Our son was born at 30 weeks in May of 2008, here is his story...
The Complications
During my wife's first ultrasound, she was diagnosed with a bicornuate uterus . At the that time we were warned of the potential complications, even the increased risk of pre-term labor and delivery (though her doctor was very optimistic).
About a month later, at about 6:30am, I was working out in a gym on campus at the University we were attending. I remember it vividly - I was working out my arms with some free weights near the water fountain. All of the sudden one of the gym employees walked into the crowded gym and yelled out my name asking if I was there (yes, I bring my phone with me where ever I go now). With a 15-week pregnant wife at home, I knew this was not good news.
The gentleman working at the gym let me use his cell phone, and when my wife answered she said "you need to come home now!" and quickly told me that she was had a big bleed and suspected miscarriage. I sprinted to the locker room, and got changed. We just KNEW she had miscarried (If you would have seen the amount of blood you would have thought so too). We quickly left for a hospital 30 minutes from our house, but since babies are not viable at 15 weeks we were able to drive safely, for the most part, to the Emergency Room.
At the hospital we were over-joyed to see our little baby alive and kicking (literally) on the ultrasound. On that day we even got to find out we were having a little boy! She was diagnosed with a Sub-chorionic hemorrhage. This isn't directly threatening to the baby most of the time they resolve themselves.
[Fast forward through an uneventful 10 weeks]
From 25-29 weeks of pregnancy we were in and out of emergency rooms and doctors offices. Also during this time I graduated college, started a new Job, and moved back to our home state - Needless to say, it was a very stressful time. At 29 weeks she was finally admitted to the hospital for the last time on strict bed rest and we were told that she was not leaving until she had the baby
After consulting with her doctor and some specialists, we came to the conclusion that our goal was to make it to 32 weeks, the idea of going full-term was essentially out of the question. It was then that she was given steroid shots to help develop the baby's lungs (this turned out to be VERY helpful). This was the first realization that I had that I was going to be a dad of a preemie, thought I still did not comprehend what it meant. My wife was actually a NICU nurse at the time and was a huge support to be in explaining things and was unbelievably calm and strong during this all.
The Birth
I had been by my wife's side almost this entire time, but on a quiet Wednesday morning and after consulting with my wife and her nurses I decided to go to work (even though the Nurses weren't sure I should). Remember, I had just started a new job and had missed a lot of time already, I felt like I needed to go. It was about 11:30am when I received a call from my wife saying that they are worried about the baby because the heart rate had spiked, she said they were going for an ultrasound and will decide what to do from there. I hurried to the car and started to drive away...
Before I could even leave the parking lot, I got another call, saying they are more than likely going to have to deliver the baby right away. I went from hurrying to speeding and breaking every law imaginable. It took me 11 minutes, door to door, for a route that normally took me 20+. When I finally saw her she was getting prepped for surgery very quickly by the staff. At that sight, I ,of course, burst into tears - it was very hard to see. I hadn't been there for more then 5 minutes before I walked into the Operating Room at my wife's side, then a few minutes later, at 12:07pm, I was a Dad.
Our baby was so tiny. At 3lbs 12oz, he was a decent size for his gestation and was otherwise very healthy. Since then, we have had to deal with some typical preemie complications: CPAP, PDA, Hernia Surgery, Reflux, RSV, Eye problems, etc. (I will detail our NICU experience a little better in a future post).
When it comes to the risks prematurity, we found ourselves very lucky and blessed. Today our son is 2.5 and is very healthy (he has glasses and is facing the potential of eye surgery), but he is otherwise very healthy. He is also in the 75% for height and weight and it a very happy little boy!
My wife is currently pregnant and we are expecting another preemie. I am happy to report, however, that things seem to be going a bit smoother this time and soon she will be at 30 weeks, I can't wait to pass that mark this time!!
