PREMATURITY AWARENESS MONTH

I thank God for how blessed I really am. When I look back into the photo album, and see the pictures of my children when they were infants, I usually cry. I'm crying because I go back to that time when all three of my children were fighting for their lives. It's an eye opener that's for sure. I cannot tell you how many people have asked me how I got through all of that. My reply is always, I really can't remember most of it, It's like a blur. While that is the truth, slowly I begin to remember things bit by bit, as if God is gradually showing me how he protected and was with us that whole time.

We spent most of my pregnancy at Childrens Hospital with my son who was receiving chemotherapy.  In October, I was able to get  back into town and get a check up to see how I was doing with the baby in my belly. When Bill and I went to view the ultrasound pictures, We noticed and it was confirmed that there were two babies instead of one!! I was super scared but so excited. I was put on bed rest right away. My doctor feared I would have the babies early do to the stress of what was going on with my baby boy. 

I always had a connection with my Lord, but never really knew the gravity of his immense love for me; for my family. When I was just 26 weeks, News years Morning, about 5 am, I woke up very sick. I thought it might have been the flu, it turns out I have Pre-eclampsia which causes high blood pressure, that can in turn lead to seizure, stroke, organ failure or even death of mom or baby. Doctors, gave me a shot to expand the girls' lungs (Baby A and Baby B) and medication to keep my Blood Pressure Down. I was kept in the hospital until 5 days later I couldn't breathe very well. An ultra sound was done and it showed that I had Placenta Abruption which deprives the babies of Oxygen. I remember, being placed in a room, my blood pressure sky rocketed to a dangerous High, and my eyes literally felt like they were going to pop out of my head. The worst headache I've ever had in my life! I couldn't move, talk, it was paralyzing. I was rushed for an emergency C-section. After delivery of the babies I don't remember much, but I do remember people counting. "1.2.3.4---1.2.3.4". I am so grateful for the people who came and visited and prayed for them while I was out. It was probably a few days before I was able to get up and actually see my twins, when I was able to even walk, I was not able to see out of my left eye, I was temporarily blinded, caused by the extremely high blood pressure I had, thankfully my retina did not detach and it would heal in 4-8 weeks. 

When I first looked at my girls sleeping in their incubators, I cried out to God... "what have I done to my children?" I felt so low, how was it possible for me to have 3 sick babies. It was so hard to see tubes all over my girls, and how tiny they were. Victoria weighing 1lb 11 oz, and Vivian 1 lb 8 oz. Test after test after test was run on the girls, so many pokes on their feet, and the preemie pampers were too big for them!! My heart was broken when I was able to leave the hospital but not take my girls with me. The twins gradually gained weight and lost it, and gained it back again. Finally the girls were going to be moved to the brand new NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) They built. They were transported by ambulance.

Finally in March I was able to bring my baby A home (Victoria~) she was around 5 pounds...what's amazing is that my baby girl came home with no machines, medications, nothing! It was just as if she wasn't a preemie. We did not like leaving my little Vivian there in the NICU with out her sissy but she still had some growing to do. In May my little Vivian was ready to come home and be with the rest of her family!! She had no breathing machines, no medication, nothing! She was happy 5 pound baby and fit right in!

 11 years later my girls are blessed children of the living God! They are beautifully funny, darling little ladies who strive to live life as happy as they can! This November  Marks World Prematurity Month! My Twinzo's (Zo's as I call them) will be wearing purple on November 17th World Prematurity Day; to honor this special day and month! 1 out of 10 children is born premature! We love March of Dimes, and are connected to the Wisconsin Chapter. 

A few years ago, I asked my sister Angie,(who was in the room while they were delivering my babies) why the people in the room were counting, "1.2.3.4" she looked at me in utter shock, she said. "They were giving them CPR." I never knew this, nor at that time do i think I could have handled it. God is always faithful, even when I was at my lowest point and felt like I was alone. He stayed true to me even when I didn't know him on a level he so desired, he was there. He is love, strength, power, truth, he is I AM!

We can change the face of prematurity! :)

Vivian

Victoria