Mini update: Mike and I always imagined having a second child, we just never knew the "right time" was. Brody has asked for a baby sister for years, so we officially starting trying in 2016. I assumed it would happen immediately, but after several months went by, a handful of negative pregnancy tests, a little bit of lost hope, we finally got a positive test in July, 2016. It was the most amazing feeling and scary all at the same time. My biggest worry was my age (37) at conception. It placed me in the "high risk" category. Ugh, just the title carries so much emotional baggage. Along with the "risk factor" came an upgraded version of medical care, and additional exams, that looking back I am so grateful for. At 12 weeks we were able to find out the gender by a simple DNA blood test that tested for numerous things. The phone call from the clinic confirming that our baby was free of any genetic disorders was one of the best phone calls I have ever revived. I immediately sobbed of happiness. All a mother ever wants is for her children to be happy and healthy. Then the nurse asked if I wanted to the know the gender- well of course!!! she announced we were having a girl. I was filled with such happiness. I think I even told the nurse I loved her... I'm sure she understood the emotions entailed.
I will admit though, this pregnancy was definitely not the walk in the park that Brody's was. From about week 16, we were forced to deal with a few false alarms that placed our emotions on edge.
Anatomy ultrasound- we already knew the gender, but Morgan needed to be measured and all organs examined as good as possible to confirm all was well. I remember watching the screen and seeing the tech continuously going back to the heart. She then left the room and brought in another tech with little explanation. At that point I asked for clarification as to what was going on. I was told it looked as though she had a small hole in her heart, and it may close on its own or may need to be addressed once she was born. I was scheduled for a 2nd view in two weeks to see the progress. All I can say is that was the longest 2 weeks of my life- but thankfully everything was normal and the hole was no longer visible, if it were even there in the first place.
Whew- now it would be easy sailing, right??? Not so fast. At my next appointment I was registering with high amniotic fluid. Normal ranges at 5-18 (I believe) and I was 25+. So, the game plan was that I had to see a specialist, 2 times a week for the remainder of my pregnancy. I would go every Tuesday for an ultrasound to measure the fluid and make sure it wasn't increasing, followed by a non-stress test. Then return every Friday for another non-stress test. (No ultrasound on Fridays). All seemed relatively normal- it had been 9 years since I was pregnant with Brody, so my memory was foggy. I did however complain often to my family and doctors that I didn't feel her as prevalent as I did Brody. I was told (by doctors) that having high fluid causes the movement to be minimized since the space is restricted in a sense, but that she measured perfect in size and all looked fine with her. It seemed logical, so to tried to not over think it. Then around week 35 my fluid dramatically dropped. It went to around 14... huge drop from 25, but the medical staff said all was okay so I beleived in their expertise, with hesitancy. Week 36, same thing- fluid dropped even more, close to 11 if I remember correctly. I began researching on my own and couldn't wrap my mind around why I would be dropping fluid so rapidly, since it had been so high for weeks! On week 37 I went in for my regular Tuesday ultra sound/stress test and wasn't told my fluid. The tech seemed to just document it and move on. I asked her, where is my fluid now? She responded with 6, I I took a second and said "it was 11 last week, isn't that a rapid drop?" Her response was "yes, you are now considered low fluid" How does that even happen? I didn't get any explanation and left the office puzzled and worried. I decided to call my primary physician and schedule an appt the next day. I had to see a nurse, my doctor was unavailable, but was tested for possible leaking (came back negative). No one seemed concerned but me. My mommy instincts told me to push for more. I requested that my doctor add an ultrasound to my upcoming Friday appt so that I had peace of mind through the weekend knowing my baby was safe. She agreed, and sent over the referral.
