Well, before my children wake up I thought I would take a moment and review my year....or the birth of my precious little girl. I didn't do much journal writing this year...so let me give a recap.
Last year around Thanksgiving...when I was 14 weeks pregnant with precious #5, I has an ultrasound done. They doctor told me I had a low-lying placenta. He said it could be very common, but we will just keep and eye on it. My next doctor appointment showed that we were having a girl!!! YAY!! I normally don't find out what we are having...I LOVE the surprise, but I just KNEW I was suppose to have a little girl...so we found out. :) During each appointment another ultrasound was done. They all showed the same thing....low lying placenta. They doctor told me that as the baby grows the uterus will grow and the placenta will move up. I remembered this, prayed constantly that my placenta would do just that...move up and out of the way. During my 30 week appointment it still had not moved up, so my doctor put me on bed rest at home...not completely down...but down a lot. It was call Placenta Previa. He told me that if I should have ANY bleeding, even the smallest amount, that I was to go straight to the hospital.
On 33 weeks 6 days along....April 17, 2011.. I woke to get ready for church. When I went into the bathroom I noticed there was quit a bit of blood. Scared to death, I woke Chris up and we went straight to the hospital. But first, I hurried and showered. You see, I was in the hospital once before when I was having the twins...and I knew they would not let me off the bed. So a shower was a must! They put me right down, placed and IV and loaded me up with the horrible magnesium. I was told I would most likely stay there for the rest of my pregnancy. Let me tell you how difficult it was to have to lay day in and day out in a hospital bed!! After about day 5 my spirits really started to get low. My kids would come to visit for a few minutes every other day...and they could say was how bored they were!! Like they have any idea on what boredom really is!! I would spend lots of time crying...but mostly just praying! Wonderful people would come and visit...I had books to read, blankets to crochet, a quilt to bind...lots of things to occupy my mind, and my time.
I had an amazing spiritual experience while in the hospital. It was Easter Sunday, I was having a difficult time. I knew my children were enjoy their Easter baskets full of goodies, getting ready in their new Sunday attire, just enjoy the day....and I was missing it all!! :( I was trying my best to have my own little sacrament meeting...I read my scriptures, listened to talks on tape, and watched church movies. Around 11:00 I looked at the clock and thought....my family is just starting sacrament meeting. I just started to bawl then, I mean, uncontrollable bawling. I felt alone, and sad. Just then, I felt the spirit surround me. It was a very physical feeling, I felt completely surround in love. I knew then that my Heavenly Father was very aware of me, of my sacrifice, of my worries to have this healthy baby. And that He loved me. My tears turned into tears of gratitude. I cried for a good long time...so grateful for what I just experienced. It was unlike anything else I have ever felt. I didn't know how this pregnancy would end...if my little baby would be okay...but I knew my Heavenly Father loved me....and that made everything okay.
When I was first put in the hospital my goal was to make it to week 37...which was 3 weeks total. I kept having bleeding on and off during the whole time in the hospital. If it was brown, it was okay....if it was red, not so much. On day 35 weeks 3 days I had some red bleeding during the early morning hours...about 4 am. I showed the nurse, who then called the doctor. I waited for him to come in like he did every morning around 8. He told me that he just talked to an expert on my situation and what we were doing was still the best thing....but after you reach 35 weeks, they really don't try to stop labor if it begins. He ordered some blood work done. When the results came back a couple hours later, my nurse, Julie, walked in the room to tell that we were going to have to deliver today. The lab results came back that my cells and the baby's cell have started to mix. It is something they just don't mess with. So, bawling I called my family. I was heartsick that I didn't make it to 37 weeks. I SO bad wanted to take my baby home with me, I wanted to nurse her and have her with me. Claire Beth was born on April 27, 2011 at 1:28 p.m. weight 5 pounds 13 ounces 18 1/2 inches long. She was delivered via C-section...that was VERY rough!! Two doctors....lots of nurses.. and my blood on stand by.
Claire was taken right into the NICU. After a little bit in the recovery room they wheeled me in...still in my bed, so that I could see her for the first time. She was the most beautiful thing I have every seen. She was a miracle, and BIG for being that early!! The first night after her birth I was in my post pardum room, at 4am my door opened and in came a nurse pushing a baby carriage. They were bring Claire to me. I could not believe it!!! She was out of the NICU!! They didn't even tell me...they just surprised me by bringing her to me. It was such a miracle because they told me most babies born at this stage usually spend about 2 weeks in the NICU...she only spent 8 hours!!! She did amazing!! I realized that Heavenly Father does answer prayers...he just does it on His own timetable... My prayers were answered that day. I got to have a very healthy baby that I could take home with me....I just didn't get it in the time frame I was praying for. Claire has been a blessing to our family. She is by far the best, most sweet natured little spirit we have. She never fusses...she is growing SO well for being as early as she was. She is now 7 1/2 months and weight around 18-19 pounds. I am SO blessed to be the mother of 5 amazing little ones. Truly, the greatest thing I have every done was to become a mother. How I love all my children!! I am grateful for the experiences I had to help strengthen my testimony in my Lord and Savior.
