Baby D born at 26 weeks, 1lb 9oz, fights for life
Donation protected
From the heart of a mother — My first born son, Derek aka Baby D, is currently fighting for his life in a South Florida NICU.
On March 4, 2023 at 24 weeks 3 days, I experienced discomfort, thus a trip to the hospital; After being given steroids for Baby D’s lungs and monitored 24/7, I was discharged March 8, 2023, to immediately be seen by my MFM and OBGYN. My original OBGYN advised me she could no longer care for me due to my level of high-risk. My MFM confirmed an Amniotic Band, IUGR and AEDF, and I was placed on bed rest as inpatient at the hospital where my MFM did his medical rounds a few days later. The goal was to keep me pregnant for as long as possible without Baby D experiencing more fetal vascular distress.
During pregnancy, I’ve suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, hypertension, low potassium, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, declining kidney eGFR, and postpartum depression, but is steadily recovering. In my 9 day long stay at the new hospital (March 15 - March 23), I’ve had many scares - I had an infection, needed multiple rounds of magnesium and antibiotics, potassium, another round of steroids for Baby D’s lungs, over 8 ultasounds, 37 blood tests, and so much more — but I’d do it again for the safe arrival of Baby D.
Another scare was two of the four OBGYNs insisting we deliver right away when I arrived at the hospital, while the others at the hospital wanted to hold off when only 25 weeks. I was informed the baby would be viable, however, the chances of physical/mental issues would be higher the sooner he comes. I just wanted what was best for my son.
At 26 weeks and 3 days, I was awoken out of my sleep at 4:00AM, as if I had no air - choking. I knew something was wrong, I felt it. Around 8:00AM, the OBGYN doing rounds, my MFM, and the ultrasound technician came in at the same time. I expressed my concerns, and they both agreed to deliver the baby that same morning. They told us due to consistent fetal decelerations with his heart rate over the past few readings that night, it was the best option.
Baby D was born at the gestational age of 26 weeks and 3 days via emergency caesarean section on March 21, 2023, weighting 1lb, 9oz and 13 inches long. Sadly, I could not hold my son until 9 days after his birth. The photo attached in this fundraising is first time I got to hold him (3/30/2023).
During his first week of life, Baby D has faced a Grade 4 Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (brain bleed), tachycardia, bradycardia, feeding and breathing, jaundice, low sugar, etc. Each day is a blessing with him here, he’s truly a fighter.
The fear I live in is like a rollercoaster I can’t get off of… I pray for his strength and road to recovery often. It is truly a miracle that he has made it this far… his father and I wouldn't be here without the support from our community. We are grateful for any and all donations made to our family at this time.
Since that morning, my family and I have been on the hardest journey we have ever experienced. We are forever grateful for our son and his strength, as well as the doctors and nurses taking care him. Baby D, our little warrior, is fighting and has already faced many challenges that we're still working through. We are working through very hard days and are grateful for any and all support.
Please keep Baby D in your prayers, and we will do our best to keep this page updated.
Baby D’s Amazon Registry will remain active until further notice - https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/marie-harvey-june-2023-northlauderdale/3VAQ6OKBQ2LCY?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_CCKVVT49WNK51T3B7355
On March 4, 2023 at 24 weeks 3 days, I experienced discomfort, thus a trip to the hospital; After being given steroids for Baby D’s lungs and monitored 24/7, I was discharged March 8, 2023, to immediately be seen by my MFM and OBGYN. My original OBGYN advised me she could no longer care for me due to my level of high-risk. My MFM confirmed an Amniotic Band, IUGR and AEDF, and I was placed on bed rest as inpatient at the hospital where my MFM did his medical rounds a few days later. The goal was to keep me pregnant for as long as possible without Baby D experiencing more fetal vascular distress.
During pregnancy, I’ve suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum, hypertension, low potassium, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, declining kidney eGFR, and postpartum depression, but is steadily recovering. In my 9 day long stay at the new hospital (March 15 - March 23), I’ve had many scares - I had an infection, needed multiple rounds of magnesium and antibiotics, potassium, another round of steroids for Baby D’s lungs, over 8 ultasounds, 37 blood tests, and so much more — but I’d do it again for the safe arrival of Baby D.
Another scare was two of the four OBGYNs insisting we deliver right away when I arrived at the hospital, while the others at the hospital wanted to hold off when only 25 weeks. I was informed the baby would be viable, however, the chances of physical/mental issues would be higher the sooner he comes. I just wanted what was best for my son.
At 26 weeks and 3 days, I was awoken out of my sleep at 4:00AM, as if I had no air - choking. I knew something was wrong, I felt it. Around 8:00AM, the OBGYN doing rounds, my MFM, and the ultrasound technician came in at the same time. I expressed my concerns, and they both agreed to deliver the baby that same morning. They told us due to consistent fetal decelerations with his heart rate over the past few readings that night, it was the best option.
Baby D was born at the gestational age of 26 weeks and 3 days via emergency caesarean section on March 21, 2023, weighting 1lb, 9oz and 13 inches long. Sadly, I could not hold my son until 9 days after his birth. The photo attached in this fundraising is first time I got to hold him (3/30/2023).
During his first week of life, Baby D has faced a Grade 4 Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) (brain bleed), tachycardia, bradycardia, feeding and breathing, jaundice, low sugar, etc. Each day is a blessing with him here, he’s truly a fighter.
The fear I live in is like a rollercoaster I can’t get off of… I pray for his strength and road to recovery often. It is truly a miracle that he has made it this far… his father and I wouldn't be here without the support from our community. We are grateful for any and all donations made to our family at this time.
Since that morning, my family and I have been on the hardest journey we have ever experienced. We are forever grateful for our son and his strength, as well as the doctors and nurses taking care him. Baby D, our little warrior, is fighting and has already faced many challenges that we're still working through. We are working through very hard days and are grateful for any and all support.
Please keep Baby D in your prayers, and we will do our best to keep this page updated.
Baby D’s Amazon Registry will remain active until further notice - https://www.amazon.com/baby-reg/marie-harvey-june-2023-northlauderdale/3VAQ6OKBQ2LCY?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_CCKVVT49WNK51T3B7355
Organizer
Marie Harvey
Organizer
Pompano Beach, FL