My journey to motherhood...2 months early

[Marroe]

Well, I know I'm not around here much anymore. I honestly don't have time to think anymore. The only reason why I am finding time to write this and not be at the hospital is because I have come down with a sinus infection.

So...my pregnancy was going good until about 22 weeks along. I started swelling and gaining weight rapidly, having terrible headaches, and having random visual disturbances. There were also a few times I had to be hospitalized because I couldn't feel my baby move for days. My doctor, I guess being used to a lot of women watching those baby shows and thinking they have everything under the sun wrong with them decided that all the things I was telling her was my imagination. My 32 week prenatal appointment arrived and my blood pressure was some insane number like 175/105, and they found plus 4 protein in my urine which apparently meant that my kidneys weren't functioning right, and I had gained 15 pounds in just 2 weeks. So FINALLY my doctor see's that something isn't right and sent me over to the hospital where a specialist diagnosed me with Preeclampsia. It's a disease that only occurs in pregnancy and affects blood pressuse, organs, your nervous system, and the baby. At first I was told that they would keep me in the hospital on bed rest for a few weeks until the babys lungs matured, but early the next morning here comes my nurse giving me steroid shots for the babys lungs and tells me that they're delivering me by c-section that afternoon because I could be on the verge of seizures, and the baby has no fluid around her. I freaked out of course because being a full 2 months premature I knew I wouldn't be leaving the hospital with my baby and that broke my heart. I was very scared of what might happen with her being born so early.
So they delived me at 4:01pm on December 4th. I didn't even get to see her until the next night, and I couldn't hold her until she was 5 days old. I was released and back to normal after 11 days, but my daughter is still in the NICU and will be for about another month. She'll be 2 weeks old tomorrow and is breathing on her own, they took her off of oxygen last night, and her feeding tube should be gone by the end of this week. She's gone from 3 pounds 7 ounces at birth to 3 pounds 14 ounces as of yesterday.

Even though she's doing good now, this is has been the hardest thing I have ever had to experience and we need all of the prayers (or whatever it is that you do) we can get. I'll be sure to keep you all posted every chance I get.

This is tiny Clara Elizabeth
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/Clara2002.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/Clara2014.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/Clara2019.jpg

[Sharkchild]

Clara is absolutely a precious beauty, and I am so glad to read that she is doing well. I wish you the best of journeys while being the mother of this tiny miracle. Happy holidays!

[ManchestrMorgue]

Aw what a cute baby. :)

You have both been through a lot, and I can imagine how stressful the time has been.

This can be the start of a very special bond between the two of you - you really realise how special a child is when you see them having such a tough time.

I wish you all the best - hopefully things will settle and you can enjoy all the joys of motherhood without too many of the big stresses.

[hammerfan]

Aww, sweetie, she's just beautiful! I'll keep both of you in my prayers - that your body gets back to normal (blood pressure!!) and that little Clara continues to grow and be healthy.

[crabapple]

Many, many best wishes from crabby.

[newb]

You and Clara are in my thoughts and prayers this holiday season, Marroe.You have been through a lot and stand strong........as only a woman could [ this is why guys don't have babys.......that and the whole breast-feeding thing ]

Sending out positive vibes............NOW.


Have a nice holiday season and get back here posting on a regular basis soon;)

[jenna26]

She's beautiful! :) I can't even imagine how hard this must have been, but congratulations on your little miracle. Best wishes to you both.

[Roderick Usher]

You are both very lucky to have come through this so well. Preeclampsia that extreme is quite dangerous. I'm sorry you had to have an emergency c-section, that must be quite difficult to deal with emotionally on top of the physical pain, but I'm glad you're both out imminent danger.

I will hold you both in my prayers.

[ferretchucker]

If I were standing by you right now, I'd be clapping and jumping. Sorry to hear about the troubles but I'm so glad Clara is getting on fine and she really is a beautiful baby.

[GorePhobia]

She truely is absolutely stunningly beautiful. Congrats on having her and I am so sorry it happened the way it did. You and her both are in my prayers and I wish the best of luck and love this holiday. Keep us updated.

:)

[Yellow Jacket]

She's so cute and beautiful. I wish you a life of happiness with Clara Elizabeth! Happy Holidays!

[AUSTIN316426808]

Glad you two made it through that tough time. Congrats and Happy Holidays.

[Elvis_Christ]

Awwww cute!

Best wishes from over here glad you two pulled thru merry xmas to you and the family :D

[missmacabre]

She's absolutely adorable. I'll be praying for you both.

[hellfire1]

Can't even imagine how scary that must have been. But she's beautiful and looking very healthy. Congrats to the both of you. Will also be sending good thoughts.

[Doc Faustus]

Congratulations. Stories like these prove how amazing human potential really is. Even the smallest of us have the power to endure. You've clearly passed on a strong spirit.

[Marroe]

Thank you so much everyone! Today she is only half an ounce from being 4 pounds, so that's exciting...and I should be able to give her her first bottle tomorrow. I just can't wait for them to say we can bring her home...the way she's been this week, sounds like it won't be as long as we thought.

Thank you again. All of the positive support really helps. I'll post some more pictures soon. *proud*:D



Oh yeah, I'll be here posting regularly as soon as she's home and life gets to it's new state of "normal"...I promise.

[ManchestrMorgue]

Oh yeah, I'll be here posting regularly as soon as she's home and life gets to it's new state of "normal"...I promise.

