12 Days in the NICU, so long yet so short

Baby Adria spent the first 12 days of her life in the NICU (Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit) at A.I. DuPont Hospital for Children. Really, we were fortunate it wasn't more because many babies have to stay much longer. For instance, my friend Amanda's preemie little boy was recently in the NICU for 35 days and some of the mom's we met during our time in the NICU had been there for months with their babies.

I ached for them because even just 12 days can feel like forever when that is your whole world. 

Her first three days in the NICU, I was not with her. It was a heart-wrenching experience to deliver my newborn baby and have her taken away from me for days after only getting to see her a few minutes. As I've mentioned before, she had to have spina bifida closure surgery at the children's hospital about 20 minutes away, while I had to remain at Christiana Hospital for a few days to recover from my own surgery.

It confused my body. Other than the piercing pain in my gut from the C-section, my body had no proof that my baby had come out. I had never gone into labor or had a single contraction that I felt, and there were no cries or coos from a newborn baby around me.

While it was painful during those days to be apart, I was comforted knowing I would see her soon. I couldn't help but think of mothers who do not have that comfort... Plus, Daddy was there with our little girl, while my mom offered support to me.

Daddy in the NICU while the nurse tended to Adria

I wanted desperately to be able to give our baby mommy's milk and the early colostrum that they call "liquid gold" for newborns. But, my body did not think it was time for milk yet. I tried to pump every three hours, but during those first few days only a few drops came out. The nurse would still put it in a tiny syringe, and have it taken up to A.I. DuPont Hospital where Ade could help feed it to her.

However, Adria was not allowed to eat anything her first day of life before her surgery. She was not happy about that! She had an IV that nourished her body and was quickly introduced to the Soothie pacifier, which Ade said she sucked on feverishly. That was the start of a special three year relationship between her and Soothie :)

Adria was blessed to have one of the best pediatric neurosurgeons in the world to operate on her back and put the exposed spinal cord back in place. Dr. Benjamin Warf was only at A.I. DuPont Hospital a couple years, but he was there when my baby needed his especially gifted hands and brain. I will share more about this incredible doctor another time.

Baby Adria still sleeping from the anesthesia on the day of her spina bifida closure surgery.

Her surgery did go as well as we could have hoped, and she was able to take formula from a bottle within a day. We were very fortunate that she did not need a feeding tube or oxygen like many NICU babies. There was a 3 or 4 inch area on her lower back wear she had stitches from the surgery, so she had to lie on her tummy only for several days.

She was born on Monday, had surgery on Tuesday, and on Thursday I was released to go to my baby girl. Praise the Lord!

From the time I got to the hospital that day until she was released over a week later, we did not go home. We spent every day in the private room she had in the NICU. We ate meals in the hospital cafeteria, where I was given a free pass for food since I was a "pumping" mother. The only time we left the hospital during those 12 days was at night to sleep in our room at the nearby Ronald McDonald House. Thank you, if you've ever supported that charity! We were able to stay there for less than $20 a night, and it was a blessing even if we could not sleep that well.

Our only break out into the "real world" was a couple times when friends came to visit and treated us out to dinner. We suddenly remembered there was more to the world than our little baby and her hospital room. It was a blessing to have many friends and family come welcome our little girl. They'd have to take turns coming in as only two visitors (including me or Ade) were allowed in her room at any time.

Aunt Leona, who would become a huge help over the years with Adria!

Mommy holds baby for first time without pillow

Ahh, Daddy loves his little girl

Granny Seely falling in love

Uncle Cameron, who is the best gift-giver and ultimate fun

Uncle Aaron, who can always make Adria laugh

Mommy's cousin Clairissa

Gramma Outten loving on her newest grand-daughter

Grandpa Outten gives unconditional love

Mommy doesn't mind the cries

Lovin' her Soothie

Mommy's friend Amanda

Mommy's marathon friend Lori

Mommy's friend Rita

Super sweet Aunt Bonnie

We did not have to stay at the hospital all the time, but we wanted too. Just to sit there and hear her breathing and look at her precious features kept us interested. Plus, doctors regularly came by without notice and had important updates and valuable information about her progress that we didn't want to miss.

She underwent many tests during those 12 days, but the most important were the ultrasound and then MRI of her brain. The ventricles of her brain were slightly enlarged with fluid, so they were monitoring her mild hydrocephalus to see if she would need a second surgery on that before going home. Thankfully, she did not and we were able to bring her home once Dr. Warf determined that her back was healed enough to ride in a car seat.

They also showed us how to catheterize Adria to empty her bladder if necessary, but the tests on her bladder and kidneys did not indicate that we would definitely need to do that.

Though the days felt long sitting in that hospital room, we couldn't imagine driving home an hour and a half away and leaving our precious baby. We so appreciated the great care that she received at the hospital, and it gave me the opportunity to rest and heal from my surgery as well. But, when they gave us the okay to be released, we were more than happy to be packing up and heading home with our newborn!