Miracle Stories:
Emily Grace, 29 Week Tiny Miracle
I have four children. My third was conceived after five years of fertilty treatment. After her birth I was told I would never be able to have another child on my own. But I became pregnant spontaneously with my fourth child, which the doctors told me was a miracle. At 24 weeks gestation, I was hospitalized at Columbia due to a partial placental abruption and was discharged after almost 5 weeks. Only four days after being released — at 29 weeks gestation — I was rushed back to the hospital with excessive bleeding and an emergency C-section was performed. Within 12 hours of her birth, Emily was in severe respiratory distress. Due to a collapsed lung she was intubated and had a chest tube in place. The doctor told me to take her picture and be sure I touch her and say goodbye because they had done all they could do. The only hope was transferring her to Columbia which was the only place that could give her the nitric oxide treatment that may save her life. The first few weeks were touch-and-go; she was on the ventilator for 17 days, had seizure activity, a Grade 3-4 brain bleed, blood transfusions and infections, and a PDA. She was in the NICU a total of 66 days, and despite all of the obstacles she has faced, she is growing to be a beautiful and resilient child. Almost a year old, she is crawling and pulling up to stand, smiling and enjoying all the attention she gets from her siblings. She is truly a miracle, and this experience has made me appreciate and cherish every moment with my children.
Special thanks to Julie K. for sharing Emily's story with us. See Emily's NICU journey in pictures below.
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