Baby Ava Arrives!!

On Saturday, September 27th at 9:01 pm, little Ava was born. She weighed 6 pounds 8 ounces, and was 19.3 inches long. It was a very easy delivery except that when Kelli arrived a the hospital at three all the rooms were taken. So she didn't get into a room until 5:30 pm at which point she was already dilated to a ten before getting her epidural. She did great though. After the epidural they had her relax and not push until 7:30pm. And then came little Ava. After she was born the nurses cleaned her up and then handed her back to Kelli. We got to hold her until about 11:00 pm. Kelli was trying to breastfeed her and we thought she fell asleep. A short time later we realized her color had changed and we looked at her, she had stopped breathing and was blue. Her heart had stopped as well. We both panicked. I ran out and grabbed a nurse who came in and immediately called a code. 20 nurses and doctors were in our room in a matter of thirty seconds. They immediately began to resuscitate Ava. As soon as they started breathing for her, her pulse returned. However, she wasn't breathing on her own, so they had to intubate her. They took her away and the doctor said when he knew what was going on he would let us know. We were so worried because she had literally died in our arms. I thought it was too late, but the doctors proved me wrong. The doctors still aren't sure what happened. It looks like she contracted some bacterial infection which caused her to stop breathing.

Now she is doing better. She has been in NICU since the episode and will have to spend at least the first 10 days of her life there. She looks great and everyday we see her they are taking more tubes out of her. I can't tell you how many tests the poor baby has had. Probably close to 50 different blood tests, chest x-rays, brain ultrasound, pH tube down her nose into her stomach, another tube to help her breathe, another one down into her stomach, a wire into her foot for her oxygen levels, chest leads, heart rate monitor, an IV into her hand and into her navel, and then every time they take blood the prick her heel (which leaves a little mark), and lastly a little oxygen thing for her nose. However, she has somehow managed to sleep the last two days with little crying even though the nurses and doctors are constantly running tests. She did not sleep the first 24 hours and was a little fussy. They fed her for the first time today, but it was only water. They have been giving her nutrients through her IV lines.

Kelli is doing very well. After having a very easy pregnancy and delivery, she is getting her fair share of hardship. However, we are optimistic and appreciate all of your prayers and love. We will keep you posted.

Here is our beautiful little girl.