Pregnancy & Birth Story of Londyn Kate

I found out I was expecting at the end of March, 2014. I was just 5 weeks along, and honestly didn't think I was pregnant, but I was about to start a medication and needed to make sure I wasn't pregnant before taking it. Surprise! It was a dollar store test so I took about 8 more just to make sure. The lines were dim but they were definitely there and got stronger each week.

Our pregnancy announcement

At 6 weeks pregnant I was feeling awful. I started throwing up everyday, multiple times a day. 
At 8 weeks I went in to the doctor for my first ultrasound.
Can I just stop here & give a BIG hug to my sister? She went with me to my first appointment, sat in the same ultrasound room where she learned that she lost 2 babies, and was there for me with genuine happiness. That's true love.

8 week ultrasound

I got on a medication to help with the nausea...it wasn't great. I still threw up everyday. By 17 weeks I had lost 13 lbs! I got to the point I would just wake up, throw up & continue on with my day. It didn't really affect me anymore.
Around 20 weeks I got a little break. I would still feel nausea but I wouldn't throw up. This lasted from 20-26 weeks.
At this point I was working 40 hours a week, attending all youth services/church/activities...our typical busy lives! I was worn out but going strong.
I was 30 weeks pregnant when I started to notice some changes. I ended up in triage at the birth center one evening, but was sent home with instructions to rest. I took one day off & then went back to the normal schedule. One week later, at 31 weeks pregnant, I found myself back in the hospital. My blood pressure was high, & I was very swollen. They admitted me and started running different tests. They knew I had Gestational Hypertension (high BP in pregnancy) but they were checking for Pre-Eclampsia.
Some of sypmtons of Pre-Eclampsia:

• persistent headaches
• swelling (oedema) in hands, feet, legs and face
• visual disturbances such as seeing stars or spots, or having blurred vision
• heartburn or pain under your rib cage
• vomiting or feeling generally unwell
• a decrease in your baby's movements.

I had all the symptoms of Pre-Eclampsia besides the heartburn or pain under your rib cage.

They gave me two steroid shots to develop the babies lungs. They told me it was possible I would be delivering in the next couple of days. They did a growth ultrasound and estimated the baby was only 2.5 lbs. I was truly terrified. I did not want not to deliver my baby at 2.5 lbs, it was much too soon. I was administered magnesium sulphate via an intravenous drip to avoid 'Eclampsia' (basically maternal seizures). The magnesium makes your body feel extremely hot, and gives you fever like symptons. I was miserable & scared. My husband, dad, mother-n-law and pastor were all there with me. My mom was in California & my sister and brother-n-law were in Canada. My mom got a flight back home right away and my sister and Dan came home the next day.

It took a couple of days but they were finally able to regulate my blood pressure. They took me off magnesium & IV, and I started to feel normal again. God truly touched me & I was so thankful I did not have to deliver at 31 weeks! I was sent home with strict instructions. Bed rest until delivery.

My mom, sister & mother-n-law took very good care of me! They helped prepare my house, nursery, got groceries, cooked meals, etc. Many friends also stopped by to visit and be with me! :)

Even through the carefulness, I did end up back in the hospital in week 32 for 3 days. More of the same, but I was okay. At home all I could do was lie around. My only outings were to the doctors twice a week where I would have an ultrasound and Non-Stress Test. 

From week 33-36 everything went smoothly.

                      

             

                                            A couple of photos of me at 36 weeks pregnant.

Because of my condition with pre-eclampsia, our little baby was not getting the proper nutrients to grow in my placenta so I was scheduled to be induced on Monday, November 24th at 37 weeks. 

On Friday, November 21st I had a routine doctors appointment. There they determined my BP was up again, and I was light headed and seeing 'black spots'. I was re-admitted to the birth center, with plans to start my induction.

Because I was only 37 weeks, my body was not prepared for labor & delivery. My cervix was not opened & I was not dilated at all. The started a process to open my cervix. It was very painful! Unfortunately, it just caused more stress on my body & because of this, my BP became elevated. It lasted through Saturday afternoon. My BP was high again, I had a persisting headache, and was very sick. And my cervix had not opened at all. The doctor came in around 1:00pm on Saturday and sat down to talk with me. She told me I was being very brave but because of the way my body was reacting it was a possibility we needed to go forward with a caesarean. We talked for awhile & then she left the room to give Mark and I privacy to make the decision and sign the papers. I signed the papers all while throwing up. My brain was so fuzzy. I thought we would have time to let our families know, but within minutes they were preparing me for surgery. My mom & mother-n-law were already there so they alerted all of our family. 

I was taken back into the OR and they began preparation. Mark had to wait outside during this. I remember the room being so bright and so cold. I was shaking uncontrollably. I was given a spinal shot and then they let Mark into the room. I felt the numbing start in my feet and slowly rise. It was the strangest sensation! It came up on my neck & I would tell them, "I cant breath, I can't breath!" My body wanted to throw up but nothing would come out.

And then, in a moment, it was just gone and I felt completely relaxed.

They started surgery & I felt nothing besides the slight movement of my lower body. Mark watched the whole time, he was fascinated. It seemed like mere minutes until I heard the sweet cry of our baby girl! I remember immediate tears flowing and saying "Thank you, Jesus, Thank you, Jesus." I asked if she was ok and the doctor said yes, she is tiny and has beautiful eyelashes! They checked her vitals and wrapped her up & brought her to us. It was the single most amazing moment of my life. She was born on November 22nd, 2014 at 2:22 PM, a tiny, 4lbs 13 oz., but very healthy & strong! She never had to leave my side.

Within one hour, I was back in my hospital room with my baby at my chest. It felt amazing.

It was all worth it & my reward was here!

Unfortunately it took awhile for my body to heal & I did still struggle with high BP and different symptoms but all of that was a blur because Londyn Kate was here & everything was okay!

I stayed in the hospital for 3 more days and then was released home. For having a C-Section, I truly felt amazing. I think because I had such a miserable pregnancy, I just felt so good to be done. I was able to move around fairly easily.

I am so thankful for every single person who was there for us during this time. It is amazing to have so many loved ones in our lives.

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Although the journey was rough, the outcome couldn't have been more perfect! I would do it 1,000 times over. 

We love you, Londyn Kate! You are the sweetest baby girl.