The first trimester was a whirlwind of uncertainty, high levels of excitement and hormones, and a lot of spontaneous outbursts of emotions! In the first two weeks after conception, Maayan got a pretty bad case of COVID-19, we learned that pregnancy brings the immune system down to protect the baby.  After recovering from COVID and the fatigue and dizziness of the first trimester (not much nausea/ morning sickness thankfully), we were relieved and charged with a boost of energy typical of the second trimester. 

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During the pregnancy, we kept the gender as a surprise for the big day. Our pregnancy journey was filled with joy, and growing expectations, we were focused on maintaining a very healthy and nutritious diet, growing vegetables in our garden,  reading the pregnancy books, and planning for a natural unmedicated birth at a midwifery clinic/ Birth Center. 

 

At the beginning of the third trimester, it hit us that we would become parents real soon! And yes, the baby Nate was hitting us too! Lots of punching, kicking, and moving around. At 29 weeks of pregnancy, the water broke.  It was 4:3-0 AM on Saturday 09/01 when we rushed to Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville in a state of chick and denial, still hoping that it wasn't the water breaking.  Upon arraival we were told we had to stay in the hospital on bed rest until the birth. As Maayan was not going into labor, and with the water having broken she and the baby were in higher risk for infection and had to be monitored daily. This condition is called preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

 

We spent two weeks at the hospital on bed rest hoping to keep the pregnancy until at least the 34th week and were even hoping for the 36th week. But then again life had other plans! Nathaniel was lying transverse (side to side) which does not allow for a vaginal birth. Maayan had developed a fever, and all signs showed that Maayan developed an infection of the placenta common in PPROM patients called Chorioaminits. Maayan was rushed to a C-Section delivery to save her and the baby's life.

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Overcoming her ultimate fear of surgeries (c-section, in particular), Maayan delivered Nathaniel on Saturday 09/14/2024 at 11:00 PM, a healthy preemie. He has since been in the NICU given the best care available. We have been staying with him in the hospital since and waiting for his discharge date when he is strong and big enough to come home with us.

 

Netanel is a beautiful and incredibly sweet baby, progressing extremely well with all the milestones that are being set for him. No words can explain how much we love him and how much joy and light he's already brought into our world. We look forward to introducing him to you all!!