Ian's Story

Many have been asking us about Ian's birth. We haven't had a chance to share his story or pictures with everyone as we are still waiting to bring him home. Right now most of our time is spent at the hospital visiting our precious little boy.

Here is his story:

Ian Timothy Goble was born on October 30th around 5:oopm at San Antonio Community Hospital. He weighed in at 7lbs, 8oz, 20 inches long. He was born via emergency C-Section after I was in labor for 31 hours. During labor Ian had looked good on all the monitors, but occasionally his heart rate would drop for a second and go back to normal. At 31 hours, his heart rate dropped again, but this time did not go back to normal. The nurses all came rushing into my room trying to find his heart rate. Within minutes they were unplugging everything, gave me an oxygen mask and rushed me to the operating room. Nathan had just stepped out to get dinner and was walking back in the room as they were wheeling me out to the OR room. They didn't have time to explain to him what was happening.

In the operating room, they told me we need to get the baby out; we are preparing you for C-Section and are about to cut you open. It just so happened both doctors and the anesthesiologist on call had just stepped out. They called my doctor right away who was doing rounds at Pomona Valley Hospital, he got to the San Antonio Hospital OR room in 11 minutes. The anesthesiologist got the call as he was pulling into his driveway and flew back to the hospital in minutes. They arrived at the exact time surgery needed to start. The doctor got the baby out in one minute upon arrival. When Ian came out he was limp, not crying and had very low oxygen levels. They breathed for him, gave him oxygen and resuscitated him. At this point, I was in tears not knowing whether or not he was alive. The nurse came to me and held my hand and said, he is breathing, he is alive! She said they had to take him right away to intensive care but let me get a quick glimpse of him as they wheeled him out. I was sent to the recovery room and was told I would not be able to see Ian until the next day.

In the meanwhile Nathan and my family were waiting in the hallway for answers. They were told I had to have an emergency C-Section, but nothing else. They didn't know what had happened. They got to see Ian being sent down the hall to the NICU and caught a few pictures. The nurse explained to them what happened and they were relieved to hear I was okay and the baby was alive.

My husband met me in the recovery room where the doctor and nurses told us situations like this happen maybe once a year. The labor and delivery staff were all in agreement that we were lucky to have gotten the baby out so quickly. They told us there were several possibilities as to why Ian's heart rate dropped so suddenly...the placenta could have burst or the cord could have been in a position that was disturbing the baby as I was going into labor or we may just never know. Since the baby had to come out so quickly the doctor did not have time to really examine things during the surgery.

The nurses were so great to work with me and help me stand up and walk the next day so that I could see my son. It was such a special moment to hold him and see him for the first time.

Ian is considered a post term baby who suffered distress during labor and thus does not have the strength a baby his age/size should have. He had low oxygen levels and did not have the energy to eat.

Since then, Ian has gotten better every day. He is eating more and his oxygen levels have greatly improved. The doctor told us we may even be able to take him home by the end of the week.

We want to thank everyone who has been praying for us and for baby Ian. We are so grateful for friends and family who have been so supportive and encouraging during this time. We love you very much. We have been able to make it through each day because of the hope we have in the Lord. He is faithful and remains near through good times and difficult times.