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You are here: Home / Micro Preemie Mondays / Complicated Pregnancy: Severide’s Story

Complicated Pregnancy: Severide’s Story

October 30, 2017 By Shann 30 Comments

Complicated Pregnancy

Premature birth can come unexpectadly, but often times it comes after a complicated pregnancy. This is so hard, as one highly emotional experience leads to another.

So many different things can lead to a complicated pregnancy. Most of the time, even the doctors don’t know why it happens. It can be hard not to blame yourself, but you did nothing wrong.

My twin pregancy was a very complicated pregnancy. I went to see a high risk specialist once, sometimes twice, a week from week 16 until I delivered at 25 weeks, 5 days.

I then went from staying in the hospital for almost 2 weeks, to my babies being admitted directly into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after their birth, where they would stay for the next 3 months. A whole year of hospitals.

All from a complicated pregnancy.

A complicated pregnancy is hard enough, but when it is followed by a premature birth, your emotions and health can be impacted. #pregnancy #highriskpregnancy #complicatedpregnancy #prematurebirth

Today’s family knows a lot about having a complicated pregnancy. I’m so happy she decided to share her journey with us.

Please meet Severide, as told by his mom, Daniella.

complicated pregnancy

 

 

1. Tell us about your babies.

Severide was born at 28 weeks. He weighed 2 lbs 13 oz and is the surviving twin from vanishing twin syndrome. We lost his twin at approximately 7-8 weeks.

2. How long was your NICU stay? What was the hardest part?

Our nicu stay was 52 days.

We were able to hold him for the first time after 4 days, but only 30 minutes per shift. He suffered from jaundice on and off for 5 long weeks. So, we couldn’t hold him long and some days we couldn’t hold him at all, depending on his bilirubin levels.

He had a grade one brain bleed on his right side and 2 cysts on the left. Both, thankfully, resolved themselves.

Severide also suffered from multiple bradycardias/apnea spells. He was on caffeine to make his brain more aware and to remember to breath. They constantly upped the dosage, as he would have way too many in a shift.

complicated pregnancy

He went through a period of struggling to gain weight. He was on very high calories and would gain 2/3 oz a day. Once he was catching up, they lowered the extra calories. Then, he would stay the same weight for 3-4 days before they upped his calorie intake once again.

Severide also had very bad anemia. They checked his levels every day, and they were very low, but not low to the point of a transfusion, yet.

Severide was up for discharge after a week off of caffeine and taking full feeds by mouth and no signs of jaundice coming back.

The day before discharge (June 1, 2016), his red blood cell count got dangerously low. They administered a blood transfusion, and watched him closely to decide if he was still coming home. He suffered from 2 bradys that night but not severe enough to keep him in the NICU.

Severide came home! 

complicated pregancy

3.Do you know what caused your premature birth? 

I had a complicated pregnancy from the start. I began to bleed at around 8 weeks. They stated it could be normal, since some women still have a period.

Our first ultrasound at 14 weeks we found out there was another baby, but the only one moving was Severide. He was spinning around in circles enjoying his time.

I was in the hospital 2 times after that for severe abdominal pain. The pain was the same as when I began to bleed. One was 2 weeks after my ultrasound, and they sent me home saying it was round ligament pains. We told them we were worried because we already lost his twin. The attending nurse told us that it doesn’t count because I didn’t miscarry the twin. It was just reabsorbed.

I was then back in hospital with the same thing about a month later. This time they hooked me up to monitors, and asked me if I felt tightening or pains because I was having contractions. They were not severe ones. After some fluids, I was sent home to check with my OB.

I was sent for weekly cervical lens and my cervix was 2.7. So, I was put onto bedrest for a week to see how it would turn out. It stayed the same, so I was taken off of bedrest and was told to resume my daily activities.

At 27 weeks 5 days (April 8, 2016 at 7 pm) my water broke (PPROM). We rushed to labor and delivery. I was given antibiotics and magnesium to stop labor twice. I received 2 steroid shots to help with his lungs. So when he came, he would be able to take a breath.

