30 Days of Brave- Day 10- Danielle

There is no such thing as a “typical” NICU baby, each and everyone of these miracles have a unique story to share.

My son was born at 38 weeks & was a seemingly perfect 5lb 14oz baby. I delivered via emergency c-section following a failed induction which caused my sons heart rate to decelerate several times. My doctors and nurses were absolutely amazing and were quick to reaction to mine and my babies needs. Once my doctor delivered my son he was immediately checked out by the NICU and within 10 minutes I was finally able to hold my son for the first time.

Little did I know that my csection would not be the worse part of my birth story.

About 4 hours after being delivered the nurse came to get my son so he can go to the nursery and get a standard vitals check and a bath. Seemingly normal stuff until over an hour past and my baby hadn’t been brought back. Finally the nurse came back in with a doctor I had never met before and he introduced himself as a NICU doctor and my heart instantly sank. He explained to us that our sons blood sugars were dangerously low and that they rush him to the NICU (which was on a different floor of the hospital). The next 8 hours were pure hell. I was unable to see my hours old baby because I myself was recovering from major surgery.

My son was affectionately know as a “sugar baby” while in the NICU. He was ultimately diagnosed with transient neonatal hypoinsulinism , which basically means his body was unable to regulate his blood sugars.

After 19 days in the NICU we finally got to go home. After 112 heel pricks to check his sugar. After a head ultrasound to check for permanent brain damage. After countless sleepless nights. After all the tears and heartache. After learning how to hold and care for a baby with a feeding tube and a picc line. After all the good days and bad. After all the highs and the lows. After finding strength I never knew I had, we got to bring our baby home.

I am forever grateful for everyone who supported us throughout our NICU journey. The doctors, nurses, lactation consultant, respiratory therapists, the ultrasound technicians, and all of the other hospital staff (including the cafeteria working who asked me every single day without fail how my baby was doing).   

Fast forward to today and I now  have a extremely healthy and active one year old NICU graduate, Ryder