Super Heros do exist: John-Douglas vs. AFM : Getting back to the real beginning

John-Douglas was (and has always been) my miracle. He truly was!

After 6 miscarriages and a ectopic pregnancy, that sent me to the operating room. I was informed that I could never have kids naturally, as I have endometriosis. That news hit very hard. But my (ex)husband and I were not deterred. As we knew we wanted children. I was told the only way was if we went through IVF. However, while starting the IVF process, we found out we were expecting. That miracle was JD!

JD at 12 weeks

JD at 28weeks 5 days

JD was a very closely monitored while I was pregnant due to my previous history. Close to bi-weekly doctor appointments and monthly ultrasounds. I enjoyed watching him grow. As the weeks passed, I felt the tension decrease as I allowed myself to get excited. Could it be that I would finally have that miracle baby. So when my mom mentioned a shower, I was hesitant, but happy. However, we needed to plan it at the right time.

JD has always been a bit stubborn! Even in utero, he did things on his own time. At 28 weeks, he tried to come. The hospital gave me meds and after a few doses, were able to stop the pre-term labor. It was determined it would be important for me to get a few doses of steroids to improve his lungs, in case the medicine did not work. After 3 days in the hospital, I was sent home on more medicine and strict bed rest. I'll be honest, to be on a maternity ward and hearing babies, and knowing that you were not there (hopefully) to meet our little man just yet. He again tried at 32 weeks, and 34 weeks. All the times, medicine was used to stop him. It was noted I was not dilating, so we were safe to go each time.

Then when I was 36 weeks, I went into the hospital because of some serious side pain. The doctor when I went in kept me over night thinking it was a kidney stone, but monitoring JD. The morning doctor sent me home without a second thought. I told him that the pain I was experiencing that day was different than the day before. But he brushed me aside. But he ignored that it was different said he felt my cervix and it wasn't labor. (even if the monitor was noting constant contractions!) We made the hour drive home, and my water broke within minutes of walking in the door. My (ex) husband called the doctor, who said if it was really that, I needed to come back. I said I wouldn't go if it was still him. But it turned out he was the once for the night. So grudgingly we headed back. Making sure we had all of JD's things that he would need.

The doctor yelled at me and said I was making it up. He did tests, but never came back to see me again. The next day, a new doctor came in to discharge me. She said that the night doctor said I was only in for monitoring. I said that my water had broke, and she looked puzzled. As the night doctor never noted that. She went in search of labs, and found that labs on the amniotic fluid did show I had ruptured! She was going to send me for an ultrasound to check levels, as to why would the night doctor say it hadn't, when labs said it was. But first said she would do a physical check. Within seconds she noted that it was indeed ruptured and cancelled the ultrasound! So I was hooked up and pitocin started, as my labor was not causing cervical change. At night the pitocin was stopped, and I was ordered to walk.

the sign in my room

Two days later, I was still in serious contraction pain, but no progress. I finally gave in and asked for the epidural, as I couldn't handle the contractions any longer. A couple minutes into it, my actual OB came in. He said he saw my name on the board, and came to see me. I told him I had been there for 4 days, to which he said no one ever contacted him like they should have! Seriously!?! Upon reading my charts, he immediately set out to consult with the doctor on call. Since it wasn't him, he couldn't order the c-section directly, but informed the on call of my situation and it was determined I had to go.

By 4:15pm on February 11th, I was whisked off to the OR. Scared. Heart racing. Frantic. I was told I needed to calm down. At 4:28pm, a screaming baby boy entered the world. After a brief introduction to me, he was whisked off to the doctors to be checked as meconium was found. After a few quick moments, he was deemed perfectly healthy with apgars of 9 and 10!

In recovery he was finally handed over to me. Other than a sacral dimple, my little man was perfectly healthy!! That night, I never slept. All the pain was finally over. I finally had my miracle!