Wednesday, November 11, 2009

New Blog

Ok friends and family- we have started a new family blog. Please visit us at http://dawsonfamilyhilarity.blogspot.com

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Birth Story!

Sloane Pressley Dawson was born via c-section on March 4, 2009 at 1:31 p.m. She was 4 lbs 14 oz and 18 1/4 inches long.

Long Version- At about 34 1/2 weeks I went into labor and delivery because I hadn't felt Sloane move in more than 5 hours. During monitoring, they noticed her heart rate dropped with contractions and decided to start twice weekly non-stress tests. On Monday March 2nd I went in for my 37 week appointment. Everything seemed to go well; we heard her heart beating and she moved a few times when we tried to get measurements. I hadn't gained any weight in a month but apparently it was not a huge concern. I was at the nurses station checking out when my doc walked out to the counter. She told me at that time that she checked my measurements for the past 3 weeks and nothing had changed. She ordered an immediate ultrasound at the hospital just to make sure things were ok.

Tuesday night Lane and I headed to the hospital for the ultrasound. The tech began taking measurements and we immediately saw that she was measuring behind by about 3 weeks. He measured my bag of water which had dropped from 9.4 that morning at my NST to 7.0. He flipped a switch to check her cord and we immediately saw it was wrapped around her neck several times. The tech said he didn't see anything that was cause for immediate concern, said the doc would follow up the next day and sent us home. I knew something was wrong- Lane reassured me that no matter what, the doc would follow up the next day and that everything would be ok.

Wednesday morning came and we emailed my doctor around 645 in the morning asking her to call us as soon as she got the report. Not more than 15 minutes later we got a call from Dr. Kennedy at the hospital. He informed me that he saw the ultrasound report and that they have decided that Sloane would be safer on the outside then on the inside and to pack our bags and get to the hospital asap. They were going to induce labor.

We checked in around 930 am and met with the doc. They put me on the monitor and Sloane was doing well. We told the doc the reason for NST's and that her heart rate was decelerating with contractions. He said that the cord could have a kink, but that they would induce labor and if she couldn't handle it, they would do an emergency c-section. We knew in our heart that there was no way she could handle an induction. I was monitored for an hour. I didn't have any contractions and was not dilated so doc approved starting the induction. That is when God decided to intervene. Contractions then started coming every 2-4 minutes. Sloane's heart rate dropped every time and then would go back up. The nurse saw what was happening and told me she was not going to start the induction and would wait to see what happens. Smart, smart nurse. It was not more than 5 minutes later when a pretty big contraction came on and Sloane's heart rate dropped so low that we were suddenly surrounded by several doctors and nurses. It was right then that the doc said there was no way he would start and induction and that a c-section would need to be done immediately.

We were wheeled back to the OR when things got started. I was so happy that they didn't have to put me under as I wanted to hear her cry to know that she was ok. Within 3 minutes Sloane arrived with the tiniest cry we had ever heard. That's when the doc came over to show us her cord. He said he couldn't believe it. She had a true knot in her cord at the belly button, it was then wrapped around her neck 3 times. He had never seen a true knot and it was then that they deemed her the "miracle baby." We were told that the chances of a true knot are one in a million; That it apparently only occurs in 1% of all pregnancies and typically results in fetal demise in utero. She survived-and it was likely that the knot occurred 3 weeks prior. They couldn't believe she was alive. She had only received very little nutrients for the past 3 weeks, but all that she did receive went to complete brain development as well as heart and organ function. She is healthy and they have not found one problem with her! Praise the lord!

We were in the hospital for 4 days and she was jaundiced and had to stay under the bili-lights for a night. She beat that within a day and was released home. When we left, she was a mighty 4 lbs 9 oz.

She is the tiniest, sweetest baby girl who is a true fighter. We are so blessed! She had a follow up this morning and is up to 4lbs 11.9 oz! She gained 2 oz in less than 48 hours! Go Sloane! She measured 19 inches long, so we are certain that they had it wrong at the hospital as there is no way she grew 3/4 of an inch in 5 days!

