Welcoming Lucas | 33 Weeker

WOW.

I sit here to type out this birth story and all I can do is sit and think that words may not be enough to explain the amount of strength I witnessed pour out of this family- Especially mother and child. Tanna and Lucas.

On November 10th, Tanna went to the hospital with some pretty intense contractions. They monitored her and then admitted her due to the intensity of the contractions and with her still being so far from her due date. Over the course of a few days, they worked to stop her labor. While there was slow progress in dilation, her contractions were so very intense every single day. Every single day, Tanna fought each day to keep her baby in another day longer knowing that every additional day in the womb would give him a better chance at minimal complications at birth and beyond. A few days after she was admitted, her water broke. Yet she still managed to keep him in just a little longer. You guys, I have never witnessed something so incredible. She barely slept, the pain was so severe and nothing was working to manage it. I am talking full blown transitional labor contractions for over a week, yet she kept pushing through.

A few days later, Doctors started to make plans to induce that Sunday after her water broke because of how things were worsening with mom and baby, it was safer if he were out. The intense contractions were starting to take a severe toll on both of them. Plans were set to induce on Sunday.

Baby had different plans and wasn’t going to come out like that.

Thursday, November 21st, Tanna developed an awful fever as a result of infection due to water being broken for so long. Doctors informed her they would be inducing her THAT day. After minimal cervical change the entire stay at the hospital, they checked her just one more time. SEVEN centimeters. He was ready and he was coming on his own. They let her continue to labor on her own, but didn’t have to wait long. Tanna surrendered to her body and such a peace washed over her. She trusted her body and with each wave, brought her baby closer.

Since baby was 33 weeks gestation, they determined the safest place for her to deliver to be the OR where the NICU team had all of their equipment ready for whatever baby may need.

Tanna started bearing down some with each wave and we knew it was time, we were just minutes away. They had her push until babies head was visible, which did not take long at all and then told her to stop pushing while they wheeled her to the OR. You can’t stop a baby from coming when they are ready. Seconds after arriving in the OR, without any pushes- his head was crowning! Everyone sprang into action. The doctor told her “Slow, gentle pushes” and Tanna did just that. Completely calm and fully in control, she gave those little pushes and delivered his head. Only one more push and he was here!

They took him back with the NICU team where he surprised everyone at how incredibly well he did for a 33 weeker.

When he was stable and ready to be wheeled to the NICU, they stopped next to mommas bed to let her touch his tiny hand for a moment.

It was heartbreaking to watch her tears fall as he left to the NICU, without ever being held inside her arms.

Daddy followed him when they took him and Tanna was ready to finish recovery so she could go see her little one again too.

She pumped to get that liquid gold and was able to bring it to the nurses to feed her baby once she was done in recovery.

After just 10 days in the NICU, They got to bring their baby home. Only 10 days. To some this is shocking to see a 33 weeker go home so soon, but to me? I’m not surprised. After all, look who is mother is. A warrior.