Comments on: Parents ‘Last Good Bye’ Saved Their Baby’s Life

By: ts

ts — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:40:49 +0000

I am so glad that your baby Rachel is doing well!!
As a nurse in a large NICU, we know from statistics that most 23 wk gest. neonates do not survive, and most have severe disabilities. But some can and do survive, and thrive.
It is important to find out, and visit the hospital you will be using, does it have a NICU, what are their policies.
Some hospitals do not resuscitate below say 26 weeks. I know in my hospital that if the baby is perceived viable, and the parents ask for everything done, we try our hardest. We will, and do care for 23 weekers. I do not know what hospital this was, and i am sorry to hear that they would treat a mother this way.
We encourage kangaroo care, and breastmilk/breastfeeding. and we are looking into providing banked breast milk for the micropreemies whose mother’s are unable to produce milk (either for physical or medical reasons).
We also participate in groups throughout the world (Vermont Oxford, and Ideal NICU) that study what NICU’s are doing to make vast improvements (in survival, in treatments, in infections etc…). We are a group of hospitals with very good success statistics, and we study share this info, so that other NICU’s can share the same successes.
I hope that you all understand, we in the medical community want all these babies to survive and thrive and do well, we LOVE to see them grow, we love updates, and pictures, and visits… to see these “miracles” grow bigger and stronger.

By: Rima

Rima — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:46:41 +0000

Your story touched the depth of my heart and I agree wih jbdean, unbelieveable that the hospital didn’t do everything they could do that was available to them… Sad, Very Sad… Carolyn I have to say you deserve to enjoy Rachael and all your children for years to come, I will be praying for your family, I believe God has a special purpose and plan for her life and I look forward to following her story. I just read your article to my sister on the phone and she was touched as well! God bless you and your family!!!!!!

The things we do for ourselves die with us and the things we do for others and the world remains and is immortal! -Albert Pines-

By: jbdean

jbdean — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:51:48 +0000

It’s bad enough that some people abort their children … saying they’re not *people* yet. But for a hospital to give up on a DELIVERED baby because it needed some extra, EXTRA attention is UNACCEPTABLE! I am so thrilled to see that Rachel and her parents are doing well but really, no thanks to the doctors or hospital! I’d never use them if I had a choice.

What about the Hypocratic Oath???

By: Lisa Mansour

Lisa Mansour — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:20:17 +0000

This is truly a wonderful and uplifting story. A testament to the power of a mother’s instincts and the tenacity of a newborn baby to fight for survival. I am a Breastfeeding Counsellor and advise women to use skin to skin contact immediately after birth to regulate their baby’s temperature, heart rate and breathing and to allow them to suckle as soon as they’re ready.
If you are impressed by KMC, you should read about the man who first identified its importance in the care of premature babies, Dr. Nils Bergman. Check out http://www.kangaroomothercare.com

By: Carolyn Isbister

Carolyn Isbister — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:02:42 +0000

I am the mother of this story and I thank you all so much for your wishes and blessings.
Having a baby at 23 weeks is a traumatic thing and being told that your child is going to die, is something no parent should ever have to go through.
I am happy to say that Rachael is now a lively 2 year old toddler who just started walking last month. She’s bright, happy and uses signlanguage to communicate.
When we were left with her to die, it was pure instinct that made me put her next to my skin (or a higher power). The doctors never mentioned Kangaroo care to me but I’m glad I followed my gut.
I truly believe that she’s here for a reason and thank god every day for blessing me with my little miracle.

By: Karen

Karen — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:12:06 +0000

I am absolutely amazed at the fact that there has to be “research” done to know that putting a baby with its mother is the best thing there is! I had a daughter by c-section 12 years ago because she was breech. She was taken to the nursery immediately after the surgery. Once I was finally out of the recovery room, where I had been for about an hour BY MYSELF, I was wheeled to my room only to be told that it would be another couple of hours before they would bring her in to me! (They were concerned about the oxygen ratio in her blood.) One glance at my Husband and he was off to the nursery to get her. Other family members had been permitted into the nursery to see her and yet they didn’t see the need to bring her to me! I immediately held her, uncovered all her tiny little parts, and held her to me. At first I felt I was holding a stranger. I will never forgive the hospital for doing that to me.

By: Gill

Gill — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 05:19:11 +0000

The power of love! Pure love! Children are gifts from God. Bundles of love wrapped in skin. Love has power over death and God has a purpose for each and everyone of us.

By: sara

sara — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 20:35:07 +0000

this is amazing … thanks to god first and the parents,you must of forgotten god saved her

By: Fiona AuHuighan

Fiona AuHuighan — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 14:59:30 +0000

This story is just more proof to me that GOD IS REAL. He works miracles every day and if we all would just look around more, we’d see them. Blessings to this family from me and God the Father. May you spend many wonderful years together in His care!

By: Adrienne T. Fultz

Adrienne T. Fultz — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:35:00 +0000

All I can say is GOD is TOO good. God Bless baby and the family and may HE continue to Bless U.