About our story
Please bear with me as to how long this story is. Feel free to skip over, skim, or read in depth. My purpose may be a little self motivated because I am trying not to forget a single detail. The more I write the less I will forget. Also, I know there are some of you that wish you were there or wish you could have met Alexander. I hope by the time you finish reading this you will at least feel like you were there and played a part. You may read or see images that I have discussed in the blog so there may be some overlap. Again, thank you for taking the time to get to know Alexander and our family.
INDUCTION EVE
Waiting room at Dr. Blanks office
The day before the induction we attended our last prenatal appointment with Dr. Blank. When I arrived I came with my bags packed for the hospital and ready to go. I weighed in at 168 (the same as last appointment) bringing my total pregnancy weight gain to 20lbs. When Dr. Blank came in the room he asked us if we would be willing to wait to induce until next week! At first I thought he was joking but he wasn't. He explained his reasons (scheduling conflicts, a lot of patients in labor right now, etc.) but to be honest with you I really wasn't listening because I knew waiting was not an option. I kindly reminded him that our children start school next week and we all agreed we would induce prior to that. I think that jogged his memory enough and he agreed and continued with our plan (whew!). He checked me and I was still 2cm dialated so he continued with the plan of admitting me that day to begin softening my cervix. We left that appointment around 3:30 with instructions to check into the hospital between 5 and 6pm. Since Sean and Austin had football practice shortly and I really wanted them to go, I had Sean drop me off at my Aunts who lives near the hospital so she and my sister could take me to check in and allow him to come back later that night.
So as planned we checked into Northside Atlanta Women's Center on July 27 at 5:00pm. My aunt had the camera rolling from the time we left her house. When we arrived at the registration desk the lady who checked me in questioned why I would be getting induced at 35 weeks. I thought that question was odd and it became clear that she was not aware of our circumstances so I politely informed her that I was carrying a terminal pregnancy. She excused herself and came back quickly ushering us to my room. She was so apologetic and I could tell she felt so bad. That literally was my only uncomfortable moment. We were assigned room D7 which was tucked in a back corner away from most patients. The room was very nice and big which I was glad to see because I knew Alexander was going to have a large group wanting to welcome him. I was greeted by our first of many nurses Ann. She were very kind. I changed into a hospital gown and we began the registration process. My sister joked that it was like buying a house how many papers I had to sign - lol. At around 5:45 Dr. Blank arrived to discuss the plan. He explained that they will insert the cervadel tonight and he advised me that it may start my labor on its own since this is my third pregnancy. If not, at 5am the next morning they will begin the pitocin.
At 7:00pm the cervadil was administered and an IV was put in. I was then visited by the neonatologist on duty at the time, Dr. Srivatsa. He went over the details of Alexander's arrival explaining that he may gasp for breath, look different, etc. Honestly he was so detailed it took me off guard and I was slightly uncomfortable but knew he had to tell me these things.
At 7:30pm I noticed the tape around my IV was itching and burning...I was allergic to it. So the nurse switched me out to paper tape. Around this same time I was introduced to my knew nurse Yemisi and the Team lead nurse Rachel. Both were very nice and expressed there sympathy.
Around 8:45pm I began to feel very nauseated. I am not sure if it was my nerves or the cervadil. They gave me Zofran in my IV but it did not work so they gave me a shot of phenegran (oh did that sting!!!) and it worked. During all of this my Aunt, my sister, and my mom were all there keeping me company until Sean arrived. It was nice just having them around for support. When Sean arrived I felt more complete...I was so happy he was there. My mom joked and said he was my medicine and they all could tell I was in a better mood once he arrived. Dr. Blank stopped by again later that night to check on me as well as the chaplain that was on duty. A close family friend Andre also visited for awhile. Close to midnight Sean and I were alone and ready to settle down and get ready for the "big day".
So as planned we checked into Northside Atlanta Women's Center on July 27 at 5:00pm. My aunt had the camera rolling from the time we left her house. When we arrived at the registration desk the lady who checked me in questioned why I would be getting induced at 35 weeks. I thought that question was odd and it became clear that she was not aware of our circumstances so I politely informed her that I was carrying a terminal pregnancy. She excused herself and came back quickly ushering us to my room. She was so apologetic and I could tell she felt so bad. That literally was my only uncomfortable moment. We were assigned room D7 which was tucked in a back corner away from most patients. The room was very nice and big which I was glad to see because I knew Alexander was going to have a large group wanting to welcome him. I was greeted by our first of many nurses Ann. She were very kind. I changed into a hospital gown and we began the registration process. My sister joked that it was like buying a house how many papers I had to sign - lol. At around 5:45 Dr. Blank arrived to discuss the plan. He explained that they will insert the cervadel tonight and he advised me that it may start my labor on its own since this is my third pregnancy. If not, at 5am the next morning they will begin the pitocin.
