Editor’s note: Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter is a blind, diabetic mom who blogs for momaha’s sister site, LiveWellNebraska.com
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It’s been a whirlwind the last few weeks, but I want to announce that Baby P finally arrived Wednesday, August 29. I haven’t had time to make the announcement due to his stint in the Med Center’s NICU.
Early on the 29th, my water broke, and Baby P was showing signs of distress once we arrived at hospital. His heart rate was erratic, and we needed to deliver sooner rather than later. Doctors opted for a C-section. I have no clue where it came from, but calm entered my body as I watched the doctor lift my baby boy from my body and he sputtered his first breath of air. Ross cried as I took it all in, unable to pinpoint the emotions and sensations flooding my body. I think this is something all parents understand.
I wasn’t able to hold Declan right away, as he required monitoring due to a few standard complications. There was some fluid in his lungs, which is common among Caesarian babies, and he was having hypoglycemic episodes, common with babies born to diabetic mothers. All seemed normal until Declan developed an unknown infection, and his respiratory rates grew unsteady.
I can’t begin to describe my emotions as doctors confessed to having no clue what was going on. They told me I couldn’t hold my new baby as he lay in an isolation bed. Snow White’s glass coffin kept popping into my mind as I kept tears at bay.
I would not give up on Declan, though, and I suddenly understood the ferociousness and courage a parent takes on for their child. Declan and I have a long journey ahead, and neither of us were ready to give up. He’s healthy and on his way to a full recovery. He was born eight pounds, 13 ounces and 23 inches long. He is named Declan Ross Pollpeter, which is Irish in origin. He has a head full of dark, brown hair, has dark, blue eyes, and currently favors Ross, his daddy, in the looks department.
His biggest obstacle now is bottle feeding. He’s still in the NICU, but his respiratory rates are normal and consistent; he’s off of oxygen support and breathing on his own. We have introduced nippling, but he’s still on a feeding tube for the time-being. Eventually he’ll graduate to nipple feeding only.
Declan is a strong fighter, just like his mommy, and we’re confident he’ll be home soon. Ross and I are so happy and proud. It’s been a rollercoaster, but things are settling into a much more regular routine; as normal as you can get with a newborn! I look forward to updating readers to his progress and development. Thanks to all supporters who have been on this journey with us and continue to share it.
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