This post is written by Rheonna Allen and sponsored by University Health.
Today I can say I have delivered four beautiful babies. But before I experienced my first pregnancy, I didn’t think complications happened very often. I certainly didn’t think they would happen to me. I hope that someone who needs to hear this story will be well served by the information I share.
I met Dr. Devika Maulik, at University Health, during my first pregnancy. She’s an amazing and caring high risk pregnancy doctor. A high risk pregnancy doctor is also called a Maternal Fetal Medicine or Perinatal Physician. I was under Dr. Maulik’s care because I had what doctors call an incompetent cervix or cervical insufficiency. In simple terms, that meant I was at risk for delivering my baby before she was able to fully grow and develop in the womb. I was terrified.
To keep my body from delivering early, Dr. Maulik placed a cervical cerclage, a procedure meant to prolong my pregnancy. I was also treated with medication and bedrest.
I delivered our first daughter at just 25 weeks into the pregnancy (a full term pregnancy lasts 38 to 40 weeks.) Our baby girl spent her first 99 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at University Health. She was tiny when we brought her home. My husband, Andre, proved to be amazing at caring for this tiny human so I could heal. Fast forward eight years, and you’ll see she’s a little girl who’s thriving.
Two years after our first daughter was born, the second arrived. Thanks to expert medical care, I was able to remain pregnant for 39 weeks. Andre and I felt blessed when we learned we’d be welcoming baby number three. But at just 18 weeks into my pregnancy, my water broke and I delivered our son. We named him Kyng. He did not survive.
I spent the day holding him. I probably could have held him for a month, but I was a mom. I went home to care for my daughters. Grief and sorrow have different ways of showing up in life. Extreme anxiety made it difficult to leave my house. With support from Andre, and behavioral health professionals, I learned how to function.
About a year and a half ago, with our girls at grandma’s house, Andre and I talked about what was next for our family. I told him that I was content with our girls and unsure I wanted to experience another difficult, high risk pregnancy. Wouldn’t you know it, it wasn’t long after that talk that we learned that we’d be blessed with our fourth child, another daughter.
Once again I was in Dr. Maulik’s care. I went into labor at 36 weeks, and at a time Dr. Maulik was out of town. I knew I was in good hands at University Health Lakewood Medical Center, but I still called Dr. Maulik, because of course she gave me her mobile number. My daughter arrived two weeks early, but we delivered a healthy baby.
And that’s how our family grew. It’s been sentimental for Andre and me to experience our infant daughter hitting all of her developmental milestones, because we know she’s our final baby. And that means that all of her firsts are our lasts.
Our daughters are best friends already, each with their own unique personality.
I recommend Dr. Maulik to anyone who’s expecting. If you don’t see her, make sure you find someone with the same qualities: caring, respectful, knowledgeable and accessible for your pregnancy journey.
To make an appointment with a University Health High-Risk Pregnancy Physician, complete the referral form here. We look forward to caring for you and your baby!
