How We Got Here ...

During dinner with friends on Saturday night, November 22, Nichole went into early labor. On the advice of Dr. Gates, Nichole and I quickly left the Meridian for St. Vincent Women's Hospital around 9pm. Nichole measured her contractions at 3 minutes.

Shortly after 10pm Dr. Gates conducted a physical exam on Nichole. He immediately began instructing the nurses to prepare Nichole for processing to the "High Risk Unit." A flurry of nurses began working on Nichole. Simultaneously, Dr. Gates informed Nichole and I that she had dilated to 4cm and that Will's birth was imminent.

Dr. Gates immediately began a magnesium sulfate treatment (via intravenously) to slow the contractions. He explained that a steroid shot could be administered that would potentially aid in helping Will's lungs develop faster. At 27 weeks gestation, Will needed assistance with his lungs. Dr. Gates explained that if delivery could be delayed 48 hours it was likely that the steroid treatment would increase Will's survival odds. He felt that 48 hours was crucial to Will's ability to breathe.

By 11pm, Nichole was located in the High Risk Unit on the second floor. Dr. Gates prepared us by stating that (1) Nichole would be in the hospital until Will was born; (2) delaying delivery by 48 hours was crucial for lung development; (3) a baby born at 27 weeks can certainly survive but that the odds for complications were much higher than for a baby born at 28 weeks; (4) there was absolutely no way of knowing what caused early term labor; (5) there was no way of knowing whether the magnesium treatment would work and when Will would be born; and (6) the magnesium was likely to cause Nichole much discomfort.

The first night at SVWH was a long and sleepless night. I remember thinking "I can't believe this is happening right now." Fortunately, I felt like we had great care and that Nichole was both physically strong and strong at heart. We would also have great support from family and friends, including Ashley and Hugh Bailey (from NC) that we left at Meridian. How ironic that Ashley and Hugh, new parents themselves, were visiting that weekend.