We continue to thank God for our sweet little girl and pray that she will get stronger every day.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Craziness at 35 weeks!

What a week it has been!

It all started on Monday morning- I got home from the gym and was getting ready for work and noticed that I had not yet felt Sloane move. I looked at the clock- it was 6:15 a.m. Got out of the house around 7 am- still nothing. I went into work and started clock watching. 8:00 came and nothing- soI decided to change it up from ice water and have something sweet- hot chocolate. How could that not help, right?!? 9:00 came and went- nothing. I decided it was time to call the doc who directed me to labor and delivery. I was told to come in immediately.

Got the hospital around 10:00 a.m. The hooked me up on the monitors and gave me a huge cup of ice water. We immediately got her heartbeat ...whew! I felt so much better! About 30 minutes into monitoring she was still asleep and not moving so they decided to use the buzzer to wake her. Poor baby. It startled the heck out of her! However, it got us some movement so I thought all would be well. Then a contraction came and her heartrate plummeted to 87. Not good. Doc came in to monitor. Her heartrate went back up. Then another contraction hit, another deceleration.So needless to say, I wasn't going to be released as soon as I thought due to the decelerations.

Doc couldn't figure out what was causing her heart rate to drop. She wanted us to go one hour with an elevated heartrate and then she would release me for follow up.That hour seemed like weeks! We made it through and I was scheduled for follow up the next day to complete a non-stress test (nst).

Checked into the hospital on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. They did an ultrasound which was so neat since I have never had one this late in the game. Sloaney looked awesome, but my water was a little low. We completed the NST with flying colors so still no answer as to what the heck happened on Monday.

I followed up with my doc on Wednesday for my 34/35 week appt. She said it was best to keep doing the NST's for 2 weeks just to be safe. I made it through my routine appointment and looked forward to relaxation and no appointments on Thursday! Yahhoooo!!!

So, today is Friday. I checked into the hospital at 9:45 and completed my NST. Still no answer as to what happened on Monday. We once again passed with flying colors.

I have 2 NST's scheduled for next week. I will then follow up with my doctor on February 23rd for a regular appointment and to determine if we have to keep doing the NST's.They are easy, it's just boring!!

So there ya have it! Talk about a crazy week!! Other than going to the doctor 4 times in 5 days, all is well! We made it to 35 weeks- which means only 35 days to go! I have only gained 15 lbs, so I have a feeling that our little princess will be a lot smaller than her big brother....or at least I hope so!

That's it for now! Will keep you all posted!

All our love,
The Dawsons

Sunday, February 1, 2009

33 weeks

We are getting close! Just a few more weeks until we are officially on labor watch. I knew this pregnancy was going by fast- but now it just seems like it flew by. My belly is getting bigger everyday but I really don't have any major complaints!

We are slowly starting to get things ready for princess Sloane. We will start getting things out of storage and washed in the next few weeks. We bought her first ballerina outfit and slippers this weekend- it's just too cute!!

Hunter is getting excited to meet his sissy. He tells her he loves her every day- he either says "la you babee" or "la you Soan" It's as cute as can be...our little prince is going to have to share a house with a princess, and well, it will be funny to say the least!

We will try to keep everyone posted as things progress! Only 5 appointments left!

All Our Love,
The Dawsons

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Sloane Pressley


We had so much fun at our 3D/4D ultrasound last week! Sloane has gotten so big and is such a pretty princess already. Her body was measuring right on, but her long legs were measuring a whole week ahead! Do we have a future supermodel in the family? She wanted to keep her face covered almost the entire time, but we did manage to get a few good shots!

We are so excited to meet this sweet little girl and can't believe we only have 10 weeks to go! Wow, the end is so close and we are not even close to being ready. We will make our way to storage in a few weeks to get the bassinet and infant seat out. It just seems so surreal. We will have 2 healthy, wonderful, happy kids in our house. Oh man, we are in trouble!!!!

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Love,
The Dawsons