23 Weeks
While some women experience premature birth unexpectedly, others are aware every step of the journey could result in an extremely early birth. Today’s Micro Preemie was born after a 23 week fight, including his mother’s struggles to get pregnant.
Even though I thought I was prepared for my twins to come early, I was truly not ready for them to come as early as they did. Even if you have warning signs, I don’t think any mother is ever really ready to give up that fight.
We don’t want to stop protecting our babies. As mothers, we will do anything we can to save our babies.
Today’s family shares their amazing journey from pregnancy all the way until 23 weeks and beyond.
I’m so proud to be able to introduce you to Liam, as told by his mom, Danielle.
1. Tell us about your baby.
Liam was born on September 22, 2017 at 23 weeks 5 days, weighing 1 lb 4 oz and was 12 inches long. He amazes me more and more every day and is truly a miracle and fighter!
2. How long was your NICU stay? What was the hardest part?
Our stay was 105 days, so we actually went home 2 weeks before his due date.
He had a long “honeymoon” stage of a week, but quickly went downhill from there.
At two weeks old, Liam was no longer responding well to the jet ventilator. He maxed out on settings and almost at 100% oxygen. They tried switching him to the oscillator and even conventional ventilator, and he didn’t respond/breathe to either one of them. While they were manually bagging him, we were told that it may be time to just hold him and let him go.
We held strong to our faith and told them to keep trying.
They put him back on the jet, and he finally started responding a little and were able to turn down some of his settings.
Liam also had an open PDA, which closed with medicine. We had to do two rounds of steroids. He came home on 1/4 liter of oxygen and is still on that when sleeping at night.
3. Do you know what caused your premature birth?
After years of fertility treatments due to PCOS and thyroid disorder, my husband and I took a break from it due to failed attempted and miscarriages.
Shortly after that, I discovered I was pregnant again…naturally!
At 19 weeks, we came in for a routine check up and gender pics from the ultrasound. They discovered I was 3 cm dilated!
After 5 days of being inverted on a bed to keep him in (they had to make sure there was no infection), they did a cerclage stitch. During the surgery, I was actually 5 cm dilated and he had come out of me up to his hips! They pushed him back in me with a balloon and performed the stitch. My water never broke. I had less than 1 cm left of cervix, and I was officially on bed rest.
The hospital I was staying in, did not save babies before 24 weeks so I knew I had to make it to that day. At 23 weeks and 5 days, we had a scheduled day of steroids and magnesium drip just in case he did come early. 30 mins after starting, I started bleeding and having labor contractions. He was coming no matter what, but they stopped contractions in hope of at least getting one day of steroids in. At 5 pm that night his heart rate kept dipping, so they had to do the emergency c section.
The neonatologist had come in and told us all the scary statistics of having a 23 weeker beforehand. He said there was nothing wrong with letting him go, but this baby was a fighter and I told him to please do everything to save him.
The ultimate reason for premature birth was placental abruption, but he went through a lot getting just to 23 weeks!
4. How are you and your baby doing now?
Liam is amazing in every way!
We have twice a month PT, but he has been crawling for a couple of months. He pulls up to everything to cruise along and walks with his baby walker. He is funny and loves his sister and daddy very much.
I quit my job to stay home full-time with him since RSV scares the heck out of me.
He’s actually ahead of his adjusted age!
He had hernia repair surgery in July. We are still working on getting off oxygen for good.
5. What advice would you give to a new preemie or NICU family?
If you aren’t sure about something that is going on with your baby, ask. If you think of a question later on, write it down. You are your babies biggest advocate and if you don’t like something being done, you have to be the one to speak up.
I was given a book his first week from a nurse in the NICU to borrow that basically went through his journey. It helped tremendously by explaining PDA and BPD and any issues your baby might be going through. Maybe find something like this.
I also bought a special baby book that is for premature babies instead of full term. It follows more of their journey.
Also, the NICU journey was the hardest and scariest thing I have ever been through. Hold strong to your faith and support from a significant other and family members.
Thank you so much to Danielle for sharing sweet Liam with us! You are both truly inspiring!
Please leave any supportive comments or questions below. If you’d like to submit your own Micro Preemie journey or NICU experience, please click HERE.
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