Nora Jean Ambrose

Wow! 2008 has really got off to an eventful start! This post is basically a copy of the email I sent out and my myspace blog-so if you have read either of those, go ahead and skip this one. I will put up another update either next week or as new news comes our way.

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A lot of this will be a repeat for you, but I just wanted to take a moment and catch everyone up on what has happened the past week or so and how we are all doing.

Last Monday, after having high blood pressure readings and some disturbing results on some tests at a routine prenatal appointment, I was admitted to the hospital with "severe pre-eclampsia". After more tests, iv's, and discussion the doctors decided to try to keep me pregnant as long as the baby would tolerate it. Thankfully, my mom was able to fly in to be with us and help on Tuesday morning. Between her, Phil, and the nurses, I had amazing round the clock care. However, by Wednesday morning it was clear that they needed to start moving to getting the baby out. They tried to induce labor, and unfortunately my body didn't respond well. So, 36 hours later the doctors wheeled me in for a c-section.

Because of the drugs they had been giving me, the doctors had warned us that the baby might be very still and quiet when it came out. However, Nora Jean Ambrose entered the world kicking and screaming at 4:25pm on Thursday January 10, 2008. She weighed just 2 lbs 10 oz and was 14.5 inches long. Phil and I were so relieved to hear that first cry. Phil was able to go cut the cord and bring her swaddled over to see me. Then she was quickly wisked off to the NICU.

Once she was safe, the doctors worked to get me well again. By Sunday afternoon both iv's had been taken out and I was feeling much better. They discharged me and sent me home to recover from the c-section.

Nora, however, has a much longer hospital stay ahead of her. Since she was born at 31 weeks 6 days (almost 32!), she will likely remain in the NICU for 4-6 weeks depending on how everything goes. She had a few setbacks over the first week of her life-some lung/breathing issues and possible infection-but I am happy to report all has been resolved and she is doing wonderful. Phil and I are allowed to visit anytime day or night, and the nurses have been wonderful about letting us help as much as possible with her care. Since she is too little to breastfeed, I am pumping and they are giving her my milk through a feeding tube. She also recieves extra nutrition through a pic line (basically a "super" iv).

We are keeping a pretty intense schedule right now, trying to visit her as much as possible, so please forgive us if we are not excellent at keeping in contact. Please just keep calling and emailing and we will get back to you as soon as we can. I will try to keep our family webpage updated as things change and we get closer to Nora's homecoming. That site is: http://carmanambrose.googlepages.com/home . It has links to our family blog and photo album. I plan to have all that up to date this weekend.

All in all, we are doing good. I want to send out a thank you to everyone who prayed, wished us well, and sent encouraging emails, cards, and phone calls our way over the last couple weeks. Phil and I were amazed (and so thankful) at how much love and support we recieved.

I hope this finds everyone well! Take care,
-Carman (and Phil and Nora)