Emma Alivia arrived 11 weeks early

happiness4me2 · August 2009

The first 6 months of my pregnancy were great. Then about three weeks ago, they told me that the baby was measuring small and I would need to come in weekly. Then, about a week ago, they told me that I had low fluid and I needed to go to the hospital for monitoring. That was LAST Friday and they sent me home. Tuesday, I had brown spotting which they discussed with me at a scheduled check-up. They told me if it continued the next day or turned to red, I would need to go to the hospital. Well, early Wednesday it did turn to red spotting along with cramping. We got to the hospital at about 8:30 Wednesday morning in preterm labor. The contractions were all over the place for days even with the magnesium. I got two steroid shots and several rounds of antibiotics. Eventually, they stopped the mag and the contractions continued until early Saturday I woke up about 2:30 with bad contactions. They checked me and said I was dialated to 7 and out she came at 3:45. She was 2 lbs 9 oz. and 14 1/2 inches. She has been breathing on her own from the beginning. She had about a day and a half of phototherapy. I went home today and am missing her terribly! My 26 month old has been attached to my hip all day, so I know he will keep me very busy and help me to just bide my time until she can come home too. Anyway, thanks for listening to my story.

FutureMrsDenman · August 2009

Welcome to the world little Emma! WOW! I'm super impressed that she has been breathing on her own so far. What a great beginning for such an early arrival! Way to go momma for getting her that far given the situation you were in.

Please feel free to post as many questions as you'd like as you deal with the NICU rollercoaster, vent as often as you need to, and come here to celebrate her milestones with people who can appreciate just how momentous they are.

Congratulations on her birth!

mrspaul07 · August 2009

Congrats on your little girl! It sounds like she is doing really well! Welcome to the board.

mcdev · August 2009

Wow. ?That has been quite a roller coaster!

I can completely relate to having a little one at home while enduring the NICU experience. ?You are going to feel like you are living a double life for awhile...one to mommy of a needy toddler and one to mommy of a needy preemie. ?Just do what feels right and promise not to guilt trip yourself into feeling like you're doing too much for one and not enough for the other. ?This is all temporary, and before you know it you will have both babies under the same roof. ?The fact that Emma is breathing completely unassisted is a wonderful sign of things to come. ?Congratulations and Good luck!