Birth Story

-In Denial-

After a week on bed rest, I returned to work feeling fine. I had passed all my lab work and it was confirmed that I did not have preeclampsia. The only thing bothering was rib cage pain. It progressively got worse so I went to my primary care physician (PC) and the PC said that I confirmed what the OBGYN had said- I had Costochondritis (inflammation of the junctions where the ribs join on the rib cage). The pregnancy prevented me from taking anything.

On Tuesday (April 21), I went to lunch with my friends from work. I was in so much pain that I stayed in the car and asked them to just get me something to eat. Several times they said I should go to the hospital but I said “what’s the point? It’s Costochondritis and there is nothing that can be done. I just need to deal with it.” I returned to work. I tried hard to stay focused but I finally decided after about 15 minutes that I needed to go home. I told my supervisor “ See you tomorrow. I just need some rest”. I took my blood pressure once I got to the car, it was 155/94. I called Michelle because maybe I should not be alone while I waited for Kevin to get home from work. A few minutes later, I determined I probably should not drive. Michelle and Dad offered to come get me but I decided to have someone from work drive me to Michelle. I retook my BP. It was still registering high. I was in denial. I thought maybe the machine was off or my BP was high due to the pain. I finally called my OBGYN (I know…why did I wait so long?). They said to come in to get it checked out. The whole drive to the OBGYN, I was convinced it was just some pain and nothing serious.

-At the OBGYN Office-

Lisa offered to stay with me until Michelle arrived but I told her not to worry. They would be sending me home soon. I really did not think anything of my symptoms. I thought I was just a first time preggo worrying about nothing. A few minutes later, the nurse checked my BP. It was 170/101. I was SHOCKED! Ok maybe something was wrong! Still I was not too worried. The nurse told me to lie down in the exam room and hopefully the BP would drop as I relaxed. 15 minutes later, my BP dropped to 160/94, but still very high. Michelle showed up and she rubbed my back and comforted me while I waited. The OBGYN decided to order an ultrasound. I finally called Kevin. I had not called him yet because I really did not think it was serious.

- The Ultrasound-

Kevin got to OBGYN in time for the ultrasound. The ultrasound kept me calm. Baby Kevin was moving all around and looked really good. He was a healthy baby. I was relieved to watch him on the screen. I told Kevin and Michelle that they’d probably just send me home…lol yes this was my professional guess. J It never occurred to me that something could be wrong with me.

- Going to L &D (Labor & Delivery)-

The OBGYN recommended a 24 hour preeclampsia workup at the L&D. We did not even know where L&D was- our childbirth classes were scheduled for the following Tuesday. We got to L&D. Michelle had to stay downstairs because she did not have her ID. The nurse hooked me up to fetal & BP monitors. I lay there listening to my son’s heartbeat. They drew some blood for lab work. I asked for something to drink but they told me to wait ( yeah this should have been a sign to me that something was wrong..uhmm why won’t they let you drink?) Anyways, a short while later, the lab tech came back. I excused myself to the bathroom. Kevin came in a little while later. He told me to stay calm but they needed to do a c-section. I did not believe him at first. I thought he was joking, but then I realized that he was serious. I was so worried about the baby. What where his chances at 30 weeks? So many thoughts flooded my thoughts! Michelle’s voice came to my thoughts- she had told me earlier that 30 week-ers had no problems surviving. Kevin hugged me and told me it would be ok.


-Did I just step into a ER TV Show?-

I walked out the bathroom to a room full of hospital staff. I was in shock. Where did they all come from so quickly? Why didn’t hear them come in? I laid on the bed and they began to setup the IVs and explain everything to me. This part was such a BLUR!! I had so many people talking to me. I focused on Sue (the NICU rep). She assured me that Baby Kevin would be fine. They had the skills & equipment to care for him. I then focused on my doctor. I could only comprehend that I was really sick. I had four people attempt to find an IV line on my left arm. Finally someone found it on my right arm. They quickly prepped me for surgery. My family came in ( parents and sisters). All of us prayed—I am still AMAZED by how calm everyone was. I thought well if they’re calm then I should be ok. I was upset when I found out that I would be put under completely and Kevin could NOT be in the room with me. I kissed Kevin goodbye and was wheeled away.

-The Surgery-

The ceiling lights flew by and they rushed me into the OR. It was so cold and still so many people! They put in the central line. It was horrible! I felt everything as they tried to find the vein and insert the line and then when they stitched to my chin. I literally bit a hole in my lip as I tried to stay still. I don’t remember much after this. I am told the surgery took a LOT longer than initially said and I received over 4 transfusions because my platelet count was so low. It was in the 20’s and the 140’s is normal.

- The Recovery Room-

Now this really is a blur. I remember everyone coming in pairs to see me. I remember Cheryl, Michelle and Mom rubbing my feet. I remember the annoying oxygen mask that filled with condensation. I remember the *sweet* morphine button that I kept clicking. I remember reaching to feel my stomach and then it registering that our son was born! I asked Kevin about the baby. He said he was fine. I remember being comforted because so many people were there in the waiting room praying for us!

-Meeting Baby Kevin

I did not get to see Baby Kevin until early Thursday morning. For all of Tuesday evening and Wednesday, I was tied to my bed due to IVs, catheter and high blood pressure. I looked forward to Kevin bringing back pictures on his phone of Baby Kevin. He looked so small. I really don’t remember much from this time period. I was still under medication, magnesium and recovering from the HELLP syndrome. Early Thursday morning, Carmen (the nurse) said " you wanna see your baby?" YES!! Please!! Take me to him!

Kevin wheeled me to the NICU to see our son. I was so excited. I was also so sad that I had not yet to seen him. I had dreamed of holding him on my chest shortly after birth and now I felt like I was the last person to meet him. I felt like Kevin couldn’t wheel me fast enough. I got to the NICU and then I couldn’t reach the sink to wash my hands. It felt like an eternity by the time I had found a sink that was wheelchair friendly and had washed up (really only about a minute). Then Kevin wheeled me into the room. I had been tearing up ever since we cleared the NICU doors, but I began to cry when I entered his room. I was so happy and relieved to see our son but sad because I couldn’t hold him. I reached into the giraffe incubator and touched his leg. He was so small...so fragile. He was our miracle.

-Oh is that what happened?

It was not until Friday that I realized and fully understood that I had almost died. The nurse explained HELLP syndrome. I thought I had preeclampsia. I had been dealing with feelings of guilt and failure. Why wasn’t I able to carry him to full term? Why did he have to been in the NICU? Why did his life have to be such a rough start? If only I had rested…etc. But I then saw that we are both so blessed to be alive. God has a perfect plan and He carried us through. My feelings were replaced with awe, thankfulness, peace and joy. God is AWESOME. He protected

our family.