When I was 13, I was diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome). I didn't fully understand just how hard that would make the process of getting pregnant. When I was 17, not only did I have to have my gallbladder removed, but I had to have multiple cysts drained from my ovaries. They were the size of grapefruit and softballs. This was the first glimpse where I started to understand my condition.
When Bill and I were just beginning to talk about marriage, I found out I had diabetes. As we progressed into our marriage and started to talk about having kids, we found out my diabetes was uncontrolled due to medication. I started insulin. Bill was warned that maybe we shouldn't get pregnant by some well meaning family members, that hurt. I wanted to be a mom so bad! We tried a while, we lost two babies in early pregnancy. One at 7 weeks and the other at 8 weeks. Right after both of these I was diagnosed with HPV which had cause CIN3 lesions on my cervix. I was at risk for developing cervical cancer. So they completed a LEEP procedure, where the doctor took a large area of my cervix out in an effort to stop the spread of the lesions. It hurt to think that I would never be a mom.
In that time, in that season of my life, I was so busy with school, that I let those students become my kids. A couple of them actually began calling me Mom and a few called me Mama Copeland. I wanted the best for them all. Bill and I talked about having a family, we both craved one so much. When I got the chance to come back to Buffalo and teach, we really started discussing the idea of finally starting a family. We weren't really trying, but weren't stopping things either, when we found out we were pregnant. I was so worried that I would get my hopes up again and have another miscarriage. When we made it past the first trimester, I was ecstatic. I was classified as high risk and had to see a specialist every 2 weeks during my pregnancy. We were over the moon when we found out it was a little boy! Bill would have his farming and everything buddy. At 26 weeks 4 days, I went into labor. I was seen at the hospital where they were able to stop the contractions. The doctor was a little concerned with how my cervix felt and asked that I take it easy the next few days until I saw the doctor. Yeah this was going to be easy. Did I mention we were in the process of moving, or that it was April and I was teaching. I taught from my office chair the next couple days. Then I saw my doctor. She wanted to do an ultrasound to check what the other doctor had felt. The ultrasound tech ran from the room and grabbed the doctor. I was fully effaced. This meant that my normally thicker cervix was completely thinned out and ready to deliver. My doctor was concerned. She had me wait while she called the maternal fetal medicine specialist. They were going to have me come back the next day to start steriod shots for the babies lungs. She had me go on home to get things laid out for my sub the next day. As soon as we got back to Buffalo, my doctor called. I was being admitted to the hospital that evening. How quick could I get back to Springfield? I quickly laid out sub plans and grabbed my grading. Surely I could do some of that while I was getting these shots right. I would only be gone a day right? Nope! I was admitted that night and spent the next 30+ days in a bed in PICU (perinatal intensive care). Our hopes were to keep Hunter put. At least until he was more viable. After all that time in bed, I was going stir crazy. Luckily at 32 weeks my doctor allowed me to return home. Hunter was born after 5 more weeks of bed rest.
Being a mom is my greatest achievement. I love this little man more that I ever thought! He is so much like his daddy and I. I am that momma bear for Hunter and all my "kids". You see I fully believe that after a year in my room you have a piece of my heart. I am your Momma Copeland. I will champion for you and all my kids.
Life as a boy mom is not always easy. From catching every critter possible to the mudpies to the sports he wants to compete in (Okay, wrestling is the only sport, right?), I never saw myself in this role, but I can't imagine anything else!
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