Motherhood has no instruction manual. We know it, but what are you supposed to do when nothing goes as planned? When your precious newborn baby ends up in the NICU?
I just went with the flow.
After two miscarriages, my next pregnancy was considered high risk. I spent a lot of time in bed and patiently waited for my baby to come. The C-section was scheduled for a Friday night, so instead of going out for dinner, I was finally becoming a mom.
I had an awesome doctor that worked with a terrific team of people, so what could go wrong?! Even my biggest fear, the pinch on my back of the needle for the anesthesia felt more like a mosquito bite!
When Pedro was out his father held him and tried to give him to me, but I couldn’t, as I was getting out of the anesthesia and I did not feel strong enough to hold him. After that, they took Pedro for his first checkup as his breathing was not perfect. They told us it would not take long. After two hours, we called the nursery and they told us he was not there anymore. He’d been moved to the NICU because he needed some treatment!!!!!!
Finally at 4:00 am a NICU doctor came into my room to speak with us. He looked exhausted. He tried to explain to these extremely new but already stressed parents that their baby’s condition was extremely delicate and that they had no clue what was causing him a massive blood loss, but that they were treating the symptoms. What followed were five extremely critical days, but finally, on the afternoon of that fifth day, I was able to hold my baby for the first time!!!!!
From NICU to Superhero
We were able to take Pedro home on his 18th day. He was doing great, but now I was in charge. The team of amazing nurses and doctors weren’t coming home with us. There was no space to panic. This was the real deal, and I just needed to do what I’d been told and trust my instincts. He left the hospital weighing a little over 5 lbs. For the next three months, he only left the house for doctor’s visits, and we had plenty of time for breastfeeding, love, and hugs.
Every time I look back on those NICU days, I can’t help my tears. I took me 5 days to hold my baby for the first time, but I was extremely lucky! He was strong and with God’s help, he was able to make it. He doubled his size and weight in a couple of months, and then he was fully recovered.
Pedro is almost 7 years old now. He plays superhero games a lot and loves all kinds of sports. Sometimes when I watch him doing so much I think you were so fragile!!!
I stop myself, I let him be, and I go with the flow.
Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know has an infant in the NICU, you may be encouraged to hear about the work of our friends at ICU baby. They are a unique organization that exists to offer support and care for families of infants receiving intensive care.