At 7:00pm the cervadil was administered and an IV was put in. I was then visited by the neonatologist on duty at the time, Dr. Srivatsa. He went over the details of Alexander's arrival explaining that he may gasp for breath, look different, etc. Honestly he was so detailed it took me off guard and I was slightly uncomfortable but knew he had to tell me these things.
At 7:30pm I noticed the tape around my IV was itching and burning...I was allergic to it. So the nurse switched me out to paper tape. Around this same time I was introduced to my knew nurse Yemisi and the Team lead nurse Rachel. Both were very nice and expressed there sympathy.
Around 8:45pm I began to feel very nauseated. I am not sure if it was my nerves or the cervadil. They gave me Zofran in my IV but it did not work so they gave me a shot of phenegran (oh did that sting!!!) and it worked. During all of this my Aunt, my sister, and my mom were all there keeping me company until Sean arrived. It was nice just having them around for support. When Sean arrived I felt more complete...I was so happy he was there. My mom joked and said he was my medicine and they all could tell I was in a better mood once he arrived. Dr. Blank stopped by again later that night to check on me as well as the chaplain that was on duty. A close family friend Andre also visited for awhile. Close to midnight Sean and I were alone and ready to settle down and get ready for the "big day".
INDUCTION MORNING
Starting Pitocin
The next morning Yemisi woke me up promptly at 5:00am to remove the cervadel and begin the pitocin. I was very nervous. I have been induced before and labor on pitocin is no joke. That combined with having no fluid had me very worried about what was to come. At about 5:30am the first drip was dropped - lol. At 5:50am I had my first contraction! From the start my contractions were quite painful and for the first hour they were close to 45 seconds apart (yes I said seconds). Sean kicked into to gear and was very supportive.
At 7:00am Dr. Blank arrived to check on me. He informed us that he would be back around 12pm to check my cervix and break my bag even though there is no real fluid in it. Around the same time my parents came with the kids. I was still having regular contractions but they were close to 2 minutes apart. The kids were all concerned about me and during every contraction Austin would pray. When the contraction passed he would say " I prayed for you" - so touching. Around this time there was another nurse shift and our new nurse was Ashley. Ashley was very nice and kind. As the morning continued the room began to fill - my mom and dad, the kids, my sister, seans mom, seans dad, my aunt, my good friend Tisha, and I am sure I forgetting someone. Our angel Aimee (perinatal loss coordinator) and the chaplain Bonnie also visited often. They were so supportive and thier goal was to make sure our birth plan was played out the way we wanted.
At 11:00 am Ashley checked my cervix and to everyones surprise I had not dialted any - still 2cm. That was so discouraging especially knowing how regular and how strong my contractions were getting.
At 12:30 Dr. Blank had not yet arrived but my contractions were getting really strong so I opted to get some pain meds through IV unfortunatley it did not even take the edge off :-( so we pressed on. Breathing was my friend and I tried to take it one contraction at a time.
At 1:30pm Dr. Blank arrived. Before checking me he warned that if I have not dialated anymore we may have to give my body a break soon and try again the next morning - of course that worried me but it was short lived. When he checked my I was 4cm - progress! He broke my bag but no fluid came out but it did increase the pain of the contractions. He advised that he would be back around 5pm unless they called for him sooner.....
At 7:00am Dr. Blank arrived to check on me. He informed us that he would be back around 12pm to check my cervix and break my bag even though there is no real fluid in it. Around the same time my parents came with the kids. I was still having regular contractions but they were close to 2 minutes apart. The kids were all concerned about me and during every contraction Austin would pray. When the contraction passed he would say " I prayed for you" - so touching. Around this time there was another nurse shift and our new nurse was Ashley. Ashley was very nice and kind. As the morning continued the room began to fill - my mom and dad, the kids, my sister, seans mom, seans dad, my aunt, my good friend Tisha, and I am sure I forgetting someone. Our angel Aimee (perinatal loss coordinator) and the chaplain Bonnie also visited often. They were so supportive and thier goal was to make sure our birth plan was played out the way we wanted.
At 11:00 am Ashley checked my cervix and to everyones surprise I had not dialted any - still 2cm. That was so discouraging especially knowing how regular and how strong my contractions were getting.
At 12:30 Dr. Blank had not yet arrived but my contractions were getting really strong so I opted to get some pain meds through IV unfortunatley it did not even take the edge off :-( so we pressed on. Breathing was my friend and I tried to take it one contraction at a time.
At 1:30pm Dr. Blank arrived. Before checking me he warned that if I have not dialated anymore we may have to give my body a break soon and try again the next morning - of course that worried me but it was short lived. When he checked my I was 4cm - progress! He broke my bag but no fluid came out but it did increase the pain of the contractions. He advised that he would be back around 5pm unless they called for him sooner.....
