Homecoming and Sophia's Second Week

Here are some pictures of Sophia's last two days in the NICU:

WEDNESDAY

29 September 10

So comfy in Daddy's arms:

Sophia loves being held by Daddy!

(Note the crib in the background that was Sophia's home for a few days.)

THE CAR SEAT CHALLENGE
In order to be discharged from the hospital, Sophia had to be able to sit in her car seat for two hours

while maintaining her heart rate, breathing rate, and oxygen saturation.

As you can see,

Sophia has room to grow into this car seat:

(A big thank you to Gram-gram Bokovoy for getting us this car seat!)

She passed the challenge with flying colors on her very first try!

Mommy feeding Sophia

Sometimes she needs a little persuasion to finish her bottle

Tickle, tickle!

Me want food!

A little more persuasion...

In the video below, Sophia demonstrates what we like to call

Crazy Eyes:

THURSDAY

30 September 2010

(One week from when she was born)

Mommy changing Sophia into clothes to go home in

I wonder what home is like ...

Sophia in the outfit that Grandma Saxton bought for her:

(It's "preemie" size, but still a little big)

What a sweet little cupcake

No more monitor wires!

She weighed 4 pounds 0.7 ounces at discharge

So, after we fed her, we bundled her into her car seat

and took her out of the hospital for the very first time.

6:45 pm Thursday evening, exactly one week from when she was born.

Here is Daddy, freaking out that he's driving our little girl home!

Sophia's first night at home:

(kind of dark, sorry.)

I took the next pic with the flash:

Bundled up to maintain body temprature

Getting ready for first diaper change at home:

FRIDAY

1 October 2010

Daddy thought he might be getting sick, so he wore a mask to protect Sophia:

SATURDAY

2 October 2010

She doesn't like the flash of the camera.

SUNDAY

3 October 2010

Sophia's first official visitors:

My Sister-in-law Melissa, nephew Parker, brother Dan, and nephew Hunter

Hunter loves Sophia!

Daddy burping Sophia

She loves her binky!

MONDAY

4 October 2010

Sophia's first Doctor's Appointment:

This was after the appointment was over.

We didn't take any pictures while she was being examined,

but we did find out that she weighs 4 pounds 6.7 ounces.

That means that she gained 6 ounces in four days!

TUESDAY

5 October 2010

This is the day that Sophia would have been 37 weeks in utero.

She's doing much better on the outside.

Daddy burping Sophia again

WEDNESDAY

6 October 2010

I think she looks a little like a prisoner in this striped outfit ...

but she's a cute prisoner!

Working on a double-chin

Here are a few videos (no sound);

we tried to get a video of her smiling.

She's Home!!

At 6:45 last night ... exactly one week (to the minute) from the time Sophia was born ... we took her out of the St. Mark's NICU.

It was a stressful 50 minute drive home, but Sophia did great and slept the whole way.

We are so happy and thankful to have her home already.  Thank you to all of our family, friends, and family-friends for your prayers and well-wishes on our behalf.

Sophia is doing very well at home.  She's eating better than she did in the NICU, and we have her on the same feeding schedule - every three hours.  Many preemies have to be woken up to feed that often, but not our little So-So.  She knows when it's time to eat!

We've established our own little NICU in our basement apartment.  We limit visitors and enforce strict handwashing policies.  Hopefully after a few months when she's bigger and stronger we'll be able to invite people over to see her and hold her.  But for now, we have to limit even how much we hold her because even being held is stimulation for a preemie.  And if she's getting stimulation, then she can't grow as quickly.

However, I promise to post pictures and video as often as I can, so check back periodically!

Sophia Marie

Sophia Marie Bokovoy

Born at St. Mark's Hospital in

Salt Lake City, Utah

on

Thursday, September 23, 2010 at 6:45 pm

3 pounds 14 ounces

16.5 inches

I'll post the whole story later, but I just wanted to get some pictures online.

Right after Sophia was born:

(yes, we decided to spell her name Sophia instead of Sofia)

Our first family photo!

(In the operating room)

I was able to see Sophia for just a few seconds

before they whisked her and Danny away to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Sophia's first night...

Lots of wires and an IV in her head:

Here's a video ( 3 seconds) ... there's no sound.

Another video:

(couldn't get it to upload; check back later)

First night in her isolette in the NICU at St. Mark's Hospital:
Thursday
(Day #1)

Her hand is bruised from where they tried to give her an IV.

