It all started on Wednesday, June 26th. I had a regular doctor's appointment. They took my weight, tested urine, and took my blood pressure. My blood pressure was pretty high, which surprised both me and my doctor as it had never been high before. Because of that high blood pressure and my legs retaining so much water, my doctor ordered a Preclampsia test. Preclampsia is when there is protein in the urine. It can lead to mom having seizures. Depending on the severity, the best cure is to deliver the baby.
I did the test (24 hour urine collection and blood work) and waited for the results. Our doctor promised to call by 6 that night with the results, because of the potential for needing to be induced. 6 pm came and still no phone call. We got anxious and made lots of calls to find out our results. Finally, we got a hold of our doctor and she told us that our results had come back normal. We were relieved and went to bed.
The next morning, Friday, I was at home relaxing and eating a quesadilla when my phone rang. It was a nurse from my doctor's office. She told me that my test results had been reviewed by two other doctors, that the results were not normal, and that I needed to come in immediately. I was quite confused and a little shaken, but I called Josh, he talked to the nurse, and we headed to the doctor.
When we arrived we met with the on call doctor, as my doctor was off that day. Again my blood pressure was high and he told us that there was also protein in my urine from that morning. He explained that normal results of the Preclampsia test were levels of protein below 300. My levels were 2500!! He said that was very dangerously high and that we needed to walk over to the hospital, IMMEDIATELY!! I was going to have the baby!
We walked over to the hospital (my doctor's office and the hospital are connected) in a daze. I was only 36 weeks pregnant and still had a lot to do around the house before baby came! Luckily, Josh was much calmer and helped me to relax. We got checked into the Maternity floor and it all began.
I was given an IV, Magnesium (to help prevent seizures), and Pitocin (to induce labor). I had been told on Wednesday that I was already dialated 3 cm and was 70% effaced, so I was starting out ahead on Friday. I was also having contractions about 4 minutes apart. While I was pregnant, I had a baby that was constantly moving and was still moving during my labor. So lucky for me, the early contractions I didn't couldn't even distinguish because to me the just felt like the baby moving. As the contractions continued, the Pitocin dosage was increased and my contractions became much stronger. Because of the Magnesium, I could not get out of bed and labor while walking around as I had planned. Luckily, I had great support from Josh, my mom, and nurses.
Finally, I had reached the point where it was now or never for an Epidural. I chose to have one and blood work was taken to start the process. By now, the contractions, were very close together and INCREDIBLY painful. Blood work came back and the Anesthesiologist came in to start the Epidural. Unfortunately, there was more blood work that needed to be done. I had to wait another HOUR before getting the Epidural and by then I was dialated to 9 cm.
At about 1 a.m it was time to start pushing. I pushed for 2 hours, the doctor checked progress, and said we may have to consider a C-Section. I asked for more time to push. I really did not want a C-Section after everything I had gone through to get to that point. He said I could push for another 30 minutes and then would check progress again. The half hour came and went and again I asked for more time. He said 15 minutes, but that was it. Luckily, after that 15 minutes I had made enough progress. With some more pushing and lots of encouragement, our little girl was born 7 lbs 2 oz, 20 1/2 inches long, at 3:45 a.m., on June 29th in Loveland, Colorado. The nurses put my gorgeous little girl on my chest and I got to enjoy meeting her in person. We narrowed down the names to Hailey and Abigail, and Abigail Rae won. Unfortunately, they did have to take her to the NICU as she was born 4 weeks before her "due date" (more on that later).
After they took Abby to the NICU I enjoyed a delicious Roast Beef Sandwich and Cheetos (I hadn't had anything but Jello and Sprite since 8 a.m. the morning before and then settled down for a much deserved nap. About 2 hours later, we were moved across the floor to my recovery room. We spent much of the day just relaxing and Josh went to fed Abby every 3 hours (I wasn't allowed until later in the afternoon because i was still stuck in bed). Throughout that day and night and into Sunday, we went to feed Abby every 3 hours in the NICU.
