Okay, so I said I would have pictures of the nursery in the next entry, but instead I have something better ..... pictures of our precious miracle Hunter Boyd.
9/21/2009 6:58PM
3lb 11oz 17.5 inches
Hunter was supposed to be our little Turkey baby, but God decided he needed to be with us a little early. We are so thankful he is here and so far doing great!
It all started on Tuesday 9/15. I had a regular 2 week appointment. Hunter was active and his heart beat was wonderful. Then it was time to check mommy out. The RN took my blood pressure. I knew something was wrong when she took it again on the other arm. I knew something was really wrong when she asked me to lay on my left side. I laid there for about 10 minutes and she took it again. It was still a little high. The doctor suggested I collect a 24 hour urine sample to check for protein in my urine. Protein + High Blood pressure = possible pre-eclampsia. I thought this was supposed to be a smooth pregnancy???
Thursday 9/17 I dropped off my "collection" at the doctor's office and made my way to school. When I got there I decided to go talk to the nurse to let her know what was going on. She showed me where she kept the blood pressure monitor and showed me how to use it. Well, let's just say the machine did not like me. My blood pressure was HIGH 169/101. She suggested I call my doctor. The doctor had me go into the assessment center at the hospital. There the nurse hooked up a heart beat monitor, blood pressure every 30 minutes, urine sample and blood work. My urine was clean, blood pressure OK but I was dehydrated. So they pumped me up with fluids. My doctor came by and told me I could not go back to work until after the baby and to be on bed rest through the weekend. I could not believe her words. I knew for sure this was bye bye to a smooth pregnancy.
So Friday and Saturday I stayed off my feet - as best I could - and monitored my blood pressure. I seemed to feel fine, but my blood pressure was not looking good. Then my chest started to hurt. Finally on Saturday evening, with convincing from Ryan, I gave in and called the doctor. I told her what was going on and she told me to go to the hospital. I figured they would assess me like before then I would go home the next day. But when we arrived to the hospital and they started hooking me up to all kinds of stuff, I knew that would not be the case.
Now my blood pressure was high, my head was throbbing, my urine had a trace of protein and my blood work showed my magnesium and calcium were low. Once the nurses left, I looked at Ryan and said "Okay, I think we need to pick a name". We had a list going, but never really decided on a name. Hunter Boyd was our choice. Soon the on call doctor came in. First of all, she had a very rough bedside manner. I did not care for her. She told me I was not leaving the hospital until I delivered a baby. That scared me -- I was only 32 weeks! She had a feeling I was developing pre-elcampsia. She actually wanted to deliver the baby that night! I expressed my concerns and let her know I wanted to see my doctor. She ordered and ultrasound to see how the baby was and of course more blood work. The ultrasound tech came in did her job and left. She was not friendly either. She didn't even turn the screen so I could see him. I did ask her how big the baby was and she said 2lb and some oz. I must admit that scared me a little. The on call doctor was okay with doing a little more monitoring and waiting until the next day to decide anything.
Sunday, September 20 arrived and little did I know the next day I would be a mom. More blood was drawn, urine tested and more and more fluids were pumped into me. I am not sure how much sleep I got that night but it was not much. Visitors came by and lots and lots and lots of prayers were said. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful friends and family we have. So many people were calling, texting, praying and lighting candles for us. It gave us so much comfort in a difficult situation. The on call doctor charged right in and asked if I was ready to deliver ..... and I said no. She decided to do another ultrasound, but with a neonatal specialist - Dr. Rowe. Yeah a familiar face. I had most of my ultrasounds with him and he had a wonderful bedside manner. Basically, Hunter looked great and was developing right on track. It made me feel better seeing Hunter and knowing that he was okay. Dr. Rowe measured everything possible and he assured me that Hunter would be okay. He said that he was about 3 lb and 7 oz. So much better then the original 2lb guess. He even assured Ryan that Hunter was "still a boy". He measured the blood pressure in the umbilical cord and it was a little high. My amniotic fluid was also a little low. It started to get scary. Ryan was right there holding my hand and telling me it would be okay. Dr. Rowe explained that Hunter needed to come out soon. We could not wait much longer at the risk of losing the me and the baby. Now that was really scary. I did not want to hear that, but I knew it needed to be said. Dr. Rowe said I could either deliver vaginally or have a c-section. I decided to try vaginally. He also gave us a 99% change that Hunter would be just fine. Once I was back in the room the on call doctor came in and we told her what we decided. She actually smiled. At 5:00 in the morning they would start the pitocen to help dilation and get those contractions going.
