We are incredibly grateful to Kelley for inspiring us to share our own special “labor of love” story. It’s truly a joy to read about the adventures of other families, and as a busy mom of two little ones myself, I find immense comfort and connection in these shared experiences. Today, I’m delighted to open my heart and recount the beautiful, unexpected journey of our daughter’s birth.
Our precious daughter, Maevri Kate, decided to make her grand entrance into the world much earlier than anticipated, turning our carefully laid plans on their head in the most wonderful way imaginable.
The Early Signs: A Hint of the Unexpected
It was late June of 2010, and I was comfortably cruising at around 35 weeks into my pregnancy. Our due date was set for late July, so I envisioned a few more weeks of nesting and anticipation. I was still working part-time at a vibrant local museum, a job that often kept me on my feet for the majority of the day. While I was gradually transitioning out of my work responsibilities in preparation for maternity leave, I hadn’t quite cleared my schedule yet.
That particular Sunday, my last day of scheduled work, I found myself wrestling with an increasing sense of unease. A sharp, persistent pain in my ribs, coupled with an aching back, became impossible to ignore. I remember feeling quite vulnerable, even a bit silly, as I teared up in front of my understanding boss. Thankfully, she urged me to go home and rest, recognizing that something wasn’t quite right. At the time, I brushed it off, attributing my discomfort and what I affectionately (or perhaps despairingly) called my “massive kankles” (swollen ankles and feet) to the usual rigors of late-stage pregnancy and being on my feet all day.
It felt like a typical pregnancy struggle, something many expectant mothers endure. I wasn’t overly concerned, especially since I had a routine doctor’s appointment scheduled for the very next day. Just a week prior, I’d had another check-up, and everything had been perfectly normal, “a-OK” as we’d been told. Adding to my hopeful outlook, my parents were also due to arrive in town the following day, and I was eagerly looking forward to relaxing and spending quality time with them before the baby’s arrival. Little did I know, those plans were about to take a dramatic and memorable detour.
A Routine Check-up Turns Critical: The Preeclampsia Diagnosis
The next day, still feeling achy and with my feet throbbing as if they might “explode,” I dragged myself to my regularly scheduled bi-monthly check-up. The usual routine commenced: a quick weight check, a blood pressure reading, and the familiar “sprinkle in a cup” test. Everything felt normal, if a bit more uncomfortable than usual. I recalled my husband, Tod, humorously rubbing my swollen kankles the previous evening – a small comfort amidst the growing discomfort.
Then, suddenly, the atmosphere in the clinic shifted. The air grew tense. It began with the weigh-in. “Hold the train,” I thought to myself, as the numbers on the scale seemed to jump dramatically. I had gained a shocking fifteen pounds since my last visit just a week prior. This was highly unusual; I hadn’t been overeating, and frankly, I felt too uncomfortable to have much of an appetite. Next came the blood pressure reading: a startling 150/80. For those unfamiliar with pregnancy-related blood pressure, as I was at the time, this reading is alarmingly high, a significant red flag.
My beloved nurses, who had always pampered me with their kindness, approached cautiously. “Uh, your blood pressure is really high… how do you feel?” one of them asked, her voice tinged with concern. Before I could fully process this, another nurse entered the room, her expression serious. “Girl, why is there blood in your urine?” she questioned, giving me a look that silently asked, “Have you been drinking enough water, young lady?” before rushing off to fetch my doctor. My mind instantly raced, a whirlwind of fear and confusion. Was this serious? Was the baby okay? Was I okay? Every potential worst-case scenario flashed through my mind.
Moments later, my doctor walked in, her demeanor a blend of casual calm and underlying urgency. “Hey,” she began, “it looks like we’re going to have a baby today. How do you feel? You might want to call your husband.”
The Unexpected Announcement: “We’re Having a Baby Today!”
