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Nathan Splant
ksplant - 08:58pm Feb 10, 2006 EST
Here is our story...
My husband and I had been trying for 3 years to have children when we went to a fertility specialist and we had gotten pregnant with our first child in August 2003. I was closely monitored - weekly blood work and internal ultrasounds. I was feeling wonderful and everything was going smoothly. I was released from the fertility specialist to my OB for my first appointment in November. Everything was normal.
In January 2004, I was turning 40 and my husband had a HUGE surprise party for me (it was truly a surprise). That Tuesday, I had scheduled an appointment with my OB and said that I was having a hard time controlling my bladder. That Wednesday, I woke up in the middle of the night with contractions (which at the time, I had no idea that is what is was) and we went to the emergency room. The next thing I knew I was being wheeled to "L&D" (Labor and Deliver). I said "I can't deliver this baby now - it has only been 25 weeks". The nurses said nothing and wheeled me up to my room. I really did not know what to expect and surprisingly enough was very calm. My husband, on the other hand, started to become emotional and teary eyed. I told him "everything would be okay".
The nurses administered steroids for his lung development and magnesium sulfate to stop the contractions. I was also placed in a trendelenburg position (A supine position, which is inclined at varying angles so that the pelvis is higher than the head). On the 3rd day, I started to feel pressure in my chest and was having a hard time breathing and had told the doctor. Saturday morning, I had an ultrasound and most of the fluid was gone. The doctor said I would be delivering Nathan today. I was so weak and thought to myself - "how am I can delivery this baby today".
We called the immediate family and let them know that I would be delivering today. At noon, I was wheeled into the delivery room and was being prepped. The doctor came in and said I would start feeling contractions and asked how I was feeling. My mind was racing...I hadn't even gone to lamaze, so I had no idea what to do or how I felt. I laid on the table (with my husband by my side) and said I think I am ready. At 2:18 p.m and one push, he was out. There was silence (it seemed like forever). It is a boy! I was only able to look at him for a few seconds and he was rushed to the NICU unit. He weighed 1.9 and was 12-1/2" long.
My placenta did not come out so I had to have it surgical removed with a D&C. I woke up at 6:00 p.m. in the recovery room and the nurse said "breath Kim, breath". The next thing I know I was being sent to have a catscan and was diagnosed with pneumonia. At 9:00 p.m. I was wheeled up to Neo Natal to see my son after my delivery. It was overwhelming, all the tubes and he was soooo very tiny - I started to cry.
We named our son, Nathan Charles. He was hooked up to mechanical devices, monitors, IVS - I was afraid to touch him - thinking I may hurt him. My husband would put his index finger in the palm of Nathan's hand and Nathan would wrap his tiny little hand around dad's one finger. At one point, we put my husband's wedding band next to him and his ring was bigger than his "little thigh". We visited him everyday and everyday was a new day that brought good news and sometimes bad news, but Nathan was strong willed and surprised us all.
On February 23, I was able to hold him in my arms for the first time (picture attached) - a day I never thought would come. Nathan had a special nurse, Laura and she took extra care of him. She dedicated her time and experience and read him a story every night (Five Little Monkeys). We could not have asked for a better caregiver.
On April 23, Nathan would be coming home with oxygen and a heart monitor. All of sudden, we were going to be "Parents". We spent the majority of the day in the NICU unit - training, feeding, swaddling and asking a lot of questions. Finally, we gathered his belongings and said our goodbyes (our hardest goodbye was to Laura). We continue to visit the NICU unit with Nathan and Laura remains our forever friend.
The past two years, Nathan has been supported by the First Steps program and was discharged in November 2005 from his PT, whom helped him take his first steps at 18 months and is walking with the support of ankle braces. He continues to see a developmental and occupational therapist thru the same program. He has come a long way and we could not have done this without the support and dedication of family, friends, doctors, nurses, and professionals.
Much to our surprise, Nathan was recently chosen as the 2006 Lake County Ambassador for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica Northwest Indiana. The walk will take place on Sunday, April 30, 2006 at Highland High School.
Thanks to the March of Dimes dedication to the tiniest babies, Nathan is her today.
