Special Care Baby Unit in Antrim Area Hospital (SCBU)

I must admit, that this first night, when I left Geraldine, to drive the approximately 40 miles, to Antrim, to the Special Care Baby Unit, is a bit of a blur in my memory. I can remember just driving and driving…talking to family on the phone…I think I probably called in to our house, briefly, on the way past…but I can’t really remember. I know I was glad that Jed and Kezia were safely tucked up, and being looked after. They continued to be taken care of, by close family members, in our own house, which was brilliant for them…less disruption, and a bit of spoiling no doubt!

I can’t remember how I found the Neo-Natal Unit, in the hospital, but I certainly remember what it looked like, and what wee Keren looked like lying there. In an incubator, with a ventilator, and more sensors and monitors around her than I had ever seen. I will never forget the sound of the machines in there, constant beep beep going on, it was worrying, and yet comforting in a strange sort of way. I knew that she was in the best place for her, in her condition.

The nurses here were so nice too, and so patient when I buzzed them, if I thought Keren’s monitor made an unusual sound, as if I knew! I remember one nurse, who was so lovely, that first night, when Keren was so fragile, asking me if I wanted to have her baptized. I said no, but I didn’t get a chance to explain that she didn’t need baptized, because I knew that Keren was in God’s hands, and that she would be alright, that although God was a just God, and must punish sin, He is also a loving God who would not punish any infant before they reached the “age of understanding”. For a long time after this, I thought about that nurse, and I wished I could see her again, to explain, and thank her for her kindness that night, (maybe she will read this?)

I remember just looking at our beautiful wee baby, and taking photographs, never knowing if one of these photos would be the last one.

SCBU1

About one o’clock in the morning, in walked Mr Park, our minister, and I was so glad to see him. It was good to see a familiar face. He asked me if I knew what the situation was, with Keren, and I didn’t really. I was hearing terms that I had never heard before, and I suppose I was in shock, and not really taking things in so well. He asked me if anyone had used the term “Edwards Syndrome” and I said I thought someone had. I knew it was serious, but I also knew, that God was in control, and that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose”. I also knew that I loved God, for what He had done in my life, and I knew that I was among “the called according to His purpose”, therefore all things would work together for good.

I don’t know what time Mr Park left, but I know it was late. The nurses eventually convinced me (or I was so tired, that I convinced them) that I should lie down somewhere, and they found me a sofa and a blanket. and I was soon asleep.

November 12, 2007 | Filed Under Keren | 5 Comments 

Our First Encounter with Trisomy 18

Keren’s TeddyAlthough this probably isn’t going to be particularly easy for us, as my husband, Glenn, said before, we would like to share some experiences, thoughts and memories of wee Keren, with you, and where else to start, but at the beginning.

Throughout the pregnancy, I had many scans, as they suspected the baby was very small, and they wanted to check the baby’s rate of growth. The scans did not show that the baby I was carrying had Trisomy 18.

It was on April 7th, at one of these many scans, after having more measurements done , that the consultant decided that I should have labour induced. Karen, the midwife who was assigned to us that morning, was wonderful and really helped to put us at ease.

I was 38 weeks + 3 days. As induction involves continuous monitoring of the baby, it was obvious that the baby was not moving very much, and so I was rushed to theatre. Although I realized that a caesarean was major surgery, I was actually quite relieved to know that I would see our baby soon, and that this was God’s plan.

4lb 3oz

Keren was born weighing 4lb 3oz, and after doctors worked on her for some time, (I remember the theatre nurse reassuringly saying to us that they were just “pinking her up”), we got to see her.

We both immediately thought that Keren looked like her big sister, Kezia. Instead of getting to hold her though, we just got to touch her wee face briefly. The consultant paediatrician told us that our daughter was very ill, and she had to be taken away, for further care.

Glenn and I were quite numb with the shock of it all, but we also had a deep assurance that God was in control of the situation. The same God who had saved our souls 5 years previous, was still by our side and would never leave us nor forsake us.

After leaving recovery, I was taken to the ward, and Keren was brought in for a few minutes, so that we could see her before her transfer to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) in Antrim Area Hospital.

As I had undergone surgery, I was unable to go with her, and had to wait until the following day to travel. Glenn stayed with me for a few hours, and then drove up to Antrim, that evening, to be with Keren.

The staff in the Maternity Ward, at the Causeway Hospital had been very thoughtful, and taken a couple of Polaroids of Keren, so I had those beside me. That evening a few family members, and close friends, one being our Pastor, visited, and their company was very much appreciated. I think it would have been a very long night without them.

November 9, 2007 | Filed Under Keren | 8 Comments 

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