“Hold the train again!” was my internal scream. My initial reaction was pure disbelief, followed by a surge of questions. “Hey! Wait, what?! Is everything okay?!” I blurted out, trying to make sense of her words. “We’re having our daughter today?! How is she?!” Despite the shock, a wave of profound excitement washed over me. The idea of finally meeting our baby girl that very day was exhilarating, even if it felt incredibly surreal. I knew I’d be pushing her out soon, but the reality hadn’t quite sunk in. I had always envisioned a “classic labor story” – you know, the one where I’d be at home, perhaps doing laundry, when contractions would start, followed by my water breaking, and a frantic call to Tod. This abrupt medical intervention was anything but classic.
The situation quickly became clear: I was experiencing preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to another organ system, most often the liver and kidneys. It had crept in silently over the last week or so of my pregnancy, and now, it posed a risk to both me and our baby. My blood pressure needed to drop drastically, and then labor would be induced. Our little girl, who was thriving inside me, needed to come out quickly to prevent further complications, such as her heart rate decreasing or my blood pressure continuing to dangerously skyrocket. She would be arriving a full month early, a fact that was both terrifying and thrilling.
Mobilizing for Maevri: Calls and Preparations
Despite my nerves and feeling utterly scatter-brained, a wide grin spread across my face as I dialed Tod’s number. “We’re going to meet our daughter today!” I announced, trying to convey the incredible news with as much enthusiasm as possible. He didn’t believe me at first, thinking I was playfully pulling his leg. It took my “preeclampsia spiel” – a rapid-fire explanation of the sudden diagnosis and the urgency of the situation – to convince him. Yes, I was a “big girl,” but I definitely teared up on the phone, the weight of the situation fully sinking in. I basically told him to drop everything and rush to the hospital; they were preparing to walk me over to labor and delivery *really* soon.
I was so incredibly thankful that he happened to be off work that day and at home. He immediately sprung into action, frantically packing an overnight bag for me and our daughter. And here’s the kicker: we hadn’t even picked a name yet! All my references to “our daughter” were truly because she was still nameless. Talk about being unprepared for such an early arrival!
Tod also had the less-than-enviable task of calling my parents, who had just driven seven hours into town that morning, to inform them that our planned relaxation by the hotel pool was indefinitely postponed. Instead, they would be meeting their granddaughter on her birthday! Our in-laws, Mae’s other grandparents (Ma and Pa), also rushed to the hospital, bringing a thoughtful assortment of preemie gear and clothes for our tiny new arrival.
Hospital Haze: From Labor & Delivery to C-Section
My nurse, Tammy, a beacon of calm, gently walked me to labor and delivery, reassuring me that everything would be “easy peasy.” I quickly changed into my hospital gown and was swiftly prepped with the necessary IVs – one for inducing labor, another for managing my dangerously high blood pressure, and pain medication to keep me comfortable. I was shaking uncontrollably, a combination of intense nervousness and the general unwell feeling brought on by the preeclampsia. Heart monitors were placed on my belly, diligently tracking our daughter’s heartbeat, a constant source of both anxiety and comfort. The moment Tod walked through the door, his presence was an immense relief, a steadying force in the swirling chaos.
Our parents and in-laws arrived at the hospital, but due to my precarious blood pressure, the nurses decided it was best for them to remain in the waiting room. They didn’t want any excitement or stress from visitors to risk elevating my pressure further. I also distinctly remember my anesthesiologist, with a touch of dark humor (and certainly no sarcasm on my part at the time!), wrapping my bed rails with sheets. This, he explained, was a precaution in case I experienced a seizure due to the severe preeclampsia. Still shaking, the reality of the situation weighed heavily on me.
For a couple of hours, as they worked to bring my blood pressure down, our baby girl was doing great. We had finally settled on a name – Maevri. But then, Maevri’s heartbeat began to slow. My doctor made the swift and necessary decision to proceed with a C-section. Pushing during labor would have been too risky for both Maevri and me. My husband still teases me about my “pre-delivery” state, saying I was incredibly “loopy and out of it,” a side effect of the medications and the stress. While I was absolutely thrilled to be meeting our little Maevri so soon, everything was unfolding at an astonishing speed. Despite my fears, I held onto an unwavering trust that God would protect us, but the primal instinct of a mother wanting her baby safe in her arms was overwhelming.
