Katelyn Brooke Potter

Our little family has had quite a whirlwind week. Thursday February 17th I had an appointment to see the specialist to get at least a diagnosis for why Katie wasn't growing. They set me up for an ultrasound right away. After about an hour of looking and measuring they did an umbilical doppler to measure the intake and output of the placenta. When Dr Jackson came in to give us results of course I was a wreck and so was Colt. Dr Jackson informed us that we had something called IUGR, intra uterine growth restriction. Basically this means that at some point early in my pregnancy my placenta started to malfunction depriving Katie of the nutrients she desperately needed to grow. In Dr Jackson's words, "So what we'll do is give you a steroid shot today, one 24 hours later and you'll have a baby Saturday" HOLY CRAP!! I had not prepared for that, I thought I had at least 2 weeks to prepare. Next he asked to take my blood pressure, of course it was sky high 156/105. Colt began to call family while I gave a urine sample to check for protein and we were sent down to Labor and Delivery. We were shuffled for a bit but eventually put into a room. Family soon showed up and Colt and my dad gave me a blessing. I was put immediately on fluids and given my first shot of steroids within an hour of being admitted. They monitored the baby and she was perfect. As uncomfortable as those monitors are rubbing on your tummy it was good to hear how strong she kicked and moved around inside of me. By Thursday night my pressure was lower and I had met about a hundred people telling me about the tentative plan for the next few days. I was so grateful to finally be alone with Colt and let out my fears for our tiny girl. Friday was spent trying to relax and keep calm. I got a few visitors and was able to get my second shot of steroids. I got to spend a little bit of time with Emma but she was confused and a had a tough time processing what was happening. It was so hard for me not to be able to hold her and explain things to her.
Saturday morning I woke up feeling calm and comforted knowing all the love and prayers for our baby girl were being heard by Heavenly father. We were scheduled for a c-section at 3pm. I asked everyone to wait to come and see us until around 1 so I could relax and mentally prepare for what was ahead of us. Colt showered and got ready while I was prepped. The nurses were so great to allow all of my family to come in and help us say family prayer and for Colt and I to get priesthood blessings from our dads. We thankfully got my regular doctor permission to perform the surgery and what a relief it was to know there would be familiar hands getting Katie out. I walked down to the OR with good luck wishes all around. The operating room is kind of a scary place when you are there at a time when you don't think you should be. Spinal Blocks are mean hateful things to put in but once they start working it is amazing. The whole time they were getting ready to begin Colt was a nervous wreck. He paced a hole in the floor before they even began cutting. I cannot describe the feeling of people poking and pulling around inside of you trying to get a tiny human out and safe. I held my breath until I heard Dr Smith say baby and 15:39. I looked up at Colt and asked if she was out and he said yes she's in good hands. He held my head through the whole surgery and kept me calm and comforted. He was so great. Three hours after surgery Colt wheeled me into the NICU to see our tiny miracle.

There were so many thoughts and emotions racing through my head as I saw my fragile baby girl with tubes and wires connected to almost every limb. I was so afraid to touch anything but the nurse assured me that I would be okay. I had a hard time but I put a glove on and put my hands on her pretty feet. When you get into the NICU there are so many things to be told and rules to know. I somehow processed things and felt calm and comforted when we left her in her special Giraffe Incubator. The staff at Intermountain Medical Center are great and I am looking forward to getting to know the nurses and doctors that will be caring for Katelyn. I will post updates as they come and pictures that I feel are appropriate. I am going to remove the few I've posted on Facebook to maintain Katie's privacy and dignity. Here are a few pictures I took this morning as I watched the nurses care for her.

Under the spotlight to get her billi-rubin down

Baby girls ity bity feet, I absolutely love them!

Her long beautiful fingers

Even though things didn't turn out the way I had planned for bringing Katelyn into the world, I am so excited and relieved she is here and safe. Katelyn has brought such love and peace into our lives in the short time she has been here. I am looking forward to watching her grow and develop over the next 90 days. Of course I look forward to bringing her home when she is strong too. Thank you for praying for us and sending us loving thoughts. I assure you I have felt them.