Daniel's Birth Story

I had a wonderful pregnancy with no morning sickness and I felt great the whole time. I was progressing regularly and the doctors assumed I would have at least an eight-pound baby based on my measurements. On July 16 (which was one week before my due date and also my sister’s birthday), my family and I were relaxing on my couch watching the Padres game. My mom was giving me a very mild foot massage and I was enjoying every minute of it. About an hour later, I sat up and felt a very strange sensation, and then my water began gushing. I ran to the bathroom laughing and smiling because I couldn’t believe he was finally coming! I did not have any contractions but the hospital advised me to come in.

At the hospital, they put a monitor on my stomach to chart the baby's heart rate, which kept dropping, but nobody knew why. The doctor restricted me from ice chips and warned me that I could have a C-section if his heart rate continued to be erratic. The contractions slowly started and although I could feel the pain, I was so concerned with the baby. With every contraction I would ask my husband what his heart rate was. There were a few times when it dropped very low and the nurses would run in and have me turn to another side and shake my belly from side to side. Each time they came in, I would grow more concerned about my baby's well-being. When the next contraction came, his heart rate dropped once again. This time the nurses seemed to be more concerned and that made me nervous. I immediately demanded to have a C-section and my doctor agreed. I was whisked away and my son was born within minutes.

Daniel was the most gorgeous baby. He had blue eyes, very long eyelashes, and luscious lips! He was five pounds, two ounces, which was very small, but he grew like a weed and doubled his weight in no time.

His erratic heart rate was due to his cord being very thin and it was twisted like a corkscrew. Immediately after the delivery, and before they had a chance to cut the cord, it broke! I am so thankful I had a doctor who knew the right signs and what to do.