Aviva's Birth Story...

I never really wrote it and Brooke asked aboout so here it is and since I did a A Walk Down Memory Lane thought I would write out Aviva's birth story...I remember it like it was yesterday.

It all began on December 29th, 2000 I was out shopping at Babies R Us with Dawn and Brandon. I was not feeling well. So I came home and laid down and felt a cramp here and there...like 45 minutes apart. The nurse practitionar called from my endocranologists office and said did not sound well and call my OB. I did and they said go to the hospital to get checked out. So it is 4:15 pm and Spider just got to work at 3 pm and he came home to get me. And the hospital could not find any contractions and no UTI so they sent me home to stay in bed for the weekend and drink lots of water. They said could be round ligament pain.

So came home off to bed for the next two days...Saturday Spider worked all day and I stayed in bed and felt all right. But come Sunday New Years Eve...I was miserable and in pain all day..but did not think it was contractions. Then a friend called and said did I time the pain, I said no..was I suppose to I was a first time mom. So I hung up and timed them and they were 7 to 10 minutes apart. Spider was on his way home from work, picking up chinese food to celebrate. Well, he got home I was dressed and at the door saying take me to the hospital cannot take the pain anymore. We did not call the OB just went in.

It was empty they got me hooked up and guess what I was contracting..about 10 minutes apart. I just wanted something for the pain, they gave me staldol which made me loopy. They also hooked up an IV to give me the lovely magnesium sulfate and put a catheter in. I also received steriod shots. I stayed in L & D overnight on the most umcomfortable bed and was moved to the high risk unit the next morning because I was not yet 31 weeks. I was still contracting about 5 or 6 an hour, had to keep track. Spider had to work new years day but had visitors.

That night or very early the next day was in a lot of pain and they gave me Demerol. They checked me and was a finger tip dilated and about 50% effaced. The pain was getting worse through the day. At about noon was 1 cm dilated and 90% effaced. At about 5:45 pm my OB came in surprised to see me but said I can go home in a few days on strict bedrest. Well, that was not meant to happen about 15 minutes later I called the nurse and said I think the catheter fell out. She goes no dear your water broke, with a smile on her face. So made some calls...Spider was at work someone had to come in to cover him, then to a friend who had preemies and she came before Spider did. The contractions were 5 minutes apart but all in my back..and let me tell you back labor is just not pretty.

I was suffering badly finally Spider came and was very helpful especially with rubbing my back. After that in came the neonatologist, the anesthesiologist and the OB to explain everything that was going to happen. Of course, did not want any part of that because of the pain. It was excruciating.

Finally it was time to go to the OR, I was having a C-Section. I had a spinal which worked its magic. Spider came in and it was time to start. I felt the tugging but was not to bad. Finally Aviva was out and I heard that sweet music of Aviva screaming. She was born at 10:07 on January 2, 2001 and weighed 3 lbs 2 oz, 15 inches long and had APGARS of 7 and 8. I did not get to see as they took her away to the awaiting time from the NICU. I told Spider to go follow her, as I cried.

I went to recovery when they finished and Spider finally came down from the NICU with a picture of Aviva. She looked like a doll with lots of tubes coming out of her. I was brought to a room and Spider stayed with me for a while and went home.

Finally the next morning, I was able to see My Sweet Aviva. She was hooked up to the C-PaP and looked so tiny. I got to touch her. She had an ng tube, IV and monitors all hooked up to her tiny body. I did not stay long as I was not feeling well. But went back that night and got to hold her. All I can say is what an experience for me to hold my daughter for the first time...still brings tears to my eyes.

Aviva spent a very long 5 weeks in the NICU...having apnea and brady spells, reflux, infections, lots of blood tests. She did receive Physical Therapy in the NICU as well. The day she came home was so special.

Here are some pics of her leaving the hospital: