Labor and Delivery
We were so excited to see a 3D ultrasound of our baby girl. The first time they tried to get a good picture she was in a difficult position to get a good face shot. The technician told me to come back to get a better picture if I wanted. I went back at 32 weeks and it was then that they noticed an enlarged bladder and increased amniotic fluid. I remember feeling a lump in my throat and a pit in my stomach. The OGBYN said at this point it could be something serious but it also could be something as simple as the baby didn’t empty her bladder before the ultrasound. I was then scheduled for additional monitoring twice a week to make sure the baby was ok.
At 33 weeks I went in for my routine monitoring and we noticed that I was in preterm labor. I was life flighted to Denver (because the hospital I was at did not deliver babies before 36 weeks due to it being at 9,000 ft in elevation) and they were able to stop the labor. I then developed a small bowel obstruction and therefore could not eat for the next 12 days. After almost two weeks in the hospital I was induced and 12 hours later Maliyah Eunmi Caswell was born. She was 5lbs 6oz and 18.5cm long. She was perfect! I was able to hold her for about 5 minutes before they whisked her off to the NICU.
The next 36 hours were filled with relief and joy. We called all our family and friends and told them the good news. Little did we know the roller coaster ride were about to embark on.
