Hello all! Well, I was wanting to start a blog for some time but was not sure if anyone really wanted any of my opinions or thoughts. But on October 3rd, an event occurred which to me was definitely worth sharing. Our daughter, Charlotte Faith Burritt was born at 1:48 AM at 3 lbs and 15.5”. We weren't expecting her until December 11 so you can imagine our surprise when she came this early. I have been emailing family and friends over the past few days with updates and news about everything and therefore, thought this blog was a great way to share all the happenings with everyone.
So, how did this all start?? Donna and I went to bed like any other night with no problems or issues on Thursday, October 2. I was awoken suddenly as Donna rushed to the washroom stating she thought her water just broke. Donna called her doctor and he advised her to go to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital and she discussed the night's events with a few nurses. They continued to monitor the baby's heart beat which started to dip which caused alarm for both Donna and I. When the nurses continued to examine Donna, they told us that she is in fact was having contractions and that "you are having a baby tonight!!" Not only was she having contractions, the nurses found out that the baby's foot was coming out. This was not the right way for the baby to come so as soon as the doc found this out, he told the nurses to prepare Donna for the operating room as the baby needs to come out ASAP.
Donna's emergency c-section went smoothly as I waited in a separate waiting room. A nurse came in at one point and told me I was the proud Papa of a baby girl. What??? I, for no particular reason, had expected a baby boy and now had to wrap my mind around a daughter. I just stood there in awe but still hoping that everyone came out of surgery OK. I was then told that both Mom and daughter were healthy and I watched my new daughter being taken up to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Mom then went to recovery but I still couldn't see her and so I went up to the NICU to meet my new daughter. It was a bit overwhelming and scary as she had all these wires and tubes on her while she was in the incubator. I then went to the main maternity wing and Donna's room to wait for her to come down from surgery and when she came down, she was still recovering from the anesthesia. After a while longer, we were able to share our happiness about having a baby girl and decided upon her name, Charlotte Faith.
We were then able to go to the NICU together to see our baby girl. The doctors and nurses explained to us all of what to expect in her progress in the next, at least 6 weeks. While it was still overwhelming, we tried to take it all in.
Fast forward a bit..........Donna was released from the hospital on Tuesday after spending 4 days there. She is doing quite well but due to the surgery, is not able to drive for two weeks or lift anything over 10 pounds for the next 6-8 weeks. As of this morning, Charlotte is doing well. They have moved her to the back of the NICU ward where it is a bit quieter and we take this as a good sign also. She continues to take forced oxygen but the doctor said they may not have to continue this much longer. This would be another great sign and step in her progress. Donna and I will continue to see Charlotte as much as possible as we watch her grow stronger.
We greatly appreciate the thoughts and prayers from all of our friends and family. We still have quite a road ahead of us but we are hoping that all goes well and we can take Charlotte home in December. It is from the support of our family and friends that has helped us keep a smile even at the toughest of this time.
I will continue to update this blog. If you wish to hear about Charlotte's progress, please stop by and read and say hello.
More to come....
Owen
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