Actually, she has been here for a couple of weeks now, but here is her story :)

I went to one of my normal bi-weekly NST appointments, and I knew going in that it would not be just a quick appointment. I had gained 15lbs in 10 days (and I had only gained 14lbs total by that point), I had pitting edema, and I was spilling protein and heavy sugar. Since I had pre-e with my first, and it basically came on overnight, I knew what was happening. OB decided to send me from the office (around 4:30) to L&D to be monitored and checked, plus get some labs and recheck BP (which was slightly higher than normal). OB on call decides to admit me at 9 that night to do a 24 hour urine and monitor my BP.

By the next morning, my BP is ridiculously high, even laying on my side and being on "bed rest". So, after some discussion, we decide at 37w5d that induction is probably the safest route. He decided to do a cervix check... I was closed, and she was high and breech. After discussing my options (there were other complications and conditions to consider), we both agreed the C/S was going to be safest for baby and me. I was scheduled for the next morning.

The next morning was crazy. The lab forgot to get my blood, so they were running to get everything in stat. When I get on the table, the meds start dropping my blood pressure too quickly and I had problems breathing and an overwhelming desire to puke. Some med changes and oxygen, then I am all but passing out. I remember seeing the doctors standing over me and their mouths moving, but no idea what they were saying. My husband said I was just staring. Squeaker is out, lets out a couple of screams, then goes quiet. They tried everything to get her to cry, but she was just content to lay there. Even when they were pricking her heel, she was quiet. And SO SWOLLEN! We get to recovery and they let me do some skin to skin while waiting for NICU to come get her because she was having problems breathing, but soon they take her away and I am sent to an antepartum room instead of Mother-Baby because I have to have magnesium and I am having a reaction to the morphine. I barely got to see her, and she still didn't have a name yet!

Finally, 12 hours later, they bring me my baby for a bit. Off and on they have to take her to the nursery, but the magnesium is so rough that I am thankful because I can nap while she is gone. It takes awhile for her sugars, temps, and breathing to regulate, but she gets there. She couldn't latch and didn't have the sucking reflex, so we spent a lot of time "practicing." Anyway, 3 days later, we finally decide on a name and we get discharged.

And here is my Charlee 💚💜💚

(full name: Charlotte Teagan Rey Cook)

Some shots from my sons birth story