A Second Opinion Saved My Life and My Babies

My story starts in October of 2011 when I went to the emergency room at another Omaha hospital for an uncontrolled fever and right flank pain. I was given a diagnosis of “over indulgence” which to this day I still find unbelievable.

It went on for a few more days and that’s when I knew I had to do something. I made the decision to go to the emergency department at Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center. They immediately knew something was going on and after a CT scan and lumbar puncture (spinal tap) they admitted me to Labor and Delivery.

I was told that I was indeed pregnant - which was another moment of mass confusion for me due to the fact that the other hospital’s physician told me I had suffered a miscarriage. The next day I had an ultrasound at Nebraska Medicine’s Olson Center for Women’s Health. That’s when my story got a little crazier.

Still not knowing what was wrong and why I was spiking uncontrollable fevers for more than a week, I was met by Dr. Carl Smith, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. He came in after the tech had completed the ultrasound and revealed to me, “Nichole, I think we will be seeing a lot of you. You’re having twins and it looks like they will be due June 17, 2012.”

That was a complete understatement. I saw the team at the Olson Center and everyone at Nebraska Medicine so much that they became my family.

A few days later, after experiencing many emotions of fear, happiness, sadness and helplessness, I was told I had a bacterial infection in my right kidney and a stone blocking my left. Due to the pregnancy, curing the infection was more complicated. I was able to go home after about a week. As I continued my treatment for the infection, I was diagnosed with two mutations of blood disorders that can be deadly during pregnancy. I was put on Lovenox injections, which help prevent the formation of blood clots. Shortly after, I suffered a headache that caused me pain I never have felt before.

After going back to the hospital and having a scan of my brain, I received a call from Dr. Teresa Berg, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Nebraska Medicine. “Nichole where are you? You need to get back to the hospital now. Something isn’t right.”

At that moment, I felt so discouraged and overwhelmed. I was a single mom with a 15-year-old son at home. I needed to work. I had to pay bills. Why me God, why?

Nebraska Medicine became my temporary home, and looking back, I owe our lives to the staff. The entire team at Nebraska Medicine was determined to keep us safe – and help me carry the babies to full-term. I felt as though they were personally invested in our health. I wasn’t just another patient. From the moment I met Drs. Smith, Berg and Paul Tomich (who recently retired), I knew they were amazing.

As the pregnancy continued, I was hospitalized several more times. Their goal was to get me to 26 weeks – where the chance of survival dramatically increases, although it is still slim and can include a lot of health issues.

By the time I reached 22 weeks, I was already dilated to six centimeters. I was put on bed rest at the hospital and given magnesium to try and stop labor. I’m sure I wasn’t the easiest person to deal with - and I owe those nurses a million apologies because it felt as though my life had been turned upside down, and in many ways it had.

March of 2012 rolled around and I was able to leave the hospital to attend my baby shower. The following week at my checkup, I had further progressed into premature labor. The medical assistant at the Olson Center looked at me and said, “Nichole, let me get a wheelchair and take you over to Labor and Delivery.” I can’t express the sadness and the hopelessness at that moment. I was so scared.

Once I was admitted, I received more news. Baby B seemed to have a hole in his heart that was consistent to Down syndrome. I knew no matter what, I would give my children my all and make sure they had every opportunity to live a normal life. Thankfully, the hole disappeared as we neared their birth. Members with the March of Dimes came to the hospital and prepared me for premature birth. They were very informative and I was lucky to have their knowledge and support.

Now the calendar had moved to May - and much to our surprise, I was still pregnant. We planned my delivery for June 4, 2012. It seemed so far away.

On May 22, I went into labor at home. I made it to the hospital after a very exciting car ride. I was wheeled back and as they prepared to admit me and contact anesthesia, they realized we didn’t have enough time to get me to the operating room. I have seen lots of deliveries, but none that sent so many scrambling so fast.

Dr. Berg came in to prepare me for the c-section. It was all going so fast, I couldn’t believe this moment was finally happening. And for once I wasn’t as scared as I had been the past few months. I was excited. I knew when she walked in that we were going to be just fine. It was that same amazing care that allowed me to remain pregnant for 35 weeks.

On May 22, 2012, Dr. Berg delivered two healthy babies. Some people win the lottery. I feel as though I’m one of the luckiest people alive knowing the odds that were stacked against me from the first moment I discovered I was pregnant. I fell into the hands of the most wonderful doctors on earth who gave me the opportunity to be “Mama” to two very precious children. Without Dr. Berg and her team, I am very confident saying that my children would not be here today. Thanks for giving them a chance at life. And thank you for giving me the chance to raise them. YOU ARE AN EARTH ANGEL. All your hard work will never be unnoticed with us - as well as your entire crew at Nebraska Medicine.