April 17, 2015
My second pregnancy was completely the opposite of my first. I was sick a lot (with colds, strep throat, coughs...). I had 4 days left of teaching when I gave birth unexpectantly to my daughter.
I had been sleeping over at my friends house with my toddler because my husband had caught a terrible stomach bug. I also had just gotten a boot on my right foot after going to a podiatrist because I had suffered from a stress fracture. I was extremely stressed out, trying to do the last minute things with my 3rd grade students before I left on leave. I needed to prepare for my baby and I had 30 sick days to take, luckily.
Well, on Friday morning, April 17, I woke up from the pull out sofa bed with some light cramping. I thought maybe I was dehydrated so I went to drink some water and watched "Meet the Fockers" while I drank some. 45 minutes later, I fell back asleep. My alarm woke me up at 6 am and I still had cramping, but took Gatorade with me, and drove to work. I had to go to Publix by my school (which is in Hialeah and my friend lives in Kendall) because I had had no food at my friend's house for me to make lunch. As I'm standing in the line to pay, I felt weak and faint. I started drinking the water bottle I had bought. Even the cashier asked if I was feeling well and if I was ready to give birth. "No, I'm still 35 weeks only" (I got that all the time because I was huge). And she just said "feel better". I drove to school, drank about 2 whole bottles of water in my classroom, ate some brownies and my bagel, and at 7:45, called my work best friend. I normally went to her class every morning before picking up our students. I told her I wasn't feeling well. She called the AP. She told her I had to either get my husband to come get me or she was calling rescue. I told her it wasn't that serious but to come help me walk to the office because the cramping was getting worse. I had no idea I was in labor at this point because I had been induced with my son the first time.
As I'm walking, the teachers were gathering around me saying I had "labor face" and asking if I was okay. I started crying when I got to the office. I was so overwhelmed. They gave me more water and told me to rest my feet and got a sub for my class. I kept going to the bathroom thinking I would just get my period right there, because it felt like period cramps that were getting worse. At 9 am, I called the doctor and they said to go to the hospital to see if I was having contractions. I called my friend who I was sleeping over at her house. She arrived around 9:45 and I was in unbearable pain. She joked that "your water better not break in my leased car!"
We got to south Miami (I chugged go ties after that horrific experience the first time) and my husband was on his way. I got to triage and I suddenly felt better. Of course, I thought, I'm being so silly. The nurse sees me after about 10 minutes and hooks up the monitor to see my contractions. She leaves and comes back and says "your contractions are one minute apart. I cannot stop your labor at this point and you're going to deliver it now". I freaked out and cried. I had NOTHING at all ready. My husband got there just as I received the news. They started prepping me for yet another emergency c section. My friend was texting our other friends for me. My sister was on her way, too.
After 2 hours, my daughter arrived at 12:24 pm (the exact opposite of my son!) and she was born at 6 pounds, 1 ounce. I was fully aware this time of what was happening. I was again shivering from the spinal tap and so nervous. Would she be in the Nicu? No skin to skin yet again and again she was also taken to the nursery. About 30 minutes later, they told us she was going to the Nicu after all. I was devastated. I cried. I was wondering what had happened that I went into labor so suddenly. No one knew the answer.
She stayed in the Nicu for 6 days. I was discharged on Monday and she stayed until Thursday night. It was very scary and overwhelming.
Now both my children are very healthy. Even though they were both traumatic in their own way, I feel like a stronger person because of them.
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