After you read Joshua's birth/pregnancy story,you can read more about my precious little miracle on his blogs(directly above this)

12/14/07-My Baby's Birthday!!!-My Long Awaited Birth Story!!-I had a very hard pregnancy.I was in L&D for preterm labor 5x.They tried to stop it several other times and from the 21st week I was sent home with meds to try to stall my labor.In my pregnancy,I suffered pain from several large uterine fibroids.This added to the complications of my pregnancy.The baby was confined to certain parts of my uterus causing him to not grow well(inner uterine growth restriction).My amniotic fluid was also very low,at times dangerously low,for a period of about two months.The fibroids robbed precious blood supply from the placenta,causing it to malform and eventually fail.My baby didn't grow the last week of my pregnancy.The fibroids also pressed against the head and legs of my baby causing them to be confined .The head appeared misshappened for many months giving the appearance of a rare birth defect.This syndrome would cause death if the diagnosis was correct.We went to several specialists and the news just got grimmer.One specialist in L.A told us that it was not a fatal birth defect.There was a possibility that he would be a dwarf.As the last month in my pregnancy progressed,the baby appeared to heal himself of all defects.I was told prior that he would have heart defects,would require several surgeries on his head,would have severely short arms and legs,(his was less than the 2nd%),a slight club-foot, possibly would be stillborn,possible mental,hearing and sight problems,early on would surely misscarry,lungs would not develop,bones would be fragile and then he'd have an 80% chance of dying.He continued to amaze everyone u/s after u/s.They said that he should be getting worse,not better.Even my amniotic fluid went up in the last 3-4 weeks.My fibroids continued to also get smaller,even though they were still quite large.On Dec.3rd Baby Joshua appeared to not be moving around as much.She was a little concerned and told me to keep a log of all movements.On Dec.12 they ordered an u/s 2x a week followed by a non-stress test.On Dec.14. they had done the non-stress test and he had a heartbeat,but no movements.They rushed my to u/s where they did a bio-physical profile on him to determine on how he was doing.He failed both tests and they rushed me back into the docter's office.She explained the results and said that Baby Joshua hadn't grown since my u/s on the 2nd of Dec.His movements didn't look good either.She said she would have to do a c-section within the next 2 hours,this was at 5:00 PM.They rushed me up to The Birthing Center and prepped me for surgery.They started an I.V and antibiotics,shaved me,did all the bloodwork and finally I was signing all the required paperwork.They monitored his heartrate and he was doing o.k except for a few times where his heartrate was lowered.He still continued to have no movements.They took me into the O.R and delivered him at 6:34 PM.His first APGAR score was only a one!He was not breathing and was blue in color.He just needed to be moved around a little and they gave him a few breathes of air.His second Apgar score was a six.He began breathing on his own and his color looked very good.Within the first 15 minutes he was in very good condition.They showed me a picture of him and I thought they had the wrong baby!After months of being terrified of the out come,out came a beautiful baby boy!!He appears to be healthy and his head looks normal with only small bumps here and there.His legs are a little small,but they don't see any problems at this time.His arms and hands look great!His lungs are matured and the x-rays don't show any fragile bones or closed sutures in his head.They will continue to run tests.He was born at 33 weeks 1 day and was examined to be a gestation of 32 weeks.He weighed 3 lbs 14 ounces and was 17 inches long.The docters can say that there was medical reasons of why he had problems and he somehow corrected them....I SEE IT NO MORE THEN A MIRACLE!!!Three prayer quilts,the church and many on the I-am- pregnant site members.I thank you all for your support and many prayers!Continue to pray for a fast stay in the NICU for my little Baby Joshua!!

Happy Birthday Joshua!!

Born Dec.14,2007

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10/6/07- My husband and I are expecting a baby boy on Jan. 31,2008.I have 5 children and he has one.We have only been married since Aug.18,2007. This baby was a surprise to us.I like to say surpise because accidents are usually a bad thing.We are finally getting excited about this baby.We were told that I have three large fibroid tumors and the docter was surprised the baby and the placenta even found a place to implant.The told me that I probably would not make it through the first trimester and if I did then I would probably have a late misscarriage between 16-18 weeks.They said it would be a miracle to make it to 20 weeks due to the fibroids competing with the placenta.Well, at this time I am 23 weeks+ !I have gone into pre-term labor three times now.I am on bedrest,disability and Procardia for the contractions.The baby is doing good.I have had a problem with low amniotic fluid.I had an AFI,amniotic fluid index, as low as a 4. I guess it is supposed to be between 11-18. It can be as low as five and as high as twenty-three.This problem has caused the baby to be a little bit small.They call it IUGR,interuterine growth restriction.The overall problem is probably traced back to the fibroids.The doctors are optimistic as I've reached the low end of viability.They say that with each day the baby stays in an increase of 3-6 more percent will be achieved.Once the baby reaches 28 weeks then the baby could have an 80-90 percent chance of survival.I am monitored by a maternal-child expert and my regular o.b about every week.They do u/s every 1-2 weeks.

