I have someone to introduce! UPDATE on page 7

My due date was April 25, 2012 but God, and someone else, had other plans! At 29 weeks, 11 weeks early, I delivered my son!

And here he is!

Owen Gregg
Born Monday, February 6, 2012 at 3:32pm
2 pounds 14 ounces . 16 inches

This is my boy at 1 week old...


He is beautiful. He is strong. He is thriving. He is mine!

Not your typical way to come into the world but I would not trade my birth story for anything! It is why we are and I am blessed.

I'll make a long story short (and post a full birth story some day) as I am pumping every 3 hours and I still have to make DS #1's Valentine's!

About a week prior, I had started to feel uncomfortable. Thought it was typical growth spurt starting to push aside my innards. Night before Superbowl Sunday, discomfort turns to pain and I had a rough night that did not fade by morning. I thought I had a urinary tract infection. Leaving out hours of details, I go into hospital for monitoring. No contractions register, cervix is in tact, however some mucus discharge most likely from UTI. Put on fluids and antibiotic for a couple hours. Go home. Go to Stop n Shop for Superbowl snacks. Opt out of going to my brother's to just rest on the couch with DH and DS. Was good all day, then around half time started to spot. Called OB on call. Calls back with 3 minutes left of the game! I go back in to hospital, seconds after the Giants win for overnight monitoring. Again, long story short, pain starts to register as mild contraction on and off. Does not subside overnight. Baby is monitoring fine, kicking and wiggling. In the morning I get a sono to check my cervix. Guess what? No cervix!

I will say, from the milisecond after my OB said preterm labor, she, and my L&D nurses could not have been more reassuring and encouraging that a 29 week baby would be fine, should I deliver. The whole way through. This gave me strength and hope and confidence that this was going to be okay.

I was given steroids, to help baby's lung development, and magnesium to relax the uterus and slow/stop contractions. And if stable enough would transfer to North Shore NICU. Again, long story short, my boy had other plans and was born at 3:32pm at Southside. He was tiny but not at tiny as I was expecting. In that sono, he'd measured 2 pounds 12 ounces so I was sure he'd be less as DS #1 was less than measured. But he was 2 pounds 14 ounces so he was just a little more than a handful. I got a quick kiss then he went into NICU at Southside. Babies born 30 weeks or less are transfered to North Shore NICU (same doctors as Southside NICU, just better equiped for pre-preterm). I got to see him for a half hour or so before he was transported. I was instantly in love!

I will say, everyone involved, from the nurses, OB, Southside NICU, North Shore transport team, everyone, was so incredibly great. I knew my boy was in great hands.

I had no tearing or stitches so I was released just the day after so that I can get to be with him at North Shore. It has been a week and I've been there every day. Still learning to balance DS #1, DH, pumping, sleeping, updating, but I think I'm working it pretty good. The trek to North Shore is at least an hour door to door but I make good use of the time to make my phone calls.

Owen has been doing great. Impressing all of the doctors and nurses by thriving as well and quickly as he is for his age! Again, I will not go into details of his care but at one week, he is off breathing assistance, breathing room air comfortably, off phototherapy for jaundice, up to 12ml of breast milk per feeding, digesting, peeing, pooping (transitioned from merconium to green! ), gaining weight, passing all preemie tests and scans. He's doing really great.

Here are some pics of the hundreds I've already taken! He's changed my life forever and I love him beyond words.

Our first week journey...

Mommy, Daddy and Big Brother Nolan are doing great!


It looks like a lot but as soon as I got the low down on what each thing is and does, it was really not that bad.


At North Shore NICU


CPAP tube, not breathing for him, just putting air into his lungs to help expand them until he's strong enough to do it on his own. He's breathing room air on his own. The eye mask stays on during phototherapy.


During vitals checks and diaper changes, every three hours, I did get to see him unobstructed for a little while!


Big Brother Nolan has been great! Maturing by the minute! He is easing into being a big brother so adorably. We are not rushing it as he is only 2 1/2 and siblings must be 3 to visit so for all he knows, babies do not come right home after they are born. This is his norm.


Getting this PIC line was a big step. Then no more IV's in his arms.


