Prematurity – Stories from the Mothers and Babies Unit
November 16, 2016
My Baby’s Cord; From Umbilical Cord To Umbilicus.
September 11, 2018
It was on Tuesday, April 7th 2015, a day after celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. My wife and I went to the hospital for a regular antenatal review. But she complained of some unusual sensations in her body so I asked her to report it to the doctor during the review.
She went through the normal checks but was asked to do a scan due to the complaints about the unusual sensations especially as she was in her last trimester. The scan showed that everything was fine but the doctor decided to detain her till the end of the day for observation. At this point my wife complained of some form of contraction but because she was not due for another eight weeks, she was given medication to control the contraction.
I went home to take a nap but got a call from my mother-in-law saying that my wife had delivered – pre-term. I froze, knowing fully the challenges of delivering a pre-term male baby (my wife is a Senior Physician Assistant).
At the hospital I saw this tiny baby who weighed just 1.5kg laying in one of the baby cots at the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care unit) of the hospital because the incubator there was occupied by another baby. Both the nurses and the medical officers were around him checking his vitals i.e. his breathing pattern, sugar level among others.
My wife was discharged the following morning while the baby was kept at the hospital for two weeks. During this period my wife went to the hospital to take care of the baby from the early hours of the morning till late in the evening before coming home to rest. I also spent countless hours at the hospital.
Shidaa @ 2 weeks old
She started expressing breast milk for the baby and carrying him using the kangaroo style (Kangaroo Mother Care – KMC). On the day of discharge, the medical officer called my wife and I and advised us on how to take care to this “small baby”. She advised us to practice good personal hygiene, keep the baby warm at all times and to continue with the Kangaroo care, to visit the hospital every week for review and to report any change as early as possible.
Today, at one year seven months, Shidaa (meaning Thanksgiving) as he is called, is doing well and has even started schooling to the glory of God.
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Shidaa at 7 months old
Shidaa on his way to school at 1 year and 7 months old
3 Comments
Very inspirational life story. I thank God for his life. Good job for the care, support and love you’ve shown to your family. May God bless you and your family. Keep it up???
This is amazing story. Preterm babies can survive indeed. Such babies become smart and brilliant in future. May God give you the strength to support and care for Shidaa. Sharing stories like this give hope to mothers/parents who are or may be in similar situations.
Thank God for giving the added knowledge and wisdom to the lovely doctors and nurses. Bless you ????????