#smallbutmighty series
“My name is Mallory, I gave birth to my daughter Maven via emergency c-section on Oct 23, 2023 at 26 weeks' gestation. Her due date was supposed to be January 25, 2024.
I was at home with my 5-year-old son, my 13-year-old was at school and my husband had just left for work. I stood up to walk to the kitchen and my water broke. A few days leading up to this I had some cramping but didn’t think anything of it. After that, contractions started, and they were already so strong. My dad and sister came to pick me and my son up and were driving us to the hospital, however the contractions were getting worse, so we pulled over and called an ambulance to the side of the road, my husband met us there.
We found out that I was already 4-5 cm dilated, I was terrified, and they couldn’t stop the labour after trying for a while. They monitored me in the OR in case they needed to get her out quickly. Ultimately it ended in a c-section as the labour was not stopping and the NICU team came to tell us the plan. Maven was born weighing 2.2 pounds, the NICU team rushed out with her, my husband and I were so scared. We also found out that I had an infection in my uterus, and this is what caused my preterm labour. Maven and I were put on antibiotics. After a couple hours we got to meet our baby girl, I remember being shocked at how small and fragile she was, all I could do was cry… Little did I know how strong and mighty she would be!
The first weeks were HARD. Maven was intubated for a very long time and had many breathing events. She needed a blood transfusion and a PIC line procedure. There were many ups and down with her breathing right up until discharge. She had to be re-intubated a couple of times and she was on and off her CPAP machine for a very long time. Maven had different tests and ultrasounds; her brain ultrasounds showed she had a minor bleed. We didn’t think anything of it until a few weeks later during another scan that unfortunately showed she had brain damage in the white matter of her brain, where little holes had formed. This part of the brain controls movements and learning… We were devastated at first as we don’t know until she gets older how this will affect her. She was diagnosed with PVL (periventricular leukomalacia).
After 103 days in the NICU it was finally time to bring our girl home! It was an emotional day filled with laughter and tears. We were so appreciative of the NICU team. They truly became like our family and leaving was so bitter sweet which I never thought could be true in that situation! So many different emotions to navigate!
Since being home, we are adjusting to life and enjoying Maven and her siblings just adore her. She is 4 months old and 1 month corrected. She has been thriving at home and is so aware, alert and strong and already full of personality! We have a long road ahead with occupational therapy and physiotherapy due to her diagnosis, but we have accepted what could happen and no matter what are going to deal with whatever comes. We have no doubt she will do amazing things as she already has. The NICU team would call her “the feisty one”. She is a miracle, and we just love her to pieces and are already so proud of her!”
Thank you, Mallory for sharing your incredible story of your feisty miracle!
Please share your experience with us and help other families going through similar journeys. These will be shared for our #smallbutmighty series.
We are looking for stories with around 500 words or less. To submit your story, please send it to info@cpbf-fbpc.org. By sending your story, you are consenting CPBF to share the images and story publicly on social media.
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