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Laura, Josh, and Aiva Bechtel
ana residents) would have never dreamed that their full term baby would end up in the NICU. After being in labor for roughly 50 hours, though not all active labor, baby and mother found themselves with fever and Aiva’s heart rate dro pped due to stress. Laura’s response after asking her if she thought her length of labor affected any aspect of the stay in NICU was, “I do feel that it affected our outcome because by the end, we both ran a fever and her heart rate dropped for a bit due to the stress of a long labor. If I can avoid it, I will not be induced with another baby.”
Here is Laura’s account of their family’s experience with NICU. Everyone is a little different and this is one story.
Because you where pregnant with one baby and went full term did you ever think you would end up in NICU?
“I did not anticipate a stay in the NICU because she was born just under 40 weeks. I thought we would go to the hospital, have a healthy full-term baby and come home. “
Is there anything you wish you would have done to prepare for your stay in the NICU?
“I don't know if there was anything I could have done to prepare, especially since it was with my first baby. If there is a next time in the NICU, I hope the experience mirrors our first.”
Aiva with IV in her head and a cannula
What kind of equipment was used for your daughter and why?
“She had an IV, heart rate monitor, and oxygen to get healthy air into her lungs to push the fluid out. “ After being in labor for many hours, Aiva had fluid retention in her lungs. This is very common in newborn babies and though sometimes can develop into pneumonia and be very dangerous; is normally just a hiccup.
Did you have any trouble feeding her? Did she require a feeding tube or anything? Do you have any advice on feeding for other mothers?
“There were some feeding issues, because after the fluid was taken care of she had blood in her stool and vomit. She was on a 24 hour food rest, and I was unable to nurse until the third day because of that. As far as feeding for new Moms, I would just tell them to do what's best for their baby. We weren't sure that I would be able to nurse because she was having a hard time. We thought she might have some serious allergies from the get go, but we turned out to be wrong. During that time, I stressed out about the idea of not being able to nurse her, but had to come to terms that it might not be the best way for her. I ended up nursing full time for about 4 1/2 months, and then I supplemented with formula. I don't think she has suffered because I did not nurse for as long as I could have, and she has been very healthy except for digestive troubles as she got a bit older.”
I know that in most hospitals mothers are allowed to stay in a room, at the hospital, if one is available. Did you remain in the Hospital with your daughter or did you go home for periods of time?
“We stayed in the hospital one extra night and then we went home, but home was only a few blocks from the hospital. I spent the days and evenings there, but went home to sleep after the third night. I still wasn't nursing full time, so it was a little easier.”
Little Miss Aiva today!!!
When you went home, did you feel she was cared for properly the whole time you were gone and how did you deal with feeding?
“I do feel like she was well taken care of while we weren't able to be there with her. The only disagreement I had was that the doctor wanted to put her back on regular Enfamil, which I believed was too harsh for her and caused the blood in her stool and vomit. I insisted that they supplement her with Prosobee instead, which is a soy-based formula. The doctor didn't agree with me, but at two she is still drinking soy milk because every time we try "real" milk, we have digestive troubles. Now that I am in a new city, I am so nervous when I think about having a baby in a new place!”
Aiva is a healthy little girl that will be two in October. She is full of conversation and spirit. NICU was just her fist stop on a long journey and a story that will be shared with her in years to come. For Laura and Josh Bechtel, it is now but a memory and the NICU a stepping stone to their daughter’s future.
Though the days in NICU seem to never end, the time passes and the days isolated become faded.
Other articles in this series:
Surviving NICU part 1: An introduction
Surviving NICU part 2: Feeding your baby
Surviving NICU part 3: Stages of beds in NICU
Surviving NICU part 4: What is Bradycardia or Apnea?
Surviving NICU part 5: My baby needs O2
Surviving NICU part 6: Monitors
Surviving NICU part 7: Aiva's stay in NICU
Surviving NICU part 8: Caroline and Sophie
Surviving NICU part 9: Jaundice
Surviving NICU part 10: Helping older siblings
Surviving NICU part 11: Blood work and IV therapy
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Comments
That is a beautiful smile.....on a beautiful baby. Good story and more useful information.
Why do they put some babies IVs in their heads!!!? That seems really wrong?! I am 4 months preggers and already having early labor signs. NICU scares me really bad but I want my baby to be okay. Thanks for sharing these experiences. It does help a little.
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