My NICU Story
My water broke at home when I was 34wks pregnant, my babygirl was born on 11/14/24; she was so beautiful and seemingly healthy. Everything was perfect until 8 days after she was born. That morning the nurse came to get her from my room to check her vitals (they do every 3hrs) and she informed me that Babygirl’s temp was low, so they needed to keep her under a warmer until her temp was normal again and then she would be able to come back to my room.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Over the course of that day she steadily got weaker and had to be placed on oxygen, a feeding tube, and fluids (at this point they had decided to fast her and give her nutrients via IV- the feeding tube was to let off her stomach secretions). She was holding air on her stomach, clearly did not look well at all and it broke my heart that I couldn’t hold her. At 7pm I was on the phone with my husband before he was supposed to leave for work and I heard them call code blue to the NICU over the intercom and I just knew it was for her.
Her doctor came to my room 2 hours later and confirmed it was her they had issues with, and she had been placed on a ventilator. This was also when he told me my baby needed to be transferred to UK in Lexington. I called my cousin to come get me from the hospital so I could follow my baby to UK, i was stressed she wouldn’t get there in time because she lived 2 hours away and there was a snow storm but thankfully she made it in time.
Skip to UK- they find out Babygirl has HSV1 (herpes simplex) they said it was incredibly rare at a less than %1 chance for her to get this sick from it. At this point I’m still finding all of this out on my own since my husband couldn’t come from work (they threatened to fire him) and dealing with an insensitive doctor who kept accusing me of having genital herpes and lying about it, even after the multiple times i told her i had a pregnancy std screening she just accused me of “picking it up” after i had been tested. At this point i had been awake for 24 hours, scared, humiliated at being treated this way by a medical professional, and feeling completely alone just wishing my husband could be there.
They decided to wean her off of the oxygen/ventilator and to run a course of antivirals to treat the HSV over a period of 21 days. Fast forward to today, my baby is 1 month old- HSV free- and can go home as soon as her eating gets better and if her MRI results are good too. Struggling with all of this alone has been so hard, and i just wanted to put our story out there and get it off my chest. Please be kind. #nicumom #nicubaby #newmom #ronaldmcdonaldhouse
The experience shared by NICU moms can be both incredibly challenging and uplifting. In the NICU, newborns often face serious health issues that require specialized medical care. This environment can be overwhelming for parents, who may feel helpless as they watch their baby undergo procedures. It's essential for NICU families to seek support, whether from hospital resources, support groups, or online communities. Many NICU parents find comfort in sharing their stories and connecting with others who understand their struggles, as it helps alleviate feelings of isolation. Additionally, insights into common NICU challenges, such as learning to care for a child with feeding tubes or maintaining communication with care teams, can provide valuable guidance. As journeys like this one unfold, hope prevails; many NICU babies go home healthy and thrive. Acknowledging the emotional toll and providing a safe space for mothers' voices to be heard fosters an environment of understanding and connection among NICU families. Remember, every story counts, and support is always available on this shared journey.
