I have been training in the NICU for the last 3 weeks
and it has been tough.
Some of these little babies are so sick and I have yet to make
it through a week without crying at least once.
Some babies are just born too early for no apparent reason,
some come early because mom was in an accident,
others are only a few weeks early, but have congenital defects,
one was born early and had to go through the torture of
meth withdrawals.
Some are born to families that love them and stay with
them as much as possible.
Others are born to family situations that make my stomach churn.
We've lost 2 babies in the three weeks that I've been there.
Some of these sweet spirits are getting better though
and are so close to heading home.
Whatever the circumstances, these little spirits are truly miracles.
A few weeks ago I went to a lecture and the speaker
assured us that an infant (she said fetus) born before
27 weeks gestation is not viable.
I really wish I could have invited her to join me in the NICU today.
We have a baby that was born at 23 weeks gestation.
He weighs 670 grams = 0.670 Kilograms = 1.47 pounds.
The picture below is not of the sweet little guy that is in our NICU,
but it gives you a rough idea of how small he is.
He is so premature that his skin is translucent and squishy (for lack of a better term).
His eyes are still fused shut and he requires a ventilator to breathe.
This little guy grabbed hold of my heart so tight I had to head to the
ladies room for a good cry and thank my Heavenly Father for my
beautiful, healthy son.
Below are a few pics of the ultra-premie diapers in the NICU.
The pictures don't do them justice, but they are seriously tiny.
The jumbo diaper on the left is Miles size 6.
I wish I still had a newborn diaper to compare it too, alas, I do not.
You'll have to take my word for it though, the ultra-premie is about half the size.
Working NICU has beaten me up emotionally and I just had to
share some of it with the cyber void to release some of the weight so I can breathe.
Thanks for listening.
9 comments:
When I spent those 5 weeks in the NICU with Henry his roommate was Wyatt, Wyatt was born at 27 weeks *but measured 23 weeks. Wyatt never had to be on a ventilator and did all his own breathing on his own. He was truly amazing.
As much as the NICU is an emotional toll on you, remember how amazing it is that you get to help these little miracles.
Its true some parents just don't get it, and its so hard to see the little ones that don't have their parents with them as often as possible but I have learned that some people just don't do hospitals well.
Good comparison to premie diapers -panty liners- its insane!!!
I can't believe that Miles is in a size 6!!! he's HUGE!!! (in a good way)
What an amazing experience Sarah! I can only imagine how heart wrenching it is. What an amazing place to be making a difference. You are awesome!
I couldn't do it, you are amazing. I know you are making a difference and the Lord needs you there! What a miracle to see the success stories, but I can't imagine how it would be to be around those that leave.
Wow. I am sure that is so hard, especially as a mother. But how great that you can be one the people working so hard to keep them alive and healthy. It is an important job that is for sure! Will you only be working in the NICU?
We have a lot of memories of that hospital. Ben's sister's baby was born and died there in 2007. :( Ben's sister was inspired to become a nurse after that ordeal. You are making a difference, even for those that don't get the happy ending they expected.
oh, that post makes you appreciate the little thing. thanks. hope you guys are doing well. ; )
I am so totally jealous of you right now. I loved my rotation in the NICU. WIC is great and all but gets boring. When I was in the NICU we had quite a few babies under 27 weeks that were surviving. One that I did a case study on was 23 weeks and exactly as you were describing. It is a miracle.
Wow! That tiny guy brings back memories. It really is such a blessing to have people like you who work so hard to help these tiny ones. Every sweet baby is definitely a miracle, no matter how small. Since we lost Conner, I have always wanted to do some sort of service for families with tiny babies. I'm sure it is emotionally draining, but you are doing such a huge service for those little ones and their families. I am a little jealous, but I totally understand why it would be so hard. You are so blessed to be able to spend time with them, especially the ones that don't make it, because those are the ones who are so perfect, that all they needed from this life was a body.
I'm sorry, I really thought I left a comment on this because it made me tear up. But looking through the comments I obviously didn't. I laughed when Em compared the diaper to a panty liner :)
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