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You are here: Home / Blog / Growth Restricted, William’s story of hope

Growth Restricted, William’s story of hope

September 19, 2016 By Shann 15 Comments

Growth Restricted

What does it mean when your baby is growth restricted during a pregnancy? Unfortunately, I have firsthand knowledge on this subject. My twin B was growth restricted during my identical twin pregnancy.

During a singleton pregnancy, growth restriction is called IUGR, which stands for Intrauterine Growth Restriction. In my case, I had SIUGR, which is Selective Intrauterine Growth Restriction, because just one of the babies was growth restricted.

There can be many different reasons for this, but the outcome is always the same. The baby is very small for its gestational age, not getting enough nutrients to grow. It’s very dangerous for the baby. There is no treatment for this condition when the baby is in the womb, so delivery is the only option when the baby stops growing.

Today, you’ll meet William, who had to battle this condition and face a very early delivery. His story is just as amazing as he is, and I’m very happy to be able to share it with you. His mother, Heather, sent me his story after a long day in the NICU. Please read all about them, as they continue to fight their way home.

Growth Restricted, William's story

William Thomas

1. Tell Us About Your Baby

William Thomas was born July 1, 2016 via emergency c-section when I was exactly 29 weeks pregnant. He was severely growth restricted, weighing 1 lb 4 oz and was 11 1/2 inches long.

growth restricted

2. How long have you been in the NICU? What was/is the hardest part?

We’ve been in NICU 80 days as of this posting. William came out of the isolette today and has been taking a bottle twice for about a week now. We’re hoping he’ll be home soon!

The hardest part, hands down, is walking away. We’ve been doing it since the day he was born and it never gets easier. There will always be that tug at your heart, that ache and emptiness, walking out of a hospital without your child.

Second would have to be watching your child struggle. Whether it’s to breathe or to eat, or when they’re hurting during a procedure or replacing a feeding tube, it’s absolutely heartbreaking to watch.

growth restricted william

3. What caused your premature birth?

Ours was a combination of a lot of things, I guess.

He fell behind in growth at my 20 week anatomy scan. I had another scan at 25 weeks because they weren’t sure he was small, or if all his womb acrobats made the measurements off. However, it was confirmed he was, at that point, 2-3 weeks behind in growth. I saw a Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor on Wednesday, June 29 2016 and was immediately admitted due to severe IUGR (6 weeks behind at that point), reverse blood flow, very short cervix, and heart rate decels caused by contractions I didn’t even realize I was having. My body was trying its best to go into labor with my tiny man.

They didn’t think I’d make it overnight without them taking the baby due to the heart decelerations. I got my first steroid shot for his lungs and started on magnesium for his brain. The Magnesium also helps stop the contractions. The contractions didn’t totally stop, but we managed to hold on! I had the second steroid shot the next day, and held on for it to do some good for his lungs. Unfortunately, on Friday night, he had three big decels in a 30 minute span. The decision was made. William was born on July 1st at 10:48 pm, 29 weeks exactly.

At delivery, it was also discovered that my placenta was very small, and Will’s cord was very short.

Today’s Update

4. How are you and your baby doing now?

Will is basically a feeder and grower at this point. He’s weighing right around 3 1/2 lbs.

There are two major things we’ve faced in the NICU. The first was his PDA Ligation surgery. He’s also having a laser procedure tomorrow for ROP (Retinopathy of Prematurity).

We’ve been extremely blessed for preemie parents period, not just micro preemie. Will was only on a ventilator for 12 hours after birth. He then went straight to a nasal cannula. Our first big surprise from our tiny guy! He only had to be reintubated twice; once for his PDA Ligation, and once when he had a bad reaction to eye dilating drops and an infection. It was a very scary episode for me, but he was back on the cannula a few days later.

He’s been off all oxygen support since he was 6 weeks, 3 days old (and still barely over 2 lbs!).

Also, tomorrow he’ll need to be intubated for his ROP procedure. But he’s a strong little guy!

