We already knew that I would be induced at 39 weeks because baby boy #5 had some kidney issues and due to my advanced maternal age (AMA). So, with my due date being 2/2/2022, the date for me to be induced was 1/27/2022. With all of my previous pregnancies, I have never gone early and I have been induced on my due date or later with the last 3.
After my anatomy ultrasound, we learned that this baby had some kidney issues. I had repeat ultrasounds every 4 weeks after this to make sure there was not further kidney damage or problems that would necessitate an earlier induction. The right kidney was full of cysts and would have minimal or no function. The left kidney was enlarged (hydronephrosis), but appeared to be functioning. As long as the left kidney could do its job, then I knew we'd be okay.
Because of my AMA I also needed to have weekly NST (non stress tests) and AFI (amniotic fluid checks) beginning around 32 weeks. These were all reassuring and there were never any problems until my 38 week appt. on 1/19/2022. During that appt all seemed to be okay until I was almost at the 20 min time limit. At that point the nurse noticed something with the baby's heartbeat. They decided to monitor me longer at which point they decided everything was okay and that I could go home. I wasn't home more than 20 minutes when I received a phone call from an OB ER doctor at the University of Utah. She said she studied my NST results and noticed a late deceleration during the test. This was cause for concern and she said I needed to come in for further monitoring. I was a little shaken up and called David crying. He was at work on a 30+ hour shift, but he said he'd make arrangements to be over there. Jana Mitchell came to the house to watch Mason and Brooks until Ashley was able to get there. So, I headed to the hospital and got there around 11:20am.
They got me all checked in and hooked up to monitors and then I just waited for awhile why they watched things. After a couple hours a Dr came in to let me know what they were seeing. She said that they noticed another deceleration on the monitor and also that I was throwing blood pressures that were really high for me. Still not in the preeclampsia range, but given that my blood pressures historically have always been great, she said it was only a matter of time before I developed preeclampsia. So, she said that she would offer me a medical induction or I could go home and monitor myself. Then as she was speaking I threw a blood pressure of 140 over 80 something. At that point she said she was now recommending a medical induction. So, David and I agreed and they started arranging for me to be transferred to labor and delivery. We made it over to labor and delivery late afternoon.
At 5:45pm they started inducing me with pitocin. I was only dilated to about 3 cm and 80% effaced. The plan was to get an epidural before they broke my water. I think it was about 12:45am by the time they placed the epidural. But, they had problems getting the epidural placed. The anesthesiologist said that I have a slight curvature in my spine that was causing some problems. He placed the epidural once, but had to pull it out and replace it in a new spot. The initial spot he could get it to work at all. It finally seemed to be working with the new spot. After a couple hours it didn't seem to be working anymore, so I called them to come in and have the Dr give me a bolus dose. He said if it didn't work in 20-30 minutes to call them. So, I kept hoping it would work, but I could tell it wasn't going to so after 30 minutes I called for the anesthesiologist. I knew they wouldn't come immediately and I was definitely starting to my contractions more and I was getting more uncomfortable.
The anesthesiologist finally came back around 3 am. He determined that he'd need to pull the catheter that was in place and place another epidural. He did this and then gave me a bolus. Within in 10 minutes or so I was COMPLETELY numb. It was actually pretty comical because my legs felt like huge, rubbery tree trunks. I could not roll my self to the side or move my legs at all. When they checked me I was fully dilated and ready to deliver. I told them that I was not going to be able to help them and wasn't even sure if I'd be able to push because I couldn't feel anything. So, they lifted me legs into position and once I started pushing, our sweet little baby was born after 4 or 5 pushes. David said he was a little stuck, but the resident Dr was amazing and he came out without me even tearing at all. Yeah for a smooth delivery and his safe arrival! He was born at 3:38am on 1/20/22. He weighed 6 lbs, 14 oz and was 18.5 in long.
I was able to snuggle him, but I admit I was completely exhausted. It was a long day/night. I was bordering on delusional.
We didn't name him until Friday (1/21/22) in the afternoon. He was great at feeding and he was peeing on his own which was huge considering we didn't know how his kidneys would be doing.
Friday morning he was taken by Airmed transport team across the bridge to Primary Children's Hospital so that he could have an ultrasound of his kidneys, a VCUG test and an ultrasound of his sacral dimple. So far everything looks good. They did not find any reflux from his bladder, no obstruction and the sacral dimple seems to be nothing.
So, our prayers about his kidney function were answered. His right kidney is probably non functioning, but his left kidney is doing a great job. We'll have a MAG3 study done in March when he's 2 months old to determine function of each of the kidneys.
We are so glad that he is here! We decided to name him Camden "Cam" Tompkins Bailly. It was sad that the boys couldn't come to the hospital to see him, but we facetimed and then when we brought him home they were so excited to see him. Brooks adores him and is so gentle with him. He calls him baby Cam and is often found stopping whatever he is doing to come over and kiss his head or lay his head next to him. He says, "Baby Cam is so cute." "Baby Cam is so little." I love seeing the beginnings of these sweet relationships. Brooks is actually pretty protective of Cam and does not want anyone else holding him.
I think our family is complete. If you had asked me years ago, I would have never imagined that David and I would be the parents of 5 boys.
