On Saturday morning, I was ready to head to the hospital as my contractions finally reached five minutes between each one. I just got out of the shower and we were getting ready to leave. I felt a huge gush. I thought my water had broken, but when I looked down, there was blood everywhere. The blood continued to gush out, so we rushed to the hospital.
Thankfully, the drive to the hospital was only 15 minutes, but it was probably the longest, emotional, and most painful 15 minutes of my life. I was taken by wheelchair to labor and delivery. I was very scared, but felt at ease once we were in the hospital. As soon as we checked in and explained my symptoms I was admitted right away.
I was monitored for a few minutes and given an epidural. The bleeding and gushing continued, so I was immediately prepped and brought into the operating room for an emergency c section.
Trying to find some humor in all this pain and drama... or maybe it was the drugs?
C section time
It was during my surgery that they realized my placenta had ruptured and separated from my uterus. This was causing all my bleeding and extreme pain. Andrew was in distress and born with a collapsed lung. He was taken to the special care unit almost immediately after birth.
My doctor told me they were able to get the baby out just in time. Had they waited any longer, there would have been more catastrophic issues for both me and the baby. We were so lucky.
Cutting the cord... he peed all over Jimmy
Welcome to the world little man. You made quite the entrance!
Andrew James Gadingan Lehman was born on August 8th (08/08) at 10:34am at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH). He weighed 8 pounds and 8 ounces and was 21 inches in length.
Jimmy held Andrew near my face so I could see him while I was still on the operating table. At the time, I didn't know he was sick and that it would be 12 long hours until I would see him again. Once the c section was complete, I was wheeled into the recovery room and eager to be with Andrew again.
Everyone kept telling me to sleep and relax. I was tired, but couldn't sleep. They kept reassuring me that Andrew was okay. I was so worried. It was confusing and stressful for me to be away from him for so long.
Later that evening, we were told that he needed to be transferred to a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in Nashville, which was over an hour drive away. I was an emotional wreck, especially since I had not been able to see or hold him since he was born.
Here are pictures from his stay in BACH's Special Care Unit. I wasn't able to visit him for the first day, since I was in recovery and they were still treating him. Jimmy was able to visit him twice and took these pictures. These were the first real glimpses I had of him after he was born. I looked at these over and over again the first day!
From the pictures, he looked so big to me!
Knowing Andrew was leaving for the NICU in Nashville, they allowed me to visit him before he left in the ambulance.
There is nothing that can prepare you for seeing your newborn baby in that setting. After 12 long hours, I finally got to hold Andrew and give him kisses and cuddles. It was so emotional and it felt surreal. I kept telling myself, "Is this really happening?" He was calm and sleepy. He didn't look sick. I'll never forget when he finally opened his eyes and looked right at me.
Finally, our first cuddle!
Once the ambulance came to pick him up, they stopped by my room for one last goodbye. They explained everything that was happening, what the ambulance ride would be like for Andrew, and what treatments he would receive once he arrived at the NICU. It was a tough moment. I was an emotional wreck.
They had him in a giant portable incubator and there were wires and tubes all over his body. He looked so tiny in that big machine. To say goodbye, I had to put my arm through a little window and touch his face.
Safe travels little man
I wasn't able to go with Andrew, since I was still recovering from the surgery. It was Saturday evening and, at the time, they told me I wouldn't be discharged until Monday. They also advised Jimmy to stay with me and help me focus on my recovery. They would be treating Andrew throughout the night and day. There wasn't anything he could do if he went to the NICU, but would be more helpful helping me recover so I could get well enough to visit Andrew in Nashville.