Sunday afternoon, Abby was cleared to come stay with us in our room. We also gave Abby her first bath. It was so great to finally have our little family altogether! Monday after visits from the on call Obstetrician, Pediatrician, Physical Therapist, and Lactation Nurse, we were discharged to go home!!
The reason why due date was in quotation marks is because when I found out I was pregnant, I had calculated my due date out to be July 16th. I also had measured 2 weeks ahead at each one of my doctor appointments. Other signs that lead us to believe that my actual due date was closer to July 16th was: Abby's birth weight (7 lbs 2 oz), how much she moved around, and her overall health. So we think Abby was born closer to only 2 weeks early.
I know Heavenly Father was watching over my whole family. If not for the nurse that reviewed my test results and insisted that I come in and be seen by a doctor on Friday morning, I don't even want to imagine what could have happened over the weekend. The doctor that I saw on Friday and that delivered Abby was an expert on Preclampsia and was the perfect doctor to help us. We are so grateful for the doctor that delivered Abby and all of the nurses at the Hospital. Our little Abby is such a blessing and we are enjoying every moment with her.
Finally, I had reached the point where it was now or never for an Epidural. I chose to have one and blood work was taken to start the process. By now, the contractions, were very close together and INCREDIBLY painful. Blood work came back and the Anesthesiologist came in to start the Epidural. Unfortunately, there was more blood work that needed to be done. I had to wait another HOUR before getting the Epidural and by then I was dialated to 9 cm.
At about 1 a.m it was time to start pushing. I pushed for 2 hours, the doctor checked progress, and said we may have to consider a C-Section. I asked for more time to push. I really did not want a C-Section after everything I had gone through to get to that point. He said I could push for another 30 minutes and then would check progress again. The half hour came and went and again I asked for more time. He said 15 minutes, but that was it. Luckily, after that 15 minutes I had made enough progress. With some more pushing and lots of encouragement, our little girl was born 7 lbs 2 oz, 20 1/2 inches long, at 3:45 a.m., on June 29th in Loveland, Colorado. The nurses put my gorgeous little girl on my chest and I got to enjoy meeting her in person. We narrowed down the names to Hailey and Abigail, and Abigail Rae won. Unfortunately, they did have to take her to the NICU as she was born 4 weeks before her "due date" (more on that later).
After they took Abby to the NICU I enjoyed a delicious Roast Beef Sandwich and Cheetos (I hadn't had anything but Jello and Sprite since 8 a.m. the morning before and then settled down for a much deserved nap. About 2 hours later, we were moved across the floor to my recovery room. We spent much of the day just relaxing and Josh went to fed Abby every 3 hours (I wasn't allowed until later in the afternoon because i was still stuck in bed). Throughout that day and night and into Sunday, we went to feed Abby every 3 hours in the NICU.
Sunday afternoon, Abby was cleared to come stay with us in our room. We also gave Abby her first bath. It was so great to finally have our little family altogether! Monday after visits from the on call Obstetrician, Pediatrician, Physical Therapist, and Lactation Nurse, we were discharged to go home!!
The reason why due date was in quotation marks is because when I found out I was pregnant, I had calculated my due date out to be July 16th. I also had measured 2 weeks ahead at each one of my doctor appointments. Other signs that lead us to believe that my actual due date was closer to July 16th was: Abby's birth weight (7 lbs 2 oz), how much she moved around, and her overall health. So we think Abby was born closer to only 2 weeks early.
I know Heavenly Father was watching over my whole family. If not for the nurse that reviewed my test results and insisted that I come in and be seen by a doctor on Friday morning, I don't even want to imagine what could have happened over the weekend. The doctor that I saw on Friday and that delivered Abby was an expert on Preclampsia and was the perfect doctor to help us. We are so grateful for the doctor that delivered Abby and all of the nurses at the Hospital. Our little Abby is such a blessing and we are enjoying every moment with her.
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