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Our Stories-Our Stories-How to Share Your Story Alisa I woke up on Tuesday morning, May 23 around 6 am with cramps. I was 36 weeks. I thought maybe this was braxton hicks? (This was our first baby so I was unsure.) I called my ob-gyn who was on call and she told me if the cramps continued and/or got stronger to call and come in when they opened. Since I did not have any leaking of fluid or blood she thought it was possibly braxton hicks as well. At 10:30am we went to the doctor's office. My blood pressure and the baby's heartbeat were fine. I was really having a lot of cramps at this point and had the strong urge to go to the bathroom. I couldn't provide a urine sample at the doctors' office. Anyway, I was seen by the CNFP that day and she said we had plenty of time, to go home and get some things and then proceed to the hospital. I was only a fingertip dilated so that's why she thought "plenty of time". Well, when we pulled in the driveway of our house I had a pain in my left side, which I now know, was a warning sign but at the time I thought, "oh I'm just in labor -its supposed to be uncomfortable!" At home I was crouched over the toilet trying to go and my husband was getting our things together. I guess I pushed a couple times trying to go to the bathroom and next thing I knew I felt I was opening up. I reached down and thought I felt the baby's head!! (I was in total shock so that's why I say I think) We got the CNFP on the phone ASAP and she asked if I felt the baby moving. I said I wasn't sure and she said to go to the hospital. Well needless to say we were too late. We arrived outside the ER no more than 30 minutes later (about 12:30) and in the backseat of our car, my water broke and our beautiful daughter was stillborn. At the time I was in so much shock that I just thought she was asleep!! It wasn't until the ER nurse at the scene started screaming for oxygen that I knew something was wrong but I still never imagined they wouldn't save her! I cried and held my husband's hand. He was yelling for help. They got me on a stretcher and wheeled Lindsey and me into the ER. At the time I didn't even know if we were in the ER or delivery room. They quickly discovered that I had severe pre-eclampsia. My blood pressure was 180/120 and I had liver and kidney functions that were deteriorating. They put me on a magnesium sulfate IV for 24 hours. This brought me back to normal physically. Lindsey never showed any signs of life although they tried CPR and drugs to get her heart started. My husband and I left the hospital 2 days later. We had Lindsey's memorial service the next day. It was the worst day of our lives. We have gotten some more answers at this point. I found out I have a blood-clotting gene called Factor V Leiden - I have only one of the genes so its not so bad but it means my blood is more likely to clot too much. They also think part of the placenta stopped working. The reason Lindsey died was that she had a hemotoma in her head ("stroke"), which happened during the precipitous labor - extremely rare they say-, but we'll never really know the complete story. For example the doctors are very puzzled why my pre-eclampsia came on so fast and with no warning. Usually women show signs such as protein in the urine or elevated blood pressure. I was normal until the early delivery. They are also wondering if she was in some way more prone to the hemotoma and so they are doing more blood tests on my husband and me.. For the next pregnancy I will take heparin shots to thin my blood. I am also already taking baby aspirin. I would obviously have many more doctor visits with a high risk ob, non-stress tests, ultrasounds, etc. On August 3rd, 2001, I gave birth to Eliana Beth! She was 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 18 ½ inches long. She was 4 weeks early; delivered by c-section. I did not have any signs of pre-eclampsia with Ellie's pregnancy. We're so thankful that she is here with us! Back to Our Stories
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