"Amazing Grace" - Born @ 30 Weeks

Grace Elaine was born May 4, 2010. Her due date was July 12, 2010, she was born 10 weeks early. I went in for a rountine doctor's appointment at 28 weeks. I was quite swollen and my doctor was concerned. She check my blood pressure and protein in my urine and with the the swollen, three strikes I was out. Doctor diagnosised me with preeclampsia and took me off work. I had steriod shots and multiple doctor appointments scheduled for the rest of my pregnancy. A week after my diagnosises my doctor said my labs came back worse and I had to go to the hospital. I was not mentally prepared let alone packed. My mom drove me 30 minutes away to a hospital that had a level 3 NICU (not in a nice neighborhood either). The day before Grace was born I went into HELLP syndrome and my liver started to shut down. I was induced but was not able to delivery vaginally. At 4:16 am Grace was born via emergency c section. After lots of lab work, two 24 hour rounds of magnesium Grace was born a week after I was admitted to the hospital. She had IUGR and was only 2lbs when she was born, small for her gestation. We were very blessed that she did not need any oxygen therapy. She did have apenea episodes and a feeding tube. She was tranfered to a local hospital after 3 weeks. Then at 5 weeks 4 days old she was discharged from the hospital. She spent a total of 39 days in a NICU. We had a very bumpy road but Grace is doing well and so far does not have any developmental delays. We thank God for the blessings he has poured out on our family. The nurses just loved the hats and outfits Miss. Grace wore. She was known as the preemie princess and L&D nurses would even sneak in for a peak at our princess. Thank you preemie proud for provided hats and clothing for our little ones!