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Sam and Melinda were unaware that Melinda and her
unborn baby were at risk for pre-eclampsia / toxemia until their
regular doctor's visit on Wednesday February 23rd. High blood pressure,
swelling, and protein traces caused their doctor to urge them to the
hospital for more tests. Within hours, the diagnosis was
confirmed, and an immediate delivery was necessitated (3-4 weeks
before their due date of March 23)
 After 6 hours of labor, the baby's heart rate was
determined to be too weak to survive normal delivery (see graph illustrating his heart rate drop at each
contraction), so a Caesarean
section was scheduled. However, by the time Melinda was moved to
the operating room, the baby's heart rate had dropped even further,
and the c-section was hastily begun, since the baby's life was
literally at stake. Under the hands of our skillful Obstetrician
(Dr. Jay Williamson), Caleb William Pfanstiel was delivered
successfully at 4:45pm, Thursday February 24th. He weighed 5
pounds 1 ounce, and was 17 3/4" long at birth, and was delivered
3-4 weeks early. His 1 minute APGAR was only 3 (meaning a very
stressful delivery) but within minutes this had risen to 8 (indicating
no permanent damage to the baby)
Melinda has recovered wonderfully from her
c-section. She and Caleb went home Tuesday, Leap Year Day, 2000. |
