On April 1, 2018, Katheryn Delsy R. was born.
It was Good Friday, March 30 when it all began. I was getting up to go to the bathroom and as I got up noticed my water broke. I was only 24 weeks, 6 days into my pregnancy, and I was scared. I went to the Pre-Evaluation Testing (PET) Unit at Saint Barnabas Medical Center (SBMC). There, I was immediately put on magnesium and antibiotics, and was then given a steroid shot to help my baby’s very premature lungs. That Saturday night at 11:30 pm, I felt contractions and told the nurse they were happening every seven minutes and quickly moved to every four minutes.
It was now Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, at 12:00 am. Katheryn was now 25 weeks, 0 days. An epidural relieved the contractions but I was really shaken up not knowing what to expect. The nurses were amazing in Labor and Delivery and in the PET unit. They assured me I would be ok. At 4:01 am my Little Warrior Katheryn was born at 25 weeks, weighing 1 pound, 7 ounces. I was scared about what would happen next when I didn’t hear her cry. I looked when a nurse said, “She’s moving her arms.” Then I saw her briefly and off she went to the NICU.
A little after 7:00 am, I saw my baby girl in the NICU hooked to all those wires and the oxygen machine. I was able to touch her briefly and I remember it being the best feeling ever!
Three days later, she had a head ultrasound test which came back all clear and we breathed a sigh of relief!
Six days later, I held her for the first time with the help of the amazing nurses in the NICU. I was scared and excited but I finally got to hold my baby. While many get to hold their babies right away or the next day, I had to wait until 6 days later. It felt like I waited forever but, it was the best feeling to finally hold and feel my little girl. Eleven days later was Daddy’s first chance to hold his baby girl. He was so scared because she was so small and fragile. But after that day Daddy always wanted to hold her.
When Katheryn was 1 month old, she pulled her feeding tube out. It was Mother’s Day and my other 3 beautiful daughters were at the NICU to take a family picture for the occasion. I think Katheryn was trying to show off in front of her big sisters. LOL!
After three months and 11 days, Katheryn graduated from the NICU and came home with us!
The nurses had helped me so much, even on the roller coaster days when Katheryn needed blood transfusions (she had 3), or when her oxygen would have to be increased, or she was having a bad feeding day. They always tried to educate me on how things are different with a preemie and how she will get older and get better. And, she has! If there was anything I wasn’t sure about they would even print articles for me to read. The lactation nurses were so patient and wonderful with helping me understand any concern I had. Being in the NICU this long takes a toll mentally but we worked at staying strong with prayers and much love from many friends and relatives. The NICU became our family. There were many nurses who gave us and Katheryn the love and support we needed to survive our NICU journey.
Thank you to all our angels in the NICU,
Irma N. and family
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