and saw the lactation consultant once for about 5 minutes... She was no help at all. I thought I had the hang of things because Bryce did latch well a few times.. So I felt like we were ready to go home. We were cleared by the pediatrician, Dr White, and Dr Garcia (doctor who Lynn works under) to go home after 7pm. We had a few visitors throughout the day  - Randi, Danyel and Leslie from my work, my mom, and Kyle's mom and sister brought us dinner. By 7pm Kyle and I were itching to go home. We left the hospital around 8:30 and got home around 9.
What an experience!!!

I am very thankful for all the help Lynn gave me throughout labor - she was a very good midwife and I appreciate all she did for me! I am also thankful that Kyle was extremely helpful and supportive throughout labor and he was truly there for me. I am so glad my mom and Jenna were there also helping me through it. I honestly couldn't have done any of it without all of their help.

Our love bug.

37 weeks

I'm 37 weeks, 38 weeks on Tuesday!!! Holy cow, I can't believe we've made it this far... Now it's just a waiting game for this little guy to make his grand appearance. We can't wait to meet you B-Bug!!!
. At my last 2 appointments I am barely dilated to 1cm and my cervix is "soft" but not thin AT ALL! So frustrating hearing my body isn't making much progress, especially with all these Braxton Hicks, all day every day! But honestly, it doesn't mean much to not be dilated or effaced.... You can be nothing one second to full blown labor the next. So... JUST WAITING!!
Right now Kyle and I both caught colds, so we are trying to rest and recover from that... I can't wait to meet my little man, but at the same time, I don't want to meet him with a cold and the possibility of him getting sick. So, I guess it's good he's not here yet and we got sick now instead of when he gets here... That's the bright side. haha

Here I am at 37 weeks.

 

I just wanted to update on a few things I was reading about from my previous posts:

NO gestational diabetes! YAY! I passed big time... My glucose was 101, passing was 139. Yay!
Currently, I've gained 30 pounds. Not too bad, but that won't be fun to work off... ;)

Baby boy has been consistently measuring 2 weeks ahead, so Lynn said we will just "keep an eye on it" - whatever that means... But last week at 37 weeks I was measuing 36 weeks and Lynn said it's because he's dropped! So, not a bad thing. I'm going to laugh if he comes out tiny and it's just fluid and placenta in there when everyone keeps tells me how HUGE I am or "Is it twins?! Are you sure?!" HA!

As of right now, I have no signs of labor... I have Braxton Hicks a LOT throughout the day - they are getting a little more intense and cramp like, but don't hurt. They are never consistent either :( No "bloody show" or loss of mucous plug either!
B-Bug.... You can't live in there forever little man!!!! :) Please come soon! We love you and can't wait for you!



35 weeks

Well...Oops.. I've fallen a little behind on this! Life has been busy... Over the summer I was working full time and taking 2 summer classes, and now that Fall is here, I am in the RN to BSN program taking 4 classes and working 2 days a week. Kyle is also working full time and taking 3 classes! Needless to say, we don't have much time to do anything besides school school school.... and WORK. How boring, I know.
Anyway, Baby B is doing great! He's always measuring 2 weeks ahead. Tomorrow I will be 35 weeks and I have my next appointment on Tuesday. I think from there I will be going every week. I got to see him on ultrasound again at about 30 weeks but he was hiding his cute face.... However, we did get a clear shot of his boyhood and he is definitely a BOY! How exciting! It's getting closer and closer... I wish he was here already so I could kiss him and cuddle him! I can't wait.
I had my baby shower on August 25th.. It was so much fun and we felt very loved and spoiled. It was Kyle's parents house.. I'll post some picture below. We got so many things we needed and tons of gift cards to buy the remaining things. We are all set and Baby B's room is ready to go!
Today I actually packed our hospital bags and I think we are all set there also... I hope I don't forget anything I really need but I feel like I'm packing for a trip! So much stuff... I probably overpacked but oh well. I'm a first time mom, so I have no idea how this works... We'll see!
Here I am at 34 weeks... I am ready to pop and look huge!! I also got a hair cut and color right after this, so maybe my next picture will show my better hair ;)

                                                                       34 weeks

 

