Welcome Baby Karrington
Becoming: The Journey to Motherhood
Shortly after our wedding, my husband and I began having conversations about when we'd want to start a family of our own. After about a month, we decided to start praying and of course, actively trying. We prayed for God's will and His timing, and just 3 short months into our marriage, we were blessed with the greatest gift, news that we were expecting.
Karrington was born at 37 weeks and I ended up having an unplanned natural birth as labor progressed very quickly. Upon our arrival at the hospital, I had already dilated to 9cm, and my water broke in the hospital parking lot. The baby was out within a matter of minutes after our arrival, and I had no time for an epidural, so I had to put on my big girl panties, and push. This was the most painful experience of my life however, I would do it over again a million times for this sweet boy.
I was actually sick a majority of my pregnancy with Karrington, and he ended up being born underweight for his gestational age, weighing just under 5lbs. While in the hospital, his weight had dropped down to 4lbs 13oz, and we were told that we may not be able to go home as soon as we had hoped.
We ended up having to stay an additional day in the hospital due to him needing extensive blue light treatment as a result of Jaundice, but were released the next day with orders to visit his pediatrician the following day for continued bilirubin tests, as well as a follow-up with an audiologist as he had failed his hearing exam multiple times.
Before officially leaving the hospital, my husband and I were handed a pamphlet of information about hearing loss and resources for raising a deaf child. We were told that our babies hearing loss could be a result of fluid buildup in the ear or true hearing loss. However, several follow up tests would need to be completed in order to determine the definitive answer.
Leaving the hospital with our first born was the sweetest, yet scariest moment of my life. We were young parents, newlyweds, and of course living in a world that was in the middle of a global pandemic. At the time, my baby could not hear, and did not respond to external noise. I cried for weeks straight about this. There were moments where I felt alone, confused, and helpless even though I knew that I had God and the support of my husband to lean on for strength.
All we could do is pray. We decided to keep things private, only sharing the news with our parents until we knew exactly what was happening.
A few weeks after his birth, we were scheduled to go back in for another appointment with his audiologist for a final hearing exam, and you would never believe this, but the problem had “miraculously” resolved on its own. We were all a bit in shock. It was ultimately concluded that the initial hearing loss was likely caused by fluid in the ear, but I know that this was nothing short of a miracle from GOD!
We thank God even now for this beautiful, tiny, yet mighty little miracle. This was a silent battle that we dealt with for weeks following his birth, and something that we had been praying so hard about. Here we are today, 6 months later with the healthiest and most precious baby boy who fills our life with so much love and joy. I'm so grateful to God, and will never take this opportunity of being able to experience motherhood for granted.
I just want to encourage anyone who has been waiting for breakthrough or maybe you and your spouse are currently holding on to a promise from God as you struggle through infertility, God has not forgotten you. He hears every prayer and every cry and knows the desires of your heart. I stand here today believing in a miracle for you. Believing that you will experience one of Gods greatest blessings. You are worthy mama and He WILL grant you the desires of your heart - keep believing, keep praying, keep trusting.
His timing is perfect!
All my love,
Amari E.
