#30DaysofBrave Day 23- Lauren

Eli’s story:

On June 5th, 2021 we welcomed our beautiful baby boy Elias to the world. It being my 3rd baby, I expected the labour to be somewhat quick but definitely didn’t anticipate HOW quickly things would progress. I was in L&D for about 17 minutes before he made his entrance.

When my water broke the nurse told me there were traces of meconium in the amniotic fluid and they were calling in some ‘extra help’ to monitor him after delivery. He needed assistance breathing right away and after holding him for a few shorts minutes they whisked him away to the NICU where he stayed for 3 1/2 weeks.

I remember feeling completely lost and overwhelmed. Doctors and nurses were coming in and out of the delivery room trying to help explain what was happening. Shortly after being admitted to the NICU things had spiralled out of control. He was diagnosed with Meconium Aspiration syndrome and was not able to breathe on his own. He had to be resuscitated several times and began experiencing seizures. We were then told that they were initiating a treatment called Therapeutic Hypothermia to help treat a suspected case of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy - a severe lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain which can result in significant brain damage.

So there I was, shortly after giving birth, in complete shock, and instead of holding my baby in my arms, I was holding a pamphlet about a study on assessing brain damage in newborns with HIE. How can one of the best days of your life also be the worst.

Hours later, when we finally received the call that we could visit our beautiful boy, we walked into the NICU for the first time .. terrified. I’ll never forget what it felt like to see him there, hooked up to all of those different machines. I’ll also never forget the beautiful nurse who walked us through every single machine, monitor, cord, IV, and beep. A Breathing tube, a feeding tube, oxygen & nitric oxide, IV fluids, morphine drip, blood transfusions, an Echocardiogram that revealed pulmonary hypertension, Electroencephalogram to monitor the seizures, an MRI to assess the level of trauma to his brain. In just 3 weeks our little guy was exposed to more medical equipment and testing than I have been in 3 decades. By the grace of God and his incredible medical team, they were able to get him stable and in under a month, strong enough and healthy enough to come home.

I know the theme here is bravery, but truthfully I never felt brave .. not during our time in the NICU and still now as we continue to navigate all of the follow up appointments since discharge. But I suppose bravery comes in those small moments too … where you pick yourself up from a good cry on the nursery floor, or dry your eyes after a breakdown in the shower, or simply staying positive and hopeful despite not receiving great news at an appointment.

The NICU will always and forever hold a special place in our hearts.