You know how some days just don’t go as planned? Tuesday, December 10, 2013 will forever be that day that just didn’t go as planned.
I should have known that it had a mind of its own when I opened the refrigerator to snag a bottle of water and a leftover milk cup flew all over my shirt. And then again when I was throwing a soda can into the trash and the soda exploded all over me. And this was all before we dropped the boys off to head down to Lincoln to see Dr. Kenney {who, btw, is absolutely awesome}.
I should have known when they checked my weight. And at 32.1 weeks, I’d lost 5 pounds in 4 days.
And then, the truth of the day revealed itself when the biophysical profile showed that the amniotic fluid had dropped from 8 at last check on Friday to less than 5. It was at that point that Adam and I knew, this day would not be going as planned.
By 10:30 on Tuesday morning, after discovering that not only was the blood flow to the placenta worse than it had been, but also, the fluid was quickly decreasing meaning we had a babe with oligohydramnios, and IUGR {intrauterine growth restriction} we were en route back to Omaha to see Dr. Bonebrake {who, FWIW is phenomenal} for our introductory meeting and likely delivery. When I had been put on bed rest, we had determined after discussions with Dr. Kenney’s blessing that if we delivered prior to 35 weeks and had a guaranteed NICU stay, we would transfer care to Omaha. And while we’d talked about this plan, once it became a reality, both the hubs and I shed a few tears. But after saying our farewells to our friends at Dr. Kenney’s clinic, we knew where the day was headed. And then got out our parent panties and dealt with it. Though this was not the day we’d planned.
But I can’t imagine it having gone any other way.
Because on the evening of Tuesday, December 10, at 6:24 PM, we welcomed another baby boy into the fold. Another member of the Brehm family. The one we’ve been dreaming of for the last 32 weeks.
And he is perfect.
Harrison Eickman Brehm came into our world, small but very mighty. At 32 weeks, Harrison is 3 pounds even. And 16 inches long. And he is one strong little dude.
Mama was induced for a vaginal delivery but after encountering issues with lazy decels after contractions, it was determined that the best course of action would be to deliver via cesarean section. So mama, daddy and the Beeb headed to the OR with a very extensive group of extremely awesome medical staff.
Immediately after he breathed his first breath, he let out a cry. And then a few more. His apgar results were stellar at a 9. And he is currently doing extremely well in the NICU. And he is one big blessing in an itty bitty package.
When the delivery was over, it was confirmed that the placenta could have maybe supported Harrison for a couple more days, at best. Because of the minimal remains of both that and the cord, it appeared that both Doctors pretty much hit a slam dunk on this diagnosis. And made it possible for us to hold a healthy, breathing, heart-a-thumping, baby boy.
Mr. H will likely be in-patient for about a month to help his lungs mature and make sure he is ready for the big, bad world. But I’ve no doubt he is. Because he is pure awesomeness.
A third boy and we are full of joy. And thankful for such a wonderfully, unpredictable day.
Welcome to the world, little one. Harrison Eickman Brehm… little dude, big name. We love you. To pieces.