Finally, I was in my own room Saturday night. Sunday morning I ate some breakfast for the first time since Friday afternoon.

Sunday afternoon, they came in and asked if I felt him moving. They had no movements as they were repositioning the monitors. After no sign of movements, back to labor and delivery I went. They performed two 15 minute movement ultrasounds, and failed both of them. The second ultrasound was administered for an extra 5 minutes and still nothing. Every contraction I had made his heart rate almost stop to the point of barely making it back up.

It was shift change, and the next doctor came in and introduced himself. He said they were going to take him via cesarean section after the women in the next room gave birth. She was already a 6. At this point I’m still on magnesium and completely out of it, so it didn’t phase me like it did my fiancé.

Severide was born at 10:21. I was discharged 5 days later, and diagnosed with PRROM and Incompetent cervix.

complicated pregnancy

complicated pregnancy

4.How are you and your baby doing now?

Severide is now 18 months, 15 months adjusted. He learned to crawl at 14 months. He walked last month (September).

Severide is very adventurous and is also a big brother! (Term 39 weeks born July 26, 2017). Having a preemie first was very nerve-wracking the second time around. I celebrated every week I made and every movement I felt. 

Severide is reaching every milestone at his adjusted age, not actual just yet. He has been in early step interventions since February, and it has helped him tremendously. He has started Physical Therapy to help with him walking on the side of his foot. His left foot was very stiff and bent upwards until he was 9 months actual.

complicated pregnancy

Severide will also be starting Speech therapy to help him learn to chew and swallow instead of suck and swallow. 

Throughout this journey, I am now going to start school to become a Neonatal Nurse so I can help all the other preemies in need!

 

5. What advice would you give to a new preemie family? 

The advice I would give another preemie family would be to not lose hope. There will be bad days and good days, but know and understand that the light at the end of the tunnel will always shine. Sometimes, talking with other preemie parents and hearing their stories, whether similar or not, will give you hope as your little one goes through it, regardless of what the doctors say.
It may seem little at the time, but I wish I would have gotten milestone cards and taken pictures when we accomplished them all. You may not know how big they are at the time because of all the other serious problems, but they’re just as big as the rest!
If you don’t know what they mean when you hear all these big words and acronyms, I would ask them to help understand it a bit more. Do your own research on the subject as well. I learned a lot by it. When someone comes to me with questions and concerns, I have been able to pass my knowledge forward.
I honestly believe the best place to go and get some support would be other preemie families. Whether it be within your NICU, or a support group in the hospital, or on social media. Those are the parents that will truly understand you, and understand what you’re going through. They know how important every crucial moment is.
I’ve made some great preemie friends on this journey! They understand me. We have the same thing in common, a preemie miracle!
complicated pregnancy
Thank you so much to Daniella for sharing sweet Severide with us. She gave us some great advice.
Please leave any supportive comments or questions below.

 

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Filed Under: Micro Preemie Mondays Tagged With: apnea, bilirubin, blood transfusion, brady, desat, incompetent cervix, jaundice, micro preemie monday, neonatal, NICU, NICU nurse, Pprom, premature birth

Comments

  1. Beth Kondrick says

    October 30, 2017 at 9:47 am

    What an amazing story – such a scary pregnancy and I’m glad sweet Severide is doing well! I also think it’s awesome Daniella wants to go to school to be a neonatal nurse, that’s great!

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  2. Lindsay @ The Flynnigans says

    October 30, 2017 at 10:22 am

    Wow, another incredible story.
    What a cute little boy and those curls are just so beautiful!

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:52 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  3. Divya Budhraja says

    October 30, 2017 at 10:48 am

    Such a cute baby. I love when life experiences lead people to changing career paths. I bet it helps other mamas out so much when their neo-natal nurse can say, “I’ve been there. Let me help.”

