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Writing (non-fiction, essay, memoir)

A submission from DeVry Student Ashley Jeampierre.

A GIFT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Ashley Jeampierre

DeVry University

ENGL112 Composition

Professor Linda Beauregard-Vasquez, Visiting Professor III

September 10^th, 2024

A GIFT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

I remember sitting on the hospital bed, that tense, desperation, restlessness creeping in again like the tide sweeping up the shore trying to grasp my toes. My mother was resting in the corner, on a pullout couch nestled under a scenic window. I turned to her, “Could something be wrong?” “My baby should be here by now.” It felt as if I’d been stuck in the hospital for an eternity, I’ve been in labor for far too long anxiously awaiting the arrival of my baby girl. I wish I had informed my doctor sooner about my strange and unusual symptoms.

My due date was December 18^th, but a couple months of itchy limbs landed me with an intra-hepatic cholestasis of pregnancy diagnoses also known as “ICP”. Who would’ve thought, a liver condition attacked me with a desire to scratch relentlessly. I would never have thought that a liver condition could attack me with a desire to scratch relentlessly. I felt as though I had read up on enough information, spoken with doctors, and listened to other people’s experiences so much that I had it down pack. It wasn’t my first time being a new mom although older now, I never heard of ICP. A blood test and one scary phone call from my doctor is all it took for me to be admitted with an emergency induction. My baby is all I cared about and once I was told that she could be affected not only was I concerned and worried, but my family was too.

The risk of complications could've been severe for my baby, premature birth, lung problems, and stillbirth. Although I was 39 weeks my baby having lung problems or being still born was a nightmare of a realization. When I asked the doctor how could this have happened? I had no problem with my liver before, I watch what I eat, I take my prenatal vitamin everyday on the dot. The answer shocked me, pregnancy hormones. So, my own hormonal pregnant ass double crossed me. It took forever to get pregnant, the last couple of months were grueling and when I’m almost to the finish line I backstabbed myself.

Unbelievable, as if I’m not already stressed-out intra-hepatic cholestasis had to come knocking on my door, unfortunately, there is no cure for ICP. It tends to go away on its own after, but the doctor monitors every 3 months or so just to be safe. I thought it was just allergies, I would scratch my arms and legs profusely. If my mother hadn’t brought up my intense itching to my doctor’s attention it would’ve gone undetected. As I sat in the hospital room, I recall the TV broadcasting a singing competition, Christmas music with sweet melodies easing its way into my eardrums. I longed for my gift, my baby girl even more.

I had gotten restless after a while and decided to start pacing back and forth across the room. I’ve taken six doses of one medication no baby yet. The nurse switches me to the next medication, this time the medication is given via I.V. The plan was to induce with a pill if that doesn’t work I.V. and if both fail a C-section would be the last, final option. Thus, why I decided to wobble my way around the room praying that my baby would arrive sooner than later.

I was so exhausted, I didn’t sleep due to all the scratching day and night. When I laid still that’s when the itch was at its peak. On top of that my mother and I were so overwhelmed and uncomfortable at the hospital we didn’t get a wink of sleep. I’m so thankful and glad I wasn’t alone. My mother was an immense help, she made the prolonged stay tolerable. Her prayers soothed my nerves. Prior to the diagnosis I told her if anything should happen during childbirth there’s nothing to think about, no split-second decision to be had. My baby is first and thee only concern. Without hesitation she understood.

After I’ve walked for an hour, the nurse had returned to administer the second dose. I laid back down and tried to adjust myself to semi comfort level. The itching was still bothersome but all they could give me was Benadryl and sense I was on a straight prenatal streak, I remained resilient. As I turned to my side, I saw my mother had dozed off so I thought I might as well try to get some shut eye if any. I tossed and turned as I began to dose off I felt a rush of warm liquid swarm behind me. I thought oh Lord did I pee myself? I began to call out to my mother who was so deep in sleep she wasn’t functioning properly to answer my question.

The door swung open; it was the nurse doing her rounds. I nervously told her what had happened, and she said not to worry she’ll take a look. It wasn’t pee, my water had finally broken. My eyes widened, this is it, its finally happening. My mother shook off the grogginess, she clasped her hands and smiled with delight. The nurse had stepped out to call the doctor. I could feel my heart fluttering with joy, there I was, anxiously waiting to meet my baby girl. Little did I know my baby was finally ready to meet me too.

I alerted the nurse using the remote control attached to the bed. Soon as she stepped in, I told her I needed to push, the baby was coming. She asked if I could wait until the mid-wife is on the freeway, she’ll be the one to deliver my baby. The nurse ran out to start preparing for my mid-wife’s arrival and that of my baby. I looked at my mom, I remember telling her I couldn’t wait, I had to start pushing. She urged me to stay calm and wait everything’s going to be ok. Yeah, that was easier said than done.

At last, a team of nurses had walked in, and I told them I couldn’t wait any longer. The baby was ready, it was a tough spot to be in. The concoction of medication they had administered me to induce labor seemed to be working with fury. I shifted my body, shut my eyes tightly, breathed in then out, and pushed. By the second push my mid-wife had walked in. I swear by the time she got in place the third push was all it took. She placed my baby girl on my chest, my beautiful healthy baby girl.

All that I experienced, those agonizing days in the hospital, the worrisome cries, the tense nervousness, the fearful what ifs, that insufferable itch just melted away like a soft peppermint puff. I went through a roller coaster of emotions with this pregnancy. One thing for sure is that a pregnancy journal would've been helpful to keep track of my journey. I now know not to take feeling itchy lightly, something miniscule can in fact be a major concern or issue that can at times lead to a catastrophic outcome. On December 14^th, 2023, at 3:44 pm I received a long-awaited gift before Christmas.