United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi Traci,
I want you to have a topic thread of your own so we can follow your journey as a new mom & have a place for you to post questions how we "older" BPI mom's did things. Also, I can't find the old thread you had & posted your address of your web site at one time. I personally would
LOVE to follow your journey.Also,new mom's coming here to get information will appreciate your posts too, I am sure.
You must be pretty close to Delivery Day now,huh?
Lotsa hugs to you and your husband,
Carolyn J

Thanks Carolyn for posting this.

I am so glad and I hope Traci posts her website again soon and we can keep track of her and the baby.

Kath adult/robpi

Yes Carolyn thanks for posting this.

Traci, the very best to you, can't wait to follow the journey.

Love and hugs,

Karen

Hi Carolyn,
I bumped up your Traci Post on the general board. It has the website for Veggie bug's Baby......did you know that when you click on the person's name on a thread it will give you a list of recent posts that they have posted or replied too. And now the search actually works.....it's fun here again. You can find what you are looking for. Try it you will like it......Gayle HUGS TO YOU !!!

Thanks Gayle,
I can always count on you to help me learn new things & help me keeo some important topics bumped up for our new people.
HUGS back at you all,
Carolyn J

Hello Carolyn and everyone else too,

I think everyone has gotten access to my website again, but if not here it is.

http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/j/jonandtraci/

I'm doing well, and everyday I'm feeling more and more ready. Mostly because I believe I've begun to waddle now since my ligaments are so sore. And I can't wait to get the feeling back in my non-BPI fingers.

Last week I had a non-stress test and I was apparently having contractions regularly that day, and I'm 1 cm dilated. I can't wait till my test this week to see how everything is and if I'm any further. My hope is that these are signs I'll go early. But we'll see, and I'll have another Ultrasound next week to estimate his size.

Please feel free anyone, to visit my site. It's not much but I think it helps everyone to feel like they are part of the process with me.

Also thanks everyone for the well wishes, and I promise to keep in touch as things happen.

-Traci

Nothing yet, but I do have a question for any adults who have had babies and can direct me a little.

How did you deal with IV's and blood pressure in the hospital? I went in for a non-stress test the other day and a nurse told me that I'm going to have to have something done on my BP arm, whether it's the IV or Blood pressure cuff. My thoughts are: I don't know the extent of my injury enough to tell her that one or the other would be fine to do on my injured arm. And it seems like a Catch 22. On one hand I know they won't get an accurate blood pressure reading off that arm. And if circulation isn't good what's the point to putting medications through the IV on my injured arm. Not to mention the thought of a needle in that arm gives me the heebie geebies.

Please help advise me on this ASAP. Since I have till Thursday when we make a more definite decision on when Jack is coming.

-Traci

Traci,
My advice is to get your Doc to briefly write a letter to take with you that states ALWAYS TAKE BP AND INSERT IV'S on your NON-BPI side. Other than that, wherever you do go for delivery those above words should be the first words out of your mouth and BE FIRM,ASSERTIVE & even SRTIDENT. Even teach Jon to INSIST. If the attending nurse/ assistent or whomever,doesn't comply with your wishes DEMAND to see the Supervisor Nurse on duty immediately. Raise a "stink" if you have too.We BPI-ers have to teach everywhere we go...it's a lifetime job!
Love and ((((HUGS))) to the 3 of you,
Carolyn J
Age 68 now!!

Traci, I have had numerous IV's and BP readings on my BPI arm. The BP on that side is lower by about 5 points, not too bad and IV's I can only get put in in ONE vein on that side, the one place where the vein is good and it doesn't hurt.
I don't know how global your injury is, how much pain or sensation you feel in that arm... for IV's that can make a difference.
If I were you, I would get them to take your BP on your "good" side and "bad" side to see the difference (BTW, one side will be lower than tha other for EVERYONE, regardless of an injury or not, it's normal, just depends on how much lower).
I would have them put the IV on your good side if you feel too much "pain" on your BPI side. A lower BP reading will just keep them on their toes a iittle more and if they are aware of any differences BEFORE then it will be fine.
Hope this helps,
Marieke (LOBPI)

Hey Traci,
I dont have any kids but I would definitely say both BP and IV need to be in your good arm. I have had an IV in my bpi arm (I had surgery on my left wrist to remove a cyst) and they had to put it in my elbow instead of my hand so it was very uncomfortable for me. And have you ever tried a BP in your bpi arm? For me I will never make that mistake again, it hurt so bad to take the bp in my right arm and it just came out error any way. ggr, all that pain for nothing. My arm hurt for a day or two after that. Not cool! Fight until you get your way!
Hope all goes well when you welcome your new baby into the world!
Hugs,
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN