[Justaduck]

We came back as high-risk for down syndrome at the 12 week scan. I was 23 at the time and her risk was 1:207. We opted against the amnio as we didn't want to terminate the pregnancy either way. The next 6 weeks til the morphology scan was agonising. Morphology scan came back clear, which was a relief, but then later in the pregnancy the worry came back.
I have a respiratory issue similar to asthma but it is completely unpredictable and not treated with ventolin. The exertion associated with delivering was likely to trigger a laryngeal spasm, which would have meant I would need to be intubated in the delivery room and have an emergency c-section. Along with my Ob and respiratory physician, we all decided the best chance for DP and I to be present for the birth was to do an elective c-section.

The night before, her Daddy and I went out for our last meal and had a lovely night together. Finally, the day of our daughters birth finally came around. On the way down in the elevator to theatre I started tearing up - half of it due to the fact that I was realising this was the end of life as we know it/the last time I would feel her kick inside me and half of worry about if she would be born healthy or if she would have down syndrome.

My obstetrician came to chat to me before surgery. He was just telling me all the routine things and then mentioned the name of his assistant obstetrician. I had to ask him to repeat the name. His assistant on the day was the same obstetrician that delivered me when I was born 24 years ago. I could not believe it. The assistant ob remembered me and my family even, and has only delivered a child of a child he delivered once before.

Soon after we were wheeled into theatre. I was given a spinal which soon made me sick. The operation itself felt strange - I could feel the pulling and tugging but no pain. Before we knew it, the curtain was lowered and baby Mia was lifted out. She was taken straight over to get checked and came back with an Apgar score of 9. Her Daddy came over and said something I will never forget - "Aww she is beautiful babe" which made me cry. He then went back and cut her cord and brought her over for our first cuddle as a family. There was no indication of any down syndrome which was a big weight lifted off our shoulders, although we would have loved her just as much if she did have it.

Mia's stats - Born at 38w6d on February 16th, 7lb14oz (3.570kg), 49cm long and a head circumference of 34cm.

The surgery went well and I was up walking the next morning (I would have the previous night but the hospital didn't want to take the catheter out early) and the physio was really impressed with the recovery. I needed minimal pain relief and felt terrific afterwards and have been doing all the normal things that I am allowed to do after the surgery.

Mia had some issues with jaundice in the hospital (not enough to need to go under lights) and feeding issues, but she got the hang of it the day we got home.

We ummed & ahhed all weekend about going ahead with a c-section, worrying about all the extra risks assosciated with it, but at the end of the day we were very happy with the outcome - healthy bub and healthy Mum.

[bakesgirls]

What a lovely birth story! Congratulations on the birth of your daughter

[jenchristo]

Congratulations! Thanks for sharing.

[Zeppelina]

Congratulations! Enjoy this special time.

[Boys Rock]

Congratulations!! What a positive c-section story

[Pooks*potters]

Beautiful.

[jimbobmel]

Congratulations on your precious princess broncosbabe