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Our Miracle
jlanderson2s - 06:43pm Sep 15, 2009 EST
Hello! My husband and I gave birth to our son at 28 weeks this past April. It was Easter weekend, and we were visiting my sister who was also pregnant at the time (approx 16 weeks). She had experienced blood pressure problems and was on bed rest. Myself being 27 weeks joined her for a rest because I felt so tired. I had a perfect pregnancy so far...then it hit. My sister told me to check my blood pressure. It was higher than normal, so I called my doctor. She wasted no time and ordered me to the hospital because the high blood pressure was so far out of character for me. After a 24 hour urine test, I showed signs of protein and off to bed until July 2nd it was (this was Monday). On Tuesday, Dr. Lemmons started steroids "just in case", I had ultra sound after ultra sound and our son passed his Bio physical ultra sound on Thursday at 1 pm. Then, on Friday, April 17th, Dr. Lemmons came in and told me she was going to take our son by c-section at noon. What?!?! She really could not tell me why; she just had a hunch. His movement was still there, but he did not appear as active, and she just felt something was really wrong. So, the day I turned 28 weeks, our son was born. My spinal block would not take, so I had to be put under which meant both my husband and I missed out on our son's first moments of life. When I went under, I had a seizure-like episode and the Dr. told my family they would have to wait until I woke to find out the effects. I was fine.
Dr. Lemmons informed my husband and me that when she went in, I had an acreta-my placenta had grown into my uterus, had crushed the umbilical cord, and was shriveled. My son would have no longer received any nutrients- he would have died. She could not explain how or why...she simply told us to thank God. We did, and we continued to do so. Anderson had no lung complications-just needed assistance with oxygen for a while, he had no heart problems, no blood transfusions, brain ultra sounds came back perfect, and the doctors simply kept telling us to count our blessings and thank God.
It was a roller coaster of emotions until the end of June. We were able to get him after 2 months, and the first night, he quit breathing on us (he had to learn to swallow). My husband had to use CPR, which we had just passed. Who actually thinks they may have to use it? So, back into the hospital we went for another week. Lucky enough, we were able to get him home for good on June 19th- before father's day. Now he is perfectly healthy and, hopefully, will stay that way. Our most difficult hurdle now is financial. My husband lost one of his jobs during the week prior to Anderson's delivery because it was hour by hour, and now, we have to keep Anderson home to prevent illness so Danny became a stay at home dad-the bills are coming in-etc, etc, etc... I have such respect and admiration for those parents who have survived this plus much more. I get so frustrated, I cry, and I worry, but then I stop and watch our son smile and realize how blessed and lucky we are- We have had it easy.
To those out there struggling or who are getting by- our prayers are with you. It is absolutely a day by day/moment by moment experience. When things turned for the worst, my husband told me that God does not give more than we can handle. Somehow, we make it. Typically, I am not outward with my spirituality, but I have never seen such a miracle before. To watch our 2 lb. son breathe, eat, and grow has been the most humbling, beautiful time of my life. These little ones bring about so much joy and an appreciation like no other. We keep in contact with the NICU nurses, but have not been back to visit because we are too afraid of exposing Anderson to germs! He will see the ladies soon.
I know I am rambling, but now that Anderson is 12 lbs., we haven't talked much about the last 5 months.
So to end this long post- Props to all the Preemie Parents!!
Hello! My husband and I gave birth to our son at 28 weeks this past April. It was Easter weekend, and we were visiting my sister who was also pregnant at the time (approx 16 weeks). She had experienced blood pressure problems and was on bed rest. Myself being 27 weeks joined her for a rest because I felt so tired. I had a perfect pregnancy so far...then it hit. My sister told me to check my blood pressure. It was higher than normal, so I called my doctor. She wasted no time and ordered me to the hospital because the high blood pressure was so far out of character for me. After a 24 hour urine test, I showed signs of protein and off to bed until July 2nd it was (this was Monday). On Tuesday, Dr. Lemmons started steroids "just in case", I had ultra sound after ultra sound and our son passed his Bio physical ultra sound on Thursday at 1 pm. Then, on Friday, April 17th, Dr. Lemmons came in and told me she was going to take our son by c-section at noon. What?!?! She really could not tell me why; she just had a hunch. His movement was still there, but he did not appear as active, and she just felt something was really wrong. So, the day I turned 28 weeks, our son was born. My spinal block would not take, so I had to be put under which meant both my husband and I missed out on our son's first moments of life. When I went under, I had a seizure-like episode and the Dr. told my family they would have to wait until I woke to find out the effects. I was fine.
Dr. Lemmons informed my husband and me that when she went in, I had an acreta-my placenta had grown into my uterus, had crushed the umbilical cord, and was shriveled. My son would have no longer received any nutrients- he would have died. She could not explain how or why...she simply told us to thank God. We did, and we continued to do so. Anderson had no lung complications-just needed assistance with oxygen for a while, he had no heart problems, no blood transfusions, brain ultra sounds came back perfect, and the doctors simply kept telling us to count our blessings and thank God.
It was a roller coaster of emotions until the end of June. We were able to get him after 2 months, and the first night, he quit breathing on us (he had to learn to swallow). My husband had to use CPR, which we had just passed. Who actually thinks they may have to use it? So, back into the hospital we went for another week. Lucky enough, we were able to get him home for good on June 19th- before father's day. Now he is perfectly healthy and, hopefully, will stay that way. Our most difficult hurdle now is financial. My husband lost one of his jobs during the week prior to Anderson's delivery because it was hour by hour, and now, we have to keep Anderson home to prevent illness so Danny became a stay at home dad-the bills are coming in-etc, etc, etc... I have such respect and admiration for those parents who have survived this plus much more. I get so frustrated, I cry, and I worry, but then I stop and watch our son smile and realize how blessed and lucky we are- We have had it easy.
To those out there struggling or who are getting by- our prayers are with you. It is absolutely a day by day/moment by moment experience. When things turned for the worst, my husband told me that God does not give more than we can handle. Somehow, we make it. Typically, I am not outward with my spirituality, but I have never seen such a miracle before. To watch our 2 lb. son breathe, eat, and grow has been the most humbling, beautiful time of my life. These little ones bring about so much joy and an appreciation like no other. We keep in contact with the NICU nurses, but have not been back to visit because we are too afraid of exposing Anderson to germs! He will see the ladies soon.
I know I am rambling, but now that Anderson is 12 lbs., we haven't talked much about the last 5 months.
So to end this long post- Props to all the Preemie Parents!!
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