WELCOMING ALEXANDER!
By 2:30pm my contactions were fast and furious. Now I have had two other children and natural labor and this was by far the worst pain I have EVER been in. I literally thought I was going to die! I can't explain it but I felt myself losing hope. After a lot of convincing I agreed to get an epidural. They quickly pumped me with a bag of fluid and the epidural was administered at 2:55pm. Something wasn't right. The pain did not go away! I felt my legs were numb but the contractions were getting even worse. They tried moving me on each side - they increased the medicine twice, they tilted me almost upside down - nothing worked!! Ashley finally said, the only other thing it could be is that I was ready to deliver so she checked me and Alexanders head was right there! Reality hit at that moment and I broke down. Oh I cried and cried - I just wasn't ready to say hello and goodbye. Quickly the pastor of First Baptist of Canton (George Andersen) and a family friend (Shawn) prayed over me. Dr. Blank was called in stat - he arrived at 3:20pm and prepped me for delivery. Sean, my mom, and Seans mom were in the delivery room. Dr. Blank asked my mom and Seans mom to hold my legs and literally they pulled my legs back and Alexanders head came out. I gave a half of a push and there he was! Born at 3:36pm and he came out crying!! All of my family was in the hallway and when they heard him cry they all rushed the room! Dr. Blank didn't know what to do - he was so concerned about everyone seeing me exposed - lol. We all were so shocked to hear him cry so loud and so much. They placed him on me and Sean cut the cord. The neonatologist Dr. Kupke immediatley checked his heart and they suctioned him. Unfortunatley he was not able to fully assess him while on me so he took Alexander over to the warmer to thoroughly check him out. Of course I did not want him to leave especially not knowing how much time we had but I wanted Dr. Kupke to make sure and do any and everything he could. I don't know how long he was away from me but it felt like an eternity. Everyone was surrounding the warmer and I could not see what was going on. I kept asking for him back but Sean explained that the Dr. was being very thorough. He explained to Sean why they felt the diagnosis was correct. He showed how his rib cage was bell shaped ( a sign the lungs are very underdeveloped), his oxygen levels were very low, but his heart rate was very strong. We were all just so shocked to see how normal he looked and how active he was. When he was given back to me I was overjoyed. He was so beautiful. The only potters feature visible was his low set ears and that his legs could not fully extend all of the way. He did not have club feet, his nose wasn't squished...he looked like a perfect little boy!
ALEXANDERS LIFE
Alexander Rivers Trimble - taking a cat nap
Shortly after Alexander was returned to me we had Shawn Finch say a prayer and the Hospital Chaplain Patricia blessed him. It was a beautiful moment. At a point I could tell that he was uncomfortable because he was grimacing so he was given morphine which seemed to work. He was more peaceful but still alert. He opened his eyes often, cried, cooed, raised his arms, held my fingers, etc. The Now I lay me down to sleep photographer arrived within 5min of him being born so he was able to capture his whole life. All of the pictures he took were of him alive and that is what I wanted. Alexander was born into a room of papparazzi - lol. There were so many cameras clicking in that room!! We filled his life with love. We had music playing, we all sang, and I personally sang a few songs to him. He was prayed over by so many people and everyone was able to hold him. It was an emotional room to say the least. Anthony and Alexis gave him a bath and Austin helped dress him. We took footprints, handprints, and a lock of his hair. The love in that room was overflowing and God was present. Sean played beautiful music and we just loved on him so much. Dr. Kupke checked him often and to his surprise his heartbeat stayed strong for a long time. After everyone had held him we decided to keep him on me or Sean skin to skin so that he could hear our heart beat and rest. It has been known to comfort babies and I believe that extended his life. I spent that time talking to him and giving him all the love I had stored up for him. I kissed him a zillion times :-). I told him how proud I was of him and that it was okay to let go. I told him he had Angels waiting for him and that he was going to be so, so happy. Eventually his heart rate did slow and at one point Dr. Kupke said he only had about 15 - 30 minutes left. An HOUR later Dr. Kupke said "I was wrong...I don't know how long he has". At 8:56pm while on his Daddy's chest God came and took Alexander home. Everyone held him and kissed him goodbye and we praised God for the time we were given. Alexander was a fighter and he defied so many odds and God gave us more time than we ever thought possible. 5 1/2 hours with no help was simply a miracle! I believe Alexander fought not for himself but for us.
I slept with my son that night and held him all morning the next day.
He has changed my life and touched the hearts of All who met him,
Thank you Alexander!
....
I slept with my son that night and held him all morning the next day.
He has changed my life and touched the hearts of All who met him,
Thank you Alexander!
....