Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

This is a very belated announcement since I've had some health issues since coming home from the hospital and it's been so busy adjusting to life with a newborn.....but I'm overjoyed to announce we had our team green baby on August 12th, 5 days before my due date......and just as I suspected throughout my pregnancy.......our little one turned out to be......



A beautiful HEALTHY baby BOY!!!!!!!

My son, Michael Patrick Jr. was born on 8/12/13 at 3:26PM, 6pds 15 oz

Some of you may remember the loss we had last year at 22 weeks along (our daughter Grace who had a brain malformation and 2 heart defects).....it was a long road to get here but I know Grace is smiling down on us as we welcomed her brother into this world, and she wants us to be a happy family even if it feels incomplete that she is not here too! I suppose every new mom that has had losses goes through these emotions.....it's still surreal that we finally have a baby home with us, but he is our little miracle boy, despite me having lupus and my MTHFR gene issues, he is 100% healthy, perfect heart and brain.....I couldn't ask for anything more!!

As for delivery, everyone at NS Manhasset was amazing.....I had a great experience delivering there. The morning of August 12th, I woke up to contractions around 3:30-4am, they were strong and regularly coming at 2-4 minutes apart. I went to the bathroom and had what seemed to be my "bloody show".....I wanted to stay home as long as possible since I was scheduled to have a platelet infusion that day (platelets 3 days prior were at 60, anything below 90 and I would not be allowed to have an epidural!)....so I was thinking if I was going to end up having a drug free birth b/c of the platelet problem that I'd want to wait it out at home as long as possible. I sat on the couch with a heating pad, had breakfast, watched tv, took a shower etc. By 9am, I decided I should probably go to my OB's office since they were open at that point and have them check me out first rather than rush over to the hospital. I called ahead, but I spoke with the receptionist instead of one of the nurses, so when I came in they had me as an emergency appointment but didn't realize that I was already having regular contractions....so I sat there patiently in the waiting room as all these non-OB patients seemed to be getting called in lol....after about a half hour of sitting there, I had this really strong intense contraction, I braced myself holding the chair and all of a sudden felt this big movement from our little guy and POP, my water broke ALL OVER THE CHAIR, FLOOR ETC. I looked down and it literally looked like it was gushing out of my pants like a geyser, I've never seen anything like it. I should also add, I had high amniotic fluid my whole pregnancy, so I really left quite the trail in their office walking back to the exam room! My pants were soaked from my waist down to my ankles, it was so gross! They definitely won't be forgetting me anytime soon in that office!! So they do the internal and doc says the baby is a little sideways and the hand is presenting first!! So I will need a c-section I was kind of upset since I was awake when I delivered Grace stillborn last year, there was NO WAY I wanted to be knocked out with general anesthesia for the birth of our healthy baby! I wanted to hear those first cries and the "it's a ____" announcement after waiting all that time and not finding out! I knew with my platelets being 60 3 days prior it was going to be an issue, but I just focused on getting through the contractions and told myself as long as he's healthy and arrives here safely it will be okay. So, we get to NS Manhasset and they draw my blood right away to re-confirm the platelet count. We waited for what seemed like an eternity to get the # back (it was probably an hour or so), and they were 80! Which was still shy of the 90 you'd need for an epidural that would allow me to stay awake during the csection, but at least I felt better that it wasn't as low as 60 from the few days earlier. So one of the senior anesthesiologists comes in to tell me that they're going to have to give me general anesthesia, the nurse taking care of me knew my back story and told me to plead with him, so I did and hoped for the best. He looks me over and says he doesn't see any clinical reason I'd have an issue other than the lupus causing my platelet problem, so he says he can make a case for having a spinal instead of general anesthesia (which is exactly like an epidural except it's temporary- lasts 2-3 hours, vs. an epidural staying in your spine and being "topped off" as needed). This was like the best news EVER, I felt so much better getting wheeled into that operating room knowing I was about to meet our child AND be awake to hear it!!!!! They prepped me and about a half hour later we heard his first cries and the "IT'S A BOY" announcement, my husband and I both cried and cried, it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard!!!! They handed him to me all swaddled up and I kissed him and stared at his face, completely in awe we made this perfect little creature!!

We've had some speedbumps since I came home, b/c of the steroids they had me on to increase my platelets, they decided to up my dosage after delivery b/c they were worried about me bleeding and what I didn't know is that steroids can raise your blood pressure.....last Sunday-Tuesday I felt completely "off", I thought I was just having migraines b/c I was running on 2-3 hours of sleep each night and nursing him has been so draining on me.....I was seeing blurred lines and was so dizzy Monday night I actually felt like the room was going dark and I was going to pass out. Went to the hematologist on Tuesday to get platelets rechecked and my blood pressure was 150 over 108!! They told me anything over 100 on the lower # and I should go to the hospital! No wonder why I told my husband the head splitting pounding headache I had Sunday & Monday made me feel like I was having an aneurysm, I literally felt like my head would explode! The hematologist told me to start weaning off the steroids right away and prescribed a blood pressure medicine so I'd start feeling better. It was a crazy week that had me very emotional because I thought the headaches were just b/c I couldn't handle the demands of mommyhood, low & behold the steroids were making my system go haywire. So my PSA, PLEASE make sure to get yourself checked out if you really feel "off" after going home from the hospital. Like the doctor told me, mom needs to be healthy to take care of baby.....and I really was brushing off the signs that there was a big problem. I'm feeling much better now but trying not to put too much pressure on myself with breastfeeding (it is really tough since little guy seems to really be into "comfort" nursing!). Sorry this is so super long, but I hope you enjoyed my story! Wishing all the mommies in the homestretch an easy delivery!! I can't believe after being off & on this pregnancy board since 2009, I finally have a little one in my arms

Here's some pics of my little guy, we have a few teasers from our newborn photo shoot, can't wait to see the rest!!!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations!!!

He is absolutely beautiful

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

I am sooooo happy for you!!!! Your son is beautiful!! I wish you all the best and hope you continue to feel better as you enjoy mommyhood!!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations Helen!!! He is beautiful!!

Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congrats Helen!!! He is so handsome and I'm impressed you had all that time to write this long post :). I'm so thrilled for you and your DH!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

congrats on your beautiful healthy baby boy!!!!! take care and enjoy

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations, he's beautiful! What a story but so glad everything is ok with you.

Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulation !!!! Glad all is well.

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Who is your doctor?? I was at my level II on the 12th and someone's water broke in the office!! Congrats he is perfect!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations!!!!!!! Your boy is adorable.

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations! I am so happy for you. He's gorgeous!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Oh my goodness, he's adorable! Congratulations!!!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

I am so happy for you! I'm sitting here in tears reading this! Your little boy is absolutely perfect!!

Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congrats!!! He is adorable!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations!! He is beautiful!

Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Beautiful story and baby! Congrats!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations!! I was an October mommy with you last year and I remember crying as I read your story. I'm so glad he's doing well and his sister Grace is smiling down upon all of you!

Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congrats

Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

What a beautiful boy! Congrats

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congrats! What a beautiful baby boy!!!

Re: Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

so happy for you!! congratulations!

Introducing our little miracle team green baby.....

Congratulations!!! He is beautiful! So happy for you and your husband!