A Split Second...

That is all it takes to make you realize how lucky you are and how often life is taken for granted. This is what I learned on January 23, just moments after we welcomed our second beautiful daughter into the world. If you would like, continue reading. This is the story about Alina Kate's birth and what happened within minutes after she was born.

It all began early in the wee hours on January 22. I awoke to "different" contractions. These were the kind that make you stop and think, "Oh, I remember. This IS what a real contraction feels like." They continued to come, but were pretty mild and very irregular. I was able to sleep pretty well, or at least well for a 39 week pregnant woman. The day came and I started it as any other day in the Wintermantel home and Martin had gone to help a friend move into a new house. Their home is just a few blocks down the street from ours. Izzy and I decided to venture out around 10:30 or 11:00 am. I was still having contractions and thought a walk would either make them go away or they would come on faster and stronger. So, that is what we did. We walked to see Martin and I let him know that I thought Alina would come pretty soon. I stayed there at the friends house for a couple of hours (still having contractions) and even ate lunch with them. I finally decided that it would be best for Izzy and I to go home. The contractins were beginning to get a little closer together and stronger. Martin walked us home and on the way he decided that it would be best to stay with us. This was all around 2:00 p.m. This continued, but very slowly.

Around 9:30 p.m. we decided that the contractions were getting close enough together to call our midwife. We called her and let her know what was going on. She told us to try and stay at home a little longer. After all, we could rest better at home. So we waited and waited and waited. Around 2:00 a.m. I knew that it was time to go. We called the midwife back once more. She told us to go ahead and come. In the meantime Martin's sister came to spend the night with Izzy. Shortly after she arrived at our house we were on our way.

When we arrived the midwife asked how I felt and what made things feel better. I decided very fast that the best place to be was in the bathtub with warm water. I would stay in there for some time, then move to another place. This all continued for the next 7 hours or so. Amazingly, my water never broke. The midwife broke my water in the last 30 minutes of labor. She explained that my contractions would change to contractions that would make me want to push. This happened very fast. After about 20 minutes of pushing Alina was born! All natural, no pain meds or anything!! I DID IT!!!! After about 12 hours of labor and 20 minutes of pushing we met our beautiful little girl. I was able to hold her immediately and nurse her, as well. Life in that moment couldn't have been any more perfect.

Then, this is where things begin to get crazy. It was time to deliver the placenta. Only it was taking a little longer than the midwife expected and I began to bleed really bad. She said, "This isn't right." Martin had stepped out of the room to call Izzy and tell her that she was a big sister. One of the last things I remember clearly was him walking back into the room with a rather calm, but concerned look on his face. He came to my bedside and began to say, "Don't close your eyes. Breath in and out." He kept repeating this, over and over. The room began to go black and I could feel my chest getting so heavy...it felt as if I couldn't breath. Then, I started asking the midwives, "Am I going to die?" Next, I heard the siren from and ambulance, which was on its way to get me. I remember people scrambling around starting IV's of pitocin and sticking needles in me. Slowly, I began to come to. I remember one of the paramedics trying to draw blood, but nothing would come. In that moment I thought, "I don't have any blood left in my body. I really am going to die." It seemed like an eternity. I was just thinking that they needed to get me to the hospital ASAP! All I could think about was my family, especially my two little girls and Martin. As I lay there with everyone trying to get me stabalized I told God, "I am not ready to die. I have two girls that need me very badly and I will not die. Not today. I will not."

I was rushed to the hospital, which was only about 1/4 of a mile away. They were waiting and ready with blood and prepared to do an emergency D&C. Thankfully, neither were needed. The doctor was able to remove the placenta w/o the need any surgical intervention. My hemoglobin level was 6.2, which is pretty low. However, not low enough to need a transfusion. Thank goodness!

So, long story short. I had an adherent placenta with early postpartum hemorrhage. I consider myself to be one lucky person to be here today. Some women die within minutes when something like this happens. I am grateful to the midwives at our birthing center for fast thinking and for acting so quickly to get the bleeding stopped. If it were not for them I may not be sitting here today. They are the best. :o)

I spent 4 loooong days in the hospital. My hemoglobin levels are still very low, but it could take up to 3 months for it to get back to where it should be. I am very tired, but that is to be expected with a newborn. Add the anemia on top of that and you can imagine how tired I really am. To top it off, Izzy came down with something on Sat after I came home. Then, our little Alina caught a cold and I now have it too. Thankfully, my parents have been here for the last 2 weeks. So, I have been able to get some good help. I am hoping to be well enough to survive the solo days next week. In the meantime, I am trying to enjoy every second with this little newborn girl. I am not sure if I will ever be up to having another baby again after such an experience. Though, I won't cross another off my list just yet. The desire to have a baby is a strong one, but for now we are content with what we have...our two beautiful little girls.