A typical Sunday for my husband and I: we're catching up on our shows and having something to eat. I am 39 weeks and 3 days pregnant and set to be induced on my due date the upcoming Friday, February 3rd. But I noticed that she hadn't kicked me awake as usual and she wasn't doing her kick counts. She usually does those within 10 minutes. 

I express my concern to my husband, who has heard the phrase "she's not moving" enough times to quote the doctor's by heart. But I made my choice to call based on, of all things, our cat. He is very clingy to my belly. And he was meowing nonstop at me all morning and trying to climb on me. I called my OB and she sent me in for a NST.

In we go, not expecting anything out of the ordinary. They hook us up to monitors and we get comfy listening to her heartbeat and she gives a few moves. Then they send me for an ultrasound. The ultrasound tech is concerned with her lack of reaction from the baby to her motions and asks if I will be delivered today. For the first time that visit, I became hyper aware that things weren't right. 

My OB calls as soon as she gets the results of my ultrasound to tell me she's coming today to induce me. My placenta isn't looking good and she doesn't trust it to hold out. So up we go to a room and they start me on drugs. We were in for a long night due to me not being more than 1 cm dilated. 

16 hours later, my OB suggests breaking my water. I agree, after having the epidural and being incredibly tired. As soon as she does this...my daughter's heart rate plunges. My OB and the nurse both stare at the monitor and my Ob keeps muttering "come on, sweetie, handle it..." and I start to panic. She turns to me and says that if she doesn't improve by 7, we will have to have a c-section (it's 6:30 AM). I agree and she leaves. Her heart rate starts to improve in about 5 minutes and the nurse smiles and is reassuring...until it plummets again, this time to almost below 100. My OB comes flying back around the corner, shaking her head, and saying she can't wait. 

They wake my husband and tell him we don't have time to spare. I'm already crying, as all the commotion is getting to my already tired brain. Into the OR we go and the c-section begins. Out comes my daughter at 7:10 AM with her chord wrapped tightly around her neck. Twice. My Ob mentioned to me how she actually struggled a bit to remove it. But I heard my daughter's loud and determined cries and I wept tears of joy, as did my husband. 

When she came to see me the next day, she credited me with saving my daughter's life. My placenta wasn't looking good due to the baby pulling on the chord so much when she got it wrapped around her so much. Her heart rate plunged so much once she broke my water due to the cushion being gone and her being constricted with each mew contraction. Now, Natalie Grace is lying on my chest between my skin and my hospital gown, sleepinf peacefully. 

Moral of the story: NEVER be afraid to call your OB over ANY change you notice. You are your baby's only voice while they are inside you, and even you are only going off what you feel. 

Good luck, new and future mommies 💜