First time feeding my son. He is getting fluid nutrition but also gets breast milk through a feeding tube every three hours. Started with 1ml and now he's up to 12ml per feeding!




I've given him a bath. I've changed his diaper. I am as hands on as they let me be.




I think I'm doing okay with pumping for a 29 week old Momma. I have already given more than enough for Owen so I've given some breast milk for a study being conducted.



The first time I held my baby boy.




Finally got the wear his Hospital hat! The best Valentine's Day ever! Got to hold him with no CPAP! He opened his eyes and turned his head up to me!


He was giving little gassy smiles and working his mouth as if he wanted to nurse. Soon enough little boy! Soon enough!


And that's my boy Owen!

Thank you so much for looking and reading. And thank you so much to those of you already praying for him, who've heard our story from mutual friends.

Message edited 3/11/2012 10:22:06 PM.

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congratulations! He's precious. I hope he continues to do well and has as short of a stay as possible in the NICU.

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congratulations. So glad to hear Owen is doing so well. My son was also born at 29 weeks. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. I know how rough it can be going back and forth to NICU.
If you need anything even just to talk, please let me know.
He is beautiful.

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Holy cow! What an amazing story. Thank you for sharing!!!!!!!!!!!! I am crying from looking at all of the pics. Congrats and prayers that he gets stronger every day!!!!!!!!!!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congrats!!!! He is a wonderful weight for a 29 weeker!!! North shore's Nicu is wonderful!!!! we spent 6 weeks there this fall. It was also about an hour door to door. We were part of 2 different BM studies there as well.

Our Twins were 30 weeks! Please let me know if you need anything. This can be a rough road!
Your little man looks like he is doing GREAT!

Message edited 2/15/2012 7:12:29 AM.

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congratulations!! Your little boy is adorable!! You look so happy in the picture where you held him for the first time - brought tears to my eyes.

Re: I have someone to introduce!

your story has me in tears. what a BEAUTIFUL little boy, and so lucky to have such a devoted, positive momma. i love the picture of you holding him for the first time - your joy shines through. i hope the next few weeks FLY for you and your little boy is home SOON!!
thank you so much for sharing your story!!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

OMG! I know I'm a hormonal mess getting ready to deliver my boy in the next few days, but holy cow I am a slobbering mess now! How precious and what a miracle he is! God Bless, you are doing a wonderful job! Hopefully he's home with you all soon!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

COngratulations!!! Owen is just beautiful and I pray that he continues to make such great progress. YOu have such a positive attitude which I know helps him! Congrats again!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

What an amazing story...congratulations and it's so good to hear he is doing so well. I hope you get to take your little guy home soon!!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

That picture of you holding Owen for the first time is so touching!! Your positivity and strength are so admirable. God Bless you and your family!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

He's beautiful

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congrats he is beautiful and a miracle. God Bless him

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congratulations! He's precious.

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he is so beautiful! he looks like a little fighter and from your story i can tell already he is going to be your tough guy!! Congrats Mommy!! Ur doing GREAT!
So happy to hear that he is thriving so well!!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

What a beautiful, beautiful boy, and such a beautiful story. I teared up as we were both scheduled to be April mamas! Please keep us updated on his progress, and I hope his NICU stay is short!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

So precious and glad he's doing so well!!!!

Re: I have someone to introduce!

i was hoping you would post the back story i was curious how this little man entered the world so soon!

I am so happy that everything turned out so well for you guys... Owen is one lucky little boy to have you guys and Nolan and you are also soo lucky to have such a fighter

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congrats!! What a beautiful little boy! Love the pic of you holding him for 1st time.

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congratulations! He is adorable!

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What an amazingly strong little boy...and momma! Congrats!!! Owen is beautiful!

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congrats!! He is adorable He will be home before you know it

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You have me in tears. Congratulations! I hope he continues to thrive, he's beautiful and so strong!

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Oh my goodness...those itty bitty feet and hands Those are incredible pictures.

God bless him and may he continue to thrive.

Re: I have someone to introduce!

Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy! He is precious and am glad to hear he is doing so well! DD was born at 32 weeks and I know what a rollercoaster ride the NICU can be but they are in the best hands there.