Episode 17: Nothing prepares you to have a MicroPreemie.
Emily is an occupational therapist who had two babies in the NICU. Her first baby was born at 33 weeks and her second baby was born at 23 weeks. Both deliveries were emergency C-sections under general anesthesia.
Meet Emily.
Her first baby was a little boy, born at 33 weeks and her second baby was a little girl, born at 23+2 weeks.
Both of her pregnancies were complicated by uterine anomalies, preterm contractions, preterm labor, and ultimately preterm delivery. Her son, born at 33 weeks, had an uncomplicated NICU course and stayed in the NICU for a couple of weeks. Her daughter, born at 23 weeks, had an extended NICU stay including 3 weeks on a ventilator, PDA ligation, bilateral Grade 2 IVH, severe ROP, and a total 4 1/2 month stay in the NICU.
As is the case for most families in the NICU, the beginning is scary. There are so many uncertainties and unknowns. The middle of the NICU journey is oftentimes wonderful; watching your child meet all of the milestones of getting extubated, weaning off oxygen, and graduating to an open crib. And the end is slow and infuriating waiting for your child to learn how to eat.
Her daughter, born at 23 weeks, was discharged from the NICU without any supplemental oxygen and was feeding well. However, when she was 6 months old, she had a urinary tract infection and developed eosinophilic gastroenteritis and an oral feeding aversion. Ultimately, because she wasn’t growing, they decided to place a G-tube.
Happy Mama, Happy Baby.
Her biggest advice for families in the NICU:
Do your research. You know your child best, and you can work with the physicians to make better decisions for your baby. As a neonatologist, I strongly believe that parents know their children best, and should feel comfortable asking questions and advocating for their child.
Do not isolate yourself. Especially for Mamas of micro-preemies. Seek out online support groups or Mamas who have similar experiences so you are not isolated.
Do not compare your journey and your baby to someone else’s. Comparison is the thief of joy.
Take it 1 hour at a time and get out of the hospital. Get a bite to eat or take a walk.