EJ'S BIRTHSTORY

This whole pregnancy with EJ was not an easy one. It was never suppose to happen due to me having a heart condition and was warned from dr's to never concieve again. I would be taking a chance on my life. It was not our intention to become pregnant but someone had other plans for us ^i^

Since the beginning, the dr's wanted me to start back on my heart medication but I wouldnt do it because of the effects it could have on my baby. This particular med. can cause growth retardation of the uterus which meant the baby not being of good size. Not the risk I wanted to take. So, I held off as long as possible and it was a road to hell but well worth it.

15weeks along my placenta started to separate and Ed & I thought for sure that we were going to lose our baby. I was bleeding very heavily and cramping that made me double over. We were sent home from the hospital and told to expect a miscarriage within the next hours or a day. I have never felt so helpless.

My placenta healed up and we thank God for his healing hand.

The next several weeks went by with great results. It was an A-typical pregnancy with a slight fear of miscarriage. The 33 week mark hit and I went in for an u/s to check the baby's weight and size. Instead of getting measurements, we got an earful on how EJ was surrounded by excessive amniotic fluid (Polyhydramnios) I was then sent to see a high risk OB to consult and he went through a list of safety measures that were needed to be taken by my regular OB. Unfortunately, my OB never did anything she was advised to do.

At week 38 <September 12th 2000> we went in for an induction at the hospital. I was already dilated to 3 cm and my body was ready to go.  I was hooked up to all the gadgits and gizmos. Pitocin was started and so were the contractions but they never took off. Eventually from all the pressure from the contractions, my water broke. One and a half hours later I was pushing EJ out into this cruel world. It only took 2 and a half pushes with little effort on my part. *LOL* what do you expect after having 4 babies!

Once EJ was pulled out(by my hands) he was layed on my stomache only to fight for air. He was gasping and struggling to hang on. I commented to the dr that he didnt look right and she then called for Pediatrics which in the first place, they were suppose to be in the delivery room before I delivered because of the polyhydramnios.

Ped's came in and they had to breathe for my baby. He was intubated, shown to me again and taken away to NICU. I spent over 2 hrs recovering and crying. I was in total disbelief at what was and had happened. We still dont know to this day what exactly happened but the idea is that with all the fluid around him and him being born so fast that fluid was forced into his lungs, or just plain ol stress from a fast labor and excessive fluid can cause enormous stress on a baby.

EJ remained in NICU for 8 days. He was slowly weaned off all the machines. It was looking like he was coming home within a few days after I went home but when they were able to start him on feedings(after all the tubes and stuff were removed) he passed blood clots in his stools. They then had to stop feeding him again and try to figure out what was going on. That still puzzles everyone to this day. We may never know. They were able to feed him again and he didnt pass blood this time. Great news!  He was finally able to come home with us.

Now we are still battling Jaundice(over 3 weeks now) and he has been having extensive blood testing done to try and figure this out. Either his liver isnt functioning properly or my breast milk is causing this problem.  Another problem we have been dealing with is that EJ isnt gaining any weight. he is staying at one weight or dropping then gaining it back. Hopefully we have remedied that and should know something tomorrow(Friday October 6th)

Well, that is about it for his story. I have left alot out but this was the main gist. I could go on and on but will save that for another day :o)

Thankyou for taking the time to read this. I enjoyed sharing with you (even if some of you have already read it). 

Give someone a hug today, even if they dont seem to need one, most likely they do! Hugs are a magical thing.

~Wendy