Baby shower 8/25/12

24 weeks

Baby J is now viable outside my tummy if he came early! I really hope he doesn't come earlier than what is healthy... He's cooking away in there just fine :)
Had my 24 week appointment today. Everything is going fine as far as my midwife is concerned. My mom and Kyle both came with my to the appointment because my mom really wanted to here his heartbeat :) It was nice to have them there and for my mom to meet Lynn! They took my blood pressure with one of those stupid wrist readers, which said my BP was high in the 140s. I don't think those are realiable at all....So Lynn rechecked it with a manual BP cuff and it was normal at 118/74. Weird...! haha So, she isn't concerned about it at all. I've gained 2lbs since my last appointment, which I felt very proud about!! I've gained a total of 17lbs so far, and Lynn said I'm doing fine with my weight gain. I am however measuring 3 weeks ahead at 27 weeks... YIKES! I have my glucose test sometime this coming week whenever I get to the lab, and hopefully it doesn't show any diabetes, just a big healthy baby :) Lynn said if no diabetes, she will just monitor his growth. I think I'm just showing really big but I have been showing since like 9 weeks....I have a pretty short torso, so my tummy just sticks out. So, we'll see.
I think Kyle and I have decided on a name, but as of right now we aren't sharing it with many people except family. BAJ are his initials :) We really love the name, but you never know.... Maybe when he gets here we will decide something else. We always call him by this name now though! So I'm thinking it's sticking now!
Well...Here's my belly at 24 weeks. Until the next appointment... !

20 weeks!

Finally made it to the half way mark! Woooohoo!!.....AND we are having a BOY!!! :)) He's happy and healthy in there jumping around. Our big ultrasound was yesterday, and they said everything looks great so far! Yay! I was honestly surprised it was a boy, but I'm so happy! Our little man :)
I am seriously feeling huge and everyone constantly asks me "if there's two in there?" UMMM... No. I'm just fat and huge, but thanks anyway. I have a short torso, so that's probably why I'm so "popped out". I popped super early and it's only getting bigger! Honestly, I don't care though because as long as little man is healthy, that's all that matters for me.
So far I've gained 14 pounds, and my doctor isn't worried and says it's normal. So... Whatever. However, she did tell me to cut back on sugar and carbs. Go figure. I will have my glucose test next time I go to the doctor in 4 weeks. I'm not super worried. I just had my blood drawn for my work a week or 2 ago and had to fast and my blood sugar was completely normal. I have been craving a LOT of fruit and sweets though. So I guess I could cut back a little bit :) She told me to eat more veggies and protein....Yeah ok, try telling a pregnant lady that and see what happens!!! haha
Work has been SUPER hard on my body. My feet, back and abdomen all hurt at the end of the day and I wonder how the heck I can possibly do it another day.... But then I do, and somehow survive. It's miserable. I can only imagine what it's going to be like in the coming weeks..... YIKES.  I did ask my manager if I could go part time starting in August, which is 2 days a week instead of 3. He told me yes, so I can't wait. Even 1 less day will help. Plus I'm starting the BSN program in the Fall and definitely can't work full time, go to school full time AND have a baby. I'm crazy enough, thanks.

Here are a few pictures from the ultrasound :) and my 20 week belly.

15 weeks...16 weeks on Tuesday!

So, it's been a little while since I've written a blog post. I'm now at 15 weeks 5 days, and I'll be 16 weeks on Tuesday! Time feels like it's going sooo slow, but I think it's just because we don't know the sex yet.
So after my last blog, I got a horrendous cold. It was MISERABLE! I wasn't able to take anything and I felt it moving to my chest, so I finally asked my doctor if I could take Mucinex and she said that was fine. I took it twice and improved right away! My cold hung on for a good 2-2.5 weeks though! Yuckkkk.
We had our 15 week appointment last Tuesday and we FINALLY got to hear the heartbeat!! It was 142! I don't know what that means because there are so many myths, but it was awesome to hear - nice and strong and loud! We also begged my OB to do an ultrasound since Kyle missed the the last one and she finally caved in and did it. It was so fun to see little jellybean bouncing around and moving! When she first put the wand on my stomach, the baby was facing away with it's back to us - so we got to see the spine and ribs! She went to a different view and we saw the face and belly and arms wiggling.... I realized we didn't see the legs but that's ok. I hope they're still there? haaahaaa!
She took a quick picture with the ultrasound machine but it turned out to be a pretty horrible picture - all we can see is the top of the head/brain and the round abdomen. So, I don't really want to post it. You can't see anything! It's okay though. I recorded the heartbeat on my phone and I listen to it all the time!!
My OB also somewhat tricked us and asked if we wanted to know the sex, at which I promptly said YES! and Kyle said yes also... So, she says okay, we will schedule your next ultrasound for 4 weeks! I said, you can't try and look today?! and she said, I honestly wouldn't be able to tell!
So, we go to the front to schedule the ultrasound and what do you know..... the ultrasound tech doesn't work in the next 3 OR 4 weeks. What the heck is that?!? It made me so mad! So we had to schedule it for 5 weeks.. :( I was really disappointed and so was Kyle. The ultrasound will be at 20 weeks. I finally got over it and decided well at least they will be accurate (I hope!). I just hope baby cooperates and shows us a good view! We are very anxious, obviously, since this is our first child... and I am SO ready to start shopping!! Only 4 more weeks to go......
Currently, I've been craving a lot of CHEESE! Not just regular sliced cheese but nacho cheese, cheese bread, cheesy potatoes, mac and cheese, etc.... Totally unhealthy! I forgot to mention in my first trimester I craved fruit a LOT! I still crave it and also sweets, which I have NEVER been a huge fan of! I've always been the girl that would choose salt over sweet any day. I can see the cheese and sweets adding up quick...... haha! Well, so far I have only gained 7 pounds which my doc says is great. According to my scale, I have only gained 5. I think I'll stick to my scale. hehe.... I think the thing was that I was so sick in my first trimester I ate anything I could possibly think of that might taste good, and then when I had that cold I couldn't taste anything and really didn't want anything at all! I'd also eat and be SO FULL afterwards... That's starting to subside and I've been really hungry lately! So, I'm sure the pounds are gonna start packing on soon. I really am not that concerned about my weight gain because I know my baby needs whatever it needs... But I definitely don't have the mind set "I'm eating for two" at all. I just eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm satisfied which is like a normal meal for me. I'd really love to only gain 25ish pounds, but we will see. It is what it is!
So, here is my belly at 15 weeks 3 days... I can't believe it looks that big! I swear when I take pictures, my belly appears way bigger than in real life. My doc said the baby was lower in my abdomen when she did the ultrasound, but when I look at this picture, I see my stomach is sticking out but up high! Who knows. I don't know that it's all fat because my stomach is hard to the touch. I think I'm gonna get HUGE!!!

