Serena's 12th birthday was Friday, September 13th. Every year around this time I get to thinking of the circumstances of her birth. Many of you knew me back then and are very familiar with this story but may enjoy hearing this story yet again. For those of you who have never heard this, feel free to laugh AT me.
Background info: The kids Dad, Jack and I never were married although we were together for twelve years previous to our 2008 breakup. Jack is fifteen years my senior, although he was previously married, he had no children. Medically, I had gynecological issues, which basically involved the lack of menstral cycles. I was put on birth control pills at nineteen to help this issue. Eventually, my doctor discovered that the BC pills were causing my severe migraines and was contributing to my high blood pressure. In 2000, I had testing done and it was concluded that I had polycystic ovarian disease. My testosterone levels were high and the likely hood of having fertility problems was high as well. At this point I was taken off birth control. I left the doctors office that day with the understanding that I would probably never have children. Jack had just turned forty. I accepted it and went on with my life.
February 2001, a teacher at my school passed away and there was overwhelming sadness that filled me. I felt awful. Sick, all day everyday. I'd cry a lot. I slept a lot.
Spring 2001, I'm feeling better, but my right thigh went numb. I'm lightheaded. Although I have little appetite, my clothes are becoming too small, particularly around my waist. While laying on my stomach I felt a baseball size "mass" in my lower abdomen. I called my OB/GYN and made an appt. for late May. I didn't tell the receptionist about the mass. I just said I needed to see the doctor. I just waited.
May 7, 2001. I woke up sick again. I went to work but I didn't eat breakfast. By mid morning I knew I was going to pass out. I went to the school nurse. Instead of calling for an ambulance she took me to the ER. They immediately put me on a heart monitor, ordered blood tests, CT scan and X rays. While I was having the CT scan, I was told by the tech that the scan had to be stopped because I was pregnant. I was sent to ultrasound where it was confirmed that I was twenty weeks pregnant. Five months...half the pregnancy was already over. I was also told that the baby was a girl.
Jack came and picked me up and I told him the news. We were both in shock. The next day I saw my OB/GYN, he confirmed the pregnancy as well. He was surprised.
In late August at thirty two weeks I went into premature labor. My blood pressure had also increased so I was put on bed rest and took meds to stop labor.
On September 11, 2001, I had a doctor's scheduled for that morning. The doctor said to stop taking the meds. I did. Labor pains started immediately. On the way home we heard that planes had hit the twin towers and the Pentagon. At the time we lived about thirty minutes outside Washington D.C. Phone lines were jammed. I sat at home recording contractions. I turned the TV off. I couldn't watch. I had contractions off and on that day and the next. On Thursday, September 13th I woke up with an awful headache. I had another doctor's appointment that morning. My blood pressure was 215/115. I was admitted to the hospital, put on IVs to lower my BP and induce labor. Later that night Serena's heart rate dropped and I was taken in for a C section. She was born that night. The name I had chosen for her meant serene or peaceful. How appropriate. So much death was around us but this sweet baby had given us such peace. Every year on the anniversary of 9/11 we refect on the events that changed the world. I think of the event that changed my life forever. The two will be forever entwined.
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