I discovered I was pregnant on Nov.11,
2003, our 7th wedding anniversary. We
were very excited and other than early
spotting and morning sickness things
were moving very smoothly.
On February 20, 2003 at 18.5 weeks, I
woke up and on the way to the bathroom
felt a gush of liquid hit the floor. I
was concerned and upset and made an
appointment with my doctor. She
advised me to go to the emergency room
of the hospital that I planned to
deliver in. At the ER, we heard the
baby's heartbeat on the doppler and
were reassured, until shortly
afterwards I began to bleed. The
doctor sent me up for an ultrasound
and as soon as the tech left the room
I knew the news was bad. Our baby was
still alive, but there was no fluid
left.
Back at the emergency room, the OB
gave us our options, which included
waiting or inducing labour. Because I
was already bleeding, he believed I
really didn't have a choice. They
moved me to Women's Hospital, gave us
a private room and some books on
miscarriage/stillbirth to help us
prepare for what lay ahead. I was told
I would deliver naturally.
At 5pm that afternoon, they induced
me, although I believe I was already
in labour. Three hours later I
delivered our little girl. She had
passed away by that point, which I
find reassuring. Her last moments were
in a safe place.
They brought her to us. She was 22cm
long and looked wonderful. She had her
dad's chin. The hospital staff gave us
pictures, a raised cast of her hand
and foot prints as well as a box with
the receiving blanket and hat she was
brought to us in.
As difficult as it was, I am so glad I
had the opportunity to deliver
naturally. I feel that I was able to
go through the entire process, and do
what I was supposed to. The process at
the hospital, and the compassionate
staff also made the experience more
bearable, and special in a very
different way than I expected it to
be. I have found a lot of comfort from
other people's experiences, and
thought it would be a good place to
share my own.
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