Thursday Thirteen: Ooh! Lucky Number 7!!
November is Prematurity Awareness Month as you may already know, and for me, this month has been a time of healing and many thanksgivings. I've begun stashing away some of my sadder memories in return for some of the happier ones that we've been making all year long, and the ones to come this holiday season. So to bring this month of reflection to a close, and because this is why my baby came early.. I wrote about:THIRTEEN REASONS PREECLAMPSIA STINKS!
1. Absolutely no one knows why it happens. Because of this, there is no cure.
2.I gained more than 20 pounds in the last two weeks of my pregnancy in water weight alone. I could only fit into flip flops because my feet were so puffed up, and I had cankles. I had bought a pair of heels for my shower (I know, that was silly), and my feet looked like swollen muffin tops overflowing on top of the tiny stumps that were my shoes.
3. I learned about high blood pressure, and that the bottom number should never be over 100. My blood pressure was ridiculously high. I was actually scared.
4. Did you know that when a woman goes through complications with her pregnancy, her body and baby both know it, and the baby's organs mature quicker? It's true. It happened to us. Poops' lungs were perfect and he was off a breathing tube within 6 hours. The human body is fascinating.
5. I was on bedrest at 32 weeks and my water broke and I delivered at 34 weeks.
6. To this moment I secretly envy women who had healthy pregnancies and 10 pound babies.
7. I'm scared to death to get pregnant again even though doctors are "sure" it won't happen a second time.
8. A week and a half in the NICU is a week and a half too long. Right now I'm mentally hugging all moms who have to go through it for any amount of time, even if it's just a day. Right now, there are mommies and daddies sitting in the NICU with their babies. Right now, some are getting dressed to go home. I'm praying for each one of you.
9. I guess the bright side is that I've never experienced the "get this thing out of me" discomfort of the latter part of the third trimester.
10. I secretly want to.
11. I was overwhelmed with guilt for months about why it happened to me and even more about why it happened to my little guy.
11. I was overwhelmed with guilt for months about why it happened to me and even more about why it happened to my little guy.
12. It happens to way more people than I ever knew. And it happens to way more people *twice* than doctors acknowledge.
13. But ha ha, preeclampsia! I won. We won. He is healthy and wonderful and lovely. And that's all that counts.
*Please feel free to share your experiences here. You can also read about our story. There are also several great websites about preeclampsia, and how and why women get it, and what it is and what it means for women and their babies. They are: the official website, http://www.preeclampsia.org and a great support website here on blogger: http://preeclampsiasurvivors.blogspot.com. And please remember, especially when people are coming to you for pledges in the spring for the huge walk, to support the March of Dimes. Happy holidays to you and your family! God bless!
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13 comments:
That's a very interesting list - love it!
Good for you! I'm glad you beat it!
My oldest child was almost 10 pounds and still ended up in the NICU (heart problems). It was such a weird, horrible experience. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
I think every pregnancy has some problems. I envy the women who had the perfect bodies before baby and that cute little round baby bump. LOL I was gest. diabetic with my last 2. I have 4. I know it ain't the same but after 9 months of pricking my finger I was ready to have them. :(
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Remember how blessed you are. He is a cutie. ;)
I was never diagnosed with full-blown preeclampsia. I was pre-pre, I think. But I started at 32 weeks, and went on bedrest, too. Had mine at 37 weeks and she spent a week in NICU. I SOOOO know how you feel.
Thanks for stopping by!
Great information, I never had pre eclampsia during my four pregnancies, thank goodness!!!
I'm so glad you and your little guy are healthy and fine!
I am so thankful I never had to experience any serious complications affecting my 3--we did have a scare with my middle one, his cord wrapped around his neck during delivery, then his shoulders were stuck, but thankfully he was freed, fine, healthy and 8 lbs.
Good luck through those toddler years--fun, fun, fun ;-)
I am sorry you went through Preeclamsia! THat sucks. I have three kids and I had complications and bed rest so often! I am just happy to know you and baby are ok!
ohhh boy, Christie. KLEENEX! I never knew the thing about the organs. That's something else...
I love you frister. I wish there was something I could have done to this day instead of crying with you on my stupid business trip. God was with you, Evan, and poops and I thank him everyday that the O' family is happy and healthy...even though poops is still bald. haha just teasing.
I love that little punam!
Awesome list! I am lucky to not have experienced preeclampsia w/ my 3, but the huz delivers babies and I have heard some pretty bad outcomes. Plus, many of my friends have been in that position, including my sister- and bro-in-law. Thank God he is beautiful and strong and that we have the technology to keep these little early birds healthy!
Thanks for visiting!
Happy TT!
Yikes...so sorry for you! Thanks for stopping by. Can't wait to read more from you.
Oh, man. Sounds rough! Glad to hear you guys made it through ok. Great TT!
I didn't have preeclampsia, but I did swell up like a water balloon in the last trimester of my pregnancies. After I had my first, I lost twenty pounds just in the two-days I was in the hospital. With my second, it was thirty pounds in two days. Of course, she was (don't hit me) one of those ten pound babies. I couldn't even fit into any of my flip-flops when I went into labor with her. I had to walk across the hospital parking lot barefoot on a hot summer day.
While I can't know how it was for you to have to deal with preeclampsia, I have had to deal with some scares. I really don't think any two pregnancies are alike, though.
Thanks for coming by to visit me! God bless! :)
my girlfriend went thru this with her first, but not the second. her first was born on the day she was having her baby shower, 2 months early.
don't feel bad about envying other moms - i had 2 c sections because of non-progressing labor (i was 41 weeks both times) and i (not so)secretly envy all those moms who had all the labor pains and episiotomies, etc. but in the end, it's the beautiful healthy babies that count.
god bless!
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