1. Go shopping and get last minute baby items
2. Finish the nursery
3. Get new carpet
4. Pack a hospital bag & the babies diaper bag ready
4. Deep clean my house...and well of course nest!
I had an ultrasound scheduled for 9 am Thursday morning. Just a routine ultra sound that Dr. Falk had ordered. It was my 36 week ultrasound. I was then going to follow up with her on Tuesday. Chris and I went over first thing. We were so excited to see our little guy we hadn't had an ultra sound since 20 weeks and we were looking forward to seeing his growth!
As the tech got started on our ultra sound, I had a strange feeling like something wasn't right. As she started looking I could see on the screen that he was measuring at 34 weeks. I questioned this and she told me not to worry the machine will put all the measurements together at the end. So I took a deep breath and tried to convince myself to stop worrying. She then started looking for the bladder, kidneys, stomach, etc. She was having a hard time finding a few of the things. So she asked me if I needed to go to the bathroom, of course I did so I quickly went to the restroom. When I returned she had brought in her boss to assist. She told me it was due to her lack of experience. I didn't really believe her. As I was laying there I could sense that something was wrong. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. Chris sat there and held my hand and tried to calm me. Next they looked at the blood flow, to me I could tell the cord was wrapped around Owen's neck. I once again questioned and wasn't given any answers. They then asked me if I was going to see my Dr after the ultra sound. I responded with "No- Dr. Falk is out of town." They then informed me that they needed the radiologist to take a look before I could leave. They left the room and I immediately started to panic. Chris and I sat there hugging and crying for what seemed like forever. They then returned and informed me I needed to go up to labor and delivery, where Dr. Sabella wanted to check me.
I sobbed the whole walk down the hall, and up the elevator. Everything was so unknown and no one was giving us details...my mind was racing, assuming the worst.
As soon as we got to Labor and Delivery, they hooked me up to a non-stress test. Of course I was stressed so I now had high blood pressure and a high temperature. Our nurse kept having me drink juice after juice. I was also eating granola bars, crackers, anything to get the babies heart rate going. They then hooked me up to an IV of fluids...that took a team to get an IV into my arm. And then we waited.
Dr. Sabella came in and told us that I needed to be checked by a neo-natal medical team. She informed me I would be transferred to IMC, in Salt Lake. She just needed to make sure that was in my insurance network. I figured that Chris could just drive me down. I was wrong, Dr. Sabella then told us that AirMed was on it's way to get me. That is when I really started to panic. I decided I better call my parents, who were in Disneyland with my Sis and her kiddos. I was crying so hard Chris had to do all the talking. We told them we weren't sure what was going to happen, and we would keep them informed. As Dr. Sabella was checking on my insurance the babies heart beat dropped. This made me "unstable" and I could no longer be transported. So now what?
Dr. Sabella came back into the room and told Chris and I that I was going to have a baby today! She said, "Your baby is in a hostile living environment" and then explained that I was really low on fluid and that my placenta and umbilical cord were not functioning properly. She also told us that he was restricted growth meaning, he was measuring really small and that he hadn't been growing for a couple of weeks. The most concerning measurement to her was Owen's waist, where you would put a belt on him was measuring in the 6th percentile. She explained that the helicopter would be staying and the the NICU team from IMC would be in the operating room with us just in case they were needed. She checked me just to make sure I wasn't dilated- which I was not. She then handed me a gown, gave me a hug and told me that we had a very healthy baby, which she predicted would come out very strong (since he has been fighting from the inside for a few weeks). Chris then called all of our family members to let them know that we were headed in to the operating room. My parents quickly headed to the airport and got the next flight home.
I put on my gown and headed to the operating room. First the started with a spinal block...I was so nervous for this! It ended up being super easy, next thing I know I am on the operating room table and feeling great! Chris came in as soon as they had given the spinal. We then anxiously awaited for Owen's arrival. The whole c-section I kept asking Chris what they were doing and if they were to our baby yet. Soon enough, out came Owen. He immediately started to cry. We then waited to hear what he weighed. If he weight 4.10 and under he would have to be transported to IMC. Everyone cheered when he weighed 4.11 and was healthy as can be. He was able to stay with us, by one ounce. What a miracle! After they weighed him they checked his heart and lungs, everything was perfectly developed. They then handed him off to Chris and he then brought him over to me, I will never forget laying my eyes on this sweet baby boy. Just like that we became a family of 3.
We had to stay in the hospital for one week. Owen had low blood sugar and had to have an IV with sugar water. Once he maintained on the IV we slowly weened him off. He also needed to learn how to suck and swallow in order to eat. We spent the first 2 weeks feeding him through a syringe. Good thing he is eating like a champ now!
We were definitely in the right place at the right time. I am so glad we went in for an ultrasound that day. I am also grateful for amazing doctors and nurses that met our every need. They made us feel so comfortable and were so helpful with our premature little guy. We had the best care at Park City Hospital! I believe that everything happens for a reason and it was time for Owen to join out family. I know that it was all part of the the plan and we were being watched over that day. Owen is a miracle and we are counting our blessings. Thanks to all of our family and friends for the love and support. We couldn't have done it without you.
