My son Dylan came 2 1/2 months early at 29 weeks weighing 3 lbs 6 oz and 16” long. I was told I was lucky because he was big for a preemie. I would never think this is getting lucky. Regardless, no one ever prepares you for the possibility that your baby can land in the NICU after you give birth.
I met Dylan for the first time 4 days after delivering him. The 3 days before I met Dylan all I thought about was him, but I couldn’t move and the doctors suggested I gain some strength. Moms always dream of the perfect delivery but this was far from it. My placenta had completely broken through my uterine wall due to a condition called placenta accreta and I started hemorrhaging. My doctors took Dylan out as quickly as possible and focused on saving me. I had lost a 3rd of my blood and needed a hysterectomy. I had a 5 hour surgery after Dylan was wisked away to the NICU. I was put asleep through the entire experience. I woke in such incredible pain. I never could have imagined what a trying experience this would be. All I wanted to do was see our new baby.
It’s hard to explain the first time you see your child this small. The first half hour I cried because I feared so much for his life. After I gained my composure, I realized I needed to be strong for him. I started talking to Dylan telling him that everything was going to be ok. Next came the fierce determination to help him get whatever he needed to thrive. I was his mother and would do everything in my power to give him the best care.
Even though I was still healing I was at Dylan’s side every single day. I provided him breast milk, pictures of his 4 siblings, a stuffed animal with his parents scent. Everything. Anything…
Our story is like many NICU families who simply pray everyday that their child will be ok. We do not know what his long term issues will be, but we remain positive and thank God for Dylan’s life and mine.
