My Premature Baby Story

My prematurity story begins about 10 years ago. While pregnant with my first child, I watched family and friends undergo their pregnancies without incident. I planned to do the identical. Sometimes plans change…

At my 20 week OB appointment I used to be feeling pretty good. Then got here the surprising news – twins? A bit of panic, somewhat excitement and we were on our option to confirm with an ultrasound. Yes, twins! The babies looked good, we shared the news and altered a few of our plans. I worked less, we intensified our house hunting and acquired somewhat more of, well, almost all the things!

Then…week 29. My blood pressure skyrocketed, my hands and feet were swelling, and I didn’t feel good in any respect. I used to be placed on bed rest and inside 24 hours I used to be in severe back pain. My midwife told me to fulfill her on the hospital “just to check me out” because they were predicting an enormous snowstorm. The excellent news…I wasn’t having contractions and I hadn’t dilated in any respect. The bad news got here somewhat later when the lab results showed I had developed HELLP Syndrome. All I remember hearing was, “You’re having your babies today.”

HELLP is a pregnancy syndrome characterised by hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (lower than 150,000/mm3).³.) It occurs in 0.5 to 0.9% of all pregnancies and in 10 to twenty% of ladies with severe preeclampsia. It also can develop without changes in blood pressure. Symptoms include headache, nausea and vomiting, upper abdominal pain, and visual disturbances. Serious complications may include DIC, hemorrhage, renal failure, and ARDS. Treatment consists of corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate, and delivery.

So my twin sons were born at 29 weeks by cesarean section. We had a rollercoaster 2 months within the NICU. I spent most of that point in a daze as we went through the numerous complications of prematurity—NEC, IVH, sepsis, aspiration, ROP, PDA, A and B, after which some—a bunch of abbreviations and acronyms I had never heard of as an NICU nurse. Sure, I knew the results of dopamine, but giving it through the umbilical vein? I never knew that.

But the story didn’t end within the NICU, as most parents of premature babies know all too well. My sons got here home with heart monitors, oxygen, and several other medications. Growth was slow and development was delayed. There were many therapist visits, evaluations, pediatrician visits, and ER visits. We remained isolated for two years because of RSV concerns, and hand washing became an obsession. It was a difficult journey, and I’m fortunate to now have the option to report that my boys have caught up with their peers. They are within the fourth grade, doing well in class, and playing sports and video games like their peers.

We are lucky. Not every premature baby catches up. Not every premature baby goes to high school. Not every premature baby can eat. Or talk. Or walk. Not every premature baby survives. We are so lucky.

November is Prematurity Awareness Month. Did you recognize that one in eight babies is born prematurely? That more babies die from prematurity than from every other cause? And that the results of prematurity can last a lifetime?

I hope sharing my story helps raise awareness. As nurses, patient education is our top priority. Please remind women that while pregnancy is a natural process, no pregnancy is without risk. Tell women to take heed to their bodies. No one else knows how they feel. Back pain isn’t often a symptom of preeclampsia and HELLP. I’m lucky. My boys are lucky.

References
HELLP Syndrome: Clinical Problems and Treatment: An Overview
March of the Ten
Emergency take care of patients with HELLP syndrome