Amniocentesis: Round One

     In just a few short days Gabriella will be a year old... ONE year!! I cannot believe how fast the time is just flying by!! I remember the anticipation of waiting for the day she would enter this world. I remember wishing, hoping and praying she would survive as I was told she may not. I remember washing every tiny onsie, every tiny sock, stocking itty bitty diapers into the diaper stacker. Vividly I remember dropping to my knees on many occasions begging God not to take her from me, begging Him to allow me to love the little life inside of me and raise her with His guidance the best way that I could!

    At this time a year ago I went to the neonatologists to have an amniocentesis done to see whether Gabriella's lungs were mature enough to go thru with the scheduled c section. I was so scared! A huge needle was going to enter the safe little 'bubble' my baby was!? Would it hurt her? Would it cause me to go into labor? Is it going to be painful? I remember almost passing out as I laid on the table in the office. I pulled the blanket over my face as he removed what looked like a ten foot needle... Uhm THAT is what's going into my daughters current home!?

   The doctor began the procedure.. Yup it hurt but not nearly as bad as I had thought. Amniotic fluid was removed for testing and sent to the lab. Upon standing I was so shaky and ready again to pass out simply because I had worked myself up so badly. I got strapped up to a monitor for a stress test to make sure I was not going into labor; Gabriella handled it all fine and so did I. My mother and I went to have some lunch while waiting for results and just in case I did go into labor my bag was packed and in the car.

    The phone rang, it was my doctor! My heart dropped and here came that gut-wrenching nervous butterfly feeling again. The results of the lung maturity tests were in; Gabriella's lungs were not mature enough for her to be delivered without having complications with breathing. Disappointed I didn't say much to my mom just that I wanted to go home and lay down. i did not speak the entire way home. I just remembered staring out the car window while my mom drove because i was having mild contractions. I wasn't going to meet my daughter the following day :( I was very upset. I had gotten my hopes up to be let down, I felt. It was okay though because Gabby just needed a little more time, a little more 'baking'. The anxiety I had felt before that day was increased in knowing now that I had to have that huge needle go in me again. I just wanted to meet my little girl and start our lives and with my pregnancy being so stressful and with all of the 'unknowns' I was just ready for her to be here!

In one week Gabriella will be one. Where on earth has the time gone? All of my worries, my anxieties  and all that i went through during my pregnancy was so worth it as I reflect on this past year! Thank God for blessing me with you Gabriella!!