Welcome to the World, Maevri Kate!
At one point, Tod was briefly in the waiting room with our family, and we were all just moments away from finally meeting Mae. I can’t forget the humorous interjection from my doctor, who jokingly told me to tell Tod to “Get his ass back in here. We’ve got to go.” Fully prepped and ready for the C-section, I gripped Tod’s hand incredibly tight as he joined me. He looked quite dashing in his hospital scrubs, a comforting sight. Just a few short minutes later, with a rush of emotions, we welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world! The image below perfectly captures her “Lion King” birth pose, a testament to her strong spirit from day one.
Maevri Kate
Born on June 28, 2010
4 lbs 7 oz
Reflections on Grace and Gratitude
Maevri was born a month early, and at a tiny 4 pounds, 7 ounces, she was incredibly delicate. We truly felt like we might break her! Yet, despite her early arrival and petite size, she was *completely* healthy, a true miracle. I cherish telling her birth story because it was so utterly unexpected and unfolded with such incredible speed. But more than anything, it’s a powerful reminder of God’s perfect provision and unfailing goodness throughout every single moment.
I distinctly remember the quiet, wee hours of the morning after Mae was born, still in the hospital. Tod and I cried and prayed together, a moment of profound gratitude and peace. It was our very first truly quiet moment as a new family, a sacred space amidst the whirlwind of a new, crazy schedule and the steep learning curve of nursing and caring for a newborn. It had been a long, worrying day, filled with uncertainty, but in that moment, all we felt was overwhelming joy and deep gratitude for our beautiful, healthy baby girl.
Divine Timing: God’s Provisions on Maevri’s Birthday
Looking back, we can clearly see the intricate tapestry of God’s provisions woven throughout that dramatic day:
- **Providential Timing at Work:** My last day of work coincidentally happened to be the day before Mae was born. This meant I was home, and Tod was also off, allowing us to respond immediately to the sudden turn of events. Mae and I, despite the sudden onset of preeclampsia, remained healthy throughout, a testament to timely medical intervention.
- **The Life-Saving Check-up:** My prenatal check-up appointment was already scheduled for that day. Honestly, if it hadn’t been, I likely would have dismissed my “massive kankles” and general achiness as normal pregnancy discomforts, never realizing the critical danger I was in. It truly felt like divine timing.
- **Preparedness in the Nick of Time:** The night before Mae’s unexpected arrival, Tod, almost instinctively, had opened and prepped her car seat. This seemingly small act saved us crucial time when every second counted.
- **Family Nearness:** My parents, who live about seven hours away, happened to drive into town that very day. Little did they know their visit would culminate in meeting their granddaughter on her actual birthday! Their presence was an immeasurable comfort.
- **Support from Loved Ones:** Our wonderful in-laws, Mae’s other grandparents, arrived with an abundance of essential preemie gear and clothes for our tiny Mae baby, anticipating her needs perfectly.
- **Exceptional Medical Care:** We remained in the hospital for about a week. While Tod was eager to go home, I confess I was scared to leave the reassuring presence of our nurses. If anything went wrong, they would be there to the rescue, right? I was immensely grateful for my doctor and the dedicated nurses who checked on both me and Mae frequently, ensuring our well-being.
- **Community Love:** Our church family and friends showered us with meals and other thoughtful goodies later that week, allowing us to focus entirely on our new family without the added stress of daily chores.
It has been truly good to reflect on God’s steadfast protection throughout my pregnancy and to continually acknowledge His profound goodness in our lives. Two years later, and we are still so incredibly blessed with our precious baby girl, Maevri. It’s amazing how time flies when you’re having so much fun, and how an unexpected journey can lead to the most beautiful destination.
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We deeply appreciate Tygre’s lovely contribution to this collection of heartfelt stories. Her warmth and her daughter’s sweetness shine through!