Birth story!

[G22]

It's been a crazy 24 hours! I went to my MFM appt yesterday assuming it was just a second looked at baby's newfound arrhythmia. The MFM took one look at it my ultrasound and NST and said he wanted to deliver her asap! He said had I not been as far along, he would have resorted to trying to administer medication to me to adjust her heartrate. But since I was 36w6d, he felt it was better to deliver her and deal with the problem directly. He did agree with my OB in that most likely the arrythmia would resolve itself on it's own after birth, but he wasnt comfortable letting it go and running into fetal distress or heart failure.

They sent me to L&D here at the hospital where the MFM delivers, because it has a NICU and the ability to handle any issues that would arise. I was so overwhelmed and not prepared to have a baby so fast! Also I was nearly 2 hours from home, by myself and unable to get ahold of my H for nearly 15 minutes following finding this all out. Eventually he answered and rushed home from work to change, grab our go bags and get on the road.

The plan of attack was to admit me to L&D and start some fluids to see if they could get her heart to regulate that way. It was fluctuating between 130-200 beats per minute. If it had regulated onto a normal range with this, they would induce me vaginally asap. If not, it would be an emergency csection. Unfortunately it never regulated and a csection was decided.

All while they prepped me for the CS, my H was still rushing to make it there in time. He made it with mere minutes before they took me back to the OR. 

I was absolutely terrified about having CS. I made my fears known to everyone (my nurses, the anesthesiologist, the OB delivering me). My nurse was so reassuring and supportive, the anesthesiologist was not only understanding but very good as placing the spinal. I didnt feel a thing. I never needed a single thing for my anxiety either.

Once they got me into the OR and placed the spinal, they had baby out so fast. The moment they got her out, her heartrate stabilized and has been normal ever since. Because she was just barely under 37 weeks, she has some premie tendencies and has been in the NICU since Thursday night. Her oxygen levels have fluctuated and she's had some apnea episodes, but they are improving. Shes been struggling with sucking, but as of an hour ago she was making big strides and figuring it out. I haven't had a chance to nurse her, but I've been trying to pump every 3 hours or so and get some colostrum for her. It's been a struggle, but then I have to remember it's barely been 24 hours since my CS yet.

I'm feeling decent. Very sore but moving ok. I'm hoping for better sleep tonight, since baby is still in the NICU.

Anyways, introducing Za.ra Ja.ne 😍 all 6lb 4oz of her! We are so in love and I cant wait until I can hold her all the time!

[jorja]

Congratulations!! She’s a cutie!

[aprilsails]

Wow! I’m glad you are both doing well. Congratulations on your beautiful baby girl! I love her name!

I hope her stay in the NICU is short and smooth and I’m sure feeding will improve soon. Congrats again!

[zarapipe]

Congratulations! I’m glad she is doing so well!

I love her name

[lo]

Congrats! She’s so precious! So happy her heart regulated after birth!!

[farfalla2011]

Congratulations! What a crazy change in plans! I hope her stay on the NICU is short and you guys will be home soon.

[urbancowgirl]

Congratulations! Wow, what a whirlwind! I got nervous when you were unable to get in touch with your H, lol. I hope your recovery goes well and that she can go home soon.

[Monica Geller]

Congratulations!! What a scary whirlwind! I hope she continues to improve quickly so she can come home! Having a NICU baby is hard, reach out if you need a supportive ear!

[knx9211]

Congratulations! She’s beautiful.

[sunflower17]

Congratulations!! She’s beautiful!

[elleblue]

Congratulations, she's beautiful and I love her name.

[boiler717]

Congrats!! Glad you are both okay.

[lucky428]

What a whirlwind!! Congrats! She’s beautiful!

[fairfax]

That is crazy but what a sweet little peanut! Glad you are both doing well!!

[sloan]

Congratulations! What a sudden turn of events for your family, I hope you are holding her whenever you want ASAP and have a super smooth recovery!

[G22]

Thanks ladies! She got off her oxygen yesterday and has been doing well without it. Feeding is the next step. They've been trying a bottle, but shes not super interested quite yet, so she still gets most of her food through a feeding tube. My milk just started coming in yesterday, so I'm hoping to be able to supply most of what shes getting now. We've been supplementing with formula up til now.

Everything is going in the right direction, but the NICU staff is hesitant to give us a day she may be released. It will probably be sometime this week, but it'll be after I'm discharged tomorrow. So we're trying to figure out what to do, since home is so far away and I'd rather not drive 3+ hours each day at this point in my CS recovery. The hospital has some rooms available for nicu families for super cheap, so that's sounding like the best option for now if it's a possiblity.

Thankfully my parents got into town the afternoon this all happened, so we've had childcare for DS this whole time. Which has been so nice that in all of this craziness I havent been worried about what to do with him.

[swiftlyirun]

Congrats! You are champ momma! What a crazy whirlwind, but what a strong little girl you have. Praying all continues to heal well and that you can stay close to your baby girl while she’s in the NICU.

[stellelinds25]

Congratulations on your little peanut, she’s adorable! I hope she’s home with you quickly!

[WinterWine]

Wow, what a turn of events! I am glad the c-section went ok, though understandably not what you were hoping for. That is great that her heart has returned to normal too, hoping for a short NICU stay for you!

[pooh8402]

Congratulations!

[patches31709]

Congratulations on your little girl! I hope she is home with you guys soon.

[scm1011]

She is such a beauty! I hope she is doing well today and will be discharged soon. Congrats again, super mama <3

[doglove]

Congrats! Hope you get to hold her permanently soon!

[G22]

Thanks ladies! She still in the NICU, but the only thing holding her back at this point is she isnt fully off the feeding tube. Shes taking more bottles, but has to be fully off the feeding tube for 24 hours to get it removed. She's made progress each day, so we're hoping it wont be too much longer! Also a little weight gain wouldn't hurt, shes dropped down to 5lb8oz from 6lb4oz.

[woowoo]

G22, just sending CONGRATS!!! I've been so busy at work I haven't had any time to be on the boards, so I missed the announcement. She's beautiful.

[EllieT]

Congrats!!

[murphybrown]

Congratulations! She is precious. I hope your recovery is going smoothly!

[robinsbff]

congrats!! hope she is home with you all soon!

[sassystace]

Awww - Congratulations! How stressful but so relieved the hear that her heart issue went away as soon as she was out. Thank God for your excellent doctors monitoring you so closely. Hang in there, she'll be home soon.

[UMaineTeach]

Congratulations!

Hope she’s doing well and you are home or almost home.