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Motherly Instincts: Lilly’s Story

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Motherly Instincts

When I was first pregnant, I didn’t know if I would be a good mom. What I didn’t realize was that my motherly instincts would kick in long before I actually gave birth.

Even before you see your child, you are willing to do anything for them.

Pregnant women change their diets, find the best care, and plan everything around the baby that’s coming.

Before pregnancy, I would avoid going to the doctor because of my anxiety issues. But once I knew I was responsible for someone else, I fought through it, and did what was best for my baby.

Those motherly instincts played an even larger role in my second pregnancy.

I switched doctors, did my own research, and tried everything in my power to keep my twins safe before they were born. I didn’t think about it at the time, but I used my motherly instincts to guide me.

Today, I’m so honored to share another story of strength and hope. Not only will you meet a beautiful, strong preemie, but the way her mother fought for her is inspiring.

It is an unbelievable journey, and it will make you believe in how strong motherly instincts truly are.

Please meet Lilly, as told by her mom, Nicola.

Lilly

 

1. Tell us about your baby.

Lilly was born at 26 weeks 2 days weighing 2 lb 3 oz. At her lowest, she was 1 lb 14 oz.

Motherly Instincts kick in way before the baby is born #motherlyinstincts #prematurebirth #NICU

2. Do you know what caused your premature birth?

Our journey started at 24 weeks exactly.
I rang the day unit the day before, as I thought I’d lost my mucus plug. I was told it probably wasn’t, and they wouldn’t see me! The next day, I rang again, as i knew something wasn’t right. I left my 18 month old daughter with her uncle, and told him I’d be back in an hour as it was probably nothing. I sat in the day unit blissfully unaware of the nightmare about to begin.
They asked if a trainee could examine me, and I agreed. They seemed confused and struggling, so the midwife examined me. She straight away went off for a doctor, he examined me and told me the worse:
I was nearly 5cm dilated with bulging waters.
The room quickly filled with people injecting me with steroids, a cannula took 5 attempts, i was put on an upside-down tilt and taken to labour ward to be put in a bereavement room. A consultant came to do a scan. Lilly had her foot in the bulging waters on the outside. I was told she would come any second and wouldn’t make it coming feet first, as I wasn’t fully dilated an she’d likely get stuck.
She called her a late miscarriage! I was 24+1 weeks! She was a baby not a miscarriage!
This all started on a Friday, and by the Monday, I was still holding onto her in the same position to the amazement of all the consultants. So, the decision was made to transfer me to a specialist unit, as they were only equipped for 27 weeks and older babies. The transfer went smoothly.
Everyday gave me a little more hope, and every scan terrified me more. She was an active little one and kept flipping round from her feet down to her head down. I was transferred back and forth to labour ward and maternity ward, had another lot of steroids and 2 lots of magnesium. I had 2 big bleeds in that time, and no one knew what to do with me. We just all knew she had to come head first to have a chance. A c-section wasn’t an option till i was 27 weeks either.
After 15 days of hell, I woke at 3 in the morning with a contraction. My second one was at 3.30. i was wheeled back round to labour ward at 3:55. A quick scan and 2 pushes later Lilly Hope Ward was born at 4.09am, head first. She even gave a little cry. She was 26+2 weeks, weighing 2 lb 3 oz, and perfect in every way.
My placenta was sent off and came back perfect so they came to the conclusion I had an incomplete cervix.
motherly instincts

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

She was ventilated for 1 day, cpap for 1 week, and high flow then low flow for 6 weeks. Lilly had a large PDA, which closed on its own, and a bright spot on the brain, which had gone a few weeks later. She only needed 1 blood transfusion, and her eye and ear test were perfect.
Lilly did have suspected sepsis, but quickly recovered with antibiotics. Her bradys stopped around 33 weeks gestation.
She spent nearly 10 weeks in the NICU,
 strength

One of the hardest parts was being away from my other 18 month old daughter and trying to share my time equally between them.

4.How are you and your baby doing now?

Lilly’s 10 months old now, weighing in at 13 lb 10 oz. She’s hitting her milestones perfect.
She sees her pediatrician and physio every 3 months and dietician for a dairy allergy.
 strength

I still have flash backs, but she’s here and perfect, so I try not to think about it all too much.

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

Don’t give up hope!
The doctors aren’t always right. Miracles do happen. Trust your motherly instincts.
strength
Photo Credit: Mellisa Cathryn Penty
Thank you so much to Nicola for sharing sweet Lilly with us. Please leave any supportive comments or questions below.
determination

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