Tillman's Tubes

Tillman got ear tubes the day before Thanksgiving.  He had just finished antibiotics over the weekend, and by Tuesday he was running a fever.  We did our best to avoid getting tubes and tried every herbal remedy we knew, but it just wasn't in the cards.  He woke on Tuesday, and Nick said "I think we're going to have to schedule the tubes."  I got to work and emailed Dr. White, and he had an opening the next day, so we took it.  It worked out great since we were off the rest of the week, and Tillman had 5 day at home. 

 The procedure was super fast (15 minutes tops).  In fact, Dr. White came out to the waiting area to get me, and said "I would have been done sooner, but all the nurses had to hold Tillman."  That made me feel good and hearing that, I knew that Tillman was well taken care of the short time we were a part.

Waking from the anesthesia was a little rough for him.  They said to expect crankiness since he would be disoriented.  He was pretty cranky for 10 minutes, but once he got his bottle, he fell back to sleep.  We were able to leave shorty after, and were on the road back home at 7:30AM (yes, we had to be there at 4:45AM.) 

If I was a smart momma, I should have gone to the grocery store to get what we needed for Thanksgiving since he was fast a sleep until noon, but we just went home and snuggled. 

I'm bias as I work at MUSC Children's Hospital, but I know that Dr. White is the BEST for pediatric ENT.  He is specifically trained in peds ENT.  Also, Dr. Wallace, our anesthesiologist, is specifically trained in peds anesthesia.  The combo of those two as well as pediatric specific staff made MUSC Children's Hospital the only choice for Tillman's tubes.  Sure, there are ADULT ENTs in the community that will place ear tubes in kids, but their training is for adults.  Wouldn't you rather have a specifically trained ENT and more importantly and anesthesiologist that is specifically trained for your child's care? We are so lucky in the lowcountry to have a children's hospital, that I just can't image having my child treated anywhere but there.  Plus, do you think they blow bubbles, have fun toys, and let your child drive a power wheels to the OR (to make it less scary for the child) anywhere else in Charleston....but they do at MUSC Children's Hospital! (Why settle for second when first/best is available?...stepping down off the soap box...)

*My soap box comes from comments I've received about taking my child to MUSC. When I mention that Tillman goes to MUSC Children's Hospital, I get comments like "OH....well, that make sense for you to take him there since you work there, but you know I've always heard Dr. X is the best."  Dr. X is an adult doc who does tubes at an ADULT hospital. I'm sure he does great work, but he is trained for ADULT care, and more over, did you get the qualification on the anesthesiologist that will put your child under?  It's frustrating to me because I know that MUSC Children's Hospital is the BEST for all children, but other have an opinion that I only take my child here because I work here....when they don't realize it is the BEST!  (this is just an explanation of one comment, but we get many others)

Picture from Cici's Camera

Picture right before going to OR for C-section

CiCi and JRS with one drugged up mommy ready for after the C-section

Hour 21 after breaking water

Meet Tillman Alexander

Got a small cut on his head from the procedure

Here he is checking out the world

Tillman's Birthday!

Tillman surprised us yesterday at 2:45AM with my water breaking (premature membrane rupture).  I labored until the late night, and Dr. Villers concluded a c-section was needed.  They are unsure, but think I acquired an infection since my water broke before being in labor.

Tillman is 6 lbs 3 ozs and 19 1/2 inches long and was born on 9/12/10 at 11:00PM.  We are certainly proud parents! 

More news to come in the upcoming days.  Hope to be back to blogging soon. 

Special Delivery

I think the little graphic above is great for Tillman!  However, something else is also arriving at MUSC in September--New Labor and Delivery Suites!  Yippee!  They will be ready when I deliver.  MUSC Labor and Delivery unit renovation project is currently underway! Their Special Delivery of new Labor and Delivery Birthing Suites, Room Service Dining, and State-of-the-Art Equipment are due fall 2010.

