On December 10, 2005 my best friend went into labor. When I got the call from her husband I immediately went into panic mode thinking "No, this can't be happening, not now, it's too early", and I rushed to the hospital. The thing is...she was only 26 weeks pregnant, Jozlyn wasn't due for another 3 months. I was able to go into her room when I arrived at the hospital. Adrian (my best friend) was a little loopy with everything they were giving her to try and stop labor. As I stood by her bed side looking at all the machines that were hooked up to her, and the doctors and nurses buzzing about, I was terrified but knew I had to remain strong for Adrian. I'm not sure how long she had been in labor when I heard someone say "We lost the baby's heartbeat, we have to go now." At that point I was ushered out of the delivery room as they prepped Adrian for an emergency c-section. After what seemed like forever, we were told Jozlyn was here weighing only 1 pound 10 ounces, and she was being flown down to a hospital in Phoenix, we lived in Flagstaff at the time and they were not equipped to handle a preemie so young. Mom was doing well, and was being moved to a room to recover. We were able to see Jozlyn before they air lifted her to Phoenix, she was so tiny and fragile, and I immediately fell in love with this little girl like she was my own. Jozlyn was able to come home before he due date without any oxygen, and was meeting her milestones and progressing better than anyone could have hoped. Jozlyn is now 15 years old, the kindest most loving person you will ever meet. She is in numerous clubs in school, and excels academically. She has no health issues, and you would never know that she was born at 26 weeks. Jozlyn is a true miracle baby in my eyes.
Here is a picture of Jozyln when she was 1 day old.
References
Scherer, J., (2016). What options are there for having a baby in New Zealand.
What options are there for having a baby in New Zealand? | Stuff.co.nz
How scary to think your friend might have lost her little girl. It's wonderful you where able to be there to support her during this time. Just 1 pound 10 ounces, Jozlyn was so tiny. What an amazing story. I was a preemie when I was born two months early. But I was 4 pounds six ounces.
ReplyDeleteI wonder how New Zealand deals with premature births when a baby's heart beat isn't intact. Because they don't do C-sections or meds. huh
The major hospitals will administer meds and do c-sections, and they are set up to handle premature births and high risk pregnancies. The article I found made it sound like going to a major hospital was not the primary birth options for mothers, but is there if needed.
DeleteHi Jes,
ReplyDeleteI know that had to be a scary time for your friends. I’m glad that you were able to be there with them. I am glad to read that your goddaughter is healthy and doing well academically. Thank you for educating me about the New Zealand’s culture. Having free maternity care is awesome. It’s interesting how the mid-wives run the birth units in the hospital. Beautiful picture of your goddaughter.
Jes,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your Goddaughters miracle story with us. As I was reading the story I was praying for her survival. It is so wonderful to hear that Jozlyn is well and exceling at life. There were many milestones that she had to achieve as infant. Her story is absolutely amazing. It is nice to know that in New Zealand maternity care is free. I found it interesting that New Zealand was another country that uses midwives.
Thank you for sharing your story. I can totally emphasize with the feelings of confusion and stress seeing all of the machines and hearing all of the doctors talk about the child. I had a similar experience with my nephew. I am so happy the baby is healthy and well :)
ReplyDeleteThis is Rebecca Hurth by the way. My Walden email: rebecca.hurth@waldenu.edu
DeleteHello Jes,
ReplyDeletethank you for sharing your story about the birth of your god daughter. I know during her birth probably was very scary and stressful but in the end everything worked out. My cousin went through a similar situation. She had 3 children and all three of children were born between 5-6 months early. Her first born did not survive outside the womb. A few years later she tried again and her daughter also was born early. She survived and is now 12 years old. She has minor developmental delays but overall is progressing well. Her third child was a little boy and he was born 5 months early. He also survived and is now 4 years old, however he has developmental delays and he uses a motorized wheelchair to get around. However, as long as the child is able to live a great life and is happy that's what matters.
-Ashley Terrell