Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Family of 3

   Okay I realize that I am probably the most inconsistent blogger in the history of bloggers and for that I am sorry.  I prefer to write when I have something I want to share and (apparently) that isn't too often... But I am posting now and I am thankful to anyone who still cares enough to read this!
  In my last post I was in college and let me tell you A LOT has happened since then. First things first..I got married. It was wonderful.About five months later we found out we were pregnant! Well I was pregnant... and trust me I was constantly reminded (hello sickness)! Although not exactly planned we were excited for the newest addition to our family! We found out early that we were having a girl! I was ecstatic! At our 20 week ultra sound we also found out that this girl had a two-vessel cord. Now I am no doctor so I am just going to tell you how google explains it.

Two-vessel CordMost cords have one vein and two arteries. The vein carries oxygenated blood from the placenta to the baby and the arteriescarry deoxygenated blood from the baby to the placenta. In approximately 1% of pregnancies there are only two vessels —usually one vein and one artery.

  In all my pregnancy books I hadn't stumbled upon this so when the doctor said my baby had it I immediately was worried. The doctor quickly explained that, although it can cause some growth issues with the heart or kidney, our little girl was fine. We would just need to monitor her growth closely to make sure she was getting enough nutrients. The extra ultra-sounds meant we got to see our little girl more so I didn't complain. 
  At 35 weeks I noticed my legs were swelling up and I wasn't feeling too hot... I figured this was just typical pregnancy things I didn't worry too much. I went in for a regular check up and was then sent to the hospital for concern of preeclampsia. After some tests the doctor confirmed that I did in fact have preeclampsia... Which meant they were going to induce labor. I was about to have my baby a month early. They explained to me that since she was going to be early and tiny that she would be taken to the NICU right after birth. This crushed me. My baby was supposed to be with me when she came into this world... We were supposed to be together and bond. Everything that I had envisioned for her birth was being taken from me. I wasn't going into labor naturally, I was having a preemie who was going to be taken from me, and on top of it all I hadn't even gotten around to packing my hospital bags! Overwhelming? YES!
  On April 14th, 2017 at 9:43pm Emory Lynn Hall entered this world perfectly healthy. She weighed a whopping 4lbs 11oz and was the cutest little thing I had ever seen. The doctors decided she had no need for an assistance breathing or any of the scary stuff they had told me she may need. I was so relieved. However, being so tiny and early she didn't quit have the understanding of how to eat. So they had to give her a feeding tube. It's heart wrenching to watch your tiny angel get a tube down her nose and taped to her face. All I could think was "this is my fault". I was the one who forced her out of her warm home where she still needed to grow. I did this to her.
  After child birth your body is like a crazy hormone filled mess. I knew I didn't choose to induce labor and I had no control over the circumstances of her birth but in that hormonal state all I could do is blame myself. We ended up basically moving into the NICU for two weeks. They had nice little rooms for parents called nesting rooms. We spent our days holding Emory when we could or sitting by her and longing for the day we could take her home. After what felt like forever we were finally able to do just that. Ever since then she has been growing like a weed and has now accomplished a chubby face with a little double chin.
  I am beyond blessed. Even through every trial of my pregnancy, labor, and the weeks following God took care of my little girl. I wish I could say I was super strong and never had any fear or worries but I did. I asked God why did so many problems have to happen to me? To my little girl? Instead of blaming Him I started thanking Him. Thankful for a healthy pregnancy. I didn't have a miscarriage and my baby was perfectly healthy (just a little tiny). Thankful for no complications in childbirth. Thankful that Emory didn't have any severe issues or require any of the breathing tubes they thought she might. Thankful she hasn't stopped growing since the moment we left the hospital. Thankful that through it all He has always been there giving me the strength I needed to concern any trial that I faced. 
   Although I catch myself fearing a future pregnancy on occasion I trust that God has a plan for me and my family and no matter what that may be I will trust that it is His perfect will for me.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

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