Baby Dylan & the Reiff family
Donation protected
My dear friend Chrissy and her husband Craig have been trying to have a baby for quite some time. Here is her story.
From surgery, to miscarriage to the NICU....my story of trying to be a Mommy.
Acknowledging and writing out this story has been far more therapeutic than I realized it could be. The last month and a half has been unbelievably difficult but we are still here. I’ve had such incredible support, and I hope this makes another woman or family going through a similar struggle feel less alone.
In 2014, After pain and health problems persisted and started to affect my comfort and life, I was diagnosed with what appeared to be very symptomatic Fibroid Tumors. I underwent a major abdominal myomectomy surgery in January 2015 in hopes to remove the 8 large fibroids and save my left ovary that was being engulfed by a tumor. The objective of the surgery was to preserve my uterus and reproductive organs in hopes of having at least one baby with my husband and love of now 14 years. We were very lucky my surgery was successful, all 8 (benign!) tumors were removed through an open abdominal bikini cut incision and they were able to detach and preserve my left ovary and avoid a hysterectomy. I was told I would require a c section if ever pregnant, due to the higher risk of uterine rupture if my body went into labor on its own.
After almost a year of full recovery, my husband and I were able to try to have a baby. My health during the surgery journey had suffered so I put my focus into eating clean and taking care of my fitness so I could be as healthy as possible to get pregnant, carry a baby, and be a new Mom. I dedicated my life to better work/life/health balance in hopes of starting our journey of having a baby together.
In early 2017 I discovered I was finally pregnant and surprised Craig with the news. We were elated! Unfortunately, at our first ultrasound there was no heartbeat and as we waited to confirm, i sadly had a miscarriage the next day at a little over 7 weeks. We were devastated. We took time to grieve and come to terms with what happened. We found a glimmer of hope in knowing that my body was at least capable of pregnancy.
In August of 2018, we discovered I was again pregnant, which brings us to now. I’ve spent the last 6 months experiencing the most beautiful and incredible pregnancy. I loved it, actually. I was healthy and never sick, felt great, followed all the right steps, had wonderful and positive doctors visits, and felt so connected to my body and our baby. We found out we are having a boy, and were so excited to meet him!!!!!
In January, after a few days of suddenly feeling like something was wrong and that I was possibly leaking amniotic fluid, the tests concluded that everything was ok and i was testing negative for amniotic fluid. I woke up Friday morning 1/11/19 knowing that something was not right. I was rushed to Christ Hospital and tested positive this time for amniotic fluid and my water breaking. My water broke at 24 weeks. The doctor told me that if I labored with a baby as small as ours they were unable to care for me and him, and I was emergency transferred to UC’s NICU by ambulance where I would remain for 2 and a half months or until I have this baby. I had a 50-90% chance of having him that week. Our biggest hurdle was getting to 28 weeks where baby would be able to possibly breathe a little on his own, but 34 weeks is the GOLD! We were hopeful and optimistic that our little dude would stay warm and safe inside until 34 weeks. If he is born earlier, he will have a chance at survival but will need many interventions to breathe, eat, grow and thrive and have to stay in the NICU until May. If he could stay put until 34 weeks, there was a better chance he can go home with us after a much shorter and less involved NICU stay.
I was unfortunately unable to be outside the hospital walls or work for what is appearing like the next 6 months. Aside from the obvious concerns of our baby’s life and health, as well as mine and my family, I also think about daily how I will not breathe fresh air, or be in my home, see my dogs, have a room ready, experience a baby shower or the rest of pregnancy in a “normal” way. It is all insignificant in comparison, but definitely takes a toll.
I knew I was exactly where I needed to be to keep our little guy safe and myself from uterine rupture, but it has been a hard pill to swallow.
Life is all about perspective, learning, and growing. It has been humbling and eye opening to say the least. I’m so grateful for AMAZING friends, coworkers, family, and strangers who have reached out supporting me-whether with kind words, offerings of prayers/good vibes, positive NICU stories and more. It has given me light in my days so far! It has actually inspired Craig and I both to want to get involved, volunteer, and give back to the cause when this is all said and done. We have already talked about it in our March of Dimes family hour!
When I wrote this originally, I was hoping to hit 34 weeks, but our sweet baby had other plans for us.
On Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 at 5:42pm, our beautiful Dylan was born 3 months early, at 28 weeks and 3 days by emergency c section and came out crying!!! (Which is a good sign for preemie lungs!) He weighed 2.5lbs. He was immediately taken to the NICU where he will remain for the next 3 months. He is such a little fighter and has so much personality. He is fighting every single day to grow and be healthy so he can go home with us by his due date of April 28th!
The NICU can be a very scary place.
Seeing your baby with wires and tubes
coming off of him everywhere, hearing him cry when he is in pain or uncomfortable and being unable to comfort or pick him up to rock him. Being understanding that some days the nurses may decide “today isn’t a good day to hold him” and having to be ok with that. The hardest for me has been after a month on bedrest in the unit, being discharged from the hospital and now leaving everyday. Going home, and knowing my baby is without me and us, alone in the hospital. Yet knowing you HAVE to take care of yourselves and your lives in order to do what is best for him. This is by far the hardest thing we have ever been through.
But our Dylan is strong and stubborn and determined! We know he can do this! We believe in him and are so proud of our little guy! He makes us smile everyday and this makes the difficult moments a little easier.
Thank you all so much for sending an overwhelming amount of support, good energy, prayers and well wishes!!! We really appreciate it! Seriously, thank you!!!! Please keep the good vibes coming! ♥️
From surgery, to miscarriage to the NICU....my story of trying to be a Mommy.
