My pregnancy Journey - Meeting my baby boy Jacob

January 11th 2019…

The day I discovered my life would soon be changed for ever. I had period-like light cramping all day at work but no period. I was actually late. At this point in my life a late period is not a bad thing and I was surely excited to test and see if there was a little human growing inside of me. After work, I headed to the pharmacy and got one pregnancy test. Came home and couldn’t wait for the next morning to test (they say testing in the morning is more reliable). I had to do it right away so I did. As soon as the stick touched my urine, it showed the 2 lines. I decided to wait for the next evening before sharing the news with hubby. This is how I shared the news with him. He came out of work and saw this on our bed. We really enjoyed the moment.

At my first ultrasound, I was told that I had a couple of big fibroids in my uterus along with the baby. They told me that they needed to be watched since they could be a treat for the fetus. The fetus would have to fight for his blood supply since those fibroids were also fighting for blood. At that time I had no symptoms. I had few pregnancy symptoms. I had light morning sickness but no actual throwing up. However, I noticed that my belly started to show a lot earlier than what was expected. So when they announced that I had multiple fibroids (and not twins) it all made sense.

Then week 13 came…

Hospital Stay 1

One morning, I woke up to a shooting pain in my lower right abdomen. I spent all day in bed hoping it would fade. The pain lasted all day and through the night. The next day, I asked my dad to bring me to ER so they could check what the pain is about. At that point I could barely sit and stand. I literally spent all day in the ER. They gave me pain medication and had me do an ultrasound. They couldn’t see clearly why I was having pain. The doctors decided that I needed to be admitted so they could check me further.

I spent 2 days as an in-patient and then got discharged without clear answers. They said it could be a fibroid degeneration which is when a fibroid goes through necrosis due to decreased blood supply. I was relieved to hear that since it meant that the baby was winning the blood supply battle. They put me on sick-leave from work for a couple of weeks to allow the pain to go down and allow my body to rest.

I prayed God to see me through… I had no idea I had fibroids… And for the first time I started doubting that I would carry this child to term. My whole circle kept me in prayers.

Then, week 19 came…

Hospital Stay 2

I went back to work for 3 days. Thursday before Good Friday, I started feeling pain once again. I started taking painkillers thinking it would go away. As the weekend progressed, the pain was becoming harder to endure. On Easter Sunday, I was unable to lay in bed, sit or stand. What position is left you’ll ask me… NONE. I was in so much pain that all I could do was to throw up a lay on every possible surface hoping I’d find one that I could lay on. No luck.

I ended up having to go back to the ER. I was admitted again. They still couldn’t point where the pain was coming from but we suspected it came from one of the fibroids. This time, I was put on IV for nutrition and pain relief (opioids again). At this point I was extremely scared that I had to take heavy pain killers. I was scared that it would hurt my baby and that he’ll end up coming out addicted to this medication. They gave me those pain killers up to 4 times a day. I stayed in the hospital for 9 days.

They sent me back home and I never went back to work. I was told to stay home and take it easy until I give birth… The weeks went by so slowly. I mentioned to my doctor several times that I wanted to stop taking the pain killers but that I could not sleep at night the days I was not taking them. I was in pain and sweat all night. My doctor told me that I didn’t have to stop taking them, that it wouldn’t hurt the baby. She told me that there are are no reasons for me to be scared that the medication was safe. My pharmacist was telling me the opposite. I had to go through opioid detox on my own since doctors didn’t care to help me with that.

At this point I was exhausted and even more scared. I was scared about not making it to term and about the effect of the medication on my unborn child. I kept praying and my whole circle kept praying too.

Then came week 30…

Hospital Stay 3

One evening, I started feeling contractions. Mind you, I had regular Braxton hicks contractions at this point (due to the fibroids). So I went through those for 2 days before heading to the ER. I got there and once again I was admitted due to preterm labour. The fibroids were irritating my uterus to the point where my uterus sensed that it was time for the baby to come out. They gave me medication to stop the contraction. I stayed there for 2 days. Then I went home and was told that I was expected to be readmitted several times until birth.

I had made it past the point of viability in this pregnancy. Though I was excited to meet my little guy I really wanted him to cook a little longer. I kept praying and my circle too. But I also prepared myself for the possibility of early birth. I also started to praise God for this blessing and claiming life and health over my unborn child.

The doctors decided to schedule a c-section due to one fibroid blocking the exit. The fibroid was as big as the baby’s head. So I now had to make it to week 38. I kept praying and asking God to give my son (Jacob) another day inside the womb. God answered my prayer. I made it from this last hospitalization through week 38 without pain or being readmitted.

I gave birth September 3rd, 2019 via c-section to my son Jacob. He is healthy and thriving. No addiction. All his limbs and ready to take his place in this world.

I praise God for keeping me even at times when I thought I wouldn’t make it. Now I pray that he guides me in raising this young man as one of his disciples.

I hope my testimony will help someone who needs to keep the faith through pregnancy. Some woman go through pregnancy without much challenges. Others are in and out of hospitals to make it to term. Some stay in the hospital for months to allow their child to reach viability before entering this world. I am also aware that some women desire to carry life but they keep seeing negative tests every months. I am praying with and for all of you. Praying that God gives you the desires of your earth. Keep praying and putting your requests before him.

If you’ve made it to the end of this long post your are a champ!

God bless you all!

Dee.