It was a Wednesday, I had a normal OB follow up appointment in the morning, which I was going to cancel because I felt really well after a sinus infection. But decided to go in anyway. My appointment was at 10am.
My OB does shared care with another OB in the practice. So this apointment, I see Dr N. He starts with lab results from weeks ago, then procedes to do my blood pressure. 159/100. Let's do it again... 160/105... He was amazed I was still talking to him. Still having a conversation with him.
After ringing my other OB, Dr J... Dr N decided to admit me to the local hospital for monitoring of my bp. I walked over straight away. I called my mum in tears.
By the time I got there they had a bed ready for me and I was getting hooked up to a CTG to measure my babys heart rate. The trace was not too good. Lots of decelerations of her heart.
I was getting a cannular put in my hand to take blood...and then start magnesium sulphate...(to stop fitting) and at the same time they took my bp. It was really getting high, quite quickly... 165/115. They gave me a drug called Nifedapine to bring it down fast. 10mg... No change. Another 10mg brought it down to about 160/95. They also gave me my first (and only) steroid shot to help mature her lungs.
Dr J came to see me. He said I needed to be transferred to KEMH the hospital was more equipt to deal with how sick I was. He said he would see me in a week and my Bub would be out within the week.
Priority one ambulance arrived. They needed to put a catheter in before I left so they did that and I left. I got to KEMH in 15minutes. Lights and sirens going. For what would usually be a 45 minute to just over an hour drive. It was fast.
Got to the hospital and got hooked up to another CTG. Not such a good trace. Bp, really not good now. 195/115. More nifedapine. Didn't work. So they gave me IV hydralazine which worked for a bit but they realised from the tests they ran that I had severe pre eclampsia. They also did a scan and estimated her weight to be over a kilo but she was not growing as she should... She was suffering being in me.
They sent the paeds (baby doctors) up to my room in labour and delivery. My mum and mother in law were with me thank goodness.
I was told if Bub was born tonight that she would have a 97 percent survival rate being 29weeks plus a day.
Then the doctor came in. I was on the phone to my husband Daniel. He just left for work (fly in fly out) at his last week of work. He was trying to get a plane back. He told me he couldn't come back that night. The doctor told me to put him on loudspeaker. So I did. She introduced herself and told both of us I needed an emergency c section to get my baby out right away. Tonight. 11 weeks early. I cried. Apologized to my hubby for not being able to hold her in any longer, and had to hang up. The anaesthesiest came in. And told me they might not have time to put the combined epidural in. They may have to knock me completely out. I said no. Give me the epi I can't be asleep for this.
My mum entered the room again with my mother in law after getting a coffee. I told Daniel to ring them and get them back up here. I was getting wheeled out as they came in.
I was popping myself. Felt sick. Wanted out. They got my epi in and wheeled me into theatre. It stink. Sterile. Sickly. I got rolled onto the table and the curtain got put up.
The whole time my mum was with me. Holding my hand. Being there to witness her grand daughter being born. I was dosed up on morphine and epi and was shaking like a leaf.
Amelia was born at 10.43pm and weighed only 850grms. A teeny head circumference of 24cm and a length of 33cms...
I got stitched and glued up. Sent to recovery and then transferred to ASCU which is there adult ICU.
I was stunned. My girl was here. 11 weeks early. She came out breathing by herself, her apagar scores were at 6,7 and 9 at 10mins.
Daniel got to the hospital the next morning. I still hadn't seen her. So I went down with my husband after a shower. My family. She is so teeny. But perfect.
It would have been very scary, especially as it happened all so quick and on your own
Congratulations again on the birth of your teeny princess.
My thoughts are with both of you.
LD you must have been out of your mind with fright and worry. Your story brought tears to my eyes. But what an amazing strong tiny thing your girl is! And she inherited that from you without a doubt.
Welcome to the world Amelia!
You did so amazing and you were so very strong not having your DH by your side. How wonderful that your mother could be there to witness her grand daughters arrival into the world and to hold your hand.
Congratulations honey!
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The early birth of Amelia Jayde 30/11/11
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