For a couple of weeks before Luke was born, I was dealing with some uncomfortable swelling-mainly in my legs. After several conversations with my doctor's office, in which I was assured things were normal, we decided to try a low sodium diet in hopes of some relief. Well, relief did not come and the Friday before Luke's arrival I decided I couldn't take it anymore. Something just did not feel right! At the urging of my mom, sister, and Chris, I called my doctor's office AGAIN. After learning my doctor was out of town her nurse told me I should go to labor and delivery at the hospital to have things checked out. So at 33 weeks and 3 days, fully expecting the nurses at L&D to tell me to suck it up and stay off my feet, we took our sweet time in getting there. We even stopped at the AT&T store to get Whitney set up on our family plan!
Friday: When Chris and I got to L&D I explained my swelling and the triage nurses admitted me and told me that they'd have someone in to look at my legs soon. Following standard procedure, I changed in to my lovely hospital gown, got into bed, and the nurses hooked me up to a monitor for Luke. Before anyone could even take a look at my swollen legs, the alarm for Luke's monitor went off. Three nurses raced in the room and explained that his heart rate had dropped significantly, but had quickly come back up. They wanted to know if this had been happening during my pregnancy- maybe it was a fluke and for some reason his monitor picked up my heart rate? It was not a fluke. Long story a little bit shorter, his heart rate continued to periodically drop and then come back up. Because we did not know the cause of what was happening, we were moved to a comfortable room in L&D and told we would be there for observation overnight. I was even told I could not eat because there was a chance of delivery. At this point Chris and I both felt this was a little silly bc we felt like everything was fine! Once the doctor on call decided I would not be delivering that night I was cleared to eat! Chris went and picked up the most delicious pepperoni pizza from Hideaway and we enjoyed lunch/ dinner at 9 pm.
Saturday: Throughout the night Luke's heart rate continued to drop and each time he would quickly self recover, but we were beginning to realize there was truly cause for concern. I kept reminding myself that none of this was a surprise to God, but I have to admit things felt totally out of my control and I began to panic. Saturday morning the on call doctor who is in practice with my doctor came to see us and explain his concerns. I was very upset to be dealing with strangers, but God again showed He was in control. The on call doctor had consulted with a high-risk doctor who just happened to deliver my twin nieces and they both had a concern that Luke's cord might be wrapped in a way that was causing his heart rate to drop when he was in certain positions. I have a huge respect for this specialist and I was able to trust the plan that the doctors came up with. The plan was to make it through Labor Day weekend and have a more detailed ultrasound to study Luke's cord and possibly do a non- stress test to see how Luke would handle contractions. This meant a chance of delivery on Tuesday or possibly bed rest and observation in the hospital until 37 weeks Chris and I felt good about the plan and settled in to wait out the weekend.
Sunday: God reminded me through a verse my sister shared that our plans are not God's plans and He was in control. My head knew this was true, my heart was still terrified. Through it all I was so thankful for Chris who did not panic and reminded me time after time that the Lord would see us through. I began to have small contractions and Luke's heart rate would drop even lower-too low. The nurses would have to reposition me and give me oxygen to help it come back up. Panic. My wonderful nurse Becky, quite possibly an angel, explained to me that the doctor on call was not comfortable with the situation and that if Luke's heart rate dropped in the 60s again, they would deliver him immediately via C-Section. Panic. I had not planned on this! God was in control. Of that I was certain, but I felt so helpless. Isn't it those helpless, vulnerable times when we hear The Lord most clearly? I could not get this phrase out of my head: God is not surprised by ANY of this. That was the promise I was clinging to. Surely He had brought us to this very moment and surrounded us with the people He trusted to take care of us. Not long after Becky shared this news with us, another contraction came and Luke's heart rate again dropped into the 60s. I was immediately rushed to the OR and prayed all the way for a healthy delivery. Thankfully Luke's heart rate did come back up and they did not have to put me under- an answer to prayer.
The delivery:
A quick spinal block and a blur of preparations as we waited for the doctor to arrive seemed to take about 5 minutes. I'm told it was longer, but it sure didn't seem that way. Chris changed into scrubs, quickly updated my mom and sister, and joined me in the OR. What seemed like a second later, Luke was born. Quickly whisked away by a NICU nurse, I was only able to see him from a distance. My first question was "what color hair does he have?" And I was so excited to hear that my 5 pound 1 oz itty bitty had bright blonde hair.
God's timing: I firmly believe that The Lord used persistent swelling in my legs to get me to L&D where He knew Luke would be monitored. I also believe that he surrounded us with precisely the nurses and doctor that He chose to deliver Luke. After delivering Luke, the doctor told us that the cord was wrapped around Luke's shoulder and leg and that it was a little short, but we're still not sure if this is what caused problems for Luke. What we do know is that Luke was no longer safe inside and God orchestrated things in such a way that our baby boy entered this world a little earlier than planned (33 weeks 5 days), but completely healthy. The next day Chris talked with a guy on the elevator who had expected to have a healthy baby, but unfortunately lost the baby in a cord accident. When Chris shared this with me we were both overcome with emotion and so thankful that our God chose to bring Luke into the world safe and healthy. Not as we had planned, but in His perfect timing.
And oh, by the way, an ultrasound done some time Saturday revealed my swelling was perfectly normal.
Here are some pics of our sweet boy:
Luke in the NICU- off the ventilator and oxygen
Luke with his feeding tube
Luke is finally home!
