Better late than never...

I just read my last post, and in the final paragraph I mention that it was likely I'd have a one year old by next post. Well, label me a psychic, because I have a one year old! Addison Kate Johnson turned one two weeks ago! I thought I'd put a little bit of her birth story up for those of you interested. It is a true testament of God's perfect timing! Wednesday, July 11- Wes and I went on a date to the movies (Spiderman, I believe). My pregnant self pigged out on popcorn. I fell asleep half way through. All was right with the world. That evening I started to realize my normally wiggly baby had not wiggled in a while. I told myself I was being paranoid, but continued to pay extra close attention to her movement. When we went to bed (when she normally became her wiggliest) she remained still. I poked and prodded, then eventually got up to eat some chocolate (which I did a ton) and drink some caffeine (which I never did). An hour passed and still, nothing. I fell to pieces and called my doctor. The nurse snippily asked me if I was a first time mom, then reluctantly advised me to go to the hospital for monitoring. Wes and I drove to St. Vincent's, and I had never been more relieved when the (nicer) nurse hooked me to that monitor and I heard that heartbeat loud and clear. They did something called a non-stress test where the look for 5 accelerations of the heart rate within 15 minutes. It took several hours for Addy to pass, but she finally did. Just as the nurse came in to take me off the monitor, I had something called a late deceleration (which means I had a contraction, and Addy's heart rate dropped after the contraction was over...this is bad news because it signals the baby is not getting enough oxygen). The nurse stopped, watched the monitor, and notified the doctor. This bought me/Addy several more hours of monitoring, and biophysical profile, and a couple more unpleasant tests (see: fetal stress test). By 1:00pm Thursday, the doctors felt comfortable releasing me with plans to bring me in for monitoring every other day. Wes and I felt sure they wouldn't send me home unless they were sure they were find, so off we went. Saturday, July 14- I went in to work, then left around 10am to go to St. Vincent's for more fetal monitoring. Addy's heart rate looked good and I/Addy passed another FST. I was only dilated about 1 cm, so Dr. Edward's predicted it'd be another week or two before Addy showed her face. Wes and I quickly ate lunch and I returned to work. I felt a few movements from Addy throughout the day, but nothing like I had in the past... Sunday, July 15- Mom and Dad came up and we worked on getting things ready for Addy's arrival. They brought the dresser and the bassinet. Everything was coming together! We washed some of Addy's clothes, and I made a list of things (like diapers, nursing bras, cute PJ's for after delivery) to go buy after my doctors appointment the next morning. Monday, July 15- 8:15 am: I arrived at Henderson and Walton (running late, shocker), for my NST. They forced some coke down my throat, hooked me to a monitor, and gave me a little button to press every time I felt fetal movement. Thirty minutes and barely any movement later (I think the two times I pressed the button were actually just tummy rumblings), the tech came back in and said "well, we'll leave you on a few more minutes" (i.e. you failed!). 30 more minutes passed, and no more movement. They sent me over to see the doctor. Dr. Edwards walked in and pulled up the strip. He did not like what he saw. That's when he told me I wouldn't be leaving the building pregnant. I called Wes to tell him to come to the hospital as I walked down to the labor and delivery floor. I told him not to worry and take his time, because I thought they'd be monitoring me for a while and if anything, just giving me Pitocin to get things started. When I got on the floor a super sweet (and also super pregnant!) nurse walked me to my room, got me in a gown, and started my IV. I called my mom to give her an update and let her know they might want to start getting ready to head back to Birmingham. A few minutes later, my nurse came in and put an oxygen mask on my face (uh-oh, I thought) then an older, more experienced nurse came in, handed me my phone, and told me to "call who I need to call", because they were about to section me. I called Wes and told him to HURRY! (He was on his way to drop the dog off at doggy daycare), then called my mom and told her Addison would be here by the time they made it to Birmingham! Noon: A swarm of what seemed like 50 nurses surrounded me attaching me to this and unattaching me from that. They literally ran me down the hall to the OR. In hindsight, I should have been freaking out. But I had a peace that only the Lord could have given me. They loaded me on to the operating table as the MDA came in to do my spinal block. I was so nervous about the block, but it didn't hurt at all! Just before they cut Wes made it! I was so relieved to see him walk through that door! 12:37pm: Addison Kate Johnson was born! She had tons of hair and was white as can be. She made one little cry (I think that was God's way of letting me know she was still alive), but was extremely limp. The NNP brought her over so I could meet her, and I was so in love, but also very worried. She told me they were going to take her to the NICU to do a good exam on her and make sure everything was ok. The hours that followed: Turns out, her HCT was 10. Yep, TEN. (It should've been in the fifties). All I could do was cry and pray for my sweet baby when they called and consented Wes for transfusions and told him they might have to intubate. Thankfully, they did not intubate, and three transfusions later, Addy was stable. After some investigation, they determined we had experienced a maternal/fetal transfusion...Addy was essentially bleeding out into my bloodstream. Addy ended up spending 10 long days in the NICU with a few "hiccups" along the way, but she made it home to us safe and sound. We had some wonderful doctors and nurses, and I am so thankful for modern medicine, but to God be the glory! HE alone saved her life! We are so thankful for our precious ONE YEAR OLD!