My journey to motherhood...2 months early

[Marroe]

Well, I know I'm not around here much anymore. I honestly don't have time to think anymore. The only reason why I am finding time to write this and not be at the hospital is because I have come down with a sinus infection.

So...my pregnancy was going good until about 22 weeks along. I started swelling and gaining weight rapidly, having terrible headaches, and having random visual disturbances. There were also a few times I had to be hospitalized because I couldn't feel my baby move for days. My doctor, I guess being used to a lot of women watching those baby shows and thinking they have everything under the sun wrong with them decided that all the things I was telling her was my imagination. My 32 week prenatal appointment arrived and my blood pressure was some insane number like 175/105, and they found plus 4 protein in my urine which apparently meant that my kidneys weren't functioning right, and I had gained 15 pounds in just 2 weeks. So FINALLY my doctor see's that something isn't right and sent me over to the hospital where a specialist diagnosed me with Preeclampsia. It's a disease that only occurs in pregnancy and affects blood pressuse, organs, your nervous system, and the baby. At first I was told that they would keep me in the hospital on bed rest for a few weeks until the babys lungs matured, but early the next morning here comes my nurse giving me steroid shots for the babys lungs and tells me that they're delivering me by c-section that afternoon because I could be on the verge of seizures, and the baby has no fluid around her. I freaked out of course because being a full 2 months premature I knew I wouldn't be leaving the hospital with my baby and that broke my heart. I was very scared of what might happen with her being born so early.
So they delived me at 4:01pm on December 4th. I didn't even get to see her until the next night, and I couldn't hold her until she was 5 days old. I was released and back to normal after 11 days, but my daughter is still in the NICU and will be for about another month. She'll be 2 weeks old tomorrow and is breathing on her own, they took her off of oxygen last night, and her feeding tube should be gone by the end of this week. She's gone from 3 pounds 7 ounces at birth to 3 pounds 14 ounces as of yesterday.

Even though she's doing good now, this is has been the hardest thing I have ever had to experience and we need all of the prayers (or whatever it is that you do) we can get. I'll be sure to keep you all posted every chance I get.

This is tiny Clara Elizabeth

[Sharkchild]

Clara is absolutely a precious beauty, and I am so glad to read that she is doing well. I wish you the best of journeys while being the mother of this tiny miracle. Happy holidays!

[ManchestrMorgue]

Aw what a cute baby. :)

You have both been through a lot, and I can imagine how stressful the time has been.

This can be the start of a very special bond between the two of you - you really realise how special a child is when you see them having such a tough time.

I wish you all the best - hopefully things will settle and you can enjoy all the joys of motherhood without too many of the big stresses.

[hammerfan]

Aww, sweetie, she's just beautiful! I'll keep both of you in my prayers - that your body gets back to normal (blood pressure!!) and that little Clara continues to grow and be healthy.

[crabapple]

Many, many best wishes from crabby.

[newb]

You and Clara are in my thoughts and prayers this holiday season, Marroe.You have been through a lot and stand strong........as only a woman could [ this is why guys don't have babys.......that and the whole breast-feeding thing ]

Sending out positive vibes............NOW.


Have a nice holiday season and get back here posting on a regular basis soon;)

[jenna26]

She's beautiful! :) I can't even imagine how hard this must have been, but congratulations on your little miracle. Best wishes to you both.

[Roderick Usher]

You are both very lucky to have come through this so well. Preeclampsia that extreme is quite dangerous. I'm sorry you had to have an emergency c-section, that must be quite difficult to deal with emotionally on top of the physical pain, but I'm glad you're both out imminent danger.

I will hold you both in my prayers.

[ferretchucker]

If I were standing by you right now, I'd be clapping and jumping. Sorry to hear about the troubles but I'm so glad Clara is getting on fine and she really is a beautiful baby.

[GorePhobia]

She truely is absolutely stunningly beautiful. Congrats on having her and I am so sorry it happened the way it did. You and her both are in my prayers and I wish the best of luck and love this holiday. Keep us updated.

:)