Acknowledging and writing out this story has been far more therapeutic than I realized it could be. The last month and a half has been unbelievably difficult but we are still here. I’ve had such incredible support, and I hope this makes another woman or family going through a similar struggle feel less alone.
In 2014, After pain and health problems persisted and started to affect my comfort and life, I was diagnosed with what appeared to be very symptomatic Fibroid Tumors. I underwent a major abdominal myomectomy surgery in January 2015 in hopes to remove the 8 large fibroids and save my left ovary that was being engulfed by a tumor. The objective of the surgery was to preserve my uterus and reproductive organs in hopes of having at least one baby with my husband and love of now 14 years. We were very lucky my surgery was successful, all 8 (benign!) tumors were removed through an open abdominal bikini cut incision and they were able to detach and preserve my left ovary and avoid a hysterectomy. I was told I would require a c section if ever pregnant, due to the higher risk of uterine rupture if my body went into labor on its own.
After almost a year of full recovery, my husband and I were able to try to have a baby. My health during the surgery journey had suffered so I put my focus into eating clean and taking care of my fitness so I could be as healthy as possible to get pregnant, carry a baby, and be a new Mom. I dedicated my life to better work/life/health balance in hopes of starting our journey of having a baby together.
In early 2017 I discovered I was finally pregnant and surprised Craig with the news. We were elated! Unfortunately, at our first ultrasound there was no heartbeat and as we waited to confirm, i sadly had a miscarriage the next day at a little over 7 weeks. We were devastated. We took time to grieve and come to terms with what happened. We found a glimmer of hope in knowing that my body was at least capable of pregnancy.
In August of 2018, we discovered I was again pregnant, which brings us to now. I’ve spent the last 6 months experiencing the most beautiful and incredible pregnancy. I loved it, actually. I was healthy and never sick, felt great, followed all the right steps, had wonderful and positive doctors visits, and felt so connected to my body and our baby. We found out we are having a boy, and were so excited to meet him!!!!!
In January, after a few days of suddenly feeling like something was wrong and that I was possibly leaking amniotic fluid, the tests concluded that everything was ok and i was testing negative for amniotic fluid. I woke up Friday morning 1/11/19 knowing that something was not right. I was rushed to Christ Hospital and tested positive this time for amniotic fluid and my water breaking. My water broke at 24 weeks. The doctor told me that if I labored with a baby as small as ours they were unable to care for me and him, and I was emergency transferred to UC’s NICU by ambulance where I would remain for 2 and a half months or until I have this baby. I had a 50-90% chance of having him that week. Our biggest hurdle was getting to 28 weeks where baby would be able to possibly breathe a little on his own, but 34 weeks is the GOLD! We were hopeful and optimistic that our little dude would stay warm and safe inside until 34 weeks. If he is born earlier, he will have a chance at survival but will need many interventions to breathe, eat, grow and thrive and have to stay in the NICU until May. If he could stay put until 34 weeks, there was a better chance he can go home with us after a much shorter and less involved NICU stay.
I was unfortunately unable to be outside the hospital walls or work for what is appearing like the next 6 months. Aside from the obvious concerns of our baby’s life and health, as well as mine and my family, I also think about daily how I will not breathe fresh air, or be in my home, see my dogs, have a room ready, experience a baby shower or the rest of pregnancy in a “normal” way. It is all insignificant in comparison, but definitely takes a toll.
I knew I was exactly where I needed to be to keep our little guy safe and myself from uterine rupture, but it has been a hard pill to swallow.
Life is all about perspective, learning, and growing. It has been humbling and eye opening to say the least. I’m so grateful for AMAZING friends, coworkers, family, and strangers who have reached out supporting me-whether with kind words, offerings of prayers/good vibes, positive NICU stories and more. It has given me light in my days so far! It has actually inspired Craig and I both to want to get involved, volunteer, and give back to the cause when this is all said and done. We have already talked about it in our March of Dimes family hour!
When I wrote this originally, I was hoping to hit 34 weeks, but our sweet baby had other plans for us.
On Wednesday, February 6th, 2019 at 5:42pm, our beautiful Dylan was born 3 months early, at 28 weeks and 3 days by emergency c section and came out crying!!! (Which is a good sign for preemie lungs!) He weighed 2.5lbs. He was immediately taken to the NICU where he will remain for the next 3 months. He is such a little fighter and has so much personality. He is fighting every single day to grow and be healthy so he can go home with us by his due date of April 28th!
The NICU can be a very scary place.
Seeing your baby with wires and tubes
coming off of him everywhere, hearing him cry when he is in pain or uncomfortable and being unable to comfort or pick him up to rock him. Being understanding that some days the nurses may decide “today isn’t a good day to hold him” and having to be ok with that. The hardest for me has been after a month on bedrest in the unit, being discharged from the hospital and now leaving everyday. Going home, and knowing my baby is without me and us, alone in the hospital. Yet knowing you HAVE to take care of yourselves and your lives in order to do what is best for him. This is by far the hardest thing we have ever been through.
But our Dylan is strong and stubborn and determined! We know he can do this! We believe in him and are so proud of our little guy! He makes us smile everyday and this makes the difficult moments a little easier.
Thank you all so much for sending an overwhelming amount of support, good energy, prayers and well wishes!!! We really appreciate it! Seriously, thank you!!!! Please keep the good vibes coming! ♥️
Organizer
Katie DeLong
Organizer
Cincinnati, OH
