My granddaughter, Jaden Lee Ohrt, was born June 24th 2005. Her entry into the world was quite dramatic. For about 2 months, we worried about the fact that her cord was wrapped around her neck. Finally that unwrapped and yet another saga began when my daughter went into pre-mature labor one and a half months early.
Although that isn't extremely early, as some cases go much earlier, it was enough to scare us. The local hospital was able to stop the contractions and told her that as long as she didn't go into labor for two more weeks, she would be able to deliver the baby at Union Hospital.
We were hopeful, however, she again began to have contractions. I can't remember the number of times they stopped them. I beleive it was three. They told her it was the last time they would be able to do it.
One week passed and it seemed as though we might make it through to the two week mark. However, my granddaugther was very determined. My daughter had her show of blood. They keep you in the hospital once you have that.
She was taken to Union Hospital. I recieved a call from her saying that they were going to fly her out by helicopter the morning of June 24th. My daughter didn't want to go in the helicopter, she was scared to death.
I happen to have been on my way to pick up my paycheck from Giant Foods Inc. in Jennersville, PA when she called me. Fortunately, that Friday, my boyfriend had off work. Otherwise, I would have had to drive into Baltimore by myself. Glad that I didn't have to. We couldn't find the right Johns Hopkins Hospital, there are so many of them. We joked that we would get there on the babies first birthday.
The next worry was whether or not the baby would be big enough. We thought we would have a long wait for her to get here, so my boyfriend, Patrick, drove on home to get some things done. But he wasn't home long before I was calling him to let him know that the baby was born and that she seemed to be okay.
First let me say that it was the coolest moment of my life to see my daughter give birth to her daughter. I will never forget that experience as long as I live.
We found out that she was over 5 pounds which was wonderful news. It meant that her weight wouldn't keep her in the hospital an extra amount of time. However they thought that she might have a virus that babies sometimes get during the birthing process. So they did have to keep her an extra week.
I called my job to tell them that the baby was finally born and was promptly fired. I had called off and they said I didn't, so they fired me. I would never work for another Giant Foods Store, nor do I shop there anymore.
We were very lucky. Jaden has exhibited no signs of problems resulting from early birth. She only had to stay an extra week. Thanks to the Ronald McDonald House, my daughter and her boyfriend were able to stay there and be with their daughter.
Jaden is nearing a year old now and she amazes me. She says dada and mama and of course baba. She crawls at lightening speed and has taken a few steps on her own. She loves to eat and play. She has grown tremedously and I beleive she is going to be very tall. She's my angel girl.