We had quite the surprise last week! My hospital bags were not packed and I still had loads of laundry to do in order to even pack our bags. I had planned on getting that done Wednesday of last week; however, when I went in for my regular check-up Tuesday evening, the midwife sent me directly to the hospital. I had been concerned because I wasn't feeling the baby move. We had actually gone in to the hospital the previous Friday because of the lack of movement. They did a non-stress test on the baby and FINALLY got the baby to move enough to relieve their concern, so they sent us home. Over the next few days I still was not feeling the baby move and was getting concerned. So when I got to the hospital on Tuesday, they did another non-stress test and saw that the baby was moving even less and now there were dips in the heart rate, which was concerning. Drew did not accompany me to my doctor appointment because it was just supposed to be a routine visit, and when my midwife sent me to the hospital, she didn't even want me to come home to pick him up first. So Drew packed a few things and headed to the hospital. In the meantime, I'm there all alone, getting more nervous and receiving news and updates from the nurses and doctor that were more and more alarming. The midwife at my appointment had told me that most likely I would be induced, which was why Drew packed a few things before driving to the hospital; however, while he was on his way, a nurse informed me that I'd be having an emergency C-section. I was NOT prepared for that news and was already quite worked up. When she told me that, I broke down in tears. Luckily I happened to be on the phone with Drew when she told me, so he was able to comfort me until he arrived.
At this point, things started to move very quickly. The doctor came in to talk to me and explained that I could be induced, but that can take days and we don't have "days." At that point, I knew this was pretty serious and that there was real concern for the baby. It was obvious she was in distress, but we didn't know why, or how she was doing, or if there would be anything wrong.
They quickly prepped me for surgery. While Drew put on the surgical scrubs, they took me in the OR to do the spinal block. The anesthesiologist was there along with a med student. Apparently they thought I was a good candidate for the med student to "practice" on (I have no idea why seeing as how I was shaking and in tears). It took him quite a while to get the needle in the right spot, and after four failed attempts (which sent shooting pains down one side of my leg...4 times) the anesthesiologist stepped in and finished. They then brought Drew in and began. Although the actual C-section itself didn't take long, it felt like eternity while I waited with tears in my eyes to find out if our baby was okay.
Then the doctor announced, "Get your camera ready, Dad!" and a few minutes later out came our precious baby...GIRL! For some reason, we both thought we were having a boy (even though we didn't actually know), so we felt surprised and thrilled when we found out it was a girl!! The doctor held her up and then she was whisked away into another room. When I saw her, I felt a sense of relief that everything was alright...until I realized she wasn't crying. I asked about it and a nurse replied, "They're working on her." My heart immediately sank and again, it felt like eternity while I waited to find out if she was okay. Then the nurse came over to us and told us that they got her breathing and she was doing well. Drew went to see her and soon after brought her back to me.
At the time I had no idea what all had happened and the possible repercussions of it. Over the next few days, as we were told of her situation and spoke with other friends who are NICU nurses, we realized how incredibly BLESSED we are to have her with us today. At birth, she wasn't breathing, and there was meconium present in the amniotic fluid. Meconium is a baby's first bowel movement and it's very sticky and tar-like. It's relatively uncommon for babies to pass the meconium while in utero, and is more likely to happen when a baby is a week or two past the due date. We don't know when it happened, but she had inhaled some meconium into her lungs, which was why she wasn't breathing at birth. The NICU team immediately intubated her and were able to suction out the meconium, give her a few breaths, and get her breathing. We found out later from a friend who used to work in the NICU that meconium babies can be VERY sick babies. Since it's so sticky and tar-like, it frequently gets stuck in the lungs and is very hard to get out, which usually causes pneumonia and even more problems. I just can't help but thank the Lord every day for his protection and watch-care over our little girl. She truly is a blessing and a miracle in my eyes.
After the surgery, the doctor came over to me and said, "You saved her life by coming in today." I'll never forget those words. Had it been another day or two, who knows if we'd still be holding our precious baby girl in our arms. And again I have to give the credit to God. It hadn't really dawned on me that the baby was moving much until the Friday we went in to the hospital. I have no idea how it popped in my head, but I distinctly remember thinking that the Lord had laid this on my heart. It was a feeling I just couldn't push aside - that I shouldn't ignore it. I mentioned to my mom and sister that I hadn't really felt the baby move much and I wasn't sure if I should call my doctor. They encouraged me to call and in fact, kept following up with me that night to see if we had called and what the doctor had said. It's just amazing to me how the Lord put that thought in my head and prodded me along - not letting me forget about it. I can only give the glory to God for "saving" her life. Thank you Lord!!
And now on to the pictures of our time in the hospital:
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| I had already been informed I was having a C-section - note the look of worry on my face. I just couldn't muster a smile for the picture. |
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| Drew all ready to go - excited to meet his little boy or girl! |
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| The doctors at work... |
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| Teary eyes...waiting in anticipation to meet our baby and find out if he/she is alright. |
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| It's a girl! |
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| I couldn't hold back the tears - waiting to hear if she was alright. |
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| Hannah's birth weight |
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| Meet Hannah Lynn Borton - 5 lbs, 11 oz, 20 1/2 inches long |
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| So happy to see her! |
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| Some of the NICU nurses who took care of her. |
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| Dr. Crouch who delivered her |
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| Sweet Hannah all bundled up |
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| Skin-to-skin time with Mommy |
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| In the post-op room - another nurse came in to check Hannah's vitals |
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| Sweet little baby feet |
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| Jenna came back to see us - she was THRILLED to have a baby sister! |
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| Hannah getting measured |
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| So so precious |
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| Bathed, checked, and ready to go to our room |
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| Once in our room, Jenna and Grant were both able to see Hannah. Now a family of 5. We couldn't be happier! |
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| I'm in love! |
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| As is Daddy |
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| I enjoyed some snuggle time with Jenna |
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| Proud grandparents |
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| The first diaper change |
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| Uncle Brian holding his new niece |
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| Paw-Paw came to visit the next two days while we were in the hospital. We loved his visits and I'm sure Hannah enjoyed snuggle time with her grandpa! |
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| Maw-Maw and Aunt Kelley brought Jenna and Grant to visit over the next two days as well. We loved seeing them and seeing their excitement for their new sister. They were THRILLED to see her both days. I love this picture of Grant and his baby sister! |
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| She definitely spent more time in our arms than in the bassinet. Between Drew and myself we just couldn't put her down. |
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| Curious siblings |
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| Love this picture! |
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| Aunt Kelley and her nieces |
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| Me and my girls |
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| A HUGE thank you to my mom for taking care of Jenna and Grant while we were in the hospital. I know the kids loved their time with Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw! |
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| Sleeping beauty |
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| Snuggled in |
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| All three kids in their Big Brother/Sister, Little Sister shirts |
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| We had this nurse two of the three days we were in the hospital and she was just great. |
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| There are her eyes! We hardly see them since she sleeps so much! |
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| Love this picture of Hannah - awake, stretched out, and looking towards the camera. |
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| All snuggled up |
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| Love the poses of the hands up near the face |
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| In her "going home" outfit (courtesy of Aunt Kelley and Uncle Brian) |
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| We're ready! |
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| In the car seat ready to go - she looks so small! |
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| Leaving the hospital |
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| Welcome home, Hannah! |
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| While we were in the hospital, my parents and Kelley and Brian rearranged our family room so that I could "live" downstairs since I'm not supposed to go up and down the stairs. They brought the lazy-boy over from my grandma's house and the changing table from my parents house. It was such a wonderful surprise and has been SO nice!! |
