Remembering Gia

Posted On Tuesday, October 18, 2011  by Gina

This was our first child. My first pregnancy at age 37. The odds were not in our favor either way because I had high blood pressure before becoming pregnant. I was warned about preeclampsia when my blood pressure was elevated during my normal OB visits. I wanted to do something to make things better but I was unable to make any difference.

After a normal weekly 24 hour urine collection, I received a phone call telling me to go to the hospital as I was being treated for severe preeclampsia. I was sent by ambulance to Toledo, Ohio where I was diagnosed and treated with magnesium and blood pressure medicines. After 24 hours of waiting, my platelets dropped low enough, 75,000, to require an emergency c-section.

My daughter, Gia, was born on Sunday 10/16/11 at 9:28am and died Sunday 10/16/11 at 10:43am. The only life she knew was the hour she spent in her Daddy's arms as he held her while she breathed what life she was given. I was still on the operating table coming out of anesthesia. I never got to see her eyes open nor her facial features which I was told looked like mine.

I am distraught over the whole situation. I don't know if there are enough tears to express my sorrow. All in all my husband and I are hopeful in trying again someday soon. We do not want our first child to be our only child. While we will never forget our dear Gia nor the impact she had on our lives, we carry on with our heads held high and tears in our eyes.

I attached her picture as a remembrance. Her Daddy set her up with the spoon he was to give her as his first gift. It was the key to his heart, which she took with her when she let our her last breath.

Mommy and Daddy love you always little one.

G.V. Ohio