Sunday, August 7, 2011

The Surprise of My Life!


 This was me last Sunday. I was not supposed to be laying in a hospital bed. I was supposed to be in the chicken houses, in church, at home, anywhere but the hospital.  So, why was I in the hospital?  Oh, no real reason besides the fact that I woke up at 5AM with my water broke and contractions that were 4 minutes apart by 6:30.  I was only 32 weeks, totally not supposed to happen, and totally not expecting it.  The doctor hadn't even gone over what that stuff would feel like yet. I didn't realize that my water had broken at the time, I just thought that maybe the baby was on my bladder or something. It wasn't the gush that I was expecting. The contractions didn't start till over an hour later, so while we were googling "can't stop peeing", I started having really bad cramps. Or Braxton Hicks contractions. Or anything besides real labor. We decided to call the hospital because I really didn't want to run up there and make everybody drive to the hospital, which was over an hour away for my parents, if it was just a fake out. Well, they weren't fake.
And here he is. Reed Travis Miller. Born July 31, 2011 at 10:19 AM. Weighed 3lbs. 8oz. 16 in. long. He tried coming out butt first, so I had an emergency c-section. Somebody forgot to tell him to get ready too. 
He was transported to the Huntsville Hospital Neonatal ICU around noon. I don't really remember much of the details because I was a bit loopy. Although, I do remember asking Lance if I was on fire once. He was breathing on his on and doing pretty well.  I got out of the hospital on Tuesday, and we've been trying to visit as much as possible ever since, even though Huntsville is 60 miles away.
He had a little bit of jaundice for a couple of days.
So he got to lay in the "tanning bed" and wear really cool foam glasses for a while.
He had to wear a c-pap machine for a few days (you can see it in first baby pic) because he had a touch of sleep apnea. He would basically forget to breathe occasionally when he got into a deep sleep because that part of their brain hasn't developed yet. Thankfully, he is over most of that now and is breathing completely on his own. They did try using a canula on him (that oxygen tube with prongs up your nose), but he kept ripping it out and gnawing on it, lol.
As of right now, he is fed by a little tube running in his mouth because he isn't coordinated enough to suck a bottle and breathe at the same time yet. He is currently eating 18 ccs of a high calorie formula every 3 hours, which is a little over half an ounce.  They should be trying him on a bottle in the next day or so.
Reed got a case of the hiccups when we were visiting him this morning, so he kept his eyes open for about 30 minutes. Made for some good pictures!
I really wish blogger would cooperate because I have a really cute video on my camera of his hiccups!

This afternoon, he got to move from the nicu to "progressive care", which means they think he is doing really well. He no longer has an iv and is now in an "isolette", which is one of those enclosed beds. The doctor said that those beds "grow" babies. Basically just getting them bigger and stronger.  It also lets him try to maintain his body temperature more, which is something he needs to do before he gets to come home. I'll also get to hold him twice a day (which I haven't been able to do yet) and feed him. Hopefully, we'll get to visit every couple of days or so, and we've checked some prices of some hotels in the area. I told the nurse today that my birthday was coming up (Aug. 31st) and taking him home would be a nice present, and she said that the way he was progressing, that there's a good chance that would happen!

17 comments:

  1. Ahww, congratulations on your beautiful baby boy! What a surprise! He looks so strong for a premmie. My youngest daughter was born at 5 & 1/2 months back in 1992 and I only got to take her home at 3 months old! I stayed in hospital too for a whole month and then baby got transferred to the hospital in our hometown.By the grace of God she is completely normal. Need I say enjoy your beautiful little blessing!
    xoxo
    Liesl

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  2. Steph, he's a cutie! I thank God for the health of you and your baby. I know you are eager to hold him, and Lance looks pretty smitten! I believe children are the best gift we can receive from GOD. So thankful that you are both doing so well.
    Hugs, Deb

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  3. Well, congratulations, to you both!! He's adorable!!
    Glad to know that everything is going well for y'all in this situation. I'm sure that was a scare. God knows what He's doing though!
    I'll be praying for y'all and that sweet baby boy!! :)

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  4. Congratulations, you guys!!!!! What a surprise! I'm so glad to hear he's doing well. My firstborn was a surprise at 35 weeks, and we went through much the same scenario. We were blessed to have a Ronald McDonald house near the hospital that we were able to crash at, allowing me to be at the hospital all day (ok, and night)- worth asking about in your area! Blessings and prayers to you both on your new addition,
    Marissa

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  5. Congratulations! So glad everything is going so well. I'm sure that was a shock!

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  6. Oh my goodness!!! He's so precious!!! Congrats on your surprise!! I'll keep you in my prayers, and that you get the perfect birthday gift this year!!

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  7. Well, that was a surprise! Welcome to the world, little one! Glad you're all doing well so far. :)

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  8. wow, congrats stephanie! reed is adorable and i loved reading all about his arrival! i sure hope he can go home soon and you can have your bday wish. so glad he is healthy and you are doing well!

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  9. Reed is beautiful! I was so shocked as I was reading this. Congrats and my prayers are with you guys. Wish I lived near the hosp, would let you stay with us.

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  10. Congratulations! He is amazing! I am so happy for y'all, and we're praying for him every day.

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  11. Awww...he's adorable.
    What a surprise to deliver that early but it sounds like he is doing well.
    Take care of yourself while you're mending and I sure hope that you can bring the little guy home by or before your birthday.

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  12. What a miracle. I'm bawling. God bless.

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  13. Saw your post on CITR and had to stop in and see your precious baby. I'm so glad you and he are doing so well. I hope you keep us posted. God bless!

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  14. Saw a post about your surprise at J.R. and been checking here to see if you had pics posted. Having had 3 C-sections, I totally know about your discomfort ( and my OB was old-fashioned and did it the old way-MUCH more painful). Holding that precious lil boy makes ya feel better fast. SO glad that it all worked out. Who do think he looks like? ((HUGS)) and XXXXX

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  15. Congratulations, Reed is a cutie. Some babies just like to do things in their own time and way. I know how hard it is leaving a baby in the hospital. I had to take one back and leave her and leave another and my first grandchild was a premmie and had to stay. May he continue to make rapid progress and get to go home for your birthday. Aren't surprises great?

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  16. Congratulations from up here in Canada! We had two children born prematurely, one at 30 weeks and you certainly would never know the difference now. Bit of a shocker but you seem to be taking it well. Lovely little guy. Enjoy!

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  17. WOW I have missed a lot in over a year of not being able to read your blog. *tear* Looks like I am going to have to some serious reading in my spare time. Hahaha! Congrats on the little man. You and Lance are gonna make the best parents ever! Big Big hug and lots of blessings to you two!

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