First, some background: Helena was due between April 12th and 19th, 2002. I had a very normal pregnancy until the day, February 19th, when I
From: Josh & Joia Lucht Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 3:11 PM
Dear Friends and Family,
You may have heard by now from my mother or friend, Dionne, that I am in St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, IL. Over the weekend, I began swelling up to the point that I suddenly couldn't get my wedding ring off and my ankles disappeared. I called and set up a doctor's appointment for Tuesday afternoon, but wasn't worried.
However, when I walked over here yesterday, I was informed that I had severe preeclampsia, (aka toxemia.) The Doctor insisted on admitting me immediately as my blood pressure was now 185/135 and in the last three weeks, I had gained 12 pounds suddenly, as opposed to the 29 weeks it took to gain the initial ten pounds.
They've been giving me a magnesium IV which is reducing the risk of seizures caused by the high blood pressure. (I'm down to 150/95.) The biggest concern, though is that the preeclampsia is endangering the baby. Because my liver and kidney functions were way down, the baby is underweight at only three pounds.
Although I am just 32 weeks pregnant, they will be performing a C-section within the week (the baby is also breech.) The baby is not expected to grow any bigger before birth in the remaining time. The goal now is to avoid delivering until Friday morning so that the steroids have time to work on her lungs.
I would end up with an emergency C-section if 1) my (currently fluctuating) blood pressure begins to consistently be over 100 for the bottom # or 2) I have a seizure (symptoms are still there for a seizure scenario) or 3) the baby seems to be in distress.
Otherwise, my mother is flying in Thursday night to help out in anticipation of a Friday (Feb. 22nd) C-section. I'll be in the hospital a minimum of four days while the baby will be here 10-14 days minimum. Obviously, it's hard to predict her status prior to delivery, but everyone here is very encouraging.
Please pray for Helena Grace Lucht's continued weight gain, lung and other developmental concerns both before and after birth. Pray that I won't have any trouble nursing her eventually. (I will be pumping initially for her feeding tube supply.) Praise God for friends and family who are helping watch Ethan in the midst of this chaos. And pray for us both to have quick recovery times. Thanks, Joia.
