Halah's Birth

I went into preterm labor at 34 weeks, so I was put on Brethine. The Brethine held off my contractions well enough that I was able to continue my pregnancy and even stay active. My doctor approved my going off the Brethine on Sunday, September 23, 2002. That morning I took my last pill, and then spent the day shopping and cleaning the house. At 10 pm, I noticed I was having pretty strong contractions. I started timing them at 10:30. They were 3-5 minutes apart, and that continued for an hour. We packed up the car and arrived at the hospital at about midnight.

I was hooked up to an IV and hydrated. The doctor on call (Dr. Casanova) didn't really want me to have Halah just yet, as she was 36 weeks and 37 weeks is considered term. The fluid didn't stop or even slow the contractions. Dr. Casanova was uncomfortable with the idea of delivering me because she didn't have any records on me saying I had a permanent cerclage and would be having a c-section. That's not the normal thing to do, so she decided to attempt to stop my labor at least until my doctor arrived at about 8 am.

I was given 3 Brethine shots, 30 minutes apart. Kyle laughed at me because I didn't even wince at the contractions, but I cried when I got my first shot.

Dr. Yeatts had an emergency at the other hospital that morning, and then had to go right into surgery at 9 am, so I didn't get to see him that morning. He ordered another Brethine shot for me, as my contractions were picking up again. The Brethine didn't seem to affect them at all. Dr. Yeatts came in to see me at about noon, and checked my cervix. I was 70% effaced, so there was really nothing we could do but deliver Halah.

I was prepped for surgery at 3 pm. The epidural was great! I could feel a little, but when Dr. Yeatts was cutting me open, it felt like a feather brushing my abdomen. Kyle was in the OR with me. He sat next to me and occasionally peeked over the screen. Halah was born at 3:30 pm on September 23, 2002. The cord was wrapped around her neck, so I was glad I had done a c-section! She screamed for about 5 minutes after she was born. The nurses cleaned her up, wrapped her in a blanket, and placed her on my chest. I got to hold her and look at her for a few minutes before Kyle carried her down to the nursery. She was perfect! She didn't look like a newborn, let alone a preemie!

Halah was 5 lbs, 10 oz and 18 1/2 inches long. She scored a 9 on both her Apgars. She measured 35 weeks gestation, so it was amazing that she had no complications. No breathing or sucking problems at all.

The doctor sewed me up (I don't really remember this part too well). I was in the recovery room for about an hour, then was taken to my room. Kyle brought Halah down a few minutes later. She had some trouble latching on the first evening, but I think it was because she was just tired. At about 4 am, she suddenly latched on and nursed for about an hour! I was amazed. She seemed like such a natural. It was hard to let her out of my sight.

She came home with me on Thursday, September 26. Her big "sister" Cassie took to her right away and is very protective of her! She barks at me everytime Halah makes a noise. :) It has been just a week and 6 days, and I feel in 99% health. I have Dr. Yeatts to thank for that! :)