Last night we were at a backyard birthday party for a friend and the hostess sliced me a nice, tall piece of chocolate cake. It was delicious. Avelyn toddled up to me and asked me something but when I tried to reply, I accidentally inhaled with my mouth full and a chunk of cake got lodged in my airway. We’re talking, totally plugged. No air in, no air out. I stood up and tried to cough, but nothing was working. Steve was right next to me and asked if I was OK. I shook my head, “No,” and his eyes widened.
“Are you serious?” he gaped. I nodded and before I knew it he was behind me, arms around my bulging belly and he performed the Heimlich maneuver on me. In one thrust the chunk of cake sailed out of my throat and across the yard and I was able to breathe. Talk about scary. It took me a while to regain my voice, and after a glass of water and the chance to just sit down and regroup, I was OK.
I had never choked like that before and it was so frightening. Thankfully Steve is well-versed in first aid and had actually just taken a refresher course through his job a couple months ago.
When I got home I googled “Heimlich when pregnant” to see if any harm could have come to the baby. Turns out you’re supposed to do chest compressions on a pregnant victim, but as Steve said, he “didn’t really have time to run and check the internet before saving his pregnant wife’s life.”
I am just so thankful he was there and that everything is OK. If you think of the babe in my belly, say a little prayer that her head didn’t get smooshed while Daddy was being a hero. The fetal movements have been strong and steady, and there was no repeated thrusts required, so I hope everything is OK.
They say that bad things come in threes, and in the course of last evening’s events we not only had my brush with death, but Avelyn stepped in a fresh, steaming pile of dog log, and she also totally diarrhead herself moments before we left. So, there’s our three: dog poop smeared between our daughter’s toes, a near death experience, and a diaper full of toddler butt juice. Life is grand. But, really, I am happy to not be dead, even if it means my days are filled with turd-related situations.
27 Comments
whoa, that’s intense! i’m glad you’re okay, tho. Good job, steve! And i’m sure little “Hilda” will be okay (that’s what i named the child). Babies are amazingly resilient!
Thanks for staying alive.
Man, what a scary moment that was!!
I wouldn’t know where to put my arms around you in the first place. Above, below? over?
Glad everyone seems to be ok, poop infested and all. :)
Amanda! I’m so glad you’re still with us. Thanks to Steve for keeping you around a little longer. :)
Way to save the day Steve!
I’m sure your little bambino is just fine in there. Glad you are alive and well.
Man that would be scary! Glad you are okay. After that it makes dog poop and diarrhea a piece of cake…no pun intended. LOL!
I think that you should draw a caricature of hero Steven and Avelyn’s poop double whammy.
Wow! Sounds like an eventful one, we’re glad you’re alright and that Steve was on the ball.
I’m sure your little one is just fine, but she’ll have our prayers as always.
I’m frightened for you! I’m impressed with Steve’s ability to think so quickly. Thank goodness he was there. I’m one of those people who sits, stunned, trying to make sense of a situation.
Baby is just fine, maybe her feet got a little press :)
OH how frightening! But way to go Steve!!!!
Gosh Amanda, that is scary!! And way to go hubs! All your scarey stuff was brown, have you thought about that? hee hee
Seriously, I’m glad you are OK.
Thank God Steve was there and knew what to do. I did that once & the feeling of not being able to breathe or talk was a very frightening moment…. seemed like forever.
Baby will be fine.
God is good.
Choking is so scary. I always get freaked out thinking, what is a choke while driving? Or what if I choke with no one but Jaia around? Ahhhh! Glad you are okay and here to witness all the crap in your life! Haha!
:O EEK! Glad your superhero husband was there!!! I’m sure baby is fine :)
That’s so scary! I choked a couple months ago on Smarties and it was freaky…You feel so helpless…Hooray for Steve!
How scary! I’m so glad you’re okay. I’m certified in CPR but I’m always so concerned that I might have to use it and I’ll have stage-fright and “forget my lines”….you’ve inspired me to re-check the steps. And to avoid chocolate cake for awhile (also, dog poop and toddler butt juice).
did you just want to be the life of the party?!?
kidding…that’s crazy-scary.
Scary about the choking, but glad your hubs came to the rescue! I’m sure the baby is fine. I mean, if a 9 months pregnant woman can fall flat on her belly and the baby is fine, then surely a heimlich will be fine too. My doctor had told me, “The uterus is the world’s best airbag. It protects against just about everything.” Meaning like knives, gunshots, etc…not so safe then.
I laughed SO HARD at the “toddler butt juice” I think I choked on my coffee. HOT coffee, mind you. But funny all the same.
If you had gone and died on me, YOU’D BE IN BIG TROUBLE, MISSY.
:)
Choking is scary business! Way to go Steve!
And there’s nothing like turd to lighten the mood after some serious business, no?
Um thank GOD for Steve. What a HERO!!! :)
scary story, but wicked new header! love it!!
Gosh! I’m really glad you’re ok. Scary!
I am so glad he knew what to do! How scary!? Glad you are okay darling, and I’m sure the beautiful baby is a-okay in there.
(Now I want chocolate cake.)
Thank goodness Steve was there, and so well prepared! I’ll pray the baby is fine, too.
How frightening!! I’m so glad you’re alright. Steve really is your knight in shining armor. Way to go Steve!
Wow! Talk about scary. I don’t think my husband would have known what to do? Glad youre O.K. I had a choking fest on Tues. night. With water. and I could cough. So much that I pulled a muscle.I think I will stick with my pulled muscle, thanks.
Wow. I’m glad that you’re ok. That would have been really frightening. Also, I’m sure that you’re baby is just fine. Of course as a pregnant mommy you’ll always worry about it, but they’re very protected in your womb. There’s lot’s of amniotic fluid to cushion her. :)Again though…thank God you’re alright.
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