Nikki O’Dell

I never thought this would affect our family but it has. With me being a type one diabetic and preeclampsia making its way into the picture, Cav was a late preterm baby. I’m joining for our son and for all the other families affected by preterm births. 

As a type one, we knew it was already a high risk birth but the plan was to go 39 weeks at least. We get to about 30 weeks, NST testing starts up, Cav gained some speed on growing. Further along in NST testing, we realized my blood pressure wasn’t staying where it was supposed to be. Not to mention, more frequent headaches and swollen like a balloon just about. Shortly after, positive for group b strep. Then it was 37 weeks at most. 

Well, my body had other plans to evict little one a bit earlier. We went in due to me not feeling too well, headache wouldn’t go away and blood pressure wasn’t at the danger point, 160/100. Only 35 weeks and 6 days. Went in and tried induction, it failed. So we go to emergency c section, almost instantly they had him out but his APGAR score was low both times. He was on oxygen for a little bit, taken off shortly after, blood sugars a bit shaky at the beginning but leveled out. But this wasn’t all. 

Cav ended up with severe reflux and was in the NICU for two months. After trying multiple medications, tests, different formulas, we decided it was time for the gbutton. We had a lot of normal firsts taken away from us. 

But nowadays, he’s just as normal as any toddler! No more gbutton, hyper as can be, friendly with the other kids, and a big time snacker!! It was lonely at the beginning with endless questions of what life would look like. But the Ronald McDonald house was there for support and knowing that other moms have went through something similar with their own stories gives me this odd comfort. That we can lean on each other. 

We would love if you could help donate to an amazing cause. This helps ongoing research through March of Dimes and helps with resources for other families going through a tough time with preterm births. We appreciate you for donating/supporting and for listening!