I think this post is probably a little out of the norm for this blog. (Warning it may be a little sad, but I just had to get it written). But honestly, this blog is about our family, about raising our preemie, and I feel that sometimes others do not realize what we have gone through with Kennedy arriving 8 weeks early, and the issues that I have personally dealt with too.
I frequent other blogs of preemie moms, they inspire me, and make me realize that some of the things that I am feeling or have felt are completely valid.
To put it bluntly,
I resent women who are in their third trimester and bitch and complain about how uncomfortable they are and how they just want this baby out now (especially when they haven't reached 37 weeks). They do not realize how extremely lucky they are that they have gotten to that point. They do not realize how extremely lucky they are that their baby will (hopefully) be born healthy and ready to go home. They just do not realize what it would be like if they were to have their baby early as they bitch and moan, which is where the anger comes in. Now, yes, I do realize that they are in fact likely uncomfortable, but dammit people be thankful that you are able to carry that baby to term and continue to give it the time it needs to fully develop and be healthy. I resent them, yes, it angers me, yes, but god am I jealous and that makes me sad.
I am sad because I never got to know what it was like to get so huge that I too was uncomfortable and bitching about it. For what its worth. it angers me when people make comments such as "well at least you didn't have that extra baby weight added on", or "at least you didn't have to deal with the stretch marks" - hell give me the weight and the stretch marks any day if I could just carry a baby to term.
I am sad because I lost out on the birth experience that I always wanted. I did not get to immediately bond with Kennedy when she was born. Instead of her being placed on my chest so that I could hold her, kiss her, tell her that I love her (as I had always dreamed would happen), she was whisked away by the neonatologist and nurses. She was held up from a far so that I could see her, I could only hear her cry (the small cry that it was) from a short distance. Not only that but she was then taken from the room, my husband went with her, and I was left there in the room with my mother (thank god), doctor and nurse to get cleaned up - but no baby. It was heartbreaking and it took everything (and I mean everything) in me to NOT break down.
I am sad because I had to be put on the postpartum floor where other women were who had their babies in room with them. Thankfully they were tactful enough to give me my own room, oh how I would've been pissed if I would have had to share a room.
I am sad that for the first 22 days of my daughters life she had to be in the hospital, that i could only be with her for 8 hours a day or so, and that I had to leave her every single night (that was the worst pain imaginable).
I am sad because I do not know if we'll be able to have another baby without that baby being a preemie too. I do not know whether my preeclampsia will come back, whether it will be worse or better.
I would give anything to have been able to carry Kennedy to term, but she is here now. She is healthy, and that I am HAPPY about. She is growing so well, getting bigger every day and developing like crazy. I love this little girl with all of my heart, and I would do anything, absolutely anything for her. But I still can't help but feel sad and some anger about how she came into this world.
And just because I can't do a post without adding a picture - here is a recent one of Kennedy.
Thank you for reading my rant/vent of a post.
Showing posts with label nicu. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nicu. Show all posts
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
March for Babies
Some of you know that we signed up to participate in the March for Babies 2010 through the March of Dimes!! Our walk is this Saturday April 24, 2010.
Our team is Team Kennedy Anne - naturally, as she is the reason we have wanted to do this! Having a premature baby has opened our eyes to the many challenges premature babies face everyday.
Our story is posted to the right under pages - The Story of Kennedy's Arrival - it is a bit of a mess because it was typed out in an e-mail to family and friends after her arrival and I have yet to edit it (which I should get to doing).
We have been lucky in that Kennedy did not have any major health issues in the nicu (she was considered mostly a feeder/grower), and to date has remained healthy, and is growing strong! We can only hope that this continues, however we are aware of the fact that as a preemie there could be issues. Just cross your fingers that she remains healthy and strong.
Please visit our team page,( March for Babies - Team Kennedy Anne ) we would love to have our family and friends there to support us in this walk, however if you cannot be there, any sponsorship of our walk and support of the March of Dimes goal would be greatly appreciated!!
Here is a short picture trip of our time in the nicu....
Our team is Team Kennedy Anne - naturally, as she is the reason we have wanted to do this! Having a premature baby has opened our eyes to the many challenges premature babies face everyday.
Our story is posted to the right under pages - The Story of Kennedy's Arrival - it is a bit of a mess because it was typed out in an e-mail to family and friends after her arrival and I have yet to edit it (which I should get to doing).
We have been lucky in that Kennedy did not have any major health issues in the nicu (she was considered mostly a feeder/grower), and to date has remained healthy, and is growing strong! We can only hope that this continues, however we are aware of the fact that as a preemie there could be issues. Just cross your fingers that she remains healthy and strong.
Please visit our team page,( March for Babies - Team Kennedy Anne ) we would love to have our family and friends there to support us in this walk, however if you cannot be there, any sponsorship of our walk and support of the March of Dimes goal would be greatly appreciated!!
Here is a short picture trip of our time in the nicu....
1 day old.
4 days old - you can see how small she is compared to Austin's Thumb
8 days old
Our little peanut at 9 days old in the NICU
16 days old - so close to coming home!
Look, no feeding tube!!
17 days old (12/3/09)
Learning the joys of her fingers - 20 days old
And finally.... after 22 days in the nicu -
GOING HOME!
We hope you all can support us and the March of Dimes!!
Sunday, March 14, 2010
4 months ago today...
We were sitting in Labor and Delivery at Alta Bates Medical Center in Berkeley waiting, and waiting and waiting. In the morning all we knew was that we would be there until Kennedy arrived, whether that was in a week or 4. It all came down to what my test results continued to come back as.
4 months ago today, on November 14, 2009, I was told to expect the arrival of my daughter within a few days. My labs had come back elevated, to the point where they had to induce me. It was at this point I lost it and started crying. It was at this point I worried about what this would mean for Kennedy. It was at this point that I also realized it was the most pregnant I would ever be. I wouldn't get to endure the last 8 weeks of the 3rd trimester. I wouldn't get so huge that I was uncomfortable and begging for her to come at any time.
It was at this point that I realized I wasn't going to get to go home with my daughter, as I always dreamed it would be.
It was at this point that our lives were now going to change for forever.
It was at this point that I looked at Austin, told him to take one last picture of my pregnant belly.
Two days later our little girl would be born into this world.
4 months ago today, on November 14, 2009, I was told to expect the arrival of my daughter within a few days. My labs had come back elevated, to the point where they had to induce me. It was at this point I lost it and started crying. It was at this point I worried about what this would mean for Kennedy. It was at this point that I also realized it was the most pregnant I would ever be. I wouldn't get to endure the last 8 weeks of the 3rd trimester. I wouldn't get so huge that I was uncomfortable and begging for her to come at any time.
It was at this point that I realized I wasn't going to get to go home with my daughter, as I always dreamed it would be.
It was at this point that our lives were now going to change for forever.
It was at this point that I looked at Austin, told him to take one last picture of my pregnant belly.
November 14, 2009 at 11:32 a.m.
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