New Normal
After months in the hospital, NICU life can become your new normal. Announcing yourself to the nurse and being buzzed in, washing your hands and arms to your elbows for a few minutes, and breathing in the scent of soap and sanitizer happens every day. The quite darkness of the rooms, the loud beeps of the machines, and the quiet whispers all around start to feel like home.
How can this be anyone’s new normal? It is not a choice.
It’s not a home you would wish for anyone, but it is how and where you and your baby live when you experience a premature birth.
Today, we meet Sahara, who is still living in this new normal, along with her mom, Dee.
Sahara
1.Please tell us about your baby.
Sahara-London was born at 22 weeks and 5 days. She was 1 pound and 0.8 oz. She was born at Abington Hospital.
2. Do you know what caused your premature birth?
I went to the hospital on December 26th, 2015 with a bad headache. I was admitted. It took them an hour and a half to get my blood pressure down. After that, I was told I would be in the hospital until I gave birth. I got 2 shots of magnesium. I was told my platelets were dropping, and my organs were failing. I had HELLP* Syndrome, and I needed to deliver that night.
I gave birth on December 29th, 2015.
3. How long was your NICU stay? What was the hardest part?
We are still in the NICU on Day 164. Sahara is scheduled to have her PDA surgery soon. After that, we should be on our way home. We got a transfer to St.Christopher Hospital on May 10th, 2016 to get the surgery, but we ran into complications. Sahara caught a cold, so that pushed us back.
I also have a 9-year-old daughter who was born full-term, so the hardest part was not being able to take my baby home right away with me.
Today
4.How are you and your baby doing now?
Sahara is now 5 months-old actual, 16 weeks adjusted. She weighs 8 lbs and 4 oz. She did have laser eye surgery on both eyes, but her eyes are doing good now. Sahara had an infection that was caught early on, but she also got through that. Sahara had a grade 2 and a grade 4 brain bleed, but they both are resolving, and she is as alert as can be. Lastly, it’s the PDA that we are waiting to have closed.
5.What advice do you have for new Preemie Parents?
To any new preemie mom, I would tell them to take it one day at a time. Do as much skin to skin contact as you can because it helps you and the baby to bond. Talk with your doctors and nurses. Also, take time for yourself. The NICU is not an easy place, but it becomes your new normal when you become a preemie mom.
*HELLP Syndrome, according to http://www.preeclampsia.org, “…is a life-threatening pregnancy complication usually considered to be a variant of preeclampsia. Both conditions usually occur during the later stages of pregnancy, or sometimes after childbirth.”
HELLP was named for, “H (hemolysis, which is the breaking down of red blood cells) EL (elevated liver enzymes) and LP (low platelet count)”
Thank you so much, Dee, for sharing beautiful Sahara with us. I hope and pray she gets her surgery soon, and you can all go home and be a family together. Please, leave your thoughts and support in the comments below.
Oh wow, what a moving story! I also delivered early, mine because of preeclampsia, but not nearly as early as 22 weeks! I’ll be praying for little Sahara and the whole family. xo
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe she’s still there. Lots of prayers and positive vibes going out to her and her daughter for the surgery and hopefully getting out of NICU soon.
Such amazing babies and strong mommies. Sahara is so beautiful. 164 days in the NICU! I can’t imagine! Sending her prayers and positive vibes. My heart goes out to them!!