BIRTH STORY:

33 Weeks 3 days

I woke up with a bad backache. I thought that the baby must have been

in a position that was causing me pain. I thought that we I got to work I would look up ways to get the baby to change positions hoping that it would bring some relief. I dropped my son off at preschool and went to work. At work I noticed that I was having some more Braxton Hicks contractions than normal - like every time I got up or sat down. I just drank more water hoping that they would go away. I had an appointment at a clients house about an hour away from my office (and the hospital) so I headed out. On the was I noticed that the Braxton Hicks were coinsiding with the back pain so I decided to count them - 5 in the hour it took me to get to the clients house. I called the dr. who told me to go to labor and delivery for monitoring. I thought 'Geez, is it really that serious?' So I finished meeting with my client and headed back to the hospital. On the way to the hospital I continued to have braxton hicks (5 on the way back/1 hour). When I got to l&d they hooked me up the monitor for a non-stress test and the midwife was in w/i 5 minutes. She decided to do a pelvic exam and she said 'oh my god...you are 4 centimeters dialated and 100% effaced.' She instantly called to get me transferred to another hospital that was equipped to handle the birth of a 33 week baby. I was so scared because everything was happening so quickly. She called for an ambulance to transport me to the other hospital . She said that she would do another pelvic exam as soon as the ambulance arrived to see if I had further dialated. The ambulance arrived 45 minutes later??? and I had dialated to 5 centimeters...she decided to keep me in that hospital for fear that I would deliver in ambulance. She said that my baby might be sent to the other hospital after delivery....so scary. They gave me a shot to slow the contractions and a steriod shot for the babies lung developement. They wanted to slow down the contractions enough so that they could give me a second shot of steriods in 24 hours. I was able to sleep though the night but everytime that I moved I had a contraction. At 8:30 am I was having very intense contractions and I was 9 centimeters dialated. My membranes were bulging and my bolld pressure dropped to 93/35 and I was getting weak. The doctor decided to break my water and then the 'real' contractions began.....very intense. The doctor thought that I would have the baby right away as she was so small and very low but after 1 and 1/2 hours of intense contractions and my continued weakness they decided to get me an epidural.....which was the most amazing thing ever!! I was in no pain and was able to compose myself so that I could push. 3 pushes later Macey Anne McKenzie was born. She weighed 4lbs 15oz and had a full head of black hair. The pediatrician, who was called in for the delivery, was very pleased with how developed she was and decided to let her stay in the special care unit of the hospital, rather than send her to the other hospital. I was so happy.

We are taking things day by day at thie point. Macey is strong and is doing very well. She is not in the clear though...she has some battles ahead. She didn't have good suction and was jaundice. She is currently in the hospital for an undetermined amount of time. I have been discharged and I my days have become very very busy with driving back and forth to the hospital for feedings every 3 hours and pumping every 2 hours but it is so worth it. She is truely a miracle and I feel so blessed.

UPDATE:

Feb 13th 2008

Macey is still in the hospital but she is now gaining weight(after losing 8 oz.) and maintaining her own temperature. She has had a few "dusky spells", which from what I understand is where she cannot coordinate her breathing, sucking and swallowing and her heart rate drops. It has only happened a handful of times but the Doctor wants to keep her on the monitor for at least another week. It is due to her prematurity and I am told that it will fade after time. So for now I drive to the hospital every 3 hours, then drive home and pump and take care of my son. It is a very busy schedule but the end justifies the means.

Thanks to everyone who has send their congrats and well wishes.