In the Beginning....

In the Beginning...

Ok...i think I am ready to begin this journey of "blogging". I wanted to have a place to share our journey through the birth of our Baby Sayla Grace Hadley. I have some catching up to do so bear with me. I want to go backward a little to share her story.

I found out we were pregnant in November. We were both VERY surprised because (unlike with Sage and the wonderful life prior to Sage that we miscarried) there were no day counting or monthly pregnancy test in hopes that this would be "IT". We were completely thrown off guard by the news...Daniel especially!! We had the routine ultrasounds and doctor visits with a few heart rate scares, but at that time, nothing seemed too serious.

I had to go in for an ultrasound at 17 weeks due to some cramping and Daniel insisted that we find out what the gender was if they were able to tell. I went by myself, leaving Sage with mom. The doctors could see nothing wrong but could clearly tell that "IT WAS A SHE"!!! I was excited (although a little boy would have been ok too)..all Daniel could say was "Are they sure?".

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 ....the day we will never forget. I went in for a 20 week ultrasound. I ended up having to go by myself because Daniel had some work that had to be done. We figured it was just another check up because we had only been in 3 weeks prior and everything seemed fine. The ultrasound tech ( i guess that is the correct name for her) took her time looked and taking lots of pics. Soon she told me to get up and walk around because she couldn't get a few of the pics that she needed. Hoping stubborn little girl would move around for the correct pics... I did and sat back down for another try...and another and another. On the final attempt, my Dr came in and I knew something wasn't right. They talked quietly while I laid there in complete shock. I was told that some of the heart "parts" were not visible, she told me to get dressed and meet her at the office. My heart dropped COMPLETELY!

I called Daniel, hysterical. I knew something wasn't right and I had no idea what it was. I waited, what seemed like forever, in the office for Dr. Tidwell to come in. She came in with a grim look on her face.....

Prognosis was that she has some heart defects, physical abnormalities, and some possible brain defects. My world crashed down on me. She recommended us see a specialist at the Atlanta Perinatal Consultant for a follow up. The appointment was made for the following morning.

Thursday, March 25...We made the long trip to Atlanta and I am sure that neither Daniel nor I said a word for the entire trip. We saw the doctor and an ultrasound confirmed a number of defects with our baby girl! Words can not even begin to express the desperation and grief in us. We were told that she had a condition (could be a chromosome 13 or 18 defect) that was “not compatible with life”. She would not survive!! The doctor recommended a amniocentesis to confirm the diagnosis. There was an opening for 1pm, so Daniel and I went to lunch and came back for the testing. The amnio would be back the following day to give us the preliminary results, but would only confirm a chromosome defect with chromosomes number 13, 18, and 21. We waited patiently and the call came.....no confirmation on the defects that the doctor had thought, so we would have to wait 7 – 10 days for the full report. Those were some anxious days!!

Monday, April 5, 2010...the day after Easter..the call came. The test confirmed that she has a Chromosome 22 defect (an extra chromosome). This type of defect is “not sustainable with life” and actually, the doctors are not sure why she is still alive (remember this was a 20 weeks). Babies with this condition do not usually live past the first trimester and the chances of having a baby with this condition seem to be about 1:175000...yeah I know hard to believe! The plan of action is to monitor the babies’ heart rate until she passes...did this doctor know about the prayer warriors that are praying for this little miracle baby!!

Monday, April 29th..... Ultrasound appointment...Sayla Grace is up to 1 lb. 3 oz. The ultrasound tech was able to see 4 chambers of her heart (something not seen previously) and her weight is up.... (I will tell you how we found her precious name a little later). These are things that we were not expected to see and we are confident that God has His Hands on this little life. We are comforted by the fact that He gave us this child and He has total control of her and our lives at this point. Her body will be healed sometime soon! Next ultrasound May 17th!