They couldn't get it in her hand, so they had to use a vein in her head.

Friday

(Day #2)

My first time holding Sophia

(I had to wait until Friday evening because I was on some powerful anti-seizure medication) 

It was miserable to have to wait until the next day to hold my little girl ...

But she was definitely worth the wait. 

Precious little baby!

We were quite the pair - I had an IV in my hand, and she had one in her head.

She also had a feeding tube up her nose;

she didn't need an oxygen mask or respirator though.

Saturday

(Day #3)

She doesn't like her feeding tube...

 Sunday

(Day #4)

 Monday
(Day #5)

No more feeding tube!

(She pulled it out herself)

Sophia in her isolette:

Snug as a bug!!

Daddy feeding Sophia 

It's hard to feed a baby behind an inch of plexi-glass.

 Tuesday

(Day #6)

Wearing clothes ... and in an open crib - you go girl!!

I took this next picture at a weird angle, but I love the face Sophia is making in it.

She's our sweet little angel baby

The wires that are coming out of little square stickers on her body

are the monitors that keep track of

her heart rate, oxygen saturation levels, and breathing rate.

Quick Update

I'm trying to keep my activities (even blogging) to a minimum in an effort to keep my blood pressure as low as possible.  In fact, if you've tried calling me and I haven't answered, yes, I'm avoiding phone calls too.  (Call Danny or email me if you want to get a hold of me.)

So, I'm going to make this short:

We called the lab that did the urine/protein test.  They wouldn't give us the exact results, but they did say there didn't seem to be any cause for concern.

So, it looks like we're good for another week at least. 

Next Tuesday (Sep. 28th) is my 36-week mark, and I have another ultrasound to check Sofia's growth.  And I guess we'll just have to take it a day at a time from there.

Thank you to everyone for your emails, comments, positive thoughts, prayers, and fasting!

She's Not Growing!

We had another non-stress test today.  Sofia's heart rate is looking good and normal.

We also had an ultrasound today. 

Our last biophysical ultrasound was about three weeks ago. 

At that ultrasound,

they estimated that Sofia weighed

about 3 lbs. 7 oz,

or about the 28th percentile.

Today, they estimated that she weighs

only 3 lbs. 14 oz.,

or about the 7th percentile. 

For some reason, Sofia's growth has dramatically slowed.

When she should have been gaining about 8 oz. per week,

she gained 7 oz. in three weeks! 

Fortunately,

her movement is still good,

her heart rate is good,

the blood flow through the umbilical cord is good.

What does this all mean??

Well, I still need to complete another 24-hour urine collection test for protein in my urine. 

If there is protein in my urine, that means that my blood pressure is affecting my kidneys. 

And if that is the case, then they will induce me. 

Soon. 

Like, in the next couple of days.

If there isn't protein in my urine,

then I'll start having non-stress tests twice a week ...

and will probably be induced by or before October 1st. 

Yikes.

Poor Sofia.

I wish she would just grow!

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers!!

-B

Week 34: A very good place

Today is day one of week 34 of my pregnancy. 

Belly shot:

This was today as we were leaving for my doctor's appointment.
Yes, those are shoes I am wearing.
No, I don't wear those very often anymore.

It is also day 22 of my bedrest.

And I've run out minutes on my cell phone until September 21st.

Every Tuesday now, I have a doctor's appointment. 

Today was no different. 

***

My blood pressure was 138/90. 

"High, but not bad.  Right around where it's been," my doctor said. 

Still no protein in my urine.

Very good.

And despite the fact that in the past month or so I've only gained around a pound,

Sofia still seems to be growing because my belly is measuring 34 cm -

- right on target.

***

But in a way, today was different ...

Dr. Sloan told us something today that, the more I think about it, the more it amazes me (and freaks me out).

She said she didn't expect me to make it to 34 weeks. 

(I'll come back to that in a minute.)

***

She also said with a big smile that bedrest is doing great things for me and that she'll see me in her office every week up to and including week 37, and then depending on my cervix, she'll decide whether to induce me to deliver closer to week 37 or closer to week 38. 

