| Experiencing firsthand what it's like to give birth to a | | | | I thought to myself, surely not, the denial started! I start |
| child with special needs! During my pregnancy with my | | | | replaying over in my head the past few weeks, her 26 |
| only daughter, I had no idea she was going to be born | | | | week ultrasound came out just fine, nothing to worry |
| with Down Syndrome and what was in store in the | | | | about, everything looked normal! On that day, we |
| days ahead. I was about to be giving birth to a special | | | | found out "it's a girl"! Then I thought - No worries! We |
| needs child too early. | | | | will love her regardless of our challenges to come and |
| When I was nearly 32 weeks pregnant, my precious | | | | can overcome this! In my mind, I am still thinking that I |
| little baby girl was not moving for some reason. I did all | | | | will be taking my little girl home in a few short days. I |
| the tricks and tips the nurses suggested - didn't work! | | | | don't think it ever hit me that she was going to have to |
| I am a worry wort so, just as a precaution, I decided to | | | | be in the hospital in a NICU for several weeks until I |
| drive myself to the hospital just to see if everything | | | | actually laid eyes on her for the first time. |
| was ok. Turns out, after a few long anticipating hours, | | | | I finally got to see just a glimpse of her before they |
| the doctors decided to do an emergency c-section. | | | | Medi-flighted my newborn baby girl to the NICU in |
| My precious little unborn angel was not getting enough | | | | Oklahoma City's OU Children's Hospital. I had to stay |
| oxygen. Was I ever shocked to know I was about to | | | | back at the local hospital to recover from my |
| meet my little girl for the first time! | | | | c-section. Talk about separation anxiety! My hormones |
| The doctor told me on several occasions that if I | | | | were so out of whack, all I knew is that I wanted my |
| would have waited just one or two more days before | | | | newborn baby girl near my side. I had to wait till I was |
| coming in, my daughter may not have made it. He | | | | discharged from the local hospital before I could even |
| praised me over and over again for paying attention to | | | | drive to be with my only daughter! |
| my body - that I probably saved my baby's life! We | | | | My husband and I were swarmed when we reached |
| have a Miracle baby here - straight from Heaven | | | | the NICU by genetics counselors, many specialty |
| Above! God has a plan! | | | | doctors, every specialty you can imagine with her |
| While the doctors were preparing for surgery. I felt so | | | | being a preemie plus in addition to having the |
| overwhelmed, excited and petrified all at the same | | | | characteristics of having Down Syndrome. |
| time! I was shakey and wasn't sure exactly how to | | | | Well, here it comes! |
| feel. I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my | | | | Confirmed - Our Baby Girl has Down Syndrome! |
| newborn daughter and thinking to myself, I will be a | | | | Over the next few weeks, I had so many thoughts go |
| new mom in just a few short minutes. Again - I | | | | through my mind - one of which is "WHY?" - Many |
| thought, I will be getting to take my newborn baby girl | | | | times, over and over I would talk to God and just say |
| home in just a few short days. Was I ever wrong! | | | | "WHY?" Well, I got my answer just a few short |
| Here we go - The Time is NOW - I get prepped and | | | | weeks later - His answer - God gave us this precious |
| go to the operating room. About 10 minutes later they | | | | gift from Above because He knew we could do this |
| pull my little girl out and rush her over to suction her out | | | | special job He instilled in us to do. She was our |
| and make sure she is ok. | | | | purpose! Our little girl is a very precious child sent |
| Here it comes, the words I never thought I would hear | | | | straight from Heaven! We love her very much! Could |
| - The doctor comes over to me and says: | | | | not have asked for a more precious, lovable little girl! |
| We feel that your newborn daughter has the | | | | She's my life, my everything! |
| characteristics of having Down Syndrome. | | | | 7 weeks later, we take our baby girl home! |