Nora's Birth Part 2

Part 2 is so hard to write...

Although Nora was born on May 22nd, we did not bring her home until May 31st. We enjoyed two blissful days with our baby in the post partum unit. I am so grateful that I had those two days to feel like a normal new mom with Nora. As I nestled Nora into her car seat on departure day, she started to scream. I decided to feed her a bit before heading home. Nora had been eating for about 10 minutes when I looked down and noticed she had turned purple. I ran out into the hall to get the nurse and show her Nora. The nurse's first response was that I couldn't be out in the hallway with the baby unless she was in the bassinet. Whatever, lady. She came in and Nora's color started to return. She decided to take Nora to the nursery for observation. I tagged along. For some reason, I really do not recall I headed back to my room for a minute. I was sitting on the bed when a doctor from the NICU entered and told me that my sweet baby was going to be admitted to their unit. As you can imagine, I totally freaked out. My mind automatically went "there." I thought she was going to die. The next thing I thought was that I would be leaving the hospital without a baby, again...

DH and I walked over to the NICU. Nora was all hooked up and in a bed already. Several people were crowded around her and monitoring her. As they were watching her, they noticed she was having some desats. I don't remember much of this day. It's kind of a blur. All I remember is we left the hospital with an empty car seat in hand and checked into a hotel across the street from the hospital so that we could be closer to Nora.


DH and I set up a schedule. The NICU was open from 8-6 during the day and 8-6 at night. I spent the days there and DH stayed with her at night. Some of the nurses thought we were crazy. But, we had waited so long for her arrival, we just wanted to be near our baby. It helped me to sleep better at night too to know that someone was with Nora. I'd pump milk all day and all night, every 3 hours so that Nora could eat. A couple days before we got to bring her home, I started nursing again. Thanks to the encouragement of a wonderful nurse. Prior to that, I was set on solely pumping as I feared she might turn purple on me again.

Nora was on a nasal cannula for two days. She started out in a crib, but was later moved to an isolette because she also had jaundice. She was given the full work up. They did an ultrasound on her brain, a chest xray, and ran tests for infection. Everything came back clear. She just needed to grow a bit and learn the whole suck, swallow, breathe thing. Once I realized that she was going to live, I was okay (well as okay as one can be in that situation). In order to come home, Nora had to have 5 days without any desats.

Nine days after her birth, on Memorial Day, my dream came true. I placed Nora back into her car seat and carried her our of the hospital. Not before stopping in the hospital's area that DH and I call, "Ella's Garden." A small garden with memorial butterfly statues just outside of the labor and delivery floor. We took Nora out there, for her first breath of fresh air, and to tell her the story of her sister.

Nora's Birth Part 1

Nora's birth was boring compared to my pregnancy. It was quick and without drama. But, I guess if you consider the fact that I went into preterm labor around 25 weeks, it was long and arduous.

I had my cerclage out at noon on Thursday, May 20th (36 weeks). I had been in a lot of pain that week- lots of cramping. I had hoped that she'd arrive soon after the removal.

The next day, I went out and treated myself to the longest (and most expensive) manicure and pedicure I'd ever had. Afterward, I went for a NST. Nora hadn't been moving much that day, so my doctor had me to come in to put my mind at ease. The toco picked up some of my contractions, but the nurse said they were "small." I didn't think they were small! Nora's heartbeat, movement, and fluid were all declared fine. On the way home, I had an overwhelming craving for blueberry muffins. We stopped at Panera and bought two and I ate both! Along with 3 pieces of pita bread and garlic sauce (the same garlic sauce I ate the night before Ella was born, coincidentally). Later, I had a huge bowl of pasta and sauce, too. It was if my body knew I'd be needing the carbs soon.

That night before bed, I lost my mucus plug. The same thing happened right before Ella was born. So I knew then that labor was right around the corner. I took a bath to help ease the pain from the contractions and tried to go to bed. I woke up about every 40 minutes feeling like my uterus was being run over by a semi truck. I'd moan and wail for 10 minutes and then I'd fall back asleep. This continued until about 4am when DH encouraged me to get up and go to the hospital. I threw on my clothes (how I wish I would have showered first), grabbed my hospital bag that I packed at 27weeks, and headed out.

I had been on the toco monitor for about five minutes with no contractions. I was pretty sure I was going to be sent home embarrassed. I said out loud, please just let me have a really bad contraction so that the nurses can see what I'm enduring at home. Two seconds later a contraction came on and I heard a POP. My water broke. I started screaming, "please let her be safe. please let her live." I asked the nurse to check my fluid for meconium. She said it was all clear. It was 6am and I was 2 cm dilated. I was moved into a labor and delivery room. Today was going to be Nora's birthday!

The contractions began to get closer together and I was pleading for drugs. I was given a shot of something that did not work. Around 8 am, my new best friend, the anesthesiologist came in to place my epidural. I was already 6 cm dilated.

Ahhhh. Things were much better once I had the DRUGS! I was able to contact friends and family and let them know that our little girl was on her way.

My favorite doctor. The one that delivered Ella was not on call that day. But, she made a special trip in to deliver Nora. I started pushing around 10 am and Nora was born at 10:53am. It was so neat that she was basically born at the same time as Ella (10:50am). **Sidenote: while I was pushing, we had a 4.9 earthquake.

There are no words to describe what it was like to see my baby for the first time, breathing and alive. It was like a fairytale.

To be continued...

