Meet Samuel

• Baby Saves

• 10.16.24

“Samuel is our IVF miracle baby! He was our last good embryo after fertility treatments. We learned about Count the Kicks after seeing the Mid-Iowa Fertility clinic post about Count the Kicks on social media. I downloaded the app before I was even pregnant! I hoped for the best and stayed positive. I started counting kicks via the app when I hit 28 weeks. I also did the Count the Kicks training call/birthday celebration webinar that happened in July (2024)! 

Samuel never moved a ton compared to what I see other moms on social media advertise, but he always moved in the morning when I first would wake up. I could get my 10 kicks in 45 minutes on average – until I eventually couldn’t. I went to get checked out three times during this pregnancy for reduced movements. The first couple of times he came back normal with a non-stress test (NST) and biophysical profile (BPP). It wasn’t until the third time when something wasn’t OK. 

I hadn’t felt Samuel move at all over Tuesday night into the afternoon of Wednesday. I had just had an NST on Monday and it wasn’t the greatest. He wasn’t super reactive, but they assured me it was OK and it was just a fluke. I called West Des Moines OB-GYN to come in for an NST due to reduced movements on Wednesday even though I had an appointment for the next day. I arrived Wednesday at 1:30 for my NST, he was non reactive and since I hadn’t felt any movements either they sent us to MercyOne downtown immediately. 

We went straight there for more tests and, unfortunately, the results were not good. My baby was in distress, and my only safe option was an emergency cesarean section. I went straight back to surgery. Samuel Wallace was born on Aug. 28, 2024, at 5:05 p.m. weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces. Samuel’s umbilical cord was wrapped around him SIX times! This was the most doctors at the hospital had ever seen. That is why he had reduced movements. 

I’m so grateful I paid attention to kicks and my body’s normal. It probably saved his life and is the only reason why I have a healthy son now!

The Count the Kicks app is free and it won’t hurt to download it. Listen to your body, as you are the one who knows it best. Don’t be afraid to ‘bother’ someone at the clinic or about the cost of a visit. Get up and go! It could save your baby’s life. Don’t be afraid to share your story, too. It can help normalize pregnancy experiences and help other parents feel less alone.” – Hannah C., Samuel’s mom