I am no stranger to premature labor.I have delivered all five of my babies early.My earliest was a 28 weeker.She is 13 now and perfect as can be.She is even a grade ahead for her age!The rest are also perfect and you can't tell that any one of them were premature.The ages are 11,13,15,16 and 18.My husbands only child is 22.By coincedence,his son was also premature!I have four girls and a boy.Everyone is happy about the baby .They are exited about being a big brother and sister.My son is the most excited since he has been the only boy for 11 years!

My husband is very loving and takes care of me and my five children.He is one of those men who actually will do dishes and help with everything else.He has stood by me on the uncomfortable bed/couch when I've had to be hospitalized.He helps a lot with the kids .I am very lucky to have him and he will make a great daddy to our baby!

This is my 13 year old daughter's addition to my page!

10/10/07- Iwent to my o.b today. She says I'm still measuring six-seven weeks bigger.She says that if the fibroids don't shrink then I will probably deliver about a month early,as long as I don't go into premature labor again!The amniotic fluid is still low,but it is better than last time.I go in two days for another ultrasound.After that I will go for another u/s one week later.As long as the fluid keeps increasing then the better the baby will grow.The u/s says the baby is still measuring 2-3 weeks small for gestation.When the fluid gets to a normal limit then I won't have to have weekly u/s.I see my o.b every two weeks now and the specialist weekly.At least they're saying that the baby looks great.A little squished,but great.

10/12/07-I went to my u/s today.The baby was doing great!The heart rate was in the 150 s.The amniotic fluid had gone up from last time as well.She told me to only drink 8-10 cups of water a day. I was drinking about a gallon!They don't want the fluid to get too high. It was still a little low in some sections.I go back for another u/s in six days and I am going to have a test to see if the baby will come in two weeks prematurely.It's called a fetal fibronectin (fFN) test.They just swab the cervix and it can tell if you have a high probability of premature labor within two weeks.I'm still on Procardia for preterm labor.If all goes well then I can go off strict bed rest and only on modified bed rest.They may try to wean me off my meds or at least cut back on them.

10/18/07-I had an amnio done today.Bad news and good news.The amniotic fluid is still borderline low.The baby appears to have had a growth spurt and is now only measuring about a week or so behind,he was 2-3 weeks behind just 2 weeks ago.Very bad news is they think something may be wrong with the baby's heart.They also found some other unusual findings which prompted the amnio.They said it could be something that is very rare.I do not know what is going to happen and it could turn out o.k and it could be very bad.Keep my family and unborn son in your prayers!

10/24/07-I went to my o.b today. I started having contractions 10-15 min apart.They made me stay for about four and a half hours.They did an u/s on my cervix and said that it was still the same,about a fingertip dialated.They tried to wean me off the Procardia,for contractions,this past week.I went from four times per day down to two.They told me to go back up on my dose for now. I was also bleeding a tiny bit when the contractions started hurting.They did the Fetal fibronectin test ,but it came out inconclusive because of the bleeding.For now I'm back on bedrest. I'm still measuring about 6-7 week ahead for dates.The baby's growth spurt only leaves him about a week behind now.My amniotic fluid is still borderline low,but seems to be improving also.

10/25/07-For those who believe in miracles:I was told last week that my baby has a hole in his heart.The specialist thought it was pretty serious,possibly a major genetic defect.I was at church and had a group of women pray for my baby and I,along with women from this site.The ladies even made a prayer quilt for us.I went to a specialist in L.A today and she said she couldn't understand it,but the hole was gone!Still praying my amnio comes out well and good news.Thank you all for your support and prayers!

10/30/08-Thank the Lord! My amnio came back today any the baby is PERFECT!!!He is also 99.9% A BOY!!The past 12 days have been so hard for my wonderful husband and I. This baby,Joshua,really has been a miracle baby!He has went against all odds. We are truly blessed to have him in our lives!!!

