After 32 hours of labor, they told me Mikaela's heart rate was dropping with contractions and quickly took me off of the pitocin. They advised me to just ride it out and see what happens. I was informed a week prior, due to my DVT I should not have a c-section because most likely I will not make it. Their thought was, "Why should you risk your life, or even put your body through a c-section when the baby is not going to survive."

I told the Dr. to prepare my c-section. He looked at me with hesitation and on his way out I let him know, "If you let me die, I will haunt you for the rest of your life..." followed by a quick smile.

I was pushed into the OR and put to sleep.

During the c-section my husband was sitting in the next room with my Doula. While they were waiting to hear from the doctors, the power went out. Murad heard "Code red in OR" and he thought I was gone. A nurse ran out of the operating room to go get a flash light since the only backup was my breathing tubes. The power went out twice during Mikaela's birth and I was the only one in surgery, in labor and delivery. They said never in the history of that hospital has that ever happened. I see it as my little girl came into this world like a lightening bolt.

My husband was brought into the room where all the NICU doctors were evaluating Mikaela. Murad's thoughts were that I was gone and she was all he had now. One of the head doctors approached him and said, "Melanie made the right choice, they're both fine." The reason of her heart rate dropping was the cord being wrapped around her neck 3 times. I went to the ICU and Mikaela went to the NICU.

The next night they brought me to meet my daughter. I could remember being rolled through the NICU asking the nurse as we passed baby after baby, "Which one is mine?". Mikaela was the last one by the window. They pushed my wheelchair along side of her incubator, opened the little door so I could touch her, and there we were... My daughter with all those tubes and wires, and me with all of mine. I told Mikaela, "It's okay, Mommy's here...", I slid my finger under her palm, she squeezed it and my whole world stopped. No one was there, but me and Mikaela. My baby girl who had every right to her life, just like any other human being. Right there in front of me was my world, and I couldn't have been more thankful. That's when I had my moment. I was her Mom, and I was going to do whatever it takes to help our little girl.

In my teenage years, I grew up losing a close family member every other year. I believe the moment the power went out, those 5 angels were there to hold onto Mikaela, and save me.

Thank you Jeff, Grandma, Mary Jane, Maria and Grandpa.

Martina McBride - I Just Call You Mine

I pinch myself sometimes to make sure I'm not in a dream
That's how it seems
I close my eyes and breathe in the sweetest moments I've ever known
It feels like home
And here I am I want to be your everything
There you are
Turning winter into spring

And everyone that sees you
Always want's to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're standing ovation after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
Yeah
I just call you mine

I fall apart
Just a word from you just somehow
seems to fix
Whatever's wrong
Oh, you reach into the weakest moments
And remind me that I'm strong
You've got to know
I'd be a fool not to see you even worse
To forget that you're more than I deserve

Cause everyone that sees you
Always want's to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're standing ovation after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
Yeah
I just call you mine

Nothing makes sense when you're not here
As if my whole world disappears
Without you what's the point of it

Cause everyone that sees you
Always want's to know you
And everyone that knows you
Always has a smile
You're the dream that I've been chasin' after years of waiting
For a chance to finally shine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine
Everyone calls you amazing
I just call you mine