ADDED 8/12 - She's home!!! thank you all for all your wonderful supportive messages and all the love you sent -- we can feel it! More updates when we have time. 
See beautiful pics at http://www.jebraweb.com/homeatlast.JPG, http://www.jebraweb.com/lewiskids.JPG, and http://www.jebraweb.com/4lewises.JPG
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sorry this took so long to post...I've had quite a week.
Our beautiful daughter, Samara Rivka, was born by emergency c-section on Wednesday, August 3, after an attempted induction that she simply could not handle, physically. Ultrasound Wednesday morning showed that she was under 5 pounds and the placenta was not allowing much blood flow. After 6 hours on pitocin, it was clear after regular, unrelenting decelerations in her heartrate, while I might be able to handle labor for quite some time, she simply would not hold out. C-section was without question absolutely necessary. I'm not ready to write out my entire birth story -- I have some mourning to do, and Samara is still in the hospital, so I must focus my energy on her right now.
She was 4lb 11oz, 18 inches long at birth. She is actually remarkably healthy for her size, but her big problem is the processing of her blood glucose. After 4 days in the infant special care unit, more formula than I ever imagined I would give any child, and heartbreaking trauma done to her throat through suctioning at birth, she is now finally taking in only breastmilk. I feel lucky that my milk came in very quickly. She also finally (after my gentle but firm insistence that we keep trying to nurse instead of bottle feed) is nursing heartily, although they will only let her nurse for 15 minutes at a time -- they don't want her expending too much energy. The rest of her feeding (pumped milk) goes down an NG tube (through her nose into her stomach).
She is a beautiful baby -- full term, just small. She is pink and glowing, with big dark blue eyes and a thin layer of soft downy brown hair. Now that her blood sugar is improving a bit, she is more alert, and we have loved watching her watch us, wiggle a bit, grab for our hands, and most of all, eagerly root and latch on to me.
I was released from the hospital today, but she will be there for at least a few more days, maybe longer. She just has to grow and process glucose on her own.
I'll post pictures when I can. I'm exhausted, but happy that she is alive -- not a small miracle, from what we've been told about the placenta. I'll catch up on everyone's news over the next day or so -- congrats to all of the new mommies -- kiss your babies for me!
See beautiful pics at http://www.jebraweb.com/homeatlast.JPG, http://www.jebraweb.com/lewiskids.JPG, and http://www.jebraweb.com/4lewises.JPG
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sorry this took so long to post...I've had quite a week.
Our beautiful daughter, Samara Rivka, was born by emergency c-section on Wednesday, August 3, after an attempted induction that she simply could not handle, physically. Ultrasound Wednesday morning showed that she was under 5 pounds and the placenta was not allowing much blood flow. After 6 hours on pitocin, it was clear after regular, unrelenting decelerations in her heartrate, while I might be able to handle labor for quite some time, she simply would not hold out. C-section was without question absolutely necessary. I'm not ready to write out my entire birth story -- I have some mourning to do, and Samara is still in the hospital, so I must focus my energy on her right now.
She was 4lb 11oz, 18 inches long at birth. She is actually remarkably healthy for her size, but her big problem is the processing of her blood glucose. After 4 days in the infant special care unit, more formula than I ever imagined I would give any child, and heartbreaking trauma done to her throat through suctioning at birth, she is now finally taking in only breastmilk. I feel lucky that my milk came in very quickly. She also finally (after my gentle but firm insistence that we keep trying to nurse instead of bottle feed) is nursing heartily, although they will only let her nurse for 15 minutes at a time -- they don't want her expending too much energy. The rest of her feeding (pumped milk) goes down an NG tube (through her nose into her stomach).
She is a beautiful baby -- full term, just small. She is pink and glowing, with big dark blue eyes and a thin layer of soft downy brown hair. Now that her blood sugar is improving a bit, she is more alert, and we have loved watching her watch us, wiggle a bit, grab for our hands, and most of all, eagerly root and latch on to me.
I was released from the hospital today, but she will be there for at least a few more days, maybe longer. She just has to grow and process glucose on her own.
I'll post pictures when I can. I'm exhausted, but happy that she is alive -- not a small miracle, from what we've been told about the placenta. I'll catch up on everyone's news over the next day or so -- congrats to all of the new mommies -- kiss your babies for me!
s I'm sorry that you have had such a rough time. Try not to let things get you down and enjoy your babe. I hope that everything goes well and you get to take little Samara home soon!
Glad everything is looking good! Congratulations! Hope she's home with you soon!
Rest up and take good care. I hope you get to sleep together very, very soon.
: Here's hoping you are all at home soon!