A few weeks ago, I took a tour of the unit.  The nurse manager of the unit showed me around, and I asked her a few questions of what to expect the day of delivery.  It was really good to see the room and meet some of the people, so when I deliver I won't be as anxious (hopefully).

Labor and Delivery At MUSC- Day of Delivery

See video on MUSChealth.com-click here

Labor and Delivery At MUSC- Room Renovations and Tour

See video on MUSChealth.com-click here

Labor & Delivery At MUSC- Birth Plan FAQ's

See video on MUSChealth.com-click here

My Birth Plan

As I mentioned in this post.  I was creating a birth plan for Tillman.  Nick and I truly don't know what to expect, but there are some concerns I have and other things that I want to make sure happen the way I always envisioned.  A birth plan is a way for us to think about our wishes and fears in advance and prepare the staff that will be taking care of us when Tillman is born.

Here are the items I checked as wanting to occur during the hospital stay.

*This is only a plan.  If something goes wrong, I will rely on the hospital staff to tell me what is safe.  I, by no means, want my wishes to come before the safety of Tillman or me.  I am very thankful to be in the hands of the MUSC staff that are the best trained in high risk situations in the Lowcountry!

Labor:
-I would like to be free to walk around during early labor.
-I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
-I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible.
-I would like the lights in the room to be kept low during my labor.
-I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum. (can I add 5 exclamation points to this one?)

Anesthesia/Pain Medication:
-I would like to be asked if I would like to have narcotic pain relief.
-I would like to have a standard epidural.
Comments: I want to be given my options around these (ie how long I can wait to receive it, know all options, and meet Anesthesiologist)

Cesaeran:
*I don't plan to go this route, but I don't think many women have a choice when it come to the health of the baby.  A birth plan is good time to think about this possibility in advance.
-If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
-I would like to (coach) present at all times if the baby requires a Cesarean delivery.

Epistotomy:
*The majority of people I have spoken to have ripped (ouch!).  It seems pretty inevitable.  However, Nick has a friend who mention some herbs to take to avoid this from happening.  I'm trying to find out those herbs, so I can review them with Dr. Villers.
-I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby’s safety.

-I am hoping to protect the perineum. I am practicing ahead of time by squatting, doing Kegel exercises and perineal massage. (I got an email about this....need to talk to Dr. Villers about this at my next appointment)
-I would appreciate guidance in when to push and when to stop pushing so the perineum can stretch.
-If possible, I would like to use perineal massage to help avoid the need for an episiotomy.

Delivery of Baby:
-I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, including
-I would like Nick and /or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage.
-I would like to try to deliver in a squatting position, using (coach) or a squatting bar for support.
-Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming the baby is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.
-I would appreciate having the room lights turned low for the actual delivery.
-I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when the baby is born.
-I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.
Comments: If possible, I'd like to breast feed and hold my baby right after birth before taken away to be fully cleaned and eye meds are put in.

After Delivery of Baby:
-I would like to have Nick cut the cord.
-I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
-I would like to hold the baby for at least fifteen minutes before (he/she) is photographed, examined, etc.
-I would like to have the baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
-I plan to keep the baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of the baby can be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
-If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, (coach) or some other person, I designate will accompany the baby at all times.
-I would prefer to hold the baby rather than have (him/her) placed under heat lamps.
-I would like to delay the eye medication for the baby until a couple hours after birth.
Comments: All of these are my wishes, but don't want to jeopardize his safety.

Breastfeeding
-I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
-Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to the baby
-I would like more information about breastfeeding.
Comments: I'd like to be visited by an Lactation Consultant or nurse specializing in breastfeeding to hear tips and to make sure my technique is correct. This is one of the most important things to me.

Circumcision
-I would like to discuss options for pain management during the circumcision
Comments: We'd like for him to be circumcised. I would like to be updated of when it is done and how it went. If possible, husband, Nick, would like to stay with baby.