Here is our story...
My husband and I had been trying for 3 years to have children when we went to a fertility specialist and we had gotten pregnant with our first child in August 2003. I was closely monitored - weekly blood work and internal ultrasounds. I was feeling wonderful and everything was going smoothly. I was released from the fertility specialist to my OB for my first appointment in November. Everything was normal.
In January 2004, I was turning 40 and my husband had a HUGE surprise party for me (it was truly a surprise). That Tuesday, I had scheduled an appointment with my OB and said that I was having a hard time controlling my bladder. That Wednesday, I woke up in the middle of the night with contractions (which at the time, I had no idea that is what is was) and we went to the emergency room. The next thing I knew I was being wheeled to "L&D" (Labor and Deliver). I said "I can't deliver this baby now - it has only been 25 weeks". The nurses said nothing and wheeled me up to my room. I really did not know what to expect and surprisingly enough was very calm. My husband, on the other hand, started to become emotional and teary eyed. I told him "everything would be okay".
The nurses administered steroids for his lung development and magnesium sulfate to stop the contractions. I was also placed in a trendelenburg position (A supine position, which is inclined at varying angles so that the pelvis is higher than the head). On the 3rd day, I started to feel pressure in my chest and was having a hard time breathing and had told the doctor. Saturday morning, I had an ultrasound and most of the fluid was gone. The doctor said I would be delivering Nathan today. I was so weak and thought to myself - "how am I can delivery this baby today".
We called the immediate family and let them know that I would be delivering today. At noon, I was wheeled into the delivery room and was being prepped. The doctor came in and said I would start feeling contractions and asked how I was feeling. My mind was racing...I hadn't even gone to lamaze, so I had no idea what to do or how I felt. I laid on the table (with my husband by my side) and said I think I am ready. At 2:18 p.m and one push, he was out. There was silence (it seemed like forever). It is a boy! I was only able to look at him for a few seconds and he was rushed to the NICU unit. He weighed 1.9 and was 12-1/2" long.
My placenta did not come out so I had to have it surgical removed with a D&C. I woke up at 6:00 p.m. in the recovery room and the nurse said "breath Kim, breath". The next thing I know I was being sent to have a catscan and was diagnosed with pneumonia. At 9:00 p.m. I was wheeled up to Neo Natal to see my son after my delivery. It was overwhelming, all the tubes and he was soooo very tiny - I started to cry.
We named our son, Nathan Charles. He was hooked up to mechanical devices, monitors, IVS - I was afraid to touch him - thinking I may hurt him. My husband would put his index finger in the palm of Nathan's hand and Nathan would wrap his tiny little hand around dad's one finger. At one point, we put my husband's wedding band next to him and his ring was bigger than his "little thigh". We visited him everyday and everyday was a new day that brought good news and sometimes bad news, but Nathan was strong willed and surprised us all.
On February 23, I was able to hold him in my arms for the first time (picture attached) - a day I never thought would come. Nathan had a special nurse, Laura and she took extra care of him. She dedicated her time and experience and read him a story every night (Five Little Monkeys). We could not have asked for a better caregiver.
On April 23, Nathan would be coming home with oxygen and a heart monitor. All of sudden, we were going to be "Parents". We spent the majority of the day in the NICU unit - training, feeding, swaddling and asking a lot of questions. Finally, we gathered his belongings and said our goodbyes (our hardest goodbye was to Laura). We continue to visit the NICU unit with Nathan and Laura remains our forever friend.
The past two years, Nathan has been supported by the First Steps program and was discharged in November 2005 from his PT, whom helped him take his first steps at 18 months and is walking with the support of ankle braces. He continues to see a developmental and occupational therapist thru the same program. He has come a long way and we could not have done this without the support and dedication of family, friends, doctors, nurses, and professionals.
Much to our surprise, Nathan was recently chosen as the 2006 Lake County Ambassador for the March of Dimes WalkAmerica Northwest Indiana. The walk will take place on Sunday, April 30, 2006 at Highland High School.
Thanks to the March of Dimes dedication to the tiniest babies, Nathan is her today.
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