Nick and I found out that we were "unexpectedly" expecting in May of 2009. Although it was a surprise we were over joyed, and not a moment went by that we did not love being pregnant. At our first doctors appointment, we found out our due date was January 25th. On September 11th we found out we were having a baby boy!
The pregnancy progressed without any problems, until our 24th week checkup on October 8th with our OB. At that time I was starting to have some swelling in my ankles that was rather uncomfortable, but I assumed it was just a part of being pregnant. My OB walked in to the room and immediately told us the bad news....Preeclampsia. My blood pressure was high, and my urine proteins were even higher. This was not your typical preeclampsia, it was considered "severe."
Our OB told us to go home and pack a bag and to go directly to the hospital, and be prepared to stay for a while. Nick and I were so scared. Was I really that sick? I feel fine, my ankles are just HUGE!
After we got to the hospital and all checked in, a "high risk" doctor came to deliver some more bad news...The baby needs to be delivered soon in order to save your life, and we cant deliver a 24 week baby at this hospital.
I was put in an ambulance and taken downtown Indianapolis to IU Medical Center which was also attached to Riley Children's Hospital, with the best NICU in the state.
I was able to keep Jackson in for 6 more days after arriving to the hospital. After gaining 60+ pounds in fluids, being on the worst IV known to mankind (magnesium sulfate), and laying in bed with awful straps around my now inflamed belly, it was time.
The doctor came in to my room at 9am, looked at me, and said "we have to deliver your baby today, we can not hold off any longer."
I called Nick who had gone home for the night to get some much needed sleep, and gave him the news. As soon as Nick got to the Hospital they took no time, and rolled me away in to the OR to have an emergency c-section.
We were both scared to death for our baby boy, and not knowing what was going to happen. Nick held my hand the entire time as Jackson was being pulled out in to this world 15 weeks too soon.
Jackson Scott Miller was born on October 13, 2009 at 10:16 am. He weighed 1 pound 4 ounces and was 12 inches long.
Jackson spent nearly 6 months in the NICU before coming home with a tracheostomy, ventilator, oxygen, feeding tube, and his own nurse.
