Why Isn’t Anyone Celebrating? Sadly, My Daughter’s Arrival Went Unnoticed…
Mixed Emotions of an Unexpected Arrival
When little Bella was born on October 25, 2018, Eliza Bahneman and her husband’s life changed forever.
Bella surprised her parents by coming a few weeks early, but she also surprised them by being one of the rarest humans you could meet…
“’We’re expecting!’ These are the words everyone likes to hear when planning a family. It took my husband and I about 9 months to get pregnant. I started getting more and more nervous. It’s bizarre how many emotions you can feel when planning to have children.
I was lucky to share my pregnancy with my sister, sister-in-law, and a few friends. We were all within weeks or months of each other. It was great to have someone to share the ups and downs of pregnancy with.
During our journey, I learned a lot about life, besides the fact that a big surprise ball can be thrown at you on a certain day. Sometimes we are prepared for change, and sometimes we are not.
A Challenging Start
Like most couples, the excitement of bringing our bundle of joy began as we got closer to our due date. The room was perfect and ready to welcome our little one. Our families were excited, and we were curious about what we had created. It was so fun to see which traits the babies shared with each parent. I had also heard many stories about breastfeeding and how challenging it can be. I was looking forward to bonding with my child, but also nervous about the upcoming changes.
I had a wonderful and easy pregnancy. I was considered high risk because of a heart-shaped uterus, which we later found out was not the case. I had monthly ultrasounds, and since I gave birth to Bella at 35, I had all the other prenatal tests.
Everything came back ‘normal’.
On the evening of October 24, my husband was working late, and I was putting the finishing touches on Bella’s room and diaper bag. Just before I went to bed at 11:30 pm, I texted a photo of my belly and a note from Bella to her dad.
On October 25, 2018, at 1:15 am, my water broke. Bella arrived a month early. I was furious because we hadn’t taken any classes (which I later learned we really didn’t need). My bag was only half packed, our car seat wasn’t installed, and my nails and hair were a mess. Not how I had envisioned going into labor.
During my labor, I had to lie on my right side because Bella’s heartbeat was dropping drastically. (This later made sense, due to her small airway.) I was nauseous and drowsy from the epidural and Pitocin.
After 12 hours of labor, Bella entered our world. She arrived face-up, weighing 5 and a half pounds. I noticed a very small folded ear on her, which I didn’t think much of at the time.
A Silent Arrival
After Bella’s arrival, the atmosphere in the room turned somber. Eliza found herself questioning the lack of celebration as confusion and fear surrounded her.
As specialists rushed in and out, uncertainties loomed over the new parents. The experience that so many anticipate with joy turned anxiety-laden for Eliza and her family.
An unsettling silence pervaded the room, leaving Eliza yearning for answers amidst the unspoken concerns that surrounded Bella’s arrival.
Uncharted Territories
The days that followed were filled with emotional turmoil as Eliza and her husband navigated the unexpected challenges that Bella’s arrival brought.
Consultations with medical professionals shed light on the conditions Bella might be facing, plunging the family into a realm of uncertainty and apprehension about the future.
Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Eliza’s narrative narrates a poignant tale of resilience, love, and an unyielding determination to navigate the uncharted territories of parenthood.
Stay tuned for the continuation of Eliza’s touching journey as she delves into the depths of courage, hope, and unwavering love for her daughter, Bella.
