By the time I got to the hospital, the contractions actually started to be painful and very close together. The weird thing is that they always lasted less than 10 seconds. It took time to get me in a room, get swab and tests results, but as soon as I was on the monitor, it was clear they were real contractions. From that point on, I was completely in shock and had no time to express my fear of what was actually going on. Aaron began to notify family and contact people that were potential for assistance with getting me to Columbus. As we waited for a Doctor to arrive, they got me set up for another dose of steroid that would help baby’s lungs and IV magnesium. That mag was terrible stuff that made my face feel like it was on fire. It sorta made me realize how real this suddenly was and I kept looking at Aaron with a panicked face wondering if I would even make it to Columbus. Well, I didn’t. Nothing seemed to go as planned and each plan discussed fell apart like a landslide. Unfortunately, I was already 5-6 cm dialated and they were unsure it was even going to be safe to send me anywhere once transport arrived.
The first plan was Riverside and medflight 5 out of Galion was going to come, but their NICU was full. Then they called Grant with Medflight 4 who came, but it was too late to fly me. The Doctor informed us they didn’t want to risk the baby being born in the air, as I was already 8cm dilated. There was not really a choice given at that point and we were told to have the baby there and send baby with a NICU team as soon as she was born. They moved me to a labor and delivery room and planned for Nationwide NICU truck to come, but the truck couldn’t come and they sent the helicopter instead. Aaron was watching the flight radar app this whole time and watched Nationwide’s helicopter turn around. The doctor came in and explained that it was because Nationwide NICU was also full. The last resort was calling Akron Childrens. During this time, I was scared out of my mind that myself and the baby were about to die. Contractions were getting really strong and I was scared that they would get worse. Due to being on Lovenox, we had to discuss wether I was even able to get an epidural. I didn’t know how much worse or how long labor would take, and since my last labor was over 24 hours, I still decided to get it. Little did I know how bad of an idea that was. The first spot that the epidural was tried was hitting a nerve and radiating down my back. After 3 tries in the same spot and me screaming every time, I asked for it to be stopped. I was in tears and looking at Aaron thinking I was about to be paralyzed. But the anesthesiologist went ahead and tried one more time in a higher spot and got it in. Unfortunately the epidural caused me to shake uncontrollably and ended up dropping my BP a couple times almost to the point of no pulse. Once they hit me with medications to level me out, the doctor came in and was ready. Akron Childrens flight team had also come and they waited to break my water until they were set up and ready.
The doctor saw the umbilical cord hanging out and quickly pushed it back so that baby would not get strangled in it. After that was resolved, It took 1 minute and 4 pushes for her to come out. I looked at her and heard 3 pitiful cries. I assumed that was the last thing I would see and hear before she was dead. I cried because I was so scared for what was about to happen. Someone mentioned that her eyes opened too as they were working on her across the room. The flight team took 20 min to intubate, but she was somewhat stable. She was in a clear bag with only her face showing. I touched her cheek and said goodbye before they took her in the helicopter and Aaron left to drive up to Akron to be with her.
Comments
Post a Comment