Our family’s NICU story spans two separate NICU stays, both at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Our first NICU stay started with a healthy di-di twin pregnancy of a boy and girl. At my 26 week ultrasound it was discovered that my cervix had started to shorten, so I was off work but able to stay home with weekly ultrasounds to monitor the situation.
At 31 weeks, my cervix was too short to stay home, measuring only 4mm. I was admitted to antepartum at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. I had a fairly uneventful stay until my water broke at 33 weeks and 4 days. I went into labour and delivered the twins vaginally. Andrew was twin A and weighed in at 5lb 3oz and Paige was twin B and came in at 5lb 2oz!!!
We spent exactly four weeks in the NICU, working on growing and feeding. I was re-admitted to hospital three times during this stay for ongoing complications following their delivery but in the end, we were all discharged home healthy!
Life was busy with two little babies but they thrived and did well. Today, both ‘babies’ are doing fantastic and have no long term issues related to prematurity! They are now in French Immersion and learning things every day!
My second pregnancy was unexpected but welcomed by our little family. This time was just one baby!
I had immediate concerns about a short cervix, but my obstetrician assured me that this time would be different since it was only one baby and we could do close monitoring and make a decision about needing a cerclage. It was during one of these ultrasounds that it was discovered that I had a complete previa, which meant no cerclage and this time I would have to have a C-section.
Everything was going well until I had my initial bleed at 28 weeks. The bleeding settled for a couple of days but came back and meant I needed to be admitted to antepartum again.
In the early morning of June 19th, I had a significant bleed and was transferred to labour and delivery so that I could receive neuro-protection for baby and be closely monitored. I ended up hemorrhaging significantly and was a ‘code pink’ to save both baby and myself.
Jared, our little 29+3 weeker was born weighing 3lb 5oz and required intubation, CPAP, and eventually high flow oxygen. Jared had 2 brain bleeds and hearing loss in his right ear.
This NICU stay was longer and more complex than the first. He was in the NICU for 64 days and eventually came home with an NG tube. Jared had his home NG for only 10 days when he decided to rip it out himself and we were able to help him grow without a re-insertion.
Jared has since had two minor day surgeries and has ear tubes for non-permanent hearing loss. These days he is a very active toddler who is thriving and loves his big brother and sister!
Natasha Stephen – Andrew, Paige, & Jared's mom
