a little background…
Kara went to UNC Hospital on Wednesday morning (Sept. 13th) after experiencing some bleeding. She was checked in to the Women’s Hospital and the bleeding stopped fairly quickly, but doctors were unsure of the cause. They gave steroids to the baby and monitored mom’s and baby’s vital signs. Over the next 24 plus hours, all vital signs looked good and there was no more bleeding. Baby continued to move vigorously!
The baby was 28 weeks old, though the weight was a bit behind what would be expected at that age. The weight, combined with the unexplained bleeding and a finding that the blood flow from the placenta wasn’t ideal (”absent end-diastolic flow” for the docs in the audience), made it clear that the baby probably wasn’t getting everything needed. The doctors predicted that at some point in the next few days, a crisis would force a Cesarean delivery. They were right. Thursday night, after a fair amount of discussion about when or whether to schedule a C-section, the question was rendered moot when the baby’s heartrate started fluctuating and the doctors rushed Kara into surgery.
The surgery went very well and Ronan was able to be with Kara during the delivery. At 9:26pm on Thursday, September 14th, Kara and Ronan’s baby was born! Ronan had the chance to have his finger clamped by a very tiny hand before the little one was wrapped in plastic and whisked to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Because the baby was so young, they were more concerned with basic health checks, getting oxygen to the baby and bundling warmly than determining gender (it takes a bit more investigation in a premature baby), so the little one earned the nickname “Little Critter” until the legal name could be unveiled after the gender was verified. Happily, the Apgar score was good, and the baby was vigorous and appeared quite healthy. The birth weight was 1lb, 2oz and the length at birth was 11 inches.
Little Critter will stay in the NICU under intense monitoring and amazing hands-on care until it is time to go home. We’re still learning a lot about the course of treatment for a baby this young, but the rule of thumb we’ve been given is that the baby will stay at the hospital until roughly the original due date (in this case, early December), give or take a few weeks. Babies born at 28 weeks in a hospital that can deliver advanced care (like UNC) have really good odds of leaving the hospital in excellent condition, but there are certainly a number of complications that can arise and we’re just beginning to learn about those. [As a sidenote, the steroids that baby got on Wednesday morning should be a big help here. They essentially give the lungs a boost equivalent to an extra week of development. Ideally, delivery would have waited a full 48 hours from the time the steroids were administered in order to get their peak effect, but 36 hours is pretty good!]
The excellent news is that UNC has an amazing number of specialists who deal with these problems everyday; the bad news is that there are so many of them that it takes quite a while to get all the information to the family. We may not always be able to answer questions (even ones that seem simple!) but we can see quite clearly that Little Critter is getting very skilled care and that’s the most important thing right now.
The news about what to expect with the newest family member will unfold over weeks and months, and that’s why we’re setting up this blog to share information as it becomes available. Please check back as often as you can, and share the ups and downs of the journey with us. Kara and Ronan will especially appreciate your comments, so share the love! It means so much to have a strong and supportive community lifting us up. Thank you for being there.
-Maria (Kara’s sister)
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 9:58 pm
Hello Kara and Ronan,
Your whole family is our prayers. Dahlia and I have been thinking about you since Nolan was born. Much love!
Paul
Thursday, September 21, 2006 at 8:57 am
Ah, now here’s a reason to be excited for work — speedy internet to catch up on Nolan news! KJ & Ronan - this picture makes me smile real big. Must be so healing to hold your boy close. I imagine little Nolan saying, oh boy, this is niiiice!
Happy 1 week birthday. We lit another 7-day Maria del Milagro candle.
besos grandes, kk
