The beginning..

February 27, 2009

A couple of weeks ago, I began to have problems controlling my blood pressure and started to have severe swelling in ankles. I had an appointment scheduled this past Tuesday but ended up going in Monday morning because I hadn't felt the baby move since Saturday night. The doctor ended up admitting me and they figured they would try to control my blood pressure and put me on fluids as well as oxygen so that we could make sure Ava was getting the blood and oxygen supply that she needed. My blood pressure was getting worse due to the pregnancy and my past medical history involving my kidneys so the doctor decided Tuesday morning that Ava needed to come out. My doctor met with a few other doctors and decided that Ava would be better off outside in their care even though she was only 26 weeks. I had a cesarean section scheduled for 7:30 Wednesday morning and little Ava was brought into this world at 8:01 weighing only 1 lb and 7 oz! The staff had to do compressions on her for about 20 seconds and her little heart has been beating strong ever since. Ava is now in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where she is receiving the best medical care that we could ask for. She is receiving total parenteral nutrition, fluids, and they have her intubated and on oxygen. So far the doctors say that Ava has been doing well and is doing just what a 26 week old baby should be doing. I will keep everyone updated on Ava's progression. Thanks for all of the flowers, support, and prayers. James' and I wouldn't make it through all of this if it weren't for good friends and family :)