I’m doing well and staying strong because of him. He gives me so much strength just by seeing how much he has. If he can do it, I can do it.

growth restricted

5. What advice do you have for new preemie moms?

Take time for yourself. Whether you have other children or not, it’s so important to have time away from the NICU. It’s a draining place to be. Don’t beat yourself up for it. Never blame yourself. So many things that are beyond our control can cause a premature birth. None of us would’ve wished this on our child(ren), or done anything to cause it. Don’t forget to be thankful that we live in a wonderful world where these babies have a chance to live, and to thrive.

growth restricted

Thank you so much to Heather for sharing precious Will with us. Please send your words of support and encouragement in the comments below. I will update you as soon as they get home!

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Filed Under: Blog, Micro Preemie Mondays Tagged With: contractions, growth restricted, identical twins, intrauterine growth restriction, iugr, Maternal Fetal Medicine, mfm, NICU, PDA, pregnancy, ROP, selective intrauterine growth restriction, singleton, siugr

Comments

  1. Tessa Hamilton says

    September 19, 2016 at 10:26 am

    Go William go! My daughter was born at 28+6, 1 lb 15 oz, 13″ long – iugr and decels caused her early delivery. She surprised us in so many ways! Preemies are miraculous beings – real life superheroes. I am so happy to hear your son is a feeder/grower at this point. With iugr it just takes a long time to get that weight up! My daughter is now a sturdy 15 month old (12.5 mos adj), 21 lbs, who is close to walking! She gets therapies, but has no complications and is expected to be “caught up” by 2. Seeing her you’d never guess she was a preemie! Sending love and hugs, you are all brave NICU Warriors and will continue to kick prematurity’s butt!

    Reply
    • Shann Eva says

      September 19, 2016 at 9:30 pm

      That is awesome to hear Tessa! Thank you so much for reading and sharing your story too 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jasmine Hewitt says

    September 19, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    Thank you for sharing William’s Story!

    Reply
  3. Christine Cox says

    September 19, 2016 at 9:43 pm

    What a scary situation for you all! It is amazing that at just 29 weeks, and his small size, that he has come such a long way in a short period of time. Please, please, PLEASE don’t wish away the days until he comes home. I did that with my NICU preemie and I felt like I really just wished away the first 13 days of his life all because I selfishly wanted him home. And I know walking away and leaving him behind is so hard (I still cry thinking about it) but he will get to go home with you soon! <3

    Reply
  4. Stacy taylor says

    September 20, 2016 at 10:26 am

    My heart goes out to this family. I’m glad they are staying strong. Thanks for sharing your story. Prayers ?

    Reply
  5. Ashley SpitUpandSitUps says

    September 20, 2016 at 11:50 am

    What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  6. Mary mozingo says

    September 20, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    Thank you for sharing this! So touching!!

    Reply
  7. Susan Croox says

    September 20, 2016 at 1:09 pm

    Ah, I remember Jac’s NICU days. He had heart surgery as well as the PDA ligation. I was suffering from post partum depression and that was the hardest time in my life. Glad this guy is doing well!

    Reply
  8. Georgiana says

    September 20, 2016 at 2:52 pm

    I can’t even imagine the heartbreak of walking away day after day. Such a beautiful story.

    Reply
  9. Savannah says

    September 20, 2016 at 5:22 pm

    Oh wow, what an absolutely incredible story. I know that being diagnosed with IUGR must be so terrifying. I’m so happy to see that Will is thriving, and only getting better each day. I’m sure he rocked his ROP procedure. Thanks for sharing <3

    Reply
  10. Fullest Mom says

    September 20, 2016 at 9:08 pm

    The photos tug at my heart. Such an amazing story. Bless you, William. I’m a little speechless and awe struck with the way God will put the most precious of souls in our hands.

    Reply
  11. Julie S. says

    September 20, 2016 at 10:07 pm

    thank you for sharing Will’s story with us. He’s a strong little fighter and I’m happy to hear that he is growing and thriving and will hopefully get to come home to his family soon.

    Reply
  12. Nichole @The Titan Adventures says

    September 21, 2016 at 5:19 pm

    Thanks for sharing this beautiful story and my heart goes out to Heather! I am so glad to hear William is doing better and I hope they both get to head home soon.

    Reply
  13. Kristin C says

    September 22, 2016 at 6:22 am

    Wow! This is amazing and I am so glad that he made it through. So scary!

    Reply
  14. Shazz MI says

    September 22, 2016 at 7:51 am

    This really made me sad and emotional. I can only imagine the scenario. I wish the parents goodness and sending positive vibes.

    Reply

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Meet Shann

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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