Happy Birthday Madelyn Erin Spence
Madelyn Erin Spence was born today at 3:16PM. She weighs approx. 7 lbs and 6 oz. Totally normal c-section and i'm recovering fine - although not quite as quickly as I'd like. We were surrounded today by amazing family who saw to our every need and took amazing care of Luke, Dillan and me. Everyone got to see Maddie for about 10-20 minutes before heading home. Dillan will meet his sister tomorrow morning.I'm hoping to get into a wheel chair and spend some time with her in the next 30 minutes or so.
Once delivered, Maddie let out 4 little cries before being passed to the set-up room. In the set-up room a team from Peds and Neonatalogy intubated her, started an IV and a catheter. They worked really hard to stabilize her oxygen levels - had to resuscitate her twice. She was moved to the NICU where they did an Electrocardiogram (heart sonogram). We'll get the results of that tomorrow. She does not like to be moved or touched (her oxygen levels drop which is called destating). You can see in the pictures that she is still covered in vernix. She will not get her first bath until she tolerates touch better.
She is on a sedative (stops her from pulling out tubes), a paralytic (stops her from swallowing in air that may get trapped in her bowel) and Nitric Oxide (helps draw out the excess CO2 in her lungs).
Luke and I got to finally spend some time with her at about 6:30PM for just about 20 minutes. She is so sweet and precious.
She has continued to have a hard time stabilizing, so they put her on a oscillating ventilator at about 9 PM tonight. If she doesn't stabilize soon, she will be put on ECMO (baby life support). Timing of the repair surgery is completely dependent on her stabilizing.
Our prayer is that she stabilize. ECMO is big and scary and something we've prayed all along to avoid. Please pray like crazy for this. Although a lot of babies do great after having been on ECMO, it would be a last resort to save Maddie's life - a position we obviously do not want to be in.
Praying and spreading the word. Love you guys.
ReplyDeletePraying for you guys.
ReplyDeletePraying she turns the corner quickly! (((Hugs!!!)))
ReplyDeleteOh I'm praying with all my might.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the birth of your daughter! Praying for Miss Maddie! I hope she had a good night!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jennifer
Mom to Dakota 12-25-2008
R-CDH/ECMO/premie survivor
Praying for you guys! I have a CDH and ECMO survivor, so I know exactly what you're going through right now. As scary as ECMO seems, it saved my son's life and he is doing SO well now. No lasting effects from the ECMO whatsoever. Praying for the same for baby Maddie!
ReplyDeleteIt took Finley 19 days to stabilize enough for surgery. She was on the high freq vent most of that time.... it's a marathon, but God will be with you every step. We will be praying without ceasing for your family and your girl.
ReplyDeleteI met Dr Lee at UCSF for a consult and you can't be in better hands down there. What an amazing team of doctors, nurses, etc.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Liz Dooley, mama to Finley Anabelle
Portland, Oregon
Sending you many prayers for Maddie and your family!
ReplyDeleteMy son, Mattiaus, is a CDH survivor and we can completely relate to what you & your family and little girl are going through.
Don't forget to take care of yourself too!
Angela & Baby Mattiaus
We also had a very rough start with Jayden & he did wind up on ECMO but he was off in 7 days. It was just the rest he needed. Later his kidneys turned out to be the biggest hurdle, but as far as the oscillating ventilator & ECMO were concerned we are SO glad they had them avalable.
ReplyDeleteWe are praying hard that Maddie gets better every day! Fight Maddie Fight! ((HUGS))!!
Shelly M.
Grandma to CDH angel Jayden
Beaverton, Oregon
Many prayers for Maddie and your whole family!
ReplyDeleteLisa
Mom to Ramsey
rootingforramsey.blogspot.com
Thinking of all of you. July 5 was my husband's birthday and I just kept thinking of this baby Maddie. I do not know you... and yet I do know you in an important way. Our 5 month old Samuel was right where Maddie was and I know the fear and hope and love. The medications and treatments and prayers you are going through are all familiar. And now our baby is home.
ReplyDeleteStay strong. I am holding you close.
Corinne
Samuel's mum in Calgary, Canada
www.samuelslight.blogspot.com