It has been an amazing 6 months since Annalise was born. I was just thinking back today to when she first came into this world. I haven't been able to write much about it yet, but I am finally the point where I can. So for those of you who want to hear our story, here it is. Annalise was due on August 17, 2007 (on mom and dads fifth anniverary), but two weeks later she still had not come. So despite my wishes we had to have our baby at the hospital rather than at the Birth Center. When we went into the hospital we were so excited to find out if we were going to have a boy or girl (although Kevin already knew it was going to be a girl.....his dreams told him so), they prepared me to be induced the next morning by getting me ready with some cervidil (http://www.birthingnaturally.net/birthplan/intervention/induction/cervidil.html ) which put me right into labor. After a short 10 hours she came out so beautiful and big. I got to hold her on my chest while Kevin cut the cord, but after a minute or so she wasn't breathing right so they took her away to try to help her breath. Then the nurses said that they were sending her down to the NICU to try to figure out what was wrong. I don't remember much from this day, but a little later I got to go down and see her attached to all of the tubes and ventilator and other machines that beeped a lot.
I was told she had CDH (congenital diaphramatic hernia, http://fetus.ucsfmedicalcenter.org/cdh/learn_more.asp), but I didn't even know what that was. We went back upstairs to get situated in a recovery room, and then they said they were going to transfer her over to Saint Christophers Hospital so we should come down to say goodbye. Needless to say, that was really hard. She was stableized and brought over to the NICU at St. Chris' where she spent the night while mom and dad stayed in Bryn Mawr Hospital to recover. It was hard to see her hooked up to all of the medicines and moniters when we finally got to see her the next morning. But she was so beautifl. We were not allowed to touch her, or talk very loud, because she was too sensitive to be around much stimulation.
After five days she had surgery to repair her diaphragm, and it took longer than expected because she had two holes instead of one. After that she did very well and she came home after three weeks of being in the NICU. Annalise did have some feeding problems, and still struggles with reflux, but now, six months later she is a healthy happy baby. I am so grateful for her strength and the blessings she brings to our family. 
3 comments:
She is VERY lovely! Thanks for sharing the story and the pictures. There were so many rumors right after she was born, it's nice to know the whole story. I'm so happy that she's healthy now and isn't showing signs of trouble.
She is a little miracle. She is so happy all the time! She knows she is loved. We are grateful she pulled through! She didn't want to miss the opportunity of having awesome parents! It's so fun to see these little one's grow!
What a neat story! She is such a doll, and has such a cute little personality. I can't believe she is six months. It seems just like yesterday that you just told me you were expecting!
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