No, I didn't go into preterm labor. If I go into labor on my own it will be a miracle. I'm still plugging along here at 33 weeks - maybe now it's time to start paying attention and get something done to prepare for this kid. He has no place to sleep, and I'm not sure what we have in the way of clothes - we found a bunch when we were going through things to get rid of, but I packed them away then, so I have no idea of what/sizes, other than the few things I've bought. The car seat is still in the attic space; it needs to be brought out and the cover taken off and washed. This time, I'll make sure all the pieces get put back the way they are meant to be. We plan to participate in the flea market that is held at our local train station the first Saturday each month; we wanted to do it last month, but it was totally rained out. If it rains on the 7th, I'll simply take that as God's way of letting us know we're supposed to just donate all that crap. We sure could use the money, though, to pay for a bassinet for the baby.
No, this labor and NICU musing is for my cousin, C. I went to her baby shower a month ago, and I mused a little while ago how weird this is for me, because I am quite a bit older than most of my cousins, and I remember when C was born. My aunt called me Tuesday morning to tell me that C was in labor. Her doctors were concerned that the baby was big (predicted at 9lbs. 14 oz) and so when her due date came and went they decided to help things along. Now, evidently her body hadn't started that process yet. Monday night they put her into the hospital to get the gel inserted that would soften her cervix.
Her water broke at 5 am Tuesday morning. When my aunt called me around 8, she was only at about 1 cm, so they were just walking around and doing their thing. By the time I could call back at 10 or so, she was still around 1 cm, and they were giving her fluid to try and get her an epidural. At that point, I kinda got a bad feeling in the back of my mind that she was going to end up needing a c-section (I thought this because it is my understanding that if your body isn't doing something on its own to prepare for labor, the induction is likely to be unsuccessful - even my failed induction started with me already 100% effaced and 1 cm dialated).
Damn, I hate when I'm right sometimes. Poor C did need a c-section, after pushing quite a while, the baby's head kept slipping back up when she wasn't pushing. They had C on oxygen to help the baby tolerate the contractions better, and the oxygen made my cousin so lightheaded that she passed out. Finally, at 11:30 or so pm, Mackenzie was born.
She had a bowel movement before she was born (meconium), so she came out not breathing. She will be in the NICU until next Tuesday - C. will be going to my aunt's house on Saturday (my aunt lives closer to the hospital). Despite this kind of start, Mackenzie is doing fine, is absolutely adorable, and is only 7lbs. 9oz., a far cry different from the 9 lbs. 14 oz. (+/- 5 oz.) she was predicted to be. So take those sono predictions with a grain of salt. My aunt sent me lots of pictures already - it was a little hard for me to see the one picture of her with a vent on her, but it is gone now, and she is a cutie pie. C. knew from her prenatal testing that Mackenzie has something going on with her kidneys, so they will be monitoring that while she is still in the hospital.
Congratulations, C. and S. And Mackenzie, may God bless you and help you grow big and strong and healthy. I pray that your kidneys are fine and that you don't need surgery. Welcome to the world, little one.
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