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:53 pm

      Yes! That’s my exact goal! <3

      Reply
  4. shelah moss says

    October 30, 2017 at 12:42 pm

    What a wonderful story! I am so happy to hear that the next pregnancy wasn’t as complicated.

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      Thank you! It had many downs but glad we pulled through too!

      Reply
  5. Princy Khurana says

    October 30, 2017 at 1:06 pm

    this is really detailed and heart warming. much love and blessings to you sweet Severide

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      Thank you so much! 💜

      Reply
  6. Ericka Castanos says

    October 30, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    Thank you for sharing your story with us. Your baby boy is so handsome and I’m glad to see he is doing healthy.

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  7. Lucci says

    October 30, 2017 at 1:33 pm

    Thank you for sharing such an inspiring story, I am a mother of two preemies and one of them had to be in the NICU and it’s really hard, but it helps learning from other mommies.

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:54 pm

      It most definitely does! It’s a great feeling knowing you’re not alone! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Marysa says

    October 30, 2017 at 2:05 pm

    So glad to hear that Severide is doing ok after making it through so many challenges. I had no idea that they gave caffeine to preemies. It must be so tough to have to go through all the time in the NICU.

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:56 pm

      Yes they do! It’s to help the part of the brain that reminds you to breath, awake. They have trouble remembering being so small, so the caffeine helps a ton. 🙂

      And very, but we pulled through! Preemie strong!

      Reply
  9. Aryn Hinton says

    October 30, 2017 at 2:14 pm

    What a sweet little guy! I am not a preemie mom, but I have a sister that is, and I admire their strength so much. That is not an easy way to start out with your little one

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:57 pm

      Most definitely not! She’s not alone! And make sure she knows that if she ever feels that way! <3

      Reply
  10. Charlotte says

    October 30, 2017 at 8:17 pm

    Severide is such a handsome young boy (and I totally love that name!!). I’m so glad to hear about his recovery and that mom will study to become a neonatal nurse herself <3 what a wonderful way of giving back to so many other woman experiencing this uncertain and scary time in their lives. Xoxo

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 2:02 pm

      Thank you so much! And most definitely! I found it amazing when I had someone there who knew exactly what I was going through! It brings a lot of reassurance and makes you feel safe about the situation. 🙂

      Reply
  11. CourtneyLynne Storms says

    October 30, 2017 at 11:19 pm

    What a story!!!! The whole vanishing twin thing just boggles my mind whenever I hear about it! So interesting how something like that is possible. Glad your little one is doing good now. What a fighter

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:57 pm

      Yes! Very mind boggling! I never knew something like that was so common or even happened! The things you learn is insane! And thank you so much! He sure is a fighter!

      Reply
  12. Nicci @ "Joyful Family Life" says

    October 31, 2017 at 2:12 pm

    What a cutie and a fighter. He overcame so much! I’m glad all his treatments helped him come home, and it sounds like he is adjusting as best as he can. Sweet boy!

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:58 pm

      Thank you so much! He definitely is! 🙂

      Reply
  13. Akaleistar says

    October 31, 2017 at 6:49 pm

    What a story! He is so cute 🙂

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:58 pm

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  14. Dr. Momma Says says

    November 1, 2017 at 11:44 am

    As a pediatric doctor, I have cared for kids with stories just like this. And watched them grow into healthy kids. Its great that you showcase these stories to bring hope to moms who are currently facing their struggle.

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 1:58 pm

      <3

      Reply
  15. Kelly Siech says

    November 1, 2017 at 1:18 pm

    I can not imagine not being able to hold my child after they were born. That must have been incredibly heartbreaking. I am so thankful to hear he is doing well at his adjusted age. I pray he keeps it up!

    Reply
    • Daniella Giampietro says

      November 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm

      Very! Also very hard to have that immediate bonding experience. It was a lot to go through but we made it!

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply

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Shann Hi! I'm a mom, writer, and dancer. I love sharing my parenting experiences, my healthy living tips, my money saving ideas, and our travel plans. My passion to help other women inspired this blog. I hope you'll stay a while and come back often.

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