Extra extra long post ahead. Ya know just in case you wanna skip it. For better understanding, read prior morning posts referring to RH incompatibility. If you wish, you may ask any related questions on this thread. (This is NOT for sympathy, for educational purposes only.) This is my story. I was missed with RhoGAM during and after my first pregnancy. This led to being labeled high risk with my second. Doctors appointments every 2 weeks for stress tests, ultrasounds and blood work. Now for the flashback. July 31st 2010..... Ive been trying to rest from labor and delivery. Doctors and nurses coming and going talking jibberish to me. Ive heard words Ive never heard before. WTH is bilirubin? Why cant I hold my baby? Damnit why are they pricking her foot every four hours? Everything crashed around me as I sat in my room alone crying. August 1. More doctors more nurses. More tests. The dreadful blood cross happened. The rh incompatibility has reared is ugly head. My red blood cells are killingmy baby. Her bilirubin is now 24 and climbing. The lights arent helping. I am released from the hospital. I have to leave without my baby. Sobs. More Sobs. Im a basket case. Later that day, Im home supposed to be napping with my 16 month old. Instead Im googling every word I can remember. I figure out all the medical mumbo jumbo. Meanwhile, I call the nursery nurse to get a report, which I did hourly while I was away. Her color is starting to stabilize and her bilirubin levels havent gone up past 25. A bit relieved I took a nap and cuddled with Kendall. In awaking from my nap, I dressed to be at the hospital at 8pm for her feeding and to hold her for the first time. I was so excited. I got to the hospital not thinking about any of the medical just to embrace the moment of holding her. All I could do was sob and tell her how sorry I was. Although it wasnt my fault, I felt so guilty. After my 30 minutes was up, I placed her back into her bed and did there crying for the next 3 hours. The nurse had to call my husband to come get me. August 2nd. Morning rounds I am educated on all the medical jargon no one could seem to explain. Momma was determined Was determined to get answers. The on call peds doc said oh, shes fine and can go home tomorrow! Excitement took over and I forgot everything I had prepared myself for. I was on cloud nine the rest of the day. Day 4. The next morning I patiently waited to hear from the hospital to come get my baby girl. Around 9am, the call came in, but it wasnt the one I had hoped for. Instead the nurse made my world completely crumble. A nurse practitioner from another hospital, came into the NICU to make rounds. She immediately put in orders through a neonatologist for a transfer. After my 4 day old, severly dehydrated, newborn baby girl was labeled critical and transfered to another hospital. The rest of the day was a blur. Day 5. Bright and early at the new NICU, there are more doctors and nurses than I could have ever imagined in one room. It was amazing to watch. Everything was explained to me in detail to where I could understand it without a medical degree. I already felt better, but knew this was a critical life or death situation. Mid day I got a call from the neoteam. We have to do a blood transfusion right now. Her bilirubin levels have been above 30 for way too long. I consented and headed to the hospital. By the evening our Princess finally got her first good report. Day 6. A trip to the hospital first thing in the morning I was welcomed by the sweetest nurse. She again answered any questions I had, reassured me she would be fine and let me hold her again. Her skin was returning pink, & she was softer instead of flaky. Everything was looking good. Day 7-10 Allyssa made great progress. She. was FINALLY COMING HOME! ( Of course I had to ask are you sure a million times.) When we got there the Neo docs and nurses explained how risky my next pregnancies could be. Then they gave me tons of literature on the things to watch her for. The possibilities of her being deaf, mentally handicapped, organ failure. ... the list went on. I didnt care what could be wrong later because my baby was happy healthy and coming home. One day at a time. They left me to dress her in her clothing and place her in her carrier. I cried leaving the hospital & the hour drive home. Happy tears. You trust the caregivers in a hospital can provide the best care money can buy. On the other hand, you expect they know how to care for your needy child. I found myself watching the nurses taking orders from a pediatrician who was making decisions that were killing my newborn baby. Finally, a nurse practitioner from another hospital, came into the NICU to make rounds. She immediately put in orders through a neonatologist for a transfer. After my 4 day old, severly dehydrated, newborn baby girl was labeled critical and transfered to another hospital, I lost faith in the medical system. How can you knowingly make decisions on the care of an infant, knowing you dont have the slightest clue how to care for her? Rhogam had been around for years and they all admitted to never handling a RH incompatibility case. Oh sweet Jesus, I was livid. I lost faith in the medical system. How can you knowingly make decisions on the care of an infant, knowing you dont have the slightest clue how to care for her? Rhogam had been around for years and they all admitted to never handling a RH incompatibility case. My baby was a notch on a doctors belt. Oh sweet Jesus, I was livid. It still makes me livid. Ladies, my baby turned 3 today. She could not be a happier child. She came into this work a diva and still holds the title with grace. I just wanted to share my story. Always know or ask what you dont know. Educating yourself to make sound Decisions for your child is best. Hearsay is never an option, always research it yourself. I had to. (Written July 31, 2013)
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 17:20:28 +0000
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