An Unexpected Arrival!!!!

Yesterday morning started off innocently enough. I had gone up to Brussels on Thursday night to see the dogs (and the in-laws too, of course…). Lindsay sent me a text message saying she was having some kind of pains, however, they were nothing to be concerned about as they were only “ligament pains” and not contractions. Nonetheless, I thought it would be best to start moving and get back to Toronto. I was on the road by 10am. Not 15 minutes after hitting the asphalt, I get 2 text messages from Lindsay (I know, I text message when I drive…but I’m a McCulloch, therefore, I’m an expert driver – that’s why there’s 2 lanes – gives me more room to swerve around while texting). Her messages essentially said, “You need to get here now”, followed by, “I’m gone. Love you.” Let’s just say it was amazing to see how fast people got the hell out of the way when they could see a SUV barreling up behind them with 4-ways going and a fat guy leaning on the horn…

Meanwhile, back in the hospital…

Turns out those “ligament pains” were actually contractions, even though Lindsay didn’t feel like she was in much pain. The nurses called in a resident to check her cervix, and found she was 6cm dilated. Lindsay was quickly informed she would be having an emergency c-section. During the trip to labour & delivery, Lindsay was thinking they were jumping the gun awfully fast! However, once she arrived in the OR, another cervix check revealed that she was now 9cm dilated, and the membrane was showing!

Around 11:20 (while I was driving on the shoulder of the Gardiner Expressway, cursing at people) Alyssa Grace and Mya Isabel were born. Alyssa came first, and came out with a hearty scream. Lindsay was able to take a look at her before she was taken out of the room. Mya, because of her heart issue, was taken right away, but they worked on both babies in the same room for awhile.

I arrived just before 12, as Lindsay was about to be taken out of the OR – I was told she was quite the trooper and did an amazing job. Within several hours, we had quite the collection of family (and one special friend!) loitering in the hospital halls! Dad and Rose, Doug & Sheila, Dustin, Nancy, Mom, and Dale were all here! Once Alyssa was settled in to the NICU here, I was able to bring everyone in for a quick peek (and a lot of picture taking!). No one was able to see Mya, unfortunately, as she was taken over to Sick Kids around 5pm. I went over later that night, and Dustin came along and was able to get some pictures as well.

Alyssa is doing amazing! She is breathing 100% on her own, and has a tiny little feeding tube in her mouth. She has started to take a little bit of Mom’s breast milk this morning. As of this morning, Alyssa is down 40g from her original birth weight, which is natural and expected.

Mya is also doing well. Shortly after birth she was given medication to keep her heart duct open until surgery. One side effect of this medication is it causes some breathing issues. A breathing tube was inserted in Mya’s nose in case she “forgets” to breathe. This is just room air though, no oxygen yet!

I was able to hold Alyssa around 10pm last night for a short while. What an amazing feeling that was!

Alyssa is in the NICU at Mt. Sinai, while Mya is in the Critical Cardiac Care Unit (CCCU) at Sick Kids. The rules are quite different between the two hospitals. In the NICU at Mt. Sinai, Mom & Dad have 24/7 access to see and touch Alyssa. We are also able to bring in 2 people at a time into the NICU, however, hospital policy doesn’t allow anyone to touch the baby. In the CCCU at Sick Kids, Mom & Dad again have 24/7 access to see & touch Mya. Here, however, we are only allowed to bring in Grandparents to see and touch Mya, along with 2 other people (which will obviously be Dale and Adam).

Another post is coming soon with some updates on Mya…

-Craig