First Post (kind of long)

[nikhaber]

Hi ya'll! This is my first time posting. I live in Montgomery with my husband and our son Samuel Ivan (30 weeker). Sam was born via emergency C-section Thursday, Sept.16,2004 during Hurricane Ivan (hence the middle name) at Baptist South. My pregnancy was complication free until the Tuesday before Sam was born. I had been swelling for about 6 weeks, but the doctor kept telling me it was normal. I had no other pre-e symptoms at the time. Pre-e was diagnosed during my first two week checkup. Elevated blood pressure, protein in my urine, and I had gained 10 lbs (water weight) in 2 weeks. I was not feeling ill in any way. I had noticed decreased fetal movement Sunday, but decided that I was overreacting and should wait for my doc appointment on Tuesday. I never had a headache and the only time my blood pressure was elevated was when they had checked it at the doc's office. It was within normal range the whole time I was in the hospital. He sent me over to the hospital for monitoring and they noticed that the baby's heart rate was lower than it should be and was not fluctuating like it should be. I had a biophysical profile done and the baby got a score of 4 out of 10. Also, we had low amniotic fluid and no reason why. (I still don't know what happened with that. My water NEVER broke, and my doc kept asking me over and over if it had.) My doctor said that the pre-e was affecting the baby more than me and that this is a rare occurance. Anyone else heard of this? I had one steroid shot Tuesday night and one 24 hrs later on Wednesday. The doc's wanted to wait until Friday to deliver, but the baby was in fetal distress and they took him at 12:27 am Thursday morning, weighing 2 lb. 6 oz., 15 1/2in. long. Sam was in the NICU for 2 months. His major problems were feeding intolerance and a septic infection at about a month old. He is doing very well now, over 8lbs and 21 inches long! I can hardly remember how small he was.
I am the first of my friends to have a child and needless to say this has been anything but normal. It's difficult to talk to people who don't understand an early birth due to pre-e. I came across this forum and am very thankful I did! It feels good to write it down. Merry Christmas !

Nikki (26)
dh Evan (25)
Beautiful Baby Boy Samuel; 30 weeker; 2lb 6oz

[lgw]

Hey Nikki, welcome to the forum. Glad to hear Sam is doing well. I can't believe you were having a baby during Ivan. I live in Baldwin Co., and needless to say, we got clobbered. There is at least one other member in Montgomery. MaryKate'sMom, I think. You should try to look her up. I really does help having someone who has been through a similar situation to talk to. Again, glad Sam is doing well.
Leslie

lgw
pe & hellp-21wks
11.18.03

[denise]

Welcome Nikki! Glad to hear Sam is doing so well after a bumpy beginning. Looking forward to seeing you post!

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Denise (28) Co-coordinator for WI
Jason (32)
Ariana (19 months)-born 5/3/03 at 35 weeks due to HELLP/PE
Currently TTC #2
http://hometown.aol.com/scrapperlang/Home.htm

[mayasmom]

Hi Nikki, glad you found us. This is a great forum w/ some great people who really do care. I look forward to hearing more from you and Sam. Merry Christmas!

Wendy
Mom to Maya, 2/11/00, PE @ 32 1/2 weeks
Lil'Angel, 5/19/04, Miscarriage @ 9 1/2 weeks
Bun in the oven due 3/2/05

[tinalowe]

Hi nikki! So glad that you found us and even more glad that Sam is doing so well. That little fella is a fighter.

Tina 23
DH Dereck 27

Emma Victoria stillborn 12-28-03 severe pre-e

[iansmom]

HI Nikki! I am so glad you are doing well. Sounds like Sam is really catching up. Ian was born at Baptist South also - great people there!

Ian 12/26/01 - 26 weeks P/E & HELLP
Drew 6/22/04 - 36w 6d Chronic hypertension & IUGR