Pregnancy Problems: Rylee’s Story

Pregnancy Problems

When you experience pregnancy problems, all you want to know is the reason why. Why is this happening to me? What can I do to prevent it? What if it happens again?

The questions are endless, and so is the heartbreak.

Unexplained loss and premature birth are both the realities of pregnancy problems.

Today’s family experienced far too many losses and pregnancy problems. However, there are also answers, there is hope, and there is a beautiful fighter on this Micro Preemie Monday.

I’m so happy to introduce you to Rylee Denise, as told by her mom, Jessica.

Rylee Denise

1. Tell us about your baby.

Rylee Denise was Born via emergency c-section at 25.6 weeks, weighing 1.6 lbs an 12 inches long. She was born hypoxic with a Agpar of 0.

(Hypoxia is oxygen deprivation to the brain. An Agpar score is how the health of your baby is measured at birth on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the healthiest.)

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

We were in 120 days exactly in the NICU. Rylee came home at 6.2lbs on oxygen and a few other meds too long for me to remember.

Our hardest part of our NICU journey was the fact I could only go see her about 3 times a week, unless someone took me.

3. Do you know what caused your premature birth?

I have had a total of 18 miscarriages. This includes one birth resulting in loss at 23 weeks due to full placenta abruption. I also had HELLP and Pre-eclampsia. With my 23 weeker, I had massive blood loss.

With Rylee, we almost had the same thing. BUT, after delivery, the doctor on-call got curious and sent blood work, urine labs, as well as Rylee’s blood and placenta and cord blood. He had me tested for Factor V Leiden Mutation  and PT G20210A Mutation. Both came back positive, and he explained, in his medical opinion, this is what had been causing my losses and problems in pregnancies.

4.How are you and your baby doing now?

Rylee and Gabriel ( my 28 weeker ) are doing well and hitting most milestone’s now. Speech and hand movements (feeding, coloring, etc.) for Rylee are behind. Gabriel is having learning difficulties. Both are autistic, and Rylee is legally blind in her left eye.

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

ASK LOTS OF QUESTIONS !!! I’m an administrator at Micro-preemie Moms and Families support  on Facebook. We will be here if anyone needs support. We were created for that reason, since micro preemies are more unique than your average preemie.

Thank you so much to Jessica for sharing beautiful Rylee with us, as well as the rest of her amazing family. I’m so sorry for all of the loss you experienced, and I hope the doctors have found you the answers you need. You are a very strong, amazing woman and mom.

Please leave any supportive comments or questions below.