Stopping By

Hi Everyone! I sure miss you all. You know I've said before that I won't be sharing Nora's pictures here on Ella's blog. But, if you'd like to see her pictures, please email me. I can share the link to her newborn photos video, invite you to join my facebook, or to view Nora's blog. Love to you all. I think of you so often. I'm just busy cuddling (and feeding and changing diapers). Will be back soon. Haven't forgotten about all of the butterfly requests either. xo

Briannemeg@yahoo.com

Nora Belle

has arrived!!!!

Birthday- Saturday, May 22nd at 10:53 am (Ella was born at 10:50)

5 lbs, 10 ounces

18.5 inches

more details to come...

Nora Poll and If You're Not Busy on Sunday...

I decided to poll you all as to when you think Miss Nora will make her debut. Scroll down a bit. The poll is under my floating fetus widget (I'm gonna miss that little guy) on the right hand side of the blog.

Also, I wanted to inform/invite/remind anyone who happens to be sitting around on Sunday (or in my case, everyday)that the Anchored By Hope Radio Show airs every Sunday at 5 pm Eastern Time. You can listen to the show and join the live web chat here. Carly from Names in The Sand was a guest on the first show two weeks ago. Last week, they talked about all of those dreaded "firsts" after a loss. I've cried during both shows. Katy and Kristie (the hosts) do a great job. It is also just fun to chat with several of the bloggers. Look forward to seeing some of you in the chat room on Sunday!

Ready

Since October 7th, not a day has gone by where I haven't worried that she's died. I am nearly 35 weeks pregnant and I still look for blood everytime I go to the bathroom. Why hasn't she kicked in a few hours? Why won't she respond to my pokes? Is she kicking too much (as was the case yesterday- where she was averaging 40 kicks in one hour... Yes, this warranted a late night trip to L&D)? Add in the frequent contractions and cramping that began at week 14 (last night's monitoring showed contractions every 7 minutes)... I could not fully anticipate nor could I ever put into the words the anxiety I've experienced these past eight and a half months. So with that, I'm going to make a bold statement...

I AM READY!

No, I don't mean that my house is in order and ready for baby. Because it's not and won't ever be since I've been on bedrest for God knows how long and the fact that we're moving here shortly. What I mean is, I AM READY FOR HER TO BE BORN! Yes, I know that's a strong statement to make at just 34 weeks, 4 days. And, I know that might warrant a hundred comments on the dangers of preterm births. But, there is not one blog I follow where a healthy baby died because it was born premature at nearly 35 weeks. But, give me a pen and paper and I can write the names of fifty women who's baby's died in their womb at 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, and 40+ weeks for unexplained reasons. If you do know of such a blog or have a strong opinion about what I'm saying here, do me a solid and refrain from sharing it with me. I already have enough to worry about. I want her out. Not because I'm uncomfortable or feel done with bedrest or this pregnancy. I want her out because I feel like my body is sucky and is going to be the demise of her.

My stitch is due to come out in 11 days (36 weeks). If I make it to that point, you will see me doing laps around my neighborhood trying to force her out. In fact, I'm typing up her eviction notice as we speak.

Now that I've publicly made this declaration, watch... this little booger is going to stay put til 40+ weeks. Just arrive alive little one, that' all I ask.

Someone Came Before You

Lisette, Sami's mom sent this beautiful book for Nora. I just love it and find it so appropriate. I look forward to reading this book to Nora and telling her all about her sister. Husband and I are still grieving for Ella. Preparing for Nora is a reminder of all the things we didn't get to do for her. Yet, we love and adore our Nora so much and hope she realizes what her life means to us. I really wanted to share the words of the book here.

Someone Came Before You

There was once a mommy and daddy who loved each other very much.

They loved to ride their bikes and dance and watch TV and even do chores together.

But they knew something was missing.

They knew what was missing wasn't a cat or a dog or a bird or a hamster. They knew it wasn't a new car or a new TV.

They knew they wanted to share their life with someone very special.

They wanted a baby that would grow into a little person who would also love to ride bikes and dance and even do chores with them.

They were so excited when they realized this special person was on the way.

They heard their baby and felt their baby and watched their baby grow. This was to be a very special baby.

And the mommy would sit in the rocker and sing to her baby, "baby, I'm waiting for you. Praying for you. Dreaming of you. And when another day is through I'll still be waiting for you."

They loved their special baby very much.

But things didn't go as planned. Their very special baby died.

The mommy and daddy missed their special baby very much. They cried and cried and were sad a whole lot.

And the mommy sang as she sat in the rocker, "baby, we remember you. Think of you. Pray for you. And when another day is through, we'll still remember you."

Nothing would make them happy.

And so their hearts grew very small. Nothing could get in. Nothing seemed to matter. They didn't want to ride their bikes or dance or even do their chores. They just wanted their baby.

Even thought the special baby died, the baby kept loving the mommy and daddy and tried to make them happy again.

Their special baby was very patient. And the special baby would sing, "mommy, I remember you. Think of you. Pray for you. And when another day is through I still remember you."

Finally after what seemed like much work on the special baby's part, the mommy and daddy's hearts were stretched big enough to let in more love.

And now there was room enough for another special baby to come into their hearts...and that special baby is YOU.

We still think of that special baby that came before you. We hang the baby's ornament on the tree next to yours.

And we have a little box that we pull out from time to time that holds memories of that special baby.

And sometimes we light a candle for the baby and thank the baby for stretching our hearts to make room for you.