Episode 6: The Space Between. Clayton's Story - a journey of Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE).

Megan joins us on this episode of the Mighty Littles Podcast to talk about her son Clayton. Clayton was born at term, and had an unexpected stay in the NICU due to HIE (Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy).

After a medically uncomplicated pregnancy, made more difficult by maternal anxiety, Clayton’s heart rate was “down”, meaning it was lower than we want it, for 6 minutes before he was born. At birth, he was very pale and limp. His first apgar score was a 2. Megan explains that she knew there could be stillbirths (and was terrified of that), and she knew babies were born healthy, but she didn’t realize that there was an inbetween for term babies. A space where babies are born and need significant resuscitation in order to survive. The NICU team was present for their delivery, and immediately started breathing for Clayton after the delivery. Clayton started to have some spontaneous breathing at 3 minutes of age, but his 5 minute apgar was still only a 2.

Clayton in the Delivery Room

Getting help with his breathing from a NeoPuff.

Clayton was admitted to the NICU for totaly body cooling, a procedure that keeps and infant’s body temperature a little cool for 72 hours after delivery. The goal is to prevent the brain from enduring any further damage secondary to the hypoxic (lack of oxygen) event they suffered. Megan talks about their experience with honesty and grace and I loved our conversation. I hope you do too.