Ashlynn's Birth.......Two Miracles

[aprilmarie08]

Things were going so good. I hit the 23 week mark, did my steroid injections, and really felt that I could hold off labor for another week. My husband had gone back to work that week thinking the same thing. It was 1 am on Wed. November 12. The nurse had woke me to give me my meds that I had to take every couple hours to fight off any infection that I might get. They left my room and I started getting horrible back pains. An hour went by of being in pain and I finally called the nurse back in. They hooked me up to the contraction moniter and there was some movement, but not strong. They called the doctor to take a look and when she arrived I was dilated to 4cm. She decided to take me down to labor and delivery just in case. I called my husband and told him what was going on...he was on his way. Finally at 3am I was in the delivery room and given some pain meds. My head was burning up and I was starting to get a fever. My contractions weren't getting strong, my husband arrived, and I tried to get some rest. At 7am Dr.Jelsma came in and told me that my fever was still high and I had most likely got an infection from my water breaking the week before. To save me, I had to deliver Ashlynn. I was only 23 weeks 3 days, giving Ashlynn a 50% chance of surviving. They started me on pitosin around 8 am and I had so much back pain. Around 9:30 I got my epidural. My hubby had called our parents and they were all there with us. Things were quiet for a while. I slowly dilated throughout the day and around 7pm I was dilated to 7. By this time Dr. Jelsma had gone home for the day and left me in the hands of his partner, Dr. Elderkin. She was very nice. Since I was dilated to 7 they figured that I might be able to deliver Ashlynn because she was so small. So I pushed a couple times and nothing was changing. They figured that Ashlynn must be bigger than they thought, which was good news to me!! Hours passed, still slowly dilating, family still standing by. 11pm hit and I was dilated to 10, ready to push. I pushed 4 or 5 times and out she came. I started balling when I saw her, yelling out, "She's too small" over and over again. My hubby was tearing up, taking pictures of her as the doctor handed her off to a group of neonatal doctors. Dr. Elderkin said she was moving when she came out. I layed there, just watching as they got her stabilized, waiting to hear whether or not she was okay. Finally one of the doctors turned to me and said she was stabilized and they were going to take her to neonatal. She weighed 1 pound 5 ounces and was 11.25 inches long. They held her up for me to see one last time and I told the doctor her name is Ashlynn. Now it was time for the placenta, which was not coming out. The worst pain I have ever felt and the loudest screams I have ever yelled. The doctor had her arms inside me trying to pull it out...no luck, it burst inside of me. I passed out for a bit and woke up in the surgery room with people all around me. I kept asking people if they were going to put me out, no one would answer and it seemed really frantic. I turned to a lady standing by my head and asked if I was going to die and that's the last thing that I remember. I was in surgery for hours, lost all my blood three times because it would not clot, went through 38 units of blood, around 70 units of stuff total. One doctor told me there were 5o people in my surgery trying to save me. I don't remember Thursday at all, but am told that I was so swollen you couldn't even tell who I was. I was on a venilater, feeding tube, and pain meds. Friday I was told the horrible news. My infection was so bad that they had to take my uterus. It breaks my heart...I can't have anymore children. They did leave me with one ovrey. I will be able to go through medipause,but thats it. I still cannot believe that I will never get pregnant again. I know it will hit me hard in a couple years when I want another baby,but for right now I'm going to put all my focus on Ashlynn.

Ashlynn did better than they expected. She was off the venilater within a couple of days. Different doctors stopped by to see me over the next couple of days and couldn't believe that I had survived. It is truly a miracle that I am here today and that Ashlynn is here. Ashlynn is so strong. She moves constantly, has great breathing, and tons of attitude for being so small. When they take her temp under her arm they have to hold it down, she hates it, she lets out these little screams. I was up there yesterday and her eyes were open. She is truly amazing. She does have a few problems that they are paying close attention to. She has some bleeding on one side of her brain which is rated a 2...5 is bad, she also has an open valve by her heart that they cannot get to close which most likely means surgery this week and lastly her finger tips on her left hand are a little purple and being treated. All in all she's doing really good and I couldn't be more proud of her.

I was finally able to come home Nov. 19 after being in the hospital since Nov. 3. It is so hard though...being so far away from her. The hospital is an hour away. I feel horrible leaving her and I can't wait until I heal and am able to stay out by her. No mother should have to go through being without her newborn. I cry alot and hold her picture against me, I just want my baby!! My heart aches every day to be without her, but I know she's in good hands. I can't wait for the day I can hold her in my arms and kiss her precious face. So for now I'll just keep dreaming of the day and be thankful that we have made it. Like my husband keeps saying we asked God for one miracle that day and ended up getting two.

I will post pics soon!!

[StefMc07]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 11:06 AM

I'm sorry for everything you're going through but I'm so happy that both of you are alive and doing ok. She'll be home before you know it.

[Starzgurl4]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 11:16 AM

Wow, this brings tears to my eyes seriously. I was praying for you guys, and I am so thankful you both pulled through. You are so strong April and it looks like this baby takes after her mommy because she is a fighter as well!! I will continue to keep you all in my prayers and thoughts and thank you for keeping us updated.

[jessica102883]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 11:30 AM

wow...Praise The Lord!!! that's quite an ordeal that you and your family have gone through. your family will be in our prayers.

[luvmybabyangel]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 11:34 AM

We were all praying for you...even those like me (who know you only through another mom's page).  Your story brough tears because God is still performing miracles and through you others will see that.  I continue to keep you and your family in my prayers...take care and God Bless!!!

[MSugarKane]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 11:43 AM

I pray everything goes well for your miracle baby girl!  And take care of yourself so you can care for her ! God bless you and your family!

[GrinchMom]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 12:31 PM

What an amazing and heartbreaking story.  Ashlynn will be in my thoughts, may she fight fight fight til she is ready to come home!

[pmoore1214]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 1:59 PM

April, I can't believe what you have gone through the last few weeks.  You are such a strong person!  It's very clear that Ashlynn takes after you.  It sounds like she is a very strong baby and will fight to the end!  I can't wait for you to recover and be able to go spend time with your precious daughter.  Please continue to update us cafemommys.  I'm always thinking about you and Ashlynn. 

[brennan7707]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 5:49 PM I am so proud of you :) You are such a strong and amazing person!

[AH08]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 8:32 PM

We are praying for you and your baby.  You two are miracles of God.  Can't wait to see the precious baby pics.

Hugs and many many prayers,

Amanda

[ilovekids326]

Nov. 23, 2008 at 10:32 PM

Congrat april your daughter will be find and i will keep prayer with god for the both of you.