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NICU babies DO get older!
SueKlein100 - 08:56am Jun 23, 2009 EST
My story may seem odd for some of you. My NICU baby is now almost 26 years old! I had toxemia and he was born at 32 weeks - not his choice. I 'crashed' and had to be iced down as they did an emergency cesarean. When I came out of the anesthetic, no one could tell me about my baby- my Karl. (I didn't realize that these were RECOVERY room nurses- caring about me- not the NICU nurses who cared for Karl). I thought he had died and no one was brave enough to tell me.
After several hours of increasing anxiety on my part, they finally brought me a polaroid (yes, we used those then) of my son. My baby. I was overcome with relief and love.
Karl weighed in at 5 pounds, 6 ounces- even that early. However, he had no sucking reflex at that age. He stayed in an isolette (incubator) for 4 days until he could keep his own body temperature up. He was fed with a 'preemie nipple' on a 3 ounce bottle. The formula just poured out if you turned it upside down. (I had little milk since it was so early). Poor Karl could only drink about an ounce, and then he would fall back asleep - happy that his tummy had something in it.
After 5 days, he was "graduated" to a "continuing care" nursery. He was in a normal cradle, and swaddled. We had to wear isolation gowns to go in and hold him.
During those days, I despaired that he would EVER get to be a full-grown child. He was our first baby- and it seemed like he would be in this 'state' forever. What really cheered me was the photos on the NICU wall of kids that were now older. Some looked HUGE- at 10 or 12 years old.
I know it seems silly - but, I was so worried and upset - seeing those kids actually grown made me determined to remain positive for Karl's future. We finally were able to take him home after 10 days. He had to be able to drink 3 ounces at a sitting first. (his Dad would tickle his feet and twirl the bottle in his mouth to keep him awake!)
Well, now Karl is almost 26. He is engaged and will be married in September. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall and over 200 pounds.
I hope this story helps someone see that NICU can be the beginning of a great life for a baby!
My story may seem odd for some of you. My NICU baby is now almost 26 years old! I had toxemia and he was born at 32 weeks - not his choice. I 'crashed' and had to be iced down as they did an emergency cesarean. When I came out of the anesthetic, no one could tell me about my baby- my Karl. (I didn't realize that these were RECOVERY room nurses- caring about me- not the NICU nurses who cared for Karl). I thought he had died and no one was brave enough to tell me.
After several hours of increasing anxiety on my part, they finally brought me a polaroid (yes, we used those then) of my son. My baby. I was overcome with relief and love.
Karl weighed in at 5 pounds, 6 ounces- even that early. However, he had no sucking reflex at that age. He stayed in an isolette (incubator) for 4 days until he could keep his own body temperature up. He was fed with a 'preemie nipple' on a 3 ounce bottle. The formula just poured out if you turned it upside down. (I had little milk since it was so early). Poor Karl could only drink about an ounce, and then he would fall back asleep - happy that his tummy had something in it.
After 5 days, he was "graduated" to a "continuing care" nursery. He was in a normal cradle, and swaddled. We had to wear isolation gowns to go in and hold him.
During those days, I despaired that he would EVER get to be a full-grown child. He was our first baby- and it seemed like he would be in this 'state' forever. What really cheered me was the photos on the NICU wall of kids that were now older. Some looked HUGE- at 10 or 12 years old.
I know it seems silly - but, I was so worried and upset - seeing those kids actually grown made me determined to remain positive for Karl's future. We finally were able to take him home after 10 days. He had to be able to drink 3 ounces at a sitting first. (his Dad would tickle his feet and twirl the bottle in his mouth to keep him awake!)
Well, now Karl is almost 26. He is engaged and will be married in September. He is 6 feet 5 inches tall and over 200 pounds.
I hope this story helps someone see that NICU can be the beginning of a great life for a baby!
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