“We’re pregnant!” Those are the words every couple hopes to hear when starting a family. It took my husband and me about nine months to get pregnant, and I was starting to get nervous and anxious. It’s amazing how many different feelings come with planning for a baby.
I was lucky to share my pregnancy journey with my sister, sister-in-law, and a few close friends. We were all expecting around the same time, and it was comforting to talk about the ups and downs of pregnancy with people who understood.
As the months went by, I learned a lot about life. Sometimes it throws unexpected challenges your way, and you’re not always ready for them. Like many couples, as our due date got closer, we got more and more excited. We prepared the nursery and packed the diaper bag. Our families were thrilled too. It was fun to guess which traits our baby would get from each of us. I heard stories about breastfeeding and how hard it could be, and while I was excited to bond with my baby, I was also a little nervous.
My pregnancy went well, though doctors thought I was high-risk because of my uterus shape — but later found out that wasn’t true. I had regular ultrasounds and tests, and everything looked normal.
Then, on the night of October 24, 2018, my water broke early. Bella was coming a month sooner than expected. I was shocked, no classes taken, half-packed bag, car seat not installed. We rushed to the hospital with my parents.
Labor was tough. Bella’s heart rate dropped whenever I moved certain ways, so I had to stay on my side. I was tired and dizzy from the medicine. After hours of pushing, the doctor had to help deliver Bella because of the shape of my pelvis.
Bella arrived weighing just five and a half pounds. At first, I noticed her ear looked small and folded, but I thought that was normal. Then things changed, no one was congratulating us, and the room felt silent and tense. My husband looked scared, my mom couldn’t look at me, and doctors started coming in and out.
I realized Bella was different. Specialists said she needed to go to the NICU with IVs. I hadn’t even held her yet. When they finally placed her on my chest, I saw fear in her eyes, a scared little baby needing comfort. I whispered I’d always protect her.
The next days were full of doctors and tests. We learned Bella had Treacher Collins syndrome, a rare condition that affects facial bones and hearing. She needed surgeries and special care. Our NICU stay lasted eight weeks.
Courtesy of Eliza J.
We learned how to care for her, feeding through a tube, managing emergencies, and giving her all the love we could. Bella is now 16 months old. She has had multiple surgeries and therapies, but she is strong and loved.
Our journey is different than we imagined. Life can change in a moment. But with family, friends, and support, we have found our new normal. I’m grateful for every moment with Bella and the lessons this journey has taught me about love, strength, and hope.
