Friday, December 14

Our Birth Story (not for young readers)...

It is still so unbelievable to me that our little one is here and his arrival was so bizarre that I almost cannot find the words to explain what happened.

As some of you know, I have been having braxton hicks contractions for several weeks. While my doctor was not too concerned, she wanted to monitor them if they went for longer than three hours. On Sunday morning, I woke up with bh contractions and was able to help them go away by drinking some water. That afternoon, they came back, so I called the on-call physician and was told to drink more water, rest, and come to the hospital for monitoring if they continued for longer than the three hour limit. When they stopped, I went on with our day.

When Monday rolled around, things were fine until dinner time. The bh contractions returned again and didn't seem to stop when I drank water. We called the doctor and she told me to come in for monitoring. Despite being on the monitor for about 30 minutes and feeling the contractions the whole time, nothing was showing up! The nurse examined me and told me that nothing was going on and that we should go home, keep our 32 week appointment scheduled for Tuesday morning, and spent the rest of Tuesday on bed rest. Feeling like an hypochondriac, I went home and went to sleep.

The next day, we went to our appointment and everything looked great! My belly was measuring perfectly, my blood pressure was great, there was no protein in my urine (a sign of preeclampsia returning), and although my weight had gone up a bit, there was nothing to be concerned about. I asked the doctor if we could go to Target and do a little shopping and she said "sure!"

Tuesday progressed normally for us with the exception of a tiny bit of bleeding (which I chalked up to the exam I had been given the previous night) until dinner time when my cramping returned. Since I had been told that there was nothing wrong, I began to think that maybe I was eating something that didn't agree with me or that maybe I was getting a tummy bug. I spent the rest of the evening on the couch drinking water watching tv with our little girl and feeling increasingly miserable. My husband repeatedly asked me if I wanted to call the doctor but I felt like it would be silly to do so when nothing was really wrong. At about 11pm I went to the bathroom and then lay down on the bed feeling worse and worse. Fortunately, my husband called our doctor for me and we were told to return to the hospital of more monitoring.

While my husband got my hospital bag and diaper bag to the car, I quickly got our little one into her pajamas and we headed for the car. Normally, it would take me about 5 seconds to get myself downstairs and into the garage, but I couldn't take more than a few steps at a time without stopping because of the pain. As we were pulling out of the garage, I began to really feel that something was not right and had to lean on my left leg and side and into my husband.

Though the hospital is about 45 minutes away (30ish if your husband is speeding!), the drive seemed interminable. About 15 minutes into the ride, my husband called 911 and asked them to please have someone waiting for us. We were first told to go to the emergency room, but then they called us back and said that there would be someone waiting at the labor and delivery entrance. We pulled up to the entrance of the hospital and THERE WAS NO ONE THERE!!! No security, no nurse, no wheelchair, NOTHING! I somehow got out of the car, took two steps, and my water broke! A few steps later, I was inside the hospital (where there were still no signs of anyone coming and had to crouch down because of the pain. At this point my husband was yelling for help, and began to try to get a hold of someone via the phone on the wall. A few minutes later, it was clear that no one was going to come so he left me to get help. During the two minutes he was away, I pushed our little one's head out and was holding it when help finally arrived. The L&D nurses helped me finish delivering him on the floor of the lobby (there goes all my modesty!) and wrapped him in the in my shirt (I was wearing a tank top underneath) and a scrub top.

Our little one was delivered with nice pink skin and was given an 8 for his Apgar score (which increased to a 9 a few minutes later). He has been breathing on his own since his birth and all of the doctors and nurses are astounded at how well he is doing! He is even nursing once per day (the rest of the time they feed him breastmilk through a tube that goes from his nose down to his belly), something we were told he would be unable to do until he was 33 or 34 weeks gestation.

Though it is obviously very difficult to leave him, we are very happy with the NICU nurses and doctors that are caring for him. They are very sweet and extremely gentle! I am feeling great after his delivery and have to keep reminding myself that I actually did give birth:)

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers! We really appreciate them!

29 comments:

Mika said...

WOW~! Just simply wow! You are so strong, and I am so glad that everything is going so well!!! Your little one is definitely a fighter boy, nursing already!!!! My heart just swells with joy at your story, not for the premature birth, but for the strength and amazing-ness that is embodied within. My preemie had the gervage tube as well, but he never did pick up on nursing. Congratulations, and I look forward to more great news!

Alicia said...

Yeah, "WOW" 'bout sums it up.

Anonymous said...

I am an adoptive Mama so upon the first reading of your "birth story". I was praising God for a safe delivery even if it was in a hospital lobby. Not realizing what 32 weeks meant. Then I scanned down and took note of your "lillypie". I didn't realize he was so early. Your family is in my prayers! Glad Mother and baby are doing so well.

