Monday, January 26, 2009

Surprise - She's here!!


Amelia Kate Toland
6.26am 24th January 2009
2640g
(35 weeks gest)






I woke up at 3am Wednesday, suspicious that my waters might have broken... but in a bit of denial too. Took me an hour to decide that they actually had, and yes those pains are contractions Katie! I called the hospital and they wanted me in straight away as I was only 34 weeks, and hadn't had the group B strep swab done (it's done at 36 weeks). Went in and got checked over. Wasn't dialated at all which was good, but was having strong regular contractions. They thought she'd come that day, but hoped we could hold her in until 36 weeks. They started me on IV antibiotics as a precausion and took the swab. Told me only 1 in 800 swabs come back positive. So we waited, and waited and waited for the swab results to come back. I stayed in hospital on antibiotics. Friday afternoon we were waiting for the ok to go home on oral antibiotics and just come in each day for monitoring when at 4pm my midwife came in. "You're positive, Ob is on the way, you're having your baby now". Bit shocked over the whole thing we had about 2 mins to make some phone calls to check the kids were looked after and then it was on. They gave me the jell at 4.30pm and the drip went in at 11pm. Labour was pretty yuck. Not at all like the boys, which just felt so natural and right. Her's was scary. She had to be monitored every minute of labour. Her heartrate dropped very low quite a few times. I was told if she came out crying I could have a quick cuddle before she was taken away to Special Care. If she wasn't crying she'd just be taken. She did come out crying at 6.26am, and I got to have about a minute cuddle while they put the tags on her, but then they didn't like the way she was breathing and she was taken. Brett followed the peads up to the nursery and stayed with her while I was fixed up.She had chest Xrays, blood tests, IV antibiotics and IV fluids and glucose. My poor tiny darling was like a pin cushion wrapped up in wires. I went back to my room and slept for 2hours before being woken by the pead, saying they thought she had a problem with her lungs common in StrepB babies, where her lungs could collapse, and to prepare myself that she may be taken to Monash or Royal Childrens. Thankfully she did ok with the oxygen they could give her in her isolette and by the next morning they'd be able to get her back to regular air. Over 24hours had passed and I'd only touched her for those few short seconds in the begining, and Brett had not touched her at all. We felt so helpless, all we could do was sit by her isolette and watch her (and pray for her of course). There were wires, and tubes and computers and things beeping and alarms ringing and none of it made any sense to us. By lunchtime (Sunday) she was doing well, her breathing had picked up really well and they were happy with it. She was responding so quickly that they were fairly sure she didn't have the lung problem they'd originally suspected, but want to keep her on the AB's for 5 days as a precausion. They started to give her some colostrum I'd been expressing, via her nose tube (she can't suck yet). The first bit she tolerated well, but as the amount went up she she started to vomit more and more. So this morning (monday) it was decided to up her iv fluids again, and cut her milk intake back to 3ml every 2hrs. They say that it's just that her gut is too immature to tolerate the milk at the moment, and it's just a matter of waiting until she can tolerate it. They're still doing blood tests every day (well a few times a day really) and are watching how jaundiced she gets at the moment, and whether she'll need to go under lights as well.Late last night as I left my room to take her milk up to the nursery I ran into her nurse in the hallway comming to get me. My heart dropped that something was wrong with her, but she told me she'd come to see if I wanted to have a cuddle of her. As she put her in my arms I just burst into tears. To finally be able to hold her was just magic. Although she was still a tangle of wires and was connected to almost every piece of equipment in the room, it was so wonderful to be able to feel how soft her hair was, how smooth her skin is. To kiss her little forehead and smell her delicious baby scent. All the things I just took for granted with the boys.So as of a few hours ago... we're home... without our little girl. But I know that's just the way it has to be. She needs care that I just can't provide for her. (And I know there are a million other things that I've forgotten to include. Will add more piccies later.)

31 comments:

Yvette Adams said...

Awww she's beautiful. Congratulations. Wishing you all the best and I hope she comes home soon.

Anonymous said...

I hear you. I know exactly that feeling so very well..It is so hard.

Oh she is just beautiful..

She looks like Ethan soo much..

Take care, rest up.. she will be home before you know it..

Big hugs to you all
SARAH

KimA said...

Congratulations Katie!! I hope that your precious little girl is home with you all soon.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations. Hope that she keeps the doctors more than happy and that she can be at home with you sooner than soon.xx

Sofi said...

Hi Katie

She is just beautiful. I'm praying she comes home soon, and congratulations.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations. Glad to hear you are both doing well now. She is just beautiful. Hope she is home with you all very soon.
Helen xxxxx

Lou Spiden said...

