Stryker Brigade News

I was pregnant with our first child but it was not considered a high-risk pregnancy, despite my losing 15 pounds due to severe morning sickness early on in my pregnancy. Everything else was on track and I was feeling great.

This deployment was the most emotional goodbye my husband and I have had during our nine years of marriage.

I figured this was because our baby was due in October and wondering when my husband would see his son for the first time, but other families agreed this goodbye was tougher than past deployments.

Perhaps the anticipation and buildup for this deployment was a factor.

Nonetheless, Connor Hampton Murray arrived just four short hours after I was life-flighted to Providence Medical Center in Anchorage. He did not waste any time and weighed in at 4 pounds – respectable for a 31-week preemie.

My husband had landed in Kuwait that same morning and received word his wife and baby were in distress. He called while I was lying in the hospital bed at Bassett Army Community Hospital. What a relief to hear his voice.

The timing was not all bad, my sister was still here visiting. When my water broke while at work that morning, I was not really sure what had just happened.

I walked into my boss’s office and said, “Linda, I think I should go to the hospital, but I am sure it’s no big deal,” or something along those lines.

Linda drove me to the hospital and the rest of that day is a bit hazy because everything happened so fast.

I do remember a huge outpouring of support. I cannot thank everyone enough and I truly believe the thoughts and prayers from Fort Wainwright, Fort Richardson and across the country helped us to get through this unexpected early arrival.

My sister and Barbara Keyes went to the house to pack up a bag and get my pet birds situated with friends.

Barbara volunteered to drive down to Anchorage with my sister so she would not be alone on the drive. We did not think Connor would arrive hours before they would arrive in Anchorage.

Upon landing in Anchorage, the contractions began and hard labor had set in. Once safely inside Providence, I immediately requested the assistance of an anesthesiologist.

I must say, I am a huge fan of the epidural. My husband called Providence from Kuwait within minutes of the procedure.

I do remember him laughing on the other end because I was in a very happy state. He is just lucky he had not called five minutes earlier!

He was able to stay on the line until his phone card ran out of minutes. We talked for a while before Connor’s arrival and he called back just after the baby was born. It was as if he was there the whole time.

Connor did cry when he was born but was immediately whisked away through tiny window that led to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit where specialists were ready to care for him.

He was initially intubated and given some medication to help his lungs. After some brief distress, Connor was on “room” air with a nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure).

The doctor popped his head into the window with a huge smile to tell me that the baby was OK. I will never forget his smile.

I was able to see Connor about an hour after he was born, and he was just precious; a little small, but otherwise perfect.

My sister and Barbara arrived about three hours after Connor made his appearance, and my mom arrived three days later. While my husband was unable to be there, my family and friends stepped in to fill the void, and I will never forget that.

Just 10 days after my experience, Krissy King, 29 weeks pregnant with her first child, was in major distress.

Her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Kevin King, HQ, 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, also left with the advanced party.

While I had no major medical complications, Krissy had developed a severe form of pre-eclampsia called HELLPS Syndrome (Hypertension Enlarged Liver Low Plateletes).

“My liver was so enlarged it was causing me to have contractions,” Krissy explained. “While in Labor and Delivery at Bassett I was told that I would be transported to Providence where I would either be put on bed rest or deliver Kaden.

“They performed an ultrasound to estimate Kaden’s weight, which was estimated to be about 2 pounds 11 ounces. During this ultrasound we also learned that Kaden was in the breech position,” she continued. “They were unsure whether I would have a c-section or deliver, so the doctor and nurse tried to turn Kaden around by pushing and stroking my belly.”

Red Cross messages were sent to Kuwait to alert her husband of the situation.

At about the time Krissy was talking to her husband from Kuwait, doctors were getting ready to life-flight her to Providence.

Kaden was delivered by emergency c-section at 5:21 p.m. Aug. 12, weighing in at 2 pounds, 9 ounces and just over 14 inches long.

“I wasn’t able to actually see Kaden until the next afternoon,” Krissy said. “Hospital staffers wheeled my bed into the NICU so that I could hold and see Kaden for the first time. He had been intubated and was having to use a ventilator to help him breath.”

Connor spent 40 days in the NICU overlapping with Kaden’s 52 days.

The time in the NICU was an incredible learning experience but emotionally exhausting.

While our babies were healthy overall, there were so many babies that were severely ill and some babies with no family to care for them.

The nurses of the NICU were the best, not only caring for our babies but offering guidance and advice that was priceless.

After nearly six weeks in the NICU (almost eight weeks for the King family), we are so grateful to be back at Fort Wainwright to watch our babies grow day by day.