Apparently, there is some research that indicates that for mothers with preeclampsia, delivering closer to week 37 is better than delivering closer to week 39 because high blood pressure can cause the placenta to age prematurely.  When the placenta is aging prematurely, it can't handle the stress of the contractions of labor as well as a normal placenta, which can cause the oxygen and nutrient flow to the baby to slow down.  That can cause the baby's heart rate to decline.  If the baby's rate is too low, then the doctor would make the call to take the baby out by C-section.

Dr. Sloan said that that would be the most likely cause for me to have a C-section.  Eesh!  I hope my placenta is up to the challenge of labor.

Additionally, when I asked her about whether she might let me go to week 39, she said probably not (giving the above information as the reason why not), and she also said that around week 38 we hit the law of diminishing returns.  Besides the aging of the placenta, the baby derives less and less benefit from remaining in me, and there are more bad things that can happen to me (seizures, stroke) the longer we wait. 

Week 38 begins on October 12th (Danny's birthday and a Tuesday).  Sofia will likely be born right around then.  Dr. Sloan schedules inductions for Wednesdays and Fridays; that means she'll be born on the 6th, 8th, 13th or 15th.  Although I'm still holding on to the hope that she'll naturally come on the 10th for the 10/10/10 birthday. 

***

So, back to the whole, "I didn't think you were going to make it to 34 weeks."

What?!?

How scary is that?

I had no idea that things were that serious.  Of course, had I realized that, I would have been flipping out which would have raised my blood pressure.

It's been really eye-opening to realize that Sofia could have come anytime in the past three weeks if I had not followed my doctor's instructions so diligently. 

My choices over the past 22 days have altered when Sofia might have been born, and maybe even saved her life, (although with the medical care we have these days, even if she had been born at 31 weeks, she almost undoubtedly would have survived).

It makes me pause to think about the influence that my decisions have on Sofia. 

Throughout my pregnancy, and even while we were trying to get pregnant, I understood that my actions would have an impact on our child.  I took prenatal vitamins daily from the time we started trying to conceive.  I also eliminated caffeine and cut back on sodas in general.  I tried to eat well.  I encouraged Danny to talk or to read to Sofia through my belly when her hearing started to develop.  I play calming music through my laptop whenever possible and have talked to her and read to her to jumpstart her language abilities. 

But I never thought that making the choice to stay in bed, day after day, would have such an impact.

It makes me wonder what other "little" decisions I will make, as a parent, that will influence Sofia's life.  I am sure there will be many, but the influence will probably not be as evident.

***

Okay, enough of my self-indulgent ramblings.

I just wanted to mention that every Friday I have non-stress tests and fluid checks at the hospital.  This Friday is a little different because I'll also be getting a full ultrasound of Sofia so they can check her growth as well as the fluid. 

So, check back on Friday or Saturday for the recap of those appointments!

***

A little blurb I found online about fetal development at 34 weeks:

Your baby can - and does - respond just as a newborn would by opening her eyes while awake and closing them while sleeping.

Your baby can also grasp firmly and her little fingernails may need to be trimmed shortly after birth.

This month also offers more time for your baby to build antibodies and for her skin to continue to thicken.

Your baby is approximately 18 inches long and weighs about 4.5 pounds.

It's wonderful to know that if your baby was born now,

it has a 95 percent chance of full and normal survival with medical intervention.

Another Friday, Another NST

Last Friday I had another non-stress test and amniotic fluid index.

Here's what happened:

I drove to St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake (not reclining, of course).

I checked in at the desk, used the restroom, after which they brought me immediately to the bed for the AFI.  The technician began the procedure of using an ultrasound to measure the four quadrants of fluid.  When she finished she said, "I'm going to get someone else to check this."  "What was it?" I asked.  "Six point three," she said.  [Normal is 8 to 24; my last two AFIs were 10 and 10.4.]

So, I promptly freaked out in my head.

Oh, no.  What are they going to do?  They might decide to do a C-section and get Sofia out of there!  But I what about Danny being here?  I have our only car.  He would have to get a ride with someone.  Maybe my mom could bring him.  Well, so much for sending him to Costco today.  That'll have to wait.  What about a car seat?  We won't be able to bring Sofia home without a car seat!  What are we going to do?  How could I be at 6.3??!  Danny's in court, but should I text him to warn him that he might need to leave early because our baby might be on her way today?

Fortunately, at about that time, another sonographer came in and took measurements in the four quadrants again.  This time, the number was 9.3.  But she said, "I think it's probably closer to 11.  I don't think the computer is adding these numbers right."