Anonymous said...

It seems as though we are all thinking the same thing: "WOW!" What an incredible miracle! You are absolutely amazing and he definitely is one strong kiddo! My son was born at 37 weeks and couldn't even nurse until he was over a week old. This little guy is one tough cookie! We will be praying for him that he grows quickly so that he can go home to you. We will also pray for you all as you go through the period of time while he is in the NICU. May it go quickly!

Courtney said...

I tear up every time! You are such a brave and strong, mama! What a great husband too. :-) I'm so thrilled to hear your little one is nursing already. How wonderful to have a such a pro-breastfeeding staff at the hospital. You are really my breastfeeding hero! Anyone who thinks it's "too hard" or "too much work" needs to read about situations like this.

Kate Linnea Welsh said...

I can't really say much but "Wow!" either. Amazing!

Buffy said...

What a dramatic entrance he made! Sounds like he is keen to get on with his life. I hope you make a full recovery from your traumatic delivery very soon.

Anonymous said...

Well done Emma! Congratulations to you and your family. Do let us know his name soon! Gill.

Mrs. Cote said...

Wow! I'm stunned and thankful for you and your family that he arrived as a healthy boy despite the dramatic entrance! Your family is in my prayers. Thank you for posting about this miracle!

Unknown said...

What an amazing story you have to tell - over and over and over throughout the years!!! I'm so glad to hear how well things are going for your lil' man.

I just told my dh the whole story ~ again, he just said "WOW!"

Congrats~
Lori (aka: JoyfulMomma on BW)

Robin said...

WOW! was my first thought too.

I'll be praying that your entire family is home and together VERY soon.

Xenia Kathryn said...

Praise God! I'm so happy for you and your family. Your story was so fun to read... I am in awe! AND a bit worried, being that I too am quite a distance from my midwife. Who needs a birthing tub when the hospital lobby will do?
My best to you, Emma! Congrats on your hard work, your strength and your strong little baby boy :)

N said...

Wow! That's amazing!

Tiffany said...

Incredible! I was on the edge of my seat. You are so strong. God bless you and your son- and your family as you prepare to welcome him home!

Lucy said...

Oh Emma! Well done to you for being such a good, strong, capable mama for your sweet son, even before he breathed air.

We will remember you all in our prayers for the rest of advent and Christmas.

Paula said...

Congratulations on the birth of your precious little boy. What an incredible birth story! My son was 6 weeks early and I was never able to sucessfully nurse him, so your little man must be very strong. Your family are in my prayers as you wait for your son to join you at home.

Kind regards,
Paula

Mimi said...

Oh my goodness, I have to echo the WOWs! What a birth story!

Continued prayers! Yay for the great health news.

Me said...

Oh...My....Goodness!
So much to be thankful for!

Watered Spring said...

Congratulations on your little one! Praying things will continue to go well in the NICU and that he will be home soon! Praise the Lord for His great grace evidenced in your life and your little one's life as well!!!

Rejoicing,
Amy

Nikki said...

What an amazing story! Thank you for sharing it with us. I was going to tell it to my husband, but he is already worried that we won't make it to the hospital on time since we also have a 45 minute trip. I hope your new little boy is able to come home soon to be with you.

Tracy said...

Oh my, Emma! Glad your little one is doing so well!

nannykim said...

woweekazowee--it must have been so hard for you when your husband had to rush away from you to get help!!So glad every thing continues to go ok!

Brenda said...

Wow, what an incredible birth story! One of mine came fast like that too, but thankfully I was at least able to get into a room and thrown sideways on a bed before he came. I'll keep your family and new baby in my prayers!

Miss Julianne said...

All I can say is "Wow!" but everyone else has already been saying it!! What an incredible story. Praise God for working it out all right in the end! What a dramatic way to enter the world. :)

Lylah Ledner said...

God is so very good. I rejoice with you.

lylah @ lylahledner.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Oh my... you must have been scared to death! I am happy to hear he is actually nursing, and managing a nine on his apgar! I keep you in prayers, Emma!! Try and rest whenever you can and see if the ladies of your church don't want to come over to spoil you a bit. YOu will remain in my prayers

Be loved and blessed,

Eva

Anonymous said...

Wow. What a story. I'm happy to read it on the occasion of celebrating Little Man's 2nd birthday. Many Years to him!

Kelly said...

Remarkable! That is SOME story!! I keep wondering what happened to your little girl? Did you drop her off somewhere on the way to hospital?

MamaBirdEmma said...

She was there the whole time! She had fallen asleep in the car on the way to the hospital and my husband stopped the car at the entrance to get me inside. Once the nurses came, he went out and got her.

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