30 Days of Brave | Beaux

 “On Monday, April 24, 2023, we arrived at the Emergency Department at St. Peters Hospital at 24 weeks pregnant. Mom was experiencing extremely high blood pressures and difficulty breathing. We were rushed to Labor & Delivery and diagnosed shortly after with severe pre-eclampsia. After many tests, Mom was immediately put on magnesium (and a handful of times over the next 10 days) to protect Mom and baby. We spoke to a Neonatal Doctor at St. Peter’s and they explained the statistics of survival for a baby born at 24 weeks. Our worlds were turned upside down with the unknown. When it was becoming harder to control Moms blood pressures with medications, the doctors at St. Peter’s informed us that baby would likely be delivered soon. They suggested we move to Albany Medical Center where they were better equipped to care for a baby so young and small. Mom was transported by ambulance, in the middle of the night, while back on “the mag”, as Dad followed behind. We arrived at Albany Med very early Friday Morning and soon after, spoke to one of their Neonatal Doctors. They reiterated all the information the doctors at St. Peters gave us, but at this time, we were almost 25 weeks. At this point, every day, with baby growing inside the womb, mattered.

We were introduced to the Maternal Fetal Medicine doctors at Albany Med, all new doctors from who we had met during our first 24 weeks of pregnancy. Mom was hooked up to the non-stress test almost around the clock to monitor babys heart rate. After many ultrasounds, it was apparent the blood flow to the baby was reversed. The nutrients were no longer able to make it to the baby to help her grow. We tried to stay pregnant as long as possible but considering all complications, a c-section was scheduled. Prior to baby’s arrival, given the statistics shared with us by the neonatal doctors at both hospitals, we were terrified.

Beaux Clemente Tessier was born 5/4/23 at 9:14am. She weighed 1lb 5oz at birth and was 11.4’ long. She tried to let out a cry and from that moment on, we were in awe of her strength. She was taken immediately to be assessed and cared for in a room connected to moms operating room. Dad was able to see Beaux a few hours later but mom had to wait over 25 hours to meet her. Over the next 3 months, we were on a rollercoaster of emotions. Our stay in the NICU was a marathon- often two steps forward and one step back. With the help of our amazing team at the Albany Medical Center NICU, we simulated the womb she prematurely left to help her develop and grow. She had 3 blood transfusions, an infection in her lungs, countless heal sticks, routine ultrasounds of her brain, a handful of x rays of her lungs, various types of oxygen support, biweekly eye exams, weekly physical therapy sessions and treatment for a PDA. Beaux fought for her life, every single day.

Beaux spent 90 days in the NICU before finally coming home with her mom and dad to meet her puppy sister, Brooklyn. The NICU was our home for 3 months and had seen our darkest moments. The nurses, doctors and staff of the AMC NICU gave us hope and Beaux gave us the strength to get through. We welcomed Beaux home on August 1st, just a few days before her due date(8/6/23). She came home requiring oxygen support but on her Dad’s birthday (9/21), we were given the “okay” to discontinue that and the diuretics supporting her lung function.

Since leaving the hospital, Beaux has had 3 surgeries. On November 6th, 2023, she had laser on her Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) and a inguinal hernia repaired. Due to an oral aversion and difficulty gaining weight, on March 25th, 2024, Beaux had a G-tube placed to give her the nutrients she needs through her stomach. Following discharge for her G-tube placement, we found ourselves back and admitted to the PICU with the Human metapneumovirus. Beaux spent 5 more nights in the hospital recovering.

Beaux is now one year old. She is babbling and working hard to walk. She has a big personality and is such a sweet girl. She has been discharged from cardiology and the ROP clinic! She works weekly with a physical therapist, a feeding therapist, and a special education teacher as well. She is still followed by a pulmonologist, her GI Doctor and a developmental pediatrician.

We’re home, processing and healing from what this last year has been. We know Beaux has a purpose in this world, larger than we can comprehend.” NICU Mama Meg