Phew!

So, everything was fine after all.

But seconds later they took my blood pressure.

It was 141/92. 

But that's not bad considering what I'd just been through.  Eventually, it went down to around 124/89 and 133/88.

And during the NST, the nurse showed me some of Sofia's movements on the ultrasound screen. 

At one point, Sofia was doing something that looked like crunches, like she was working out her abs.  The nurse explained to me that she was practicing her breathing, and that it was a good sign that she's maturing.

About 15 minutes later, Sofia got the hiccups and her heart rate jumped up around 170-188 bpm.  Poor thing; she hates getting the hiccups.

So, Sofia is still doing well.  And my blood pressure stays down as long as I do.

***

Quick comment on my pre-natal massage:

It can only be described as ... heavenly!

A BIG thank you to my friend Jess for giving me the gift certificate to "Salt Lake Prenatal Massage."  I totally recommend it!! 

Baby Shower Recap

My baby shower was AWESOME!!  Thank you to everyone who helped out with the preparations (a big thank you to Danette for throwing the shower for me!), to everyone who came and/or sent gifts.  I was so blown away with everyone's generosity and thoughtful gifts! 

And now that I've done a bit of online shopping, we are READY (well, as ready as we can be...) for Sofia. 

The logistics of the shower were good too, because all I had to do was walk upstairs and sit in my dad's recliner.  Then people brought me presents and food!

Here are some pictures from the shower.  Now I'm wishing that we would have taken fewer pictures of the presents and more pictures of the people who came ...

The baby blanket my mom made.

The hats and blankets my Grandma Duersch made
+ my mom's hand pointing.

Why am I licking my lips here?



Here I am, unsure of when Danny was going to take the picture:
"Uh, are you taking it now?"

These were some really cute receiving blankets and matching burp cloths,

hand-made by our former next-door neighbor, Lori Edwards.

This is me making my "excited to open another present face."

I really was that excited. 

I love presents!

And the contents of the above bag:

Thanks to Rachel for all those super items, including a nursing stool and extra boppy cover!

(But what happened to my eyes and forehead?)

This item was given to me from my sister-in-law Carolyn and her family:

It's an infant car seat cover that will keep Sofia nice and toasty warm during the cold winther months.

And that, my friends, is the end of the pictures from my baby shower. 

I think Danny left to watch the BYU game with my dad or something.

But here's another item I received that I'm SUPER excited about. 

I only have a picture because it's from my online registry:

SO CUTE!!

My mother-in-law Teddi was so generous to buy us this travel system.

My little sis Jessica even put the stroller together for us!

(And it seems to be working just fine...)

I know the pink is frivolous, and I probably should have gone with a neutral color, but ...

Sofia is our little princess ....

... and a princess deserves to have pretty pink things ...

... even if she's going to mess them up with spit-up and poop and all manner of messy things that babies do.

A few other things from my online registry that I'm really excited about:

The boppy nursing pillow:

Thanks to Terra for sending that to me!!

And this cute diaper bag:

from Stephanie, Valynn, and Kristi.

(It was a total surprise to see Steph and Valynn there - I had no idea they were coming!)

To everyone else who sent or gave gifts, I'm sorry I didn't get pictures of everything. 

I promise to take lots of pictures of Sofia using, wearing, or enjoying the items you gave us,

and those pictures will be more interesting anyway.

Thank you again to everyone!!

A few other notes about the shower:

I found out that my Aunt Darlene is a lactation consultant, and has been for the past 20 years!  How did I not know this?  I do not know.  But I was so glad that she came because she answered so many questions I had about nursing.

Our friends from our former ward in Murray Mitzi Huff and her daughter Rosie came to the shower.  Speaking of which, I knew I forgot a picture.  Here is the blanket that they made for Sofia:

Anyway, in the course of conversation, it turns out that Mitzi knows and went to school with the judge that Danny is clerking for.  Small world!

Other people that I loved seeing:  Aunt Diane (came from Draper), Brina (came from Eagle Mountain AND is due to have her baby in just over two weeks), Linda (came from Salt Lake), the Allreds (came from Tremonton), Kiersten (came from down the street) :-), and Kristin and Matt (came from Murray).

Again, thanks to everyone who came -- it was so fun to see all of you there!