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Week by Week

Nicole & Jessica

I was 26 weeks pregnant with twins when I started developing toxemia. I gained 12 pounds in 2 weeks. Starting to worry, my doctor put at bed rest, hoping for another 6 weeks. The bed rest helped stabalize my high blood pressure for a while until at 29 weeks, at a routine ultrasound, we found out one of daughters, Jessica, had died. Immediately, I was floan to UCSF in San Fransisco. Upon arrival, our other daughter, Nicole, was doing fairly well, considering. By mid-afternoon, July 24th, Nicole wasn't moving. During the final ultrasound, nothing would make her move, and by then her heart rate had dropped from 150 to 130. The doctors were going to take no chances and at 8:30pm, July 24th, Nicole Lynn Stewart was born at a scary 1lb 14 oz and only 14 in long. She was taked immediately to the ICN where she was hooked up to every possible machine. Meanwhile, in recovery, I had a chance to hold Jessica. At first, I didn't want to ever see her, but after my husband had said he did, I decided maybe I should or I'ld regret it. I'm really glad I did. Now, when I look at the pictures they too of Jessica, I don't remember her looking that way. She looked like a porcelin doll who was "sleeping".

Nicole was in the ICN in S.F. for 8 weeks. She was small, but otherwise in good standing. All she needed was to learn to breath on her own and get big. Eating would come with time. Something, for some reason, I knew we were going to have lots of. I never felt as if her life was ever in jepordy. I guess a mother knows.

Nicole was able to come home 2 days before her due date of October 3rd. She was on a heart monitor for a month while at home, but that was ok because I had my little girl home, where she belonged.

Today, Nicole is 14 months and learning to walk. She is 17lbs 5 oz and about 26.5 inches. The doctors from UCSF come up here for a clinic twice a year to see how all their patience are doing. Last time they were here, they told me she shouldn't be sitting up this early for the size she was at birth( she was @9 months when they last saw her). Hopefully, she will be walking a little this next visit.

Debbie Stewart