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So, it's been awhile since I've updated this. Losing the previous baby was hard on all of us, but a couple of months later, we were pregnant again!
I'll fill you in on the events leading up to May 19, 2005. ![]()
So once again, here we were. Pregnant. Thank God.
Our first ultrasounds showed us our little peanut: http://www.theharris.info/gallery/11-16-2004
It's amazing to me that we start off this small...
Just before Thanksgiving, we had a bit of a scare as Kathryn had some bleeding. A long trip to the ER and hours of waiting let us know that our, then 10-weeks along, baby was fine. The cause of the bleeding was placenta-previa. The placenta had implanted low, and was covering the cervix. It can be a little dangerous, but for the most part it meant taking things easy, and take care of mommy. Good news was that we got to see the baby much more clearly: http://www.theharris.info/gallery/11-30-2004
We broke the good news to the soon-to-be grandparents over Christmas, and celebrated our good luck so far.
In January we got a good picture of our baby: http://www.theharris.info/gallery/01-25-2005
We also began getting Level 2 Ultrasounds to check on the development of the baby and track the placenta to see if it was able to move out of the way.
On Kathryns birthday, she had some pains so back to the hospital we go. Again, the baby was fine, and was in no danger.
So after 4+ hours of ultrasound video, and several pictures we were able to track our little girls growth. A few weeks ago, it was decided that since the placenta had not moved, we would go in for a C-Section on June 3, 2005. This would prevent Kathryn from going into labor and losing Abby.
3:00 am, May 19, 2005.
Kathryn feels that something is not right. I am on the way down the hall to leave for work. Kathryn yells down the hall to me that I will not be going to work that day. She was bleeding.
A quick call to the doctor and we were on the way to the hospital. I thought we were doing good as the light at 401 was green. It's almost never turned green fro me since they changed the traffic pattern there.
We are flying down the road, I'm trying to calm Kathryn and call some family when I see the dreaded blue lights in the rear view mirror.
I quickly explained to the officer that my wife was 35 weeks pregnant and bleeding and that we were on the way to the hospital.
"Is that why you were going 75 in a 45?" he asked.
I answered and he said, "Go on then."
We did.
A few minutes later we wheel in to the emergency room and check Kathryn in. They ask if I'll move my car, I did, but only after they take Kathryn back into triage.
I come back in, and they tell me they are sending her down to Labor and Delivery. Luckily Western Wake has recently built a great Womens Pavilion, and I knew she was in good hands.
I move the car to the other end of the hospital, and meet Kathryn to check her in, again.
I finish with the checkin procedure as they wheel Kathryn back to her room to start working on her.
As I walk in to her room, I hear "Looks like we'll be having a baby this morning."
Her doctor was great, and was totally in control of everything around her. She's the kind of doctor that would inspire others to do the same.
They put some monitors on, and at first Abbys heart rate is a little slow, but it soon picks back up to normal.
We get Kathryn ready for an emergency c-section, and before I know it we are on the way. They told us that she would have to be given general anesthetic, and so I wouldn't be allowed in the operating room.
We wheel past the nursery and the nurse tells me I can wait here to see Abby and Kathryn when they are done.
While I'm waiting, I call more family and make sure those that are there know what is going on.
Finally, a little before 5am, a little bassinette is pushed down the hall containing my little daughter. Abby is fine, came out screaming they tell me. Mother made it fine and they were closing her up. Abby needs to go into the special needs nursery for a little while to make sure she can eat and breathe and all that.
I was so relevied. My ladies are both safe and sound, and I am a daddy.
A little later, I was able to see Abby for the first time under the heat lamps, and she looked good. A little crusty from all of the birth gunk, but she was healthy. They said they'd need about 4 hours to check her out, then she'd come stay with us.
She looked just like her moms baby pictures. She was gorgeous.
Kathryn finally comes out of recovery and I tell her about our beautiful baby girl. Some of the family is allowed in to see Kathryn and we talk while we wait to see Abby.
It feels like 9am will never get there. But it does. Everyone left to let us get to know Abby a little bit.
Everyone came back in and we spent the next few hours and days celebrating our new daughter.
http://www.theharris.info/gallery/birth - some pictures from the hospital and our visitors
http://www.theharris.info/gallery/May05 - come pictures from her first month
I never thought I could love someone as much as I love Kathryn, and I never knew how much stronger my love could be. Love both of them more than ever and we will have a great family.