I Will Always Remember This Week

A year ago, unknowingly, my blood pressure was on the rise. The levels would land me in the hospital for a few days before the emergency induction of our premature baby girl.

Ashlyn's first birthday is next Sunday, June 19. I will forever remember the days leading up to her delivery. I spent a few days looking out at the mountains from the hospital window wondering when I would be discharged and put on bed rest, little did I know, this would not be the case.

I was put through countless tests, needle pokes, and ultrasounds to monitor myself and the baby. I remember my husband and the girls coming to visit me, the girls anxious and curious as to why I was in the hospital and not at home. I remember the nurses and doctors coming into my room at 2:00am saying that the tests did not come back good and they are taking me to labor and delivery to start the induction. From my new room, IV's were started and continuous meds were given, making me feel horrible, groggy, and nauseous.



Ashlyn was delivered, healthy and hungry. The moments following her birth as I hemorrhaged and lost consciousness. I remember in a blurred, cloudy vision, my husband pacing, crying, and praying, nurses running and doctors scurrying. After a while, I remember the doctor staring in my face, asking me questions that I was unable to answer. I was unable to hold my newborn baby girl because I was so weak.

Three days after we were released from the hospital, I was yet again back in the hospital for blood pressure that had spiked to higher levels than when I was pregnant. My eyes filled with tears as all I wanted to do was go home and be a family of five.

That was a year ago. We are grateful that my blood pressure is finally stabilized and that Ashlyn continues to grow and develop by leaps and bounds. This is a memorable week for me. We are blessed. We are blessed. We are blessed!