Standard Equipment

Here are some things that for micropreemies or other kids with compromised lungs, are 'standard equipment'. Miss Adeleine is no exception. Thankfully, they have just become a part of life and are generally no big deal. But, I'll bet the average household doesn't know what a PiggOStat is.  I didn't, until I had to shove my little kid in one.

Adeleine's NICU Story: Part 6

There's more? When does this ride end?

Part 6: Weeks 9-15

The "feeders and growers" room was great, more space, less stress, a more relaxed atmosphere with pumping room that had a comfy couch and chair and could seat up to 4 pumping mommies.  The pumping room was where the mommies would pump (obviously), talk, laugh and cry while sharing their stories about premature or sick babies. Then we'd take a deep breath, open the door and

Adeleine's NICU Story: Part 5

Up and down, up and down...hang on tight!

Part 5: Weeks 3-8

In the NICU hand washing is important to keep the germs away from the babies who are either sick to begin with, or, like Adeleine, without a developed immune system to fight them. So, avoidance of germs is key for these little ones. Parents, siblings and visitors are required to

Adeleine's NICU Story: Part 4

Stop this ride, I'm scared and I want to get off!

Part 4: Dealing

So how did I take delivering a 2 lb baby 13 weeks early? In short, not well. But apparently this is normal.

Adeleine's NICU Story: Part 3

Keep all hands and arms inside the rollercoaster.

Part 3: Weeks 1-3

Miss Adeleine surprised everyone and sailed through her first few days. She showed no signs of being in an infected womb, all her bloodwork was good. After only 11 hours she was off the ventilator and breathing with the help of a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask over her nose and supplemental oxygen. Her lungs, though strong for her age, were still

Adeleine's NICU Story: Part 2

You must be 36cm tall to ride this rollercoaster.

Part 2: The first 24 hours

Immediately after Adeleine was born she was brought to the resuscitation room next door to the delivery room. She was wrapped in plastic to trap in body heat. She was a screamer (squeeker!), which meant her lungs were strong and for a minute they debated about even giving her the surfactant to help her breathe but in the end decided to

Adeleine's NICU Story: Part 1

Adeleine was born 13 weeks premature. Her due date was November 23rd. She was born on August 23rd. That's not even close. That's not even in the third trimester. To say we were shocked would be an understatement. This is the story of the 15 weeks our family spent at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Part 1: Labour & Delivery