...could have been my babies' birth day. I've had in my head all day long how this could have been the day they turned 1 year old, but I am so thankful that it is not.
Last year on December 20th, I went to the hospital with preterm contractions. I was sent home after the contractions were "controlled" that afternoon. However, apparently they were not because bring-me-to-my knees contractions showed up that evening despite the terbutaline, forcing me to call my husband (who was grocery shopping at the time) in hysterics and beg him to come home and bring me back to the hospital. That day was the scariest day of my life- even more scary than the day my house was on fire (with me and my doggies inside). I was only 26 weeks along- past 50% viability day, but not past danger by any means. I remember very vividly rocking back and forth on my knees, griping the couch armrest, pleading through my sobs that it was too early and praying fervently to God to keep them in longer as I waited for my husband to get home. My dog stayed close by my side until he got there. My husband later told me that he ditched the almost-full cart in an aisle before he raced home.
I spent the night in the hospital while the contractions were finally held at bay with an increased dose of magnesium sulfate. (Ugh- I remember so well how wicked that stuff was.) It was a scary, scary 24 hours, but Sam and Anna hung tight. There were threats of strict bedrest until I delivered, threats that I would have to stay at the hospital longer than 1 night, and my husband was given a tour of the NICU by a NICU nurse (I think to scare him into making sure I stayed on bedrest). Ultimately, winter break from school gave me a change to lay low and recuperate. With no more contractions after that initial 24 hours, I went back to teaching two weeks later (with my OB's okay) until I chose to stop teaching at 35 weeks.
My cervix of steel earned its keep that day- helping me hold out to a C-section I elected for at 37 weeks- 11 weeks later. After December 20th, 2009, I never thought I would make it that far, and I am forever thankful that my babies were able to remain inside as long as they should have. I will never forget the vivid memories of my preterm-labor scare at 26 weeks and I will always be thankful that December 20th is not their birthday! Cause for a celebration tonight, since we aren't celebrating a birthday, right?
4 comments:
My girls' almost birthday was December 8th--I, too, remember it so, so well, and am completely and utterly thankful that it is not their actual birthday. They arrived February 3rd at 35 weeks. Definitely a reason to celebrate--I'd bust out the champaign, or at least a bottle of wine! Enjoy, and blessings!
YES! Oh my that must have been SO scary. My niece was born at 26 weeks weighing 1 lb, 11oz after my sisters water randomly broke. So I spent my entire pregnancy TERRIFIED my twins were going to come early. Turns out I needed to be INDUCED at 38 weeks (as far as my OB would let me go) which was nothing short of amazing to me. God was so faithful to us.
I say you and your hubby celebrate a very merry UN-Birthday tonight!!!
Oh, wow. Sooooo glad you were able to make it through and the babies weren't a year old today. How scary.
Thanks for the X-mas card. :) Soooo cute!
I am also so glad they stayed in. Even if they had made it, there would likely be a slew of health issues that would be challenging. Thank God that he kept them in there for you until it was time. Those kids are so healthy and happy, and I'm very glad this wasn't their birthday as well!
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