Welcoming baby girl at 27 weeks

My baby girl was born at 27 weeks and 2 days. She is what we call a micro baby.

We are told that we are lucky as she weight a whooping 1.12kg. We were also told before her birth that if for whatever reasons she needs to come out before 28 weeks, South Africa does not resuscitate babies born before 28 weeks. Our baby was born in terrible conditions, but she showed signs of life and was trying to breath by herself - this saved her life.

Following a few days in pain, I was admitted to hospital to stop the contractions that was experiencing.
It turned out, the contractions were triggered by an infection - likely a bladder infection - which in fact was an infection of my amniotic pouch. When they removed my baby from my uterus, a nasty smell took over the entire room, it smelled like death.
I just had the chance to catch a quick glimpse of my tiny baby before she was rushed into the neonatal ICU unit. She was in a bad state - She has pneumonia and septicemia.

Following her birth at 16.47pm, I was kind of left there to wait for a room to be available. Unfortunately, the staff change time didn't help and I was becoming to be in a lot of pain as soon as the spinal block wore off. I wonder what was worst in terms of pain.. the contractions or this.

Finally after moaning for what felt like days, I reached my room by nearly 8pm.

To be honest, I don't remember much, I was drugged and in such a state of denial. My friends told me that I didn't even know that I had given birth, yet I was screaming in worry for my tiny little girl.

They took me to a room with 3 other mothers - who had with them 3 full term healthy babies. I cannot understand why nurses would do such thing to mothers like me, who, not only have not yet seen their baby but also do not know yet whether their baby will make it. It is such a slap in the face. All I could do is cry, cry so deep and uncontrollably, and I am sure the "Healthy mothers" couldn't stand my constant crying and moaning.

I am stuck in a bed, have not yet seen my little baby. I long to see and hold her right now. Trying to keep positive and just trying to stop crying!

Unexpected

Today was the most scary day in my entire life, I am sure many others felt the same before and will again in the future.

A visit at hospital following some pains and contractions, which was supposed to end today, ended up in a tormented moment - everything happened so quickly. I was laughing with a visiting friend, after seeing my Gynea earlier on who just cleared me to go home, when all of a sudden, I am rushed into theatre and told my baby will be born NOW.

This cannot be!! She is just at 27 weeks gestation!! A minute ago, everything was fine and I was about to go home! I just dont understand.... I am scared, I have no control... I am so afraid for that little peanut that has been growing inside of me!

I am crying, I am praying, not sure to whom exactly, to all gods ever mentioned in books and stories, I am hoping this is a mistake..

I am rushed into theatre and the procedure is starting - I cant help but sobbing.. I am so scared as never before...

The noenatal doctor had warned me that I will not get to see my baby as she will be born - She will be in a critical condition and there will be no time for cooing or cudling. I am stripped from that entire conception of birth and bonding with my newborn baby - But most of all, I am at this stage, not even sure my baby will make it.

My partner is just as scared as I am, but he is staying strong and hopefull and keeps reassuring me that everything will be alright.

When my Gynea first told me at 19 weeks that my cervix is thining, I would have never imagined that 7 weeks later, my baby will have to be delivered. We took all the necessary precautions to prevent this from happening. Although I was not booked off work, I took it very easy and booked myself on leave during December and January, just to give my cervix a better healing chance after having a mac Donald stitch put in.