Wehadababy itsaboy! Handsome Frankie Michael DiFranco was born at 9:26 am this morning (9-17-2011) at the super flyweight fighting class at 5 lb 15 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. Alex was at 10 minute contractions this morning when I awoke. I don't think she was planning on bothering to wake me until he was here. Buy the time we left for Barnes she was 5 minutes apart. We arrived around 7 am and she was 5 cm dilated and 3 minutes apart contractions. Quite a bit of labor for someone who is having a planned c-section. By 9:00 the doctors had arrived; she was in surgery by 9:20. Surgery ended at just before 10. Frankie was having trouble breathing on his own at first. But by the time I wrote this at 9:15 at night, he was breathing fine on his own without oxygen. The OR was ridiculous. There where 15 if not 20 people in there. Most were students which I wasn't very happy with. Communication sucked but we could hear him crying. After they got him cleaned up and checked the omphalocele to verify it was intact, we saw him for a breif second before he went to the NICU. We did not get to cut the cord or hold him before he left. And as of this point, we still haven't held him. I stayed by Alex's side because her blood pressure was super high. And as of this point, we are still high. At first she was 155/72 and at this point we flipped to 140/90. Hoping it maintains soon.
As for Frankie: he's doing pretty well. His O is very soft/sensitive right now so they are taking extra precautions to make sure nothing punctures it. It is definitely considered a giant O. He will not be having his first surgery for several months up to 1 year. They are going to do the "paint and wait" thing on him. We will be applying a burn cream on the O to toughen it up and allow for new skin to grow up over it. They are also allowing him to grow and get bigger and stronger. As of now, he's not on oxygen. He has been peeing and pooping very well, actually a lot. So, hopefully tomorrow we can start feeding the little fella and chunking him up! They will be doing a heart echo in him just to double check on his heart like they were doing while he was un eutro. They will also be doing more genetic testing on him just as a precaution, not because they think that anything is wrong. Lastly, the little guys testicles haven't dropped yet so they will be doing an ultrasound to see if they're in his abdomen and not the O.
As for me (Joe and I switched writers if you couldnt tell): I'm doing okay. Tired and sore. Still waiting for my blood pressure to maintain. I became preeclamptic while in labor. I had protein in my urine and my blood pressure was getting a little crazy! I went through a whole lot of labor for having a c section. Actually pretty much all of it, without drugs until I was in the OR. The c section went well and now it's just time for me to start healing and get some rest!
Thank you so much for all of your support and continuous prayers! We couldn't do it without all of you! We love you all and will keep everyone posted on more news tomorrow. Love to all!!!

Last Appointment Before C Section!

Hello! I went to my last appointment today before the scheduled c section. Talk about weird. The next time I see my doctor she will be introducing me to my baby.... very emotional! Well, I started my maternity leave on Monday and it has been a blessing in disguise! My doctor said I look refreshed! I also think that it is what is keeping Frankie in until Monday. When I was working I was very stressed and very tired. I felt terrible! Now that I have time to relax and take care of myself, he and I both seem to be feeling better! I have actually lost some weight this week but my blood pressure was still up a little. I'm not retaining a whole lot of water and there is still no protein in my urine so the doctor said I am not heading towards preeclampsia. At least not today!  I have not dilated anymore than what I already was last week. Frankie's heart still sounds super and he has still dropped a ton! There is still always a chance that he will be here before Monday but I'm hoping that he just hangs out until Monday. The longer the better for him. Joe and I are both very excited to meet Frankie! We thank you all again for your continuous support, love and prayers. Keep them all coming! This may be the end of the pregnancy, but it's just the beginning of recovery, for us both! It will all be worth it! I will keep this blog updated as much as I can while in the hospital and Facebook, too. I will try my best to communicate but it may be hard! Love to you all!

Any day now!

I went to the doctor again today! I feel terrible today but Frankie is doing good! My blood pressure was up just a little bit but there was no protein in my urine so I am okay. The doctor wasn't concerned. My pelvic region and lower back have been hurting terribly today. When the doctor measured my belly she saw that Frankie has dropped tremendously! That's why it hurts so bad! My cervix is soft and I am almost dilated 2 cm. So, he could literally be here any day now! The doctor told me who was on call this weekend and I need to tell them to call her. So, there's a good chance it'll be this weekend but obviously we aren't 100% sure. You never know with babies! We could still walk in on the 19th for the c section but I could also very well be heading towards labor because he's dropped, I'm dilating and having contractions (not consistent enough yet). If I make it, I have my last doctor's appointment on Wednesday next week at 11 am. Kind of thinking we won't be making that, but we shall see! That's all for now! Love to you all!