On Friday I went to my appt alone. Mike had a very busy day with clients and I told him I would be fine alone. We had been going to appts weekly, so I truly assumed there was not harm in him skipping this one. Well... as soon as the tech started measuring I knew there was concern. She left the room and said she need to get the doctor. The doctor measured and within minutes asked "how would you feel about having this baby today?" I was not prepared, but more than Anything wanted to know the concern. I had reached a level of less than 3. My fluid had dropped more half in just 2.5 days. I was immediately sent to NW And induced. The process was much different than Brody. I was in full blown labor when I arrived for his birth, I didn't feel a thing except worry when I was brought in for this birth. They started the induction around 5:00 on Friday. Slow progression, a few changes of nurses, and an epidural around midnight. Wow... people that do it natural are crazy! Ha!
All seemed good, occasional drop on heart rate but I had dealt with that the first go round, so I didn't worry much. Simple change in movement and oxygen and it would come right back up. Then around 2:00, the on call doctor came in and stated she was going to break my water. She did so and left the room without concern. A few minutes passed and all chaos broke loose. I just remember hearing the monitor and a stream of nurses running into the room. Two nurses began flipping me on my knees and helping hold me up while another began giving my stomach CPR type thrusts. My care nurse was placing frantic emergency overhead calls for the doctor to return with tons of coded type messages. My entire body began to shake profusely, and the room full of nurses were shifting me around, attaching oxygen to me and telling me to breath deep... it was the scariest experience I have ever had in my entire time. My care nurse continued to page overhead emergency calls for the doctor rerun and call for emergency prep of the operating room. Mike looked helpless. The nurse said "we have to prep you for ER c-section" I told her "do what ever you have to for the baby." The doctor finally rushed in- everyone was silent. She assured me that babies can survive several minutes with low pulse and she wanted to attempt to get the heart rate back on its own before ER surgery. She told the nurse to slowly add water back into my system. The nurse did so- everyone stood on silence. It was the longest few minutes of my life! I could tell my nurse was worried as well. I overheard her say "why are we waiting, we should be taking her back". About then Morgans heart rate started to rise. What seemed to be the entire staff, stayed by my side for several minutes. All staring at a heart monitor. It was going up. Within minutes, the heart rate was back in the safe zone and the staff began dispersing back to their stations. My nurse told me she would be by my side from that point on and was placed over just my care, no other rotations. She warned if it happened again, they would have no choice but to take her out by ER C-section. I asked in that situation how quickly could they get her out, and she said less than a few minutes and for me not to worry. Thankfully, Our sweet Morgan made her debut in her own term at 8:25 in the morning. She gave little warning when she was ready and was delivered in less than 10 minutes. Much to everyone's surprise she was born at 4 pounds 15 ounces.. She was never placed in the NICU. We were told by the neonatal specialist that she was tiny, but very healthy. The doctor stated the placenta and cord were half the size of a normal pregnancy, which explains a lot. My entire pregnancy, the countless ultrasounds, I was warned I was having a "large baby". I am still puzzled as to how this was missed, given the number of procedures I had during my pregnancy and the amount of weight I gained. I was told my one of my nurses she experienced the same and it is considered inutero growth restriction. The baby basically stops growing at some point after the 2 trimester. Possible causes: small placenta, and age are the only two I can relate to. I have however read that if low weight were discovered early on, bed rest is required to save all energy and nutrients for the baby. I have dealt with enough self blame on if I could have done anything differently, but at the end of the day we have no control over gods plan, and little hiccups only make you a stronger person at the end.
I am so grateful that my momma instincts told me to not just accept the techs dismissal of the low fluid at my last appt and to follow my heart and request the additional ultrasound. I often wonder if my fluid would have lasted through to the following Tuesday. We are beyond blessed to have a happy and healthy 8 month old today. She is everything we ever imagined to complete our family and love her more than we could have ever imagined. Morgan Grace Marconi was born February 25, 2017, exactly two weeks before her due date. As of today she is 12.8 ounces, babbles all the time, loves bubble guppies, loves her brother more than anyone in the family and has a bigger and brighter smile than anyone I know. Simply put, she is the puzzle piece that completes us.
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