My name is Jennie. I'm a wife and a mother. I have been married to the man of my dreams, Trever, for 9 wonderful years. We have 5 beautiful daughters who fill our lives with joy and excitement. We just had our 6th child. Our son Caleb.

I was diagnosed with a rare condition called Placenta Accreta along with Placenta Previa. Accreta is a condition where the placenta attaches to the scar tissue in the uterus. It will often continue to grow to deeper tissue (increta) and even through the uterus attaching to other organs(percreta). I ended up having an 11 hour surgery, including a hystorectomy, and bladder repair. I received 7 units of blood and blood parts. (This is a lot of blood loss for my surgeons, but minimal blood loss to those who are not as experienced in these deliveries. I spent 36 hours in the ICU after surgery. I have also had many other complications afterwards including another minor surgery 2 weeks later. These complications are somewhat normal for the type of surgery I had.

I had a team of specialists doing my surgery. Obgyns, Gyno-oncologists, trauma surgeons, urologists and anesthesiologists. This team has specialized in techniques helping with minimal blood loss. Those with accreta , loose large amounts of blood because the placenta cannot detach naturally at delivery.

My goal is to help save women's lives by giving this terrible condition a voice. So many are ignorant to its fatal attack. Doctors and women alike, need to be educated about Accreta. Many have never even heard of it. The numbers are on the rise because of so many women choosing to have c-sections when it isn't necessary. Not all women can avoid it, but many can. Please help me give Accreta a voice, by sharing the information in this blog. (There are numerous posts with information on Accreta as well as the Accreta team who took such great care of me.)

Saturday, February 23, 2013


My oldest was baptized today. She is so grown up! I can't believe it. It was a lot harder than I thought to not be there. We had a few technical issues, but got the computer working so I could watch it. I cried like a hormonal pregnant mommy! Oh wait, I am one. 

My sweet friend Christie came and brought me lunch and kept me company for a while.  Then Trever and the girls and Trever's family got here. We went into one of the conference rooms on the 4th floor to celebrate. There wasn't enough room to take my bed down there, so Cherise (my nurse) took down a recliner. I was able to lay on that and enjoy the festivities. We had pizza and cake. McKenzie and Emma opened presents. Cherise bought the girls some super cute hair bows. I thought that was so precious and above and beyond the call of duty.  

My other nurse Val also stopped by on her day off just before the others had to go. She stayed and played with the girls. She also took them down to see a little 4 lb baby boy in the nursery. Actually, I guess there were two in there. They are healthy enough to be out of the NICU but not strong enough to be with their mommys full time. She let the girls look through the window at them. She wanted them to see how little their baby brother would be.  It was so sweet of her to do that. Later Kaylee saw a baby just outside my door or something. She just kept saying, "mommy, I see my baby boy right there" it was so precious. She is so excited to see her baby brother soon. She and Malia have both really seemed connected to this little guy.

After feeling so strong yesterday, I had myself a breakdown tonight. All of the emotions of the day and the past few weeks all hit me at once, I think. It's funny, I'll seem to be doing fine, then something will happen to bring out emotion.  It could be laughter, or whatever. Then all of that emotion, tucked in there, just starts pouring out.  Each time I didn't even know it was there. Tonight's was one of the biggest breakdowns, next to leaving to come to the hospital. I started crying, and it got bigger and bigger. I knew a nurse would be in to check heart tones on the baby any minute, so I decided to hide out in the bathroom for a bit. I didn't want her to see me and worry about me. I just needed a good cry. When I got in the bathroom, I wanted to fall to my knees and just let it all out. I quickly realized that could only end badly, so I climbed into the shower and sat on the shower chair. I just cried and cried. And cried and cried.   All of the emotion, the fear, the worry etc, just kept coming out. 

After a while I was able to calm down. I guess we all need a breakdown every now and then. I prayed to be able to get through it and that the fear would be replaced with faith again. I am doing much better now. A good nights rest will help a bunch. 

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3 comments:

  1. jeniferFebruary 24, 2013 at 10:56 AM

    I went to stake conference last night and afterwards, elder piper of the 70 came down and shook my hand. He said that he couldn't help but notice how uncomfortable I was. He thanked me for coming. I just burst. Sobbing. Sobbing! He asked how much longer I had till the baby came and I cried harder. (I hope he didn't think I was crying because it was hard to sit on a church bench.). He said that although strict Muslims pray 5 times a day, pregnant women are exempt from these prayers. They believe that creating a baby with God is the highest form of worship. Isn't that beautiful?
    Anyway, just letting you know that I totally get that hormonal opening of the flood gates... My husband was so confused. On the way home he kept asking why I was crying? Was I happy or sad? I said- hormonal. Sigh. Thinking of you! Hope you have a great day!

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  2. Whitney HemsathFebruary 26, 2013 at 6:33 AM

    Hormones suck. At least your breakdowns have a legitamite cause of stress and worry. This pregnancy I broke down and sobbed for 40 min just because dustin took my leftover ham and cheesy potatoes to work for lunch. Pretty sure I terrified my kids with that outburst. Never been so hormonal in a pregnancy before which is why I thought we were having a girl. But boy #3 for us. Crying is so cathardic though so just let it out and know that everyone understands and no one would judge or think twice.

    My sister just had her water break and my nephew should be here in the next day or two. Excited to meet him and hoping for a minimal stay in the hospital for him.

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  3. The Williamson'sFebruary 26, 2013 at 11:52 AM

    I have been meaning to text, call or comment for so long! Jennie I think about you and your sweet little family all the time! You are so strong and I thank you for sharing your journey with us. I know when I was in the hospital after my biggest break downs came our biggest miracles. We just have to hit rock bottom a few times first and then the lord shows us his plan and that everything is going to be ok. Also I read your post about after your baby is born, that tugged on my heart I feel like even though mine was on a MUCH smaller scale I kinda know what that will feel like. That was the hardest week was being in the hospital and not being able to be with Paisley at PCH. One of our greatest blessing was being able to stay at the ronald mcdonald house. Although even the Ronald Mcdonald house can add up :( I can't imagine trying to divide my time between your cute girls at home and your baby in the hospital. I know it takes an army to make it through something like this I just want you guys to know I am hear in whatever way you need. I would love to have your girls over anytime you and Trevor need it. We love you all and are always praying for you. Thanks again for reminding us of pure faith and strength!

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