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Preemies
Introducing Myself... New Preemie Mom
Hi everyone. I wanted to introduce myself and share our story as we begin our new journey. It's a long one (also updated on April 2011 board) so here we go!
Two weeks ago today my Dr. admitted me to the hospital for high blood pressure. I was there for 4 days of observation and was diagnosed with mild preeclampsia. They sent me home for a few days to repack my hospital bag, arrange childcare for our older daughter and close things out with work. My Dr. said that I shouldn't be surprised if I was going to be induced by the end of the week. This was on Monday. By Tuesday I was back in the office and my pressure was through the roof. I had a bad headache again and felt like I had lost my entire thought process. I was then diagnosed with severe preeclampsia due to how fast the protein levels in my urine had risen and was taken immediately to the hospital and admitted for an induction. I was scared to death because I was only 33.4 weeks pregnant and was not comprehending how serious the situation was.
Within an hour I had a catheter inserted and was put on a magnesium sulfate iv to keep me from seizing or stroking out. I was amazed that my body had already started going into labor naturally and I magically dialated 2 cm and started having contractions without the pitocin. Unfortunately they weren't strong enough to get me to the point of delivering so we started a pitocin drip at around midnight. I contracted lightly throughout the night (the mag was keeping me from going into full labor but the pitocin was fighting against it) and had my water broken the next morning. After that I got the epidural and things started moving along faster and I went from 5cm to 10cm within an hour! The pressure started and we decided it was time to push. Within 5 minutes our Alexandra Grace was born at 4lbs 4 ounces. Waiting for her cry was so intense but within seconds she let out a scream and we were able to breathe a sigh of relief. I got to hold her for a minute and then she was whisked off to the NICU. I didn't see her again until 24 hours later due to the fact that I was still on the mag sulfate.
Alexa is still in the NICU and will most likely be for another 2 weeks. She is off the CPAP machine and has been breathing on her own for a few days now. It was such a relief to get past this stage. I got to hold her for the first time since her birth on Sunday. It was such a special moment. Currently we are working on her feeding to gain weight. She is still primarily being fed through her tube but is starting to take to bottle feedings with me a few times a day. She has been placed under the phototherapy lights again due to an increase in her billiruben levels and we hope to beat this soon.
Our daughter Julia finally got to see her baby sister on Monday night. Unfortunately she can't meet her in person until she comes home but she was allowed to see her through the NICU window and was so excited! Below are some pictures of our beautiful girls.
I am doing well and am still under care for my blood pressure and after effects of the preeclampsia but was allowed to go home on Saturday. Only time will heal this so we are taking it one day at a time 
It was very hard leaving without my baby but I know she is exactly where she needs to be to get stronger and better to take home in a few weeks.
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Re: Introducing Myself... New Preemie Mom
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