Amber's Story |
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My husband and I married in July of 2018. We were eager to begin our family. While we knew my pre-existing epilepsy diagnosis could cause struggles throughout my pregnancy, we were unaware just how difficult it would all become.
In March of 2019, we found out we were 9 weeks pregnant. We were ecstatic! I was considered high risk because of my epilepsy, but the doctors were confident we could manage it. However, just a few short weeks later things changed very quickly. At 12 weeks, I had my first seizure during my pregnancy. I was rushed to the ER, where they immediately began monitoring the baby. There were many risks associated with seizures in pregnancy, including decreased heart rate and oxygen, fetal injury, and miscarriage. Throughout the next 22 weeks, I had eleven more seizures. Each resulting in a hospital visit and medication adjustment. Despite the doctor's efforts, they were unable to control my epilepsy. This was very hard, on both my husband and I. I struggled with depression throughout the remainder of my pregnancy.
On September 10th, I had another seizure resulting in another ER visit. At this visit, they noticed my blood pressure was skyrocketing. They admitted me hoping to control my blood pressure, get me stabilized, and send me home for bed rest. Over the next few days, plans quickly changed. My blood pressure continued to rise, ultimately resulting in an emergency C-Section.
On September 13th, at 34.6 weeks gestation, I gave birth to my little miracle. Avery Marie came into this world full of fire and ready to fight. She was born at 6:40 pm, without a single peep. She immediately required intubation, and was rushed to the NICU. Due to my own complications, it was 26 hours before I saw my sweet baby girl again. The first few days of our NICU stay felt like a blur, so unreal and so full of emotion. Happy to have our beautiful baby girl, but terrified for her life.
During the next few weeks Avery accomplished many big milestones, including breathing (first intubation, to CPAP, then eventually independently), weight gain, feeding (from a feeding tube, then a bottle), Laryngomalacia, maintaining body temperatures, and jaundice treatments. Avery spent her first 31 days of life in the NICU. Avery continues to overcome any obstacle that she is faced with. She’s just as feisty and strong as the day she was born.
The NICU has such a big piece of our hearts. Our baby girl was given the opportunity to thrive with so much support from doctors, nurses, specialists, and everyone else that entered her room. We felt so grateful to have such an amazing team. As we began to reflect on our own journey, we were inspired to give back to others in similar situations. I am so grateful to have found Project Sweet Peas, as the work we do and the relationships I have made through this organization continue to help me heal. I am so honored to be a part of Project Sweet Peas, and even more so a part of families journeys through the NICU.
In March of 2019, we found out we were 9 weeks pregnant. We were ecstatic! I was considered high risk because of my epilepsy, but the doctors were confident we could manage it. However, just a few short weeks later things changed very quickly. At 12 weeks, I had my first seizure during my pregnancy. I was rushed to the ER, where they immediately began monitoring the baby. There were many risks associated with seizures in pregnancy, including decreased heart rate and oxygen, fetal injury, and miscarriage. Throughout the next 22 weeks, I had eleven more seizures. Each resulting in a hospital visit and medication adjustment. Despite the doctor's efforts, they were unable to control my epilepsy. This was very hard, on both my husband and I. I struggled with depression throughout the remainder of my pregnancy.
On September 10th, I had another seizure resulting in another ER visit. At this visit, they noticed my blood pressure was skyrocketing. They admitted me hoping to control my blood pressure, get me stabilized, and send me home for bed rest. Over the next few days, plans quickly changed. My blood pressure continued to rise, ultimately resulting in an emergency C-Section.
On September 13th, at 34.6 weeks gestation, I gave birth to my little miracle. Avery Marie came into this world full of fire and ready to fight. She was born at 6:40 pm, without a single peep. She immediately required intubation, and was rushed to the NICU. Due to my own complications, it was 26 hours before I saw my sweet baby girl again. The first few days of our NICU stay felt like a blur, so unreal and so full of emotion. Happy to have our beautiful baby girl, but terrified for her life.
During the next few weeks Avery accomplished many big milestones, including breathing (first intubation, to CPAP, then eventually independently), weight gain, feeding (from a feeding tube, then a bottle), Laryngomalacia, maintaining body temperatures, and jaundice treatments. Avery spent her first 31 days of life in the NICU. Avery continues to overcome any obstacle that she is faced with. She’s just as feisty and strong as the day she was born.
The NICU has such a big piece of our hearts. Our baby girl was given the opportunity to thrive with so much support from doctors, nurses, specialists, and everyone else that entered her room. We felt so grateful to have such an amazing team. As we began to reflect on our own journey, we were inspired to give back to others in similar situations. I am so grateful to have found Project Sweet Peas, as the work we do and the relationships I have made through this organization continue to help me heal. I am so honored to be a part of Project Sweet Peas, and even more so a part of families journeys through the NICU.