Congratulations! SHe is just gorgeous and let me tell you that girls are little fighters and she will be home in no time.
It feels so wrong leaving your baby in hospital and coming home empty handed but knowing she is in the best care and will be home soon will make everything all right :)
Lou

janine kaye said...

congratulations Katie..she is so precious. I am so sorry she has had such a rough start (and you too)..i know slightly how you feel (although I got to stay with Jack for 2 weeks til I bought him home) but it is still so hard not being able to hold them and show them off. I am sure she will be fighting fit soon and home with her wonderful family. all my lovexxx
jk

Gems said...

Aww Katie, she is absolutely beautiful. Sorry to hear that the beginning was a little traumatic to say the least but I am just glad to hear that all is improving! Fingers crossed she will be home very, very soon! xxx

Janine said...

Oh congratulations Kate- Amelia is absolutely gorgeous!!!

Tam said...

I facebooked my congrats, but have to say it again! Well done on bringing that beautiful soul into the world. Praying that she will be settling in at home with you soon so you can get on with being a family. xxx

Anonymous said...

yay! congrats to you, brett, liam and ethan. As Lou said girls are fighters, and they also put up with situations better than boys, and do less complaining about it LOL. I remember my nurses saying that about chloe when she was born. Glad to here she is is being looked after so well, and im sure the next few weeks will fly and she will be home before you know it!
xxj

Anonymous said...

Hey Katie - Primmy here from the feb mummies.

I had to come read and see how you were doing. I can't believe that she was only 5 days earlier then Tiaan but that it still makes such a difference. I feel for you hun. I too i only got the quick one min and had her whisked away, but she did so well i had her back the enxt morning. i couldnt have gone home without her.

You are so so strong.

Much love and strength, to you and your family!!! Especially to little Amelia.

Briony said...

Congratulations Katie and Family! Amelia is just gorgeous. Hoping she will be home very soon with you all. Take care,
Bri

Anonymous said...

Awww Katie :)

She is just beautiful. Big Congratulations.

I also had to leave my baby girl in hospital for 5 days after she was born. It's heart wrenching but she will be home with you guys before you know it.

All the best xoxo

Miss H said...

CONGRATULATIONS KATIE!!!

She is just such a beautiful little bundle :-)

Praying for lots more cuddles with her soon & for her to grow from strength to strength

Belinda Venables said...

Congrats Katie and family, she is just beautiful!
I'm sure that she will be home in your arms before you know it.

xx

Anonymous said...

o0o0o Katie, she came early girl, and what an emotional rollercoaster ride for you. She looks just perfect, so tiny, but perfect, you guys are so blessed. Big love to you mummy of 3:)

Nic Wood said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
to you all on the arrival of your precious little Amelia (beautiful name!) She looks just adorable. Hope all is going well.

Megan said...

Ohh Katie she is just gorgeous. I hope and pray she is home with you guys really really soon.
Love to you sweetie

Debbi said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Debbi said...

Oooohh my ,she is just precious, my prays are with you and your family for your baby to come hope quickly.take care

welcome to my world said...

congrats katie she is just so precious.

Anonymous said...

Hi Katie,
I pop in every now & again to see what's happening in your world - the last time I found out you were pregnant, and now you've had your beautiful baby girl!
Hope all goes well & that she's home with you and your boys really soon!

Lisa said...

Katie,
I too want to wish you the BIGGEST congrats on the arrival of Amelia. Your little girl is now here, and you are a family of 5! She will get stronger everyday, and you will have her in your arms, at home soon.
Postive thoughts and big hugs are coming your way!!!

Carolyne said...

just got home and this would explain you not being home when i visited (my phone is dead hence no phone calls)......what wonderful news Katie. My love to you and the to the boys - how very exciting! I hope with each day she continues good health and will be in your loving arms soon. We must catch up when all is calm. Enjoy those hugs. xxxx

Felicity said...

Oh Katie, I am sitting her reading your birth story with tears rolling down my face. Congratulations to your family. Hoping that with each day that she is growing stronger and that your getting lots of cuddles now. Hope she is home soon with you. Thank you for sharing Amelia with us. She just beautiful. xxx Felicity.

Anonymous said...

Hi Katie,
Congratulations on little Amelia. She is just beautiful!
I know exactly what you are going throught with as our Makayla was 10weeks prem.
Hang in there and enjoy those cuddles. They are so special,
xxx

Leanne Stamatellos said...

Oh wow Katie, I am so happy for you on the news of your precious baby Amelia Kate - you should be so proud. You had me crying reading this blog entry and I wish her all the best for a quick arrival home soon. She will be a beautiful addition to your family and I know you will be the most amazing mother. take care of yourself!

Janelle Wind said...

WOW Katie, what a road you have had to travel. She is just the most adorable little thing - congratulations. Sending my thoughts and prayers to you as you wait to bring your precious girl home. Take very good care of you too. x Janelle

kathie said...

Congratulations to you all Katie. She looks absolutely beautiful! Wow, you've had a road to travel the last few days, haven't you. I'll email you!