It was finally Monday, September 21 and the pitocen was hanging from the IV stand along with the other 2 bags of fluids. I had been given 2 steroid shots the day before to help Hunters lungs. I had my mom's rosary and way praying away. So many thought were running through my mind. I was scared but excited to meet our little man. Finally, Dr. Nisbet, my doctor, came in - YAY!!! She told me things should progress soon. At about 8 AM I was dilated to a 1. She said she would be back at noon to break my water. I continued to lay there in the bed with so many thoughts running in my head. I tried to get sleep but each time I would start to drift off the a machine would beep and wake me.
Here I am waiting for the Pitocen to kick in.
Then my mind would race so I would say another rosary. I would feel a few contractions here and there, but nothing big. Mom and my cousin Sarah would watch the monitor and see how intense the contractions were. Most of them were pretty mild. Noon came and went and I still did not progress much more. The pitocen was increase every hour, but still did not make a dent in my contractions. Finally around 5:00 PM the pitocen was done. What now??? I was still only dilated to a 1 --- No progress AT ALL!!! Dr. Nisbet suggested a c-section. By this time I was all for it! Still a little scared ... I was ready.
Ryan and I ready to meet Hunter!
Going into the operating room was soooooooo scary. It was very hard because Ryan was not there. He had to wait until I was given the epidural then he could come in. The epidural was the strangest thing I have ever felt! The feeling of not being able to wiggle your toes is just weird! Anyway, Ryan finally came in and was right there by my side. Then I hear the words " Here he is!" and we waited for that cry ..... there it was! It was the sweetest cry I have ever heard. It wasn't a screaming cry, but a soothing, sweet here I am and I'm okay cry. It was the most beautiful sound I have ever heard! Then we hear the nurse say"He is peeing everywhere!" I took that as a good sign and we laughed a little. Ryan watched them clean him up and get his foot prints.
Checking Hunter out and cleaning him up.
Foot prints .... not too much fun for him.
Then the moment finally came. I got to meet Hunter for the first time. I will never forget his little face. He even opened his eyes. He was so beautiful!
Hunter was then taken to the NICU. Ryan went down and saw him. The doctor said he was doing great. He was hooked up everything, but he was in no danger.
Hunter will be in the NICU for at least 6-8 weeks. Thank you so much to everyone for all of the prayers and thoughts. Your strength and support helped us through this difficult situation. I know that Hunter will be just fine. The good Lord above has his arms wrapped around him and is helping him progress each day.
I said earlier that Hunter was supposed to be a Turkey baby, well he was early and here is what is ironic. Around the same time last year Ryan and I were dealing with a tough situation. We found out we had miscarried our first little one at 8 weeks. I think this was God's way of letting us know it is okay to move on and be happy during this time of year. God sure does work in mysterious ways.
To celebrate his 3 month birthday Hunter had a Tummy Time accomplishment. He lifted his head! As soon as he did it the first time I grabbed the camera. I took a ton of pictures and I finally got the shot! Here he is showing off his latest accomplishment!
Although Hunter is 3 months old his adjusted age is 1 month. Compared to a typical 1 month old baby he is right on track! He is doing everything that a typical 1 month old baby would do. We are so proud of him for all of his little milestones. 
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