my birth story - new years day baby - premature 1 month

I wrote out a long birth story but decided its too personal for me to post all of it. But I wanted to post some details if in case anyone does a search on here - feel free to FM if my experience may help you.

The first risk assessment for downs syndrome/other disabilities came back normal but the second test, the
AFP did not. The results were "elevated"
I went for an early anatomy scan at Women's Contemporary Care in Mineola/Winthrop and saw Dr Sicuranza at 17 weeks. They also sent me to the genetics counselor that same day in the same building. It appeared that the baby did not have spinal problems or downs syndrome but that the placenta had blood clots in it. The Dr said that this could be "insufficient placenta." The genetics counselor explained that a placenta problem could cause elevated (and inaccurate) results in AFP tests. I choose not to do an amnio and returned to WCC at 20 weeks to redo the anatomy scan and this time saw Dr. Chavez.

Dr. Zandieh (My ob gyn) said that it was not insufficient placenta unless the baby stops growing and that he would monitor us closely. So I did not worry much throughout my pregnancy. I took baby aspirin and my vitamins.

At 34 1/2 weeks I had another sonogram ( I had many throughout pregnancy and also had non-stress tests towards end) on a Wednesday and the Dr called me Thursday night but I missed the call. (long story surrounds this)
Friday morning Dr reached me at work as soon as I walked in the door and said go to hospital for sonogram for specialist to see you and that he'd be there too. He said that in the last sonogram it showed the placenta looked old, the blood flow weak and the baby not as big as he hoped.

I had just gotten to work (an hour away from home/hospital- I was so annoyed to drive back home (because I didn't think it was serious- I thought sonogram would show everything was okay??!). My husband meanwhile googled old placenta and knew they would induce me - I didn't understand or think so at all. When I got home my husband had the car seat in one hand and the camera in the other and I laughed at him, thinking we'd be home in a few hours.

The sonogram at the hospital (Winthrop) was long and I almost passed out (was starving, on my back, and she was pressing hard) Dr. Chavez and Dr. Zandieh looked at the results and came to my room and said "its time" and I said "for what?" but my husband and MIL who was with me knew exactly what he meant. They explained the inducing process. The plan was cervidil and pitocin but I never needed pitocin, 2 doses and half of cervidil worked. They started this late Friday afternoon and baby was born 2:29am Sunday morning- New Years Day. My water broke at Midnight exactly - the ball dropped on TV and I was mid-contraction. He was due 2-2-12 so a month early. He was 3 lbs 13oz which is small for 35 weeks gestation. He is an IUGR baby - intrauterine growth restriction.

They gave me morphine during contractions- I was surprised about this - never knew you can take that while pregnant- it helped with the Friday and Saturday afternoon contractions but not for the stronger ones Saturday night. I feel I got the epidural late - I was very uncomfortable with it but then again I am not sure how it would have felt without it- so maybe it did work. I felt as soon as I got it I was ready to push. It was so scary getting it because they emphasized how important it was to stay still and I was having bad contractions so it was hard to stay still. The nurses throughout labor and delivery were so helpful.
I remember saying I needed to push, asking if we needed to wait for the Dr.. The nurse and resident gave each other a knowing look like they knew I was right that the baby was right there and it was time, but then Dr Z appeared. I think I pushed 4 times? It did feel like pushing a bowel movement. crazy. The cord was wrapped around the baby's neck once but loose.

He did cry, and I did get to hold him before he went to the NICU so that made me happy as we were not sure if that would happen.

At his one month birthday he is already 6. 8!! and doing so well. He was in the NICU for 11 days. The hardest part of that for me was leaving the hospital without him and then never knowing who was working with him, every day, every shift it would change. most nurses only worked 3 days a week or less and when they were in they switched around different units apparently. I personally think continuality in care would be better if one nurse worked with the same baby /room those 3 days. My baby had maybe 1 or 2 nurses twice and thats it - every shift was different. This caused me a lot of stress - some nurses were great but not all - we even needed to speak to a manager once because one nurse was so horrific.
Winthrop care overall was good - the showers were nasty though- probably cleaned but looked dirty because not updated and it had bugs.
I had an acquaintance there also having a baby so we were chatting and her baby was in the regular nursery - when we went to see him he was there alone in a room with no other babies and no nurses in the room- they were nearby in other rooms but not with him- we thought that was strange.

I was glad I didn't need a c - section. I physically recovered well. One stitch "all the way around" whatever that means.

I am so grateful for Dr Zandieh's close monitoring. I was getting annoyed by all the appointments they were making me do because I just didn't get it - I didn't understand how serious it was - and never knew of IUGR until he was born. So listen to your doctors and ask a lot of questions. Looking back on discussions i had with the Dr. I should have known and should have asked more questions. Dr. Zandieh has a calming way about him and since he didn't seem alarmed I felt calm (somewhat- I was still a nervous mom to be even though I didn't know how serious my condition was)..which I think is a good thing..If I understood it all or knew exactly what the Dr was looking for I probably really would have been even more nervous.

Well, I still wrote more than I wanted to. Any questions or if I can help with anything feel free to FM me. Good Luck to all you moms-to-bes.
Its been the best month ever, he is my everything, and I cannot believe the feelings I have for him and being a mom.

Re: my birth story - new years day baby - premature 1 month

Thanks for sharing! Glad that LO is doing well and at a great weight!! Congratulations!!!

Re: my birth story - new years day baby - premature 1 month

what an unbelievable story!! Congrats on your LO!!