On a quick side note... We found a rental in Double Diamond and we are moving very soon! In the next 2 weeks or so. It's been SO stressful with working full time, taking 2 classes and figuring everything out for our house, but hopefully the stress will start to go down since the house stuff is getting figured out!

I guess that's it for now!

12 weeks!

Finally made it to the 12 week mark :)
I was supposed to have my 12 week checkup this coming thursday on 5/3, but I went into the doctor yesterday because I felt like I was getting a bladder infection. Lynn wasn't in the office, so I saw Dr Klose. He was very nice and kind, but in a huge hurry and was too fast! He told me I didn't need to come on Thursday because everything looks good and I don't have a bladder infection after all.
He tried to hear the heart beat with the doppler, only gave it 2 seconds and couldn't hear it. So he whisked me away and did a VERY quick ultrasound... I could barely see what was going on - but apparently he saw the heart and said it looks great - took 2 pictures and told me we were done! I asked him if we could hear the heart beat by the ultrasound wand but he said no (either he didn't know how, or it was still too early). It makes me nervous we haven't heard the heart beat yet, but I guess if they can see it on the screen flickering away and the doctors say it looks fine....It's fine.
So, that was my 5 second 12 week checkup. I wish I would have been able to go on Thursday and see Lynn because she always takes plenty of time to answer my questions and everything. I know I can call the office any time I need to, but it's kind of annoying to do that! I had to call today and ask them about my progesterone cream I have been taking. Dr Gomez said to stop taking it after 12 weeks... So I hope that works out! Anyway, I'm just happy everything looks good and our little bean is growing, growing, growing!!! :) Keep growing healthy little bean!!
My morning sickness is finally starting to go away, but I am still sick at night sometimes. I think it's because I brush my teeth, which always makes me gag, and then I feel nauseous and/or throw up :(  Yuck... Hope that goes away soon. But other than that, I have been feeling better during the day and dont' need to take my Zofran anymore...Hooray! I'm also starting to get a little more energy going. I'm still pretty tired in the evenings, but I am feeling more energetic and able to go for walks... I am soo out of shape! It's amazing how out of shape I got from not working out for 5-6 weeks... YIKES!
I feel like I am showing a lot already. I think it's because my stomach had a little pooch before I got pregnant, and now it's just extra emphasized! I feel like I look 4-5 months preggo. ha! I've had to start unbuttoning my pants and using a hair tie to keep them together... I also bought a bellyband and used it yesterady but I'm not sure if I like it yet. I'm not wearing any maternity shirts yet but I have a feeling it will be pretty soon!
I guess that's it until next time :)) Here are 2 pictures from the ultrasound yesterday. Both front views of the baby.

Pretty amazing how much bigger he/she is already! And you can start to distinguish a couple things... Such as finger and toes :) love it!!!

And here is me at 12 weeks...I feel like I look HUGE already! My belly is definitely starting to pop out!