OK, see you in about, oh, 18 years :D

[novakru]

Congradulations!!
The fact that she's gaining wieght is the best sign a preemie can have!!
Yea for you AND her sweetie.
God Bless!:)

[Marroe]

Thanks again everyone. Just a little update (because this is all my life consists of nowadays...but that's ok)
She's up to 4 pounds and 6 ounces. That's an ounce away from being a pound over her birth weight, and she's taking 3 bottle feeds a day and the rest from her feeding tube. As soon as she can take all of her feeds from a bottle she can come home:D I'm feeding her now. At first I had to have the nurses do it because she'd get to cozy with me and fall asleep in the middle but now I think I have it down. She she's doing better everyday and nothing makes me happier. We're now trying to prepare to spend her first Christmas in the hospital. It's a little sad for us but we're just thankful that she's here and doing great so we're not dwelling on it too much.

Here's some newer pictures. I still can't believe I have a blonde baby:eek:

It's hard to get quality pictures throug plastic...

The binky is almost bigger than her head
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/11.jpg

Her pretty premie dress that's too big for her
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/13.jpg

Her first picture with no oxygen in her nose
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/clara103.jpg

more coming...they cut me off

[Marroe]

She did this all by herself. Strange child, but we'll still take her.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/clara094.jpg

And her first bottle feed. She's a little messy
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/clara109.jpg

[Marroe]

How could I forget this one.....this look is classic.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/clara123.jpg

[ferretchucker]

How could I forget this one.....this look is classic.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/clara123.jpg

"What you talkin' 'bout willis?"




But anyway, she is so cute! Have a great christmas. And also, tell her that a december birthday is the best kind of birthday!

[pinkfloyd45769]

Awwww,i'm heartbroken for you. Being a mommy i know that the smallest of colds are hard for mommies and i know this has to be taking a hell of a toll on you. She is a beautiful baby and i know she will be just fine. A year from now you will not even recognize the tiny baby in those pics!! Good luck!!! Lots of love to you all!!! MUAH~~~~~

[wildfire]

I don't know if you remember me It's Allmykids. I'm glad to hear you and the baby are doing so well. Congrats!! My prayers are with you. You got the best present this year A little fighter.......... Merry Christmas!! :D

[Marroe]

Just a quick update before I TRY to get some sleep.
She's home! She was discharged on the 2nd and weighed a whopping 5 pounds and 2 ounces that day. Hopefully we'll be on some sort of schedule soon:rolleyes: But I couldn't be happier right now. I have a happy healthy baby who is one month old today.
Thank you all for keeping us in your thoughts!
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/clara1385.jpg

[Roderick Usher]

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ChronoGrl]

Oh, wow... Beautiful... And... CONGRATULATIONS that she finally came home. :)

[jenna26]

So glad to hear she is home Marroe! :) She's adorable.

[novakru]

What an angel:)

Don't worry about getting anything done when she sleeps- YOU sleep!
That's my best mommy advice....
oh,and...
when it's night be quiet, when it's day-do what you need to do.
It gets them into the right day/night routine and they start sleeping thru the night quicker.
I've done that with all my kids and it works.;)

I have a thousand really good tips- but only if you ask, I also know it's a pain in the ass to get mommyhood advice:D

[Zero]

congratulations marroe - she's an angel

[Psycom5k]

let me tell you what, I'm glad that she is healthy. I'm very happy for you and her. I just had a nephew born not too long ago, and he was a month early. He was in the hospital for 6 weeks before he could come home, so I "kinda" know what its like, because I didn't have something growing inside of me for so long and then have to be sliced open and have that little being taken out, mostly because i've never been pregnant... and because I have the totally opposite parts for that anyways... but the waiting for them to get out of the hospital so you can bring them home and spend time with them... I know exactly how you feel. I love my little nephew Noah, who by the way is a genius because instead of crying when he wants something, he simply says HEY! a few times till he gets your attention. ( I should try to get a recording of it and put it up somewhere.)
One word of advice... if your mad at somebody, don't use her against that person, because its just wrong.... and on that note, I'd like to say that my sister can be a downright bitchsometimes.
ANYWAYS.... Good luck, and spoil her rotten.

[ferretchucker]

Baby Shower!!!!!!

[Zero]

Baby Shower!!!!!!

quick grab some big sturdy umbrellas!

[newb]

quick grab some big sturdy umbrellas!

Its better than "Raining Men", I suppose.

[Marroe]

What an angel:)

Don't worry about getting anything done when she sleeps- YOU sleep!
That's my best mommy advice....
oh,and...
when it's night be quiet, when it's day-do what you need to do.
It gets them into the right day/night routine and they start sleeping thru the night quicker.
I've done that with all my kids and it works.

I have a thousand really good tips- but only if you ask, I also know it's a pain in the ass to get mommyhood advice
I have been trying SO hard to get this child to sleep through the night. When it's bed time we all go to bed, turn the light out and we're totally quiet but she ALWAYS starts fussing soon after and stays that way all night. I'm so tired:( And all day long I am cleaning and vacuuming and making noise but she sleeps through it all. I try to wake her but nothing does it. I don't know what to do!!! Please...I'll take all the advice about this I can get.

So there's talk of a baby shower? I could really use one of those diaper genies and a 4 door car:p

Don't make fun of me...I have gained an insane amount of weight. Weight watchers here I come!
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/ClaraandMommy.jpg

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e35/sistinas5802/clara138814x6.jpg

[ferretchucker]

You ans the baby both look fine! There's nothing to make fun of. I'm afraid I don't know much about taking care of babies so I can't help.