Eight Years Ago I Gave Birth 11 Weeks Early - Part 1
This is Part 1 of a Series about My Experience with "Spontaneous Preterm Labor" as it's known in the biz
Up until 29 weeks I had a relatively typical pregnancy. I got pregnant easily, I was 33 years old and physically healthy. I loved being pregnant. I loved the glow, the attention (remember, I am a Leo!), and celebrating the power of my body. Everything progressed nicely until Monday, May 16, 2016.
I woke up with excruciating back pain and made a vow to be nicer to people that complain of back pain. I felt sick and off. I struggled to get it together but managed to make it to work. I will never forget what I was wearing that day - black Gap maternity pants that I still have because they are the best, a bright blue flowy top from Nordstrom with floral applique, and a white blazer from Ann Taylor that was part of my favorite white suit. But something was wrong, so I called my ob-gyn on the drive in.
“Are you having uterine contractions?” The nurse on the other end of the line inquired. What in the hell does uterine mean? Oh…uterine as in uterus.
“I don’t know. This is my first pregnancy and something is not right,” I replied. They were able to get me in at the office close to work. I remember writing down what indeed were uterine contractions on a post-it note while trying to focus on a conference call. I could see the concern on my co-workers' faces.
I went to my appointment.
“You’re not dilated, but I don’t like what you are describing and I want you to go up to the Mason office to get an ultrasound,” my doctor informed me as he pulled off his gloves.
The next appointment was later that afternoon. I coordinated with my husband to have him meet me there and returned to work. I was still in pain and still having contractions but the naiveté of what I was experiencing combined with a stubborn optimism kept me upright. Like my outfit, I will also never forget what I had for lunch that day because it was my last meal for several days. I managed to eat leftover pasta and red sauce at my desk while responding to emails and preparing to be out for the afternoon. I packed everything up because I had a feeling that I wouldn’t be coming back. As I left I told my colleagues that I would keep them posted and I’d be back soon.
Everything proceeded routinely as it did at every other appointment during check-in. We went back to the ultrasound room and I got on the table ready to be globbed with gel. The ultrasound tech got started and chatted all about the baby.
“Here’s her arms, look at her hands!” she went on as she swabbed back and forth across my stomach. Then she switched to vaginal ultrasound and the stream of chatter silenced.
“I am going to go get the doctor,” she said after a few minutes. She returned with the doctor.
“The baby’s head is down, she’s effaced, and your cervix has shortened,” he said. “We’re going to send you down to the hospital for further monitoring.”
I don’t remember much else after that except for trying to hold in the sobbing. My husband and I had to make the almost thirty minute drive to the hospital separately since we arrived separately. We certainly didn’t plan on this outcome.
I texted my boss and my co-worker with the update and told them not to expect me for the trip to Nashville, but probably later that week (ha!). I got in the car and turned on Frank Sinatra. Frank is always my go to when I need to chill. The voice of warm butter melting on a perfectly cooked (read: medium rare) aged steak with a glass of red wine. The song that started playing? That’s Life.
As Frank crooned in between my sobs, I started my negotiations with God.
Okay, so scenario A is that this is a fluke and I go home in a few hours, got it? Scenario B is that this is a thing and I have to go on bedrest. Which admittedly sounds kind of nice at first - I can read all the books and watch all the shows. I can be good with scenario B. Scenario C - well, I don’t know about scenario C because I’ve never done this before but scenario C is that my baby is okay no matter what happens.
Stay tuned for the next installment which I hope will be next week if not sooner but you know #momlife.
Every birth story has its own twists and turns (sometimes literally and physically!), would love to hear yours if you are interested in sharing.
Have been thinking about turning some pieces into conversations about birth stories - see 2 above and let me know if you would be interested in being featured.
What is your go to music?