11/1/07-Good news dosen't last very long for me.My u/s today revealed that the baby's head may be misshaped.This may be because of the large fibroids.He will more than likely need surgery to correct it.The sutures in his head have began to close prematurely.He is too early to be delivered at this time as he is just under 2 lbs.This will cause extra distortion while we are waiting for him to be born.There are huge success stories w/the surgery,so we are optimistic.I pray that he will heal just like his heart did.Poor outcomes are only seen in genetic related cases and Joshua does not have any chromosonal deffects.He has been a fighter since the beginning.I'm just not sure how much of this emotional roller-coaster we can take!Please,continue to keep us in your prayers.

11/8/07-Very bad news.They think I will have to deliver early all the way in Los Angeles.They will more than likely deliver by c-section and right now his prognosis is not good.Right now they are going to wait and see,but delivery will probably be within the next 5 weeks.I see a specialist to see if she thinks the baby will fare well after birth or not.Unfortunatly,the appt.is weeks away and waiting is making me a wreck.Crying,waiting and above all...STILL PRAYING!

11/9/07-We fully named him.Joshua Thomas Landrith.He already has a nickname J.T.God bless him,whatever may happen.

11/12/07-Good news and bad news.The good news is the skelatal dysplasia called thantophoric dysplsia type 2 was NOT found to be what caused my baby Joshua's problems.This would have been a death sentence for him.The bad news is that his head is distorted and will probably need 2-3 surgeries.He has bi-lateral suture closing and possibly a third suture called the lamboid suture.He will need to be delivered at least 3-4 weeks early by c-section in L.A.His prognosis is good right now.The only other thing that they can see is his leg was being compressed by the fibroids and may need a brace.They couldn't find any syndromes attatched at this time and this may all be realated to very low amniotic fluid and compression of the fibroids.His face,heart,bones,and epecially his brain are all normal.He has had a huge growth spurt and has grown about three weeks size in about 10 days.His weight is about normal now 2lbs-13oz !!That's almost 1 1/4 pounds in those 10 days!His bones have also gone from 3 weeks behind to only one week behind.Pretty good for a baby with health problems and inter-uterine growth restriction.As I've said before,my amnio came back fine.This is a very rare occurance where the sutures just decide to close and with my pregnancy problems I'm sure it didn't help.The best news is that the specialist said there isn't any water on the brain which indicates that at this time his IQ hasn't been affected.They will need to moniter us frequently and if the condition starts then they will deliver immediatley.I believe prayer is at work here and Joshua is getting stonger and stronger,the kicks are pretty good lately!My amniotic fluid is about normal so he has a little more playing and growing room.The specialist said he's in excellent condition for someone who has such a serious condition!Keep us in your prayers!!Thank you for all who have prayed and shown morral support!!

Dean's, Sherry's & Baby Joshua

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11/26/07-I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!I on the other hand was in Labor&Delivery fighting contractions for four days!Happy to be home,but I don't know how long it will be for.Thurs. I started having cramps and a little bleeding in my mucuss.I went into L&D and they did a fetal fibronectin test for premature labor.It came back positive!I was only having about two contractions an hour so I wasn't too nervous up to that point.They went ahead and gave me a terbutaline shot just in case.Things seemed quiet for a little while.Within a few hours my contractions were coming about every 10 minutes apart.At that time they decided to put me on Mag.sulfate.It helped for a little while.Early in the morning on Fri. I broke through the mag.They turned it up,and up and up!My contractions were coming 1-2 minutes apart!They felt the baby's head bearing down on my cervix and thought there was no turning back.They decided to add more Procardia at that time.What a combination!Mag.,turbutaline and Procardia!It finally started to calm down some bit.Later on that Fri. they had to turn the Mag. way down!I began to not feel my arms and legs and the mag.screen blood test indicated almost toxic levels.Poor little Joshua was not doing that great in labor.He had quite a few times where his heart rate was going down.Luckily,the mag. was making him just as tierd because he couldn't push his way out as much!They calmed things down and by Sat. morning my contractions were only 2-3 an hour and not very hard or long.I was so tierd and of course they weren't letting me eat.I was so magged up though that I didn't feel much like eating.My contractions began to subside and it was several hours between them.Eary Sun. morning they had me on terbutaline and Procardia only!!They continued to monitor me until later that day on Sun. and let me go home!!I'm on complete bed rest and am expected to deliver in the next two weeks!!They give me about a 10% chance of making it past 34 weeks.Some woman have gone into premature labor like this and actually have gone overdue.The doctors don't think this will be my case.I'll have to take it day by day or minute to minute!Better go back to bed before I push my luck!!!