Dr. Appointment August 30, 2011

Hello everyone! So, I went to the doctor today. Not much really went on. I guess that's good! My weight has maintained (thank God!), my blood pressure is good, Frankie's heart sounds great, my belly measures perfectly, and he's still moving a ton! Overall, things are great! They didn't check to see if I was dilated or not (I thought this was weird since they did last week and they are supposed to start checking at 36 weeks, which I am currently). They also didn't check effacement either. So, hopefully that will come next week. I can't imagine them not checking just because I'm getting a c section! I will not be getting anymore ultrasounds before he is here! Crazy to think that since I have had so, so many throughout all of this! What's even more crazy?! I only have TWO! Yes, TWO doctor's appointments left before he is here! How crazy is that business?! Unless he tries to come early that is... which hopefully he cooks in there as long as possible! I will be 37 weeks on Saturday which is considered full term, so really if he tries to come from then on, we welcome him with open arms (but would prefer for him to arrive on the 19th!). I believe that is all that I have for now. Thanks again for all your love, support and prayers! We are thankful for each and every one of you!!!
Next appointment is Thursday, September 8th at 4:55pm.

Braxton Hicks, dehydration, contractions? Oh my!

Hello all! So, I woke up this morning not feeling the greatest. As the work day went on, things weren't getting any better. I had pains and such in my abdomen and finally decided to call the doctor and she told me to come on in. Well, on Saturday I had some lovely food posioning that took literally everything out of me. Doctor said my cervix is getting soft but not enough for the baby to come yet, it hasn't dropped yet and I'm not even considered 1 centimeter dilated. Needless to say, he won't be here today! Thankfully! Why am I having contractions and stuff? Could be a few things:
1. Braxton Hicks contractions
2. Dehydration from food poisoning that will lead to early labor. MUST DRINK TONS OF FLUIDS!
3. Contractions because my body is getting ready for the big day!

Whatever it is, he is doing okay. He's moving around a lot and his heart sounds good. Doctor does think that he will be here within a couple weeks, as do I. No sooner than 37 though. They will try and stop labor before then. I will truly be surprised if I actually make it to the scheduled section date. If I do, that's fantastic! But, I'm preparing myself not to. Just in case! I am working part time now so it should help keep him in there as long as possible! I won't be going to my appointment on Thursday since I went today unless necessary,  but it shouldn't be. That's all I've got for now! Love to you all! Time for more rest!

C Section Scheduled!

Hello everyone! I went to the doctor again today and things are still looking good. The c section is officially scheduled for Sept. 19th at 9:30am! :) Joe and I have to be there at 7:30am, but the little guy will be arriving probably around 10 or so! Crazy to think about! Mixed emotions right here!

I officially feel like a whale. Retaining water that makes my hands and ankles a tad swollen. Let me tell you, that's a blast! The pregnancy has officially caught up with me and I am exhausted! Had a talk with the doctor today and it seems best that I don't work more than 24 hours a week these last few weeks. That's going to help me out A TON! I work with the most amazing teachers in the world! I don't want this little fella (or not so little....) trying to make an appearance too soon!

As for being not so little... he's measuring a little big. As in, my belly should measure 34 weeks right now and it measures bigger. Doctor isn't concerned or anything but she said it seems like it's a good thing that I'm having a c section! I'm beginning to think I'm thankful for it, too!

My next appointment is Thursday next week at 5:00 pm. I'll update again then unless necessary to do so before. Thanks for all the continuous support and prayers! Love to you ALL!

Dr. Appointment August 10, 2011

Frankie is getting so big! He is so adorable! He now weighs in at 5 pounds 9 ounces! If he gains weight accordingly, he will be an 8.5 pounder! His O is still stable and he is not under any stress and his heart and everything looks super good! I talked with the doctor about scheduling my c-section and they are supposed to be working on it ASAP. It's really in the hospitals hands and they're SLOW! There still shouldn't be any reason that it's not Sept. 19th at 9 am. Over all, he is doing really well as am I. I now start going back every week to check up on him. My next appointment is on Thursday, August 18th at 12:55. I'm not sure if they will be doing another ultrasound before he is here or not, but my guess is that they will be. I can see them doing another right before he is born so that they can look at it one last time before he is here. That is something I am going to discuss with my doctor on Thursday next week (I saw the NP today). His O is larger than I expected it to look/be, but the doctor's and the ultrasound tech say everything looks good and the size has stayed relative to his abdomen. Still scares me but I know that he will be okay with all the great doctors that we have here in St. Louis. Love to you all! Time for some pictures!

 Look at the cute foot! 3 in long! That's what has been kicking my ribs for the past months! Love it!

Cute chubby face!