Thursday, January 24, 2008

Delivery

I don't know how many of you are still checking in on me, but I thought I'd throw out a quick update. More details will hopefully follow at a distant future date in which my life resumes some semblance of normalcy.

I went in for an induction at 39 weeks. All proceeded normally for about three hours until the membrane rupture brought on an extremely rare and serious complication of delivery called an amniotic fluid embolism. I am never going to google that term myself, but feel free. Anyway, thorough several very fortunate turns of luck, and a lot of extremely competent medical care, both the baby and I survived his delivery via emergency c-section. Baby boy is now thriving and was discharged from the hospital after 3 or 4 days. My memories of the last 11 days are a little hazy, but I have worked my way out of the ICU and through another week in another unit of the hospital, and am now discharged for outpatient treatment for acute renal failure. There is much reason to hope that my kidneys are currently starting to regain some normal function. I am undergoing dialysis while we wait to see what happens. But, I am home, I have a healthy baby boy, and strict instructions to never again attempt another pregnancy. I am done.

Whew.

January 14, 2008
20 inches
8 pounds, 15 ounces

12 comments:

Nurse Lochia said...

Lurker here. Congratulations and thank goodness everything worked out for you. God was watching over you and your baby, thats for sure! Again, congrats, rest up and enjoy your baby.

electriclady said...

May! I was starting to worry about you! I'm so glad baby boy is doing well (big baby! what a cutie!) and sorry you went through all that--but glad you're doing better now. Looking forward to another update whenever you're up to it--but don't even think about us, just focus on getting better and enjoying your baby.

MrsSpock said...

Goodness May! That is incredibly rare- you definitely had an angel on your shoulder that day. I've only seen that complication once in ICU- and never want to again. I hope your kidney function eventually improves. Dialysis plus newborn = exhaustion, so although I will be checking for updates, please just take care of yourself.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

Oh, May, I can't get over how beautiful and radiant you are, and the cuteness of the Baby Boy!

I hope your body resumes normal function soon. Sending you thoughts of wellness, wholeness, and uninterrupted sleep in 6 hour chunks.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! You and babe both look great. Take care.

I am an amniotic fluid embolism survivor and run an on-line support group for survivors and their families and friends. (I think one of your friends may have contacted me? Do you have a friend on the opposite coast?) Anyway, you say you don't want to look it up, but some day, when you're stronger and questioning what happened, you may change your mind.

You can reach me at vdelinger@yahoo.com.

lltanderson said...

new lurker here.

what a beautiful mama and a beautiful babe.

congrats on the birth of your beautiful baby, and congrats on surviving one incredibly bumpy ride!

Ann said...

Oh, I'm so glad you're both doing OK. You both look absolutely beautiful.

May said...

Wow, you guys are still out there! Thanks for all the lovely comments. It was incredibly rare-- my OB says my hospital does 8000 deliveries per year, and hadn't had a case in more than three years. But then I had to come along and break the streak...

SarahSews said...

I'm here from Lost and Found..that sounds terrifying and exhausting but I am glad to hear you are on the mend and the babe is well.

Rachel said...

Congratulations. I am so glad that you and your baby got through, and I hope your kidneys continue to improve.

Geohde said...

Um. Oh. Wow.

Congratulations!! And you had me in vicarious terror as I read your post, how frightening.

I hope you fully recover, soon.

J

Cathy said...

Holy smokes! I've been wondering about you and the baby and so glad that he's out and healthy and that you are improving.