11/28/07-I went to my o.b appointment today.She was a little concerned that I was measuring about 2cm.,but happy I haven't changed since my hospital stay.She said that it was a good sign since it's been over 48 hours since I went into contractions.They're hoping that I can still hold off until 34 weeks.My fibroids appear to have gotten a little smaller.The baby has moved up away from my cervix and isn't bearing down as babies do in active labor.I am only measuring 3-4 weeks ahead now.They will probably do an u/s next week.After my visit I began to bleed a lot.It slowed down so she didn't seem to be concerned.It worried me though to see the toilet turn red.She told me that if it continued I would have to go back in the hospital.I am taking it extra easy today and luckily,the bleeding has slowed down quite a bit.

12/3/07-We went to see my specialist in L.A today.She said that the baby's head looks better.It appears to be less mishappened.She was a little concerned about how short his arms and legs were.The amnio cells are still growing and we won't know much for a few weeks.It really stinks that they didn't test for certain defects in the original amnio.Unless you have a family history they won't test for anything except the Down's Syndrome,the gender and to see if you have the right amount of chromosones.Baby Joshua has grown to 3 lbs 6 ounces.A little smaller than normal,but not too much.The fibroid next to the placenta is pretty close,so they have to share the blood supply.They are optimistic that he may make it another few weeks before he's born.I haven't dialated past 2cm and I still have no change in effacement either.Josua has backed away from my cervix,kinda.He turned breeche.I guess if he couldn't push his head through then he's going to try to kick his way out instead.He's preey low.I can feel him kicking right where my c-section scar is from where they cut me with one of my daughters.They still think that something is wrong with him,but they can't pinpoint it right now.I may have to wait until he's born.They don't understand why he keeps getting better on so many things that have been wrong with him.My amniotic fluid has gotten a lot better.It is normal in most of the pockets.They didn't want to set a c-section date yet and I may not be delivering in L.A anymore.He may or may not need surgery on his head right after birth.They will still have to monitor him to make sure his head is not getting worse.If they find out he does need surgery they will have to med-flight him to L.A.that will be hard because I will be left behind recovering from my c-section.The not knowing thing is the hardest part.It is starting to take a toll on my husband and I.It always seems to be good news and bad news.I have faith and I still believe God isn't done with my Joshua.He has went against so many odds.The docters have told me that he would not make so many times.I'm close to 32 weeks now and Joshua is still surprising the best specialists around!

12/7/07-I spent the day in L&D again.Contractions weren't really coming that often and were pretty irregular.I was actually dropping off some papers to my o.b and when I was walking out the door I felt a big one that made me feel like I had to go pee really bad.The L&D is right next to her office.I decided that I'd get checked out and they'd probably send me home saying braxton-hicks.Nope!After about an hour my contractions were coming about 2-3 minutes apart.Out came the i.v and the turbutaline shots again!They were worried also because the baby's heartrate was going down with the contractions.They ran a bag of fluids in me within about 15 minutes.Extra fluid helps fight off contractions.They were also worried about my blood pressure.It was about 158/90.The procardia is also a blood pressure medicine.It makes it lower.My blood pressure went down about 9 hours later.The contractions were only coming every 15 minutes or so.They effaced me a little more,but they didn't seem to dialate me any.Late that night they asked me if I wanted to go home.They could tell that I didn't want to stay overnight.I didn't mind going home so late.Today I've only felt one or two contractions.I'm supposed to drink a lot of water and lay down all day.I can only sit up for 15-20 minutes at a time.I guess it's going to be a lazy day!They want another3-4 weeks.We will see!

12/12/07-I went to my o.b today.They want me to go for visits twice a week.I will have an ultrasound and a non-stress test with every visit.They didn't like the fact that Joshua's heart rate went down so much last week when I went into premature labor.They also want to keep an eye on his growth.I was also very swollen and my blood pressure has been a little high for being on Procardia.My head was also hurting,so they'll be monitoring me for toxemia.They are going back to the original plan of me delivering in L.A.I have a tentative date of delivery of Jan.10,2008.That may change if things don't progress well in my pregnancy or if the doctor's reschedule.Looks like I have four more weeks of pregnancy left!!

12/14/07-O.k,I was wrong!I only had two days left!Baby Joshua was born,8 weeks early!