I had been monitored after a placental bleed at 31w, which I had a hospital stay for one week. Ultrasounds once a week afterwards. Everything was normal and no bleeding after 32w. On week 35 and 5d I started having extreme intestinal cramps. The kind that you have when you have horrible diarrhea and can’t stay off the toilet, only there was no pooping at all. It was the kind you wanted to curl into a ball and heavily sweat. The pain was coming every few mins to every hour. I said “I KNOW this isn’t labor!” Because I have been through labor twice previously with my other kids. My husband kept asking “are you SURE you’re okay? Do we need to go to the hospital?” And I insisted “it’s just diarrhea! Surely I’ll be able to go to the bathroom soon” well after about 8 hours of suffering with back and intestinal pain, I decided to take Tylenol and head to bed. I was able to sleep from about 11p-7a. 7a rolled around and what woke me up was the feeling of being soaking wet around my crotch. I said “oh no my water broke” but NOPE. I turned on the lights and BLOOD EVERYWHERE! I was hemorrhaging. I threw on underwear and a bathrobe. No shoes. No nothing. I ran to the car and said to my husband “we gotta go NOW!” We were both so scared and I went to the closest hospital. They sent an ambulance over and took me straight to the women’s hospital where I planned to deliver. They assessed me and baby. Both our hear rates were the same. A whopping 180’s! I was so terrified and shaking profusely. They rushed me into the OR for emergency c section. It was a scary but wonderful experience. It only took minutes to get my baby out and I heard him cry the first time. All of it was worth it. He came out at 19 inches long and 5.10 lbs. he was breathing on his own and was perfect. No nicu time needed. He fed well and after 4 days, we were all sent home together. We still can’t believe he’s here. He’s such a great baby. Rarely cries. The scariest thing in the world is just him being so small. His preemie clothes barely fit him. My heart is complete ❤️

Salem Everest Cheek: