Emily Samantha's medical fund
Donation protected
Thank you for stopping by to read our birth story. This is our third child Emily Samantha who was born early at 28 weeks.
My husband and I were excited when we learned of our third pregnancy, but around week 10 of the pregnancy I began to experience bleeding. Spotting at first but around week 23 I ended up being admitted toYale New Haven hospital with heavy bleeding and passing clots. Every time I'd pass a clot I'd wonder if it was my baby.
It was extremely taxing on myself and my family. I was sent home on bed rest and could no longer work. But by the start of week 24 I again was admitted back into the hospital. It was hard since I was an hour away from home, my two children and husband and I felt extremely alone. After two days I was stable and again returned home on bed rest.
I then began the "dance" I call it of two weekly doctor visits. One in New Haven, an hour away from my home. I had weekly ultra sounds, stress tests. The whole time God was good because little Emily seemed to grow and be completely healthy.
I learned I had a condition called Placental Abruption. It's where the placenta tore and the source of the bleeding. If it abruptted again I would lose Emily and possibly my own life and there was nothing they could do. But on rest I seemed to have improved.
Bed rest was tricky at home with a 3 and 11 year old. My husband would work 60+ hours to come home to cook and clean but we made it work. It was difficult with one income coming in also.
Things were going smoothly but on week 27 and 6 days my water broke. We drove to Waterbury hospital and fate had it that my doctor happened to be on call. I was admitted and told I'd be there for up to six weeks on complete bed rest to try and stretch the pregnancy to give Emily her best chance. I had to lay completely flat, had IV fluids, couldn't eat, you name it.
But on December 9th, our son's birthday, I went into Labor, and Emily Samantha arrived at 2lbs 14oz. Can I tell you how perfect she is! She came off the cpap on day two and was given room oxygen since she was mostly breathing on her own. She had a central IV which they removed on day seven since she was digesting my breast milk and had no need for IV nourishment.
We skip to today. She is still doing well on my breast milk which is being fed through a g-tube but is also receiving 22calorie weight gain, enzymes and iron. Although she is breathing on her own, she has "spells" that they call a Brady, where she forgets to breath and her respirations stop, her heart rate plummets and she is basically lifeless.
Having this happen when she is in your arms is a scary and stressful thing. Doctors say she will basically outgrow this behavior. She has been in the hospital for two weeks and will be there at least until her 35th week of gestation.
We visit her everyday, making the 35minute trip from our home at least once a day. Since our younger children cannot go in to see her, one of us waits while the other parent is in and we switch off.
It is difficult to go from being pregnant to coming home without a baby but we know how blessed we are that she will make it and be home soon!
Even with insurance, our medical costs will still be over $10,000. Bills have already started coming in from my previous stays during the pregnancy. I am unable to return to work also because once Emily is home our road is still long for the success of a Premie. She will need constant care at home.
Your monetary support will help us greatly so we are not stressed by the mounting costs and we can focus on Emily and her care. My family thanks you greatly for your support. Help us bring Emily home!
Love,
The Feliciano's
My husband and I were excited when we learned of our third pregnancy, but around week 10 of the pregnancy I began to experience bleeding. Spotting at first but around week 23 I ended up being admitted toYale New Haven hospital with heavy bleeding and passing clots. Every time I'd pass a clot I'd wonder if it was my baby.
It was extremely taxing on myself and my family. I was sent home on bed rest and could no longer work. But by the start of week 24 I again was admitted back into the hospital. It was hard since I was an hour away from home, my two children and husband and I felt extremely alone. After two days I was stable and again returned home on bed rest.
I then began the "dance" I call it of two weekly doctor visits. One in New Haven, an hour away from my home. I had weekly ultra sounds, stress tests. The whole time God was good because little Emily seemed to grow and be completely healthy.
I learned I had a condition called Placental Abruption. It's where the placenta tore and the source of the bleeding. If it abruptted again I would lose Emily and possibly my own life and there was nothing they could do. But on rest I seemed to have improved.
Bed rest was tricky at home with a 3 and 11 year old. My husband would work 60+ hours to come home to cook and clean but we made it work. It was difficult with one income coming in also.
Things were going smoothly but on week 27 and 6 days my water broke. We drove to Waterbury hospital and fate had it that my doctor happened to be on call. I was admitted and told I'd be there for up to six weeks on complete bed rest to try and stretch the pregnancy to give Emily her best chance. I had to lay completely flat, had IV fluids, couldn't eat, you name it.
But on December 9th, our son's birthday, I went into Labor, and Emily Samantha arrived at 2lbs 14oz. Can I tell you how perfect she is! She came off the cpap on day two and was given room oxygen since she was mostly breathing on her own. She had a central IV which they removed on day seven since she was digesting my breast milk and had no need for IV nourishment.
We skip to today. She is still doing well on my breast milk which is being fed through a g-tube but is also receiving 22calorie weight gain, enzymes and iron. Although she is breathing on her own, she has "spells" that they call a Brady, where she forgets to breath and her respirations stop, her heart rate plummets and she is basically lifeless.
Having this happen when she is in your arms is a scary and stressful thing. Doctors say she will basically outgrow this behavior. She has been in the hospital for two weeks and will be there at least until her 35th week of gestation.
We visit her everyday, making the 35minute trip from our home at least once a day. Since our younger children cannot go in to see her, one of us waits while the other parent is in and we switch off.
It is difficult to go from being pregnant to coming home without a baby but we know how blessed we are that she will make it and be home soon!
Even with insurance, our medical costs will still be over $10,000. Bills have already started coming in from my previous stays during the pregnancy. I am unable to return to work also because once Emily is home our road is still long for the success of a Premie. She will need constant care at home.
Your monetary support will help us greatly so we are not stressed by the mounting costs and we can focus on Emily and her care. My family thanks you greatly for your support. Help us bring Emily home!
Love,
The Feliciano's
Organizer
Jessica Tata Feliciano
Organizer
Woodbury, CT