#30DaysofHope Day 23- Katrina
The story of my miracle born at 28 weeks, Shea Harper. I was admitted to the hospital at 24 weeks with chronic placenta abruption. I bled every single day, multiples times a day, and had internal exams almost every time I bled. I had two NST’s a day to make sure that sweet Shea was still healthy and the placenta was not affecting her growth. I had a 2 year old at home, and it was one of the most difficult times of my life. After 4 LONG weeks in the hospital, on Memorial Day, I woke up, used the bathroom and something just felt different. Blood started pouring out of me, as I reached on the emergency string in the bathroom for help. Nurses and my doctor came rushing in, and wheeled my hospital bed to the OR, while NICU doctors lined up ready for Shea’s arrival. She was out in 10 minutes and whisked away. I never even knew she was born. That was the moment that crushed me and I was alone with all of these doctors because my husband did not make it in time. Shea was 2lbs 4oz, and a true fighter. The nurse that was in my delivery found me a few weeks later, introduced herself because it was all a blur to me, and said they call her the “feisty one.” I sat by Shea’s side for 48 long, hard days. I sat there for 8 hours a day, just watching monitors, and jumping at any sound, and crying and crying. I was also in so much physical pain from my emergency c-section. There was nothing that I could do to help her, or speed things up. She had to do it on her own time, and I just had to be patient and give her time. We had a pretty “uneventful” NICU stay, if that is even fair to say. Shea did well and did not have many setbacks. We took her home at 35 weeks gestational age, and approx. 4lbs.
The saying that “it will all be a memory” is not entirely true. Yes, I am so grateful for Shea’s health, yet, I mourned the loss of a normal pregnancy and delivery. There are so many emotions tied to a Premature birth, and we just have to let ourselves feel them and go through them. These babies also deserve to know what they overcame and how resilient they are. I always say to my Shea, I pray the first 7 weeks of your life are the hardest you will ever face because you mastered it.
Today, Shea is a strong, stubborn, healthy, smart, beautiful 3 year old! She is my true miracle from God and I wouldn’t want it any other way! These babies really are something special with the strongest will to live!