7 years ago

7 years ago I was having a funny feeling in my womb. I had been to the doctor earlier in the day and the non-stress test didn't show any signs of contractions. Not to mention I wasn't due until April 19th. I had been begging my midwife since week 30 that I wanted her to be born, but alas, when there wasn't enough fluid at week 34 for an amniocentesis, I was told I was stuck with her until at least week 38. 

Those of you who knew me during my pregnancy with this beautiful little girl, know how rough it was on me. I was in physical therapy before I was showing because my sciatic nerve was being pinched. I couldn't eat and was having to take an anti-nausea pill that they prescribe to chemo patients. I was miserable. 

Earlier that week, 7 years ago, I had an ultrasound. To add to everything else, she was breech. We knew from probably the first trimester that she would be a C-Section baby and I was just fine with that. I watched my sister go through a miserable labor, only to end up with a c-section and a blood transfusion. I was not going to go that route. I also had the luxury of short term disability insurance to help pay for me while I was out of work.

On March 27, 2003 at about 9 pm, I called my midwife because something wasn't quite right. Since I had been in her office earlier in the day, she told me to call her in the morning and she would get me right in.

At about 10:30, my water broke. At least, that's what I found out it was. There wasn't much there, so instead of waking up Jason, I called my mom and asked her if I had just peed my pants. She said no and that I needed to wake up Jason...it was time. Did I mention I hadn't packed my hospital bag yet? 

Quickest delivery ever. We made it to the hospital around 11:30. The nurse checked me, said yup, my water had broke. Called the midwife and she said she would come on in that night and she called the dr on duty to perform the c-section. By the time our parents had arrived, I was being prepped for surgery. I don't remember much about the c-section...3 things stick out in my mind:

1 - the anesthesiologist telling me in 5 seconds I wouldn't be able to feel my feet, then my legs, etc. Then he thought he was funny when he told me to put my feet up on the table (I had been sitting up for the spinal block)

2 - Hearing the dr or nurse say, "where's her feet? I can't see her feet." Followed by me thinking for a moment, "I know I saw her feet on the ultrasound." Come to find out, not only was she breech, she had pulled her legs up over and behind her head. (Her legs stayed up like that for quite a long time).

3 - Hearing, "it's a girl!" Followed by Jason looking up over the surgery drape to see Jenna...which led to him having to go outside of the room for a minute to lay down so he didn't pass out. He was brave and waiting until they get a quick pic with the 3 of us in the OR. 

 At about 1:10 am on March 28, my baby girl was brought into this world. 6 lbs, 6 ozs.

Now, 7 years later, my life has been completely changed. Every day she keeps us laughing. She is, after all, a teenager in a 7-year-old's body. From her "stalker" on her pretend Princess cell phone to her telling us about her rough day, she is the best thing we could ever ask for and I am so proud she is mine.

Michelle