by Denise Neville

Created on: February 06, 2009

My Baby Girl

I remember the day so clearly in my mind. The day that I was told that there was something wrong with my baby. I remember being told that I had to be rushed into the city to a maternity hospital. I remember laying on the stretcher in the back of the ambulance wondering what was going to happen. It didn't help that I was being driven in a snowstorm. All alone, with just the paramedics to watch over me I was in shock.

When I arrived I was wheel down a long sterile corridor, then into a crowded examination room filled with green uniforms. Then the questions started. I was in labour, but I couldn't be I was only 7 months! They stopped my labour with medications and admitted me into a semi private room.

Every morning I was weighed, because I was gaining fluid I wasn't allowed to gain too much or that would mean draining the fluid. Draining the fluid, this sounding easier than it was. I would be taken to the ultrasound room and hooked up to machines that would check my vital signs. Then the biggest needle I had ever seen was inserted into my uterus, which was full with fluid and baby. The fluid was pumped out of me, one litre then two litres. Then the pain, what was this pain, I soon realized that it was contractions! Once again I was in labour, and again it was stopped. This routine went on for 2 wks, then was told that I could go home for Christmas.

That year Christmas was good, even through my worry I managed to make it fun for our two year old son. All through the holidays I would have to get weighed at the local rural hospital to make sure I wasn't gaining to much weight.

The day finally came that I had to return to the maternity hospital. I was admitted again and the ritual of emptying the fluid continued.

One afternoon I was sent to the Children's Hospital to get an ultrasound on our baby. This hospital had the best way to detect any other defects that the doctors may have missed. We did learn that our baby's kidneys were not working properly so the reason for the extra fluid in my uterus. During this ultrasound I was told she also had a heart defect. All of my hope was gone, more bad news. I didn't think that I could take anymore. I remember running out of the hospital tears streaming down my face.

One thing I will be forever grateful for is the doctor that cared for me. He was a wonderful man who understood how I felt and what I was going through. He sat by me many times during this ordeal and talked with me and my husband, comforting us, bringing

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