Child's Birth Year
2020

State/Province/Territory
Louisiana

NICU Hospital for my journey
Ochsner Lafayette General

My NICU Graduate's Journey
Peter was born 2 weeks into national quarantine and after a 19 hour labor. At first, he had fluid in his lungs and was resuscitated. After his mom underwent 3 hour surgery post delivery due to an incredibly rare phenomenon called a uterus inversion, they were reunited. At just 7 hours old, Peter’s lips turned blue, and he was admitted to the NICU. It took a spinal tap, blood draws and two days to diagnose him with group B strep. An equally rare blood infection that results in fast breathing, lethargy, and trouble feeding. Though Mom was negative during pregnancy for GBS, Peter still was diagnosed with this.
He later completed a two day jaundice treatment while in the NICU and underwent antibiotics.

What makes you proud of you NICU graduate?
I am proud of Peter because his headstrong tendencies today helped him then. He was not going to let anything stop him-a national pandemic, a rare diagnosis, nothing.

Weight at Birth (lbs. or Grams)
8lb 3oz

Weeks Gestation
40

Time spent in the NICU (Specify Day, Month, or Year)
11 days