The Beginning

I found out that I was pregnant with my second child when my first child [Nathan] was only 10 months old.  This came as a bit of shock to me.  I was actually upset because I wasn't prepared for another baby yet being they'd only be 18 months apart.  Eventually everyone learned to accept that another bundle of joy would be joining us shortly.  In the meantime, I had a great pregnancy with only gaining about 10 pounds total (lost weight then gained it back).  I had a routine ultrasound at 22 weeks to find out that I was having a baby girl.  This seemed so great to have one boy and one girl.   

3D Ultrasound picture at 29 weeks

At about 2 months before my due date I was measuring about 4 weeks ahead of schedule so my doctor had me get an ultrasound.  I thought it was pretty routine but I was told that she had many signs of Down Syndrome which included an intestinal blockage and a heart defect.  She was also very small for her gestational age so I had an abundance of amniotic fluid to make me measure so far ahead.  I had an amniocentesis done in order to confirm what the doctors had suspected.  

All I could think was, "Why me?"  I felt so many emotions: guilt, anger, sadness, worry, anxiety, etc.  Honestly, I prayed to not have a baby with disabilities with my first pregnancy (of course every mom hopes for a healthy baby).  How could someone like me take care of child with disabilities?  Since my first born was healthy, it didn't even cross my mind the second time around.  There was so much fear of the unknown.  I ended up grieving.  Of course not over the loss of a child but the loss of the idea of a healthy child.

I finally accepted the fact and made preparations for my baby girl’s arrival.  My co-workers, family and local community held fundraisers to help pay for the expenses that would come with having a baby with a disability.  It is just amazing at how many people reached out to an unborn child.  About 1 month before she was born I went into preterm labor and was put on medication and strict bed rest.  

On November 10th 2005 I woke up with the feeling that I was going to go into labor.  Later on I passed the mucus plug which prompted me to get to the hospital.  On the way there contractions started in full force.  Once at the hospital, I was given medicine to try to stop the contractions.  A few hours later I was being prepped for my c-section.  It was too risky to try for a natural birth knowing this little girl would already be coming out with complications.

Katelyn's first picture

Katelyn Marie finally arrived at 35 weeks gestation weighing in at 4 lbs. 4 oz. and a length of 16 ½ inches long.  My family were able to see her and I was only able to hold her for a couple minutes before she took her three hour ride down state.  She was transported to the children’s hospital where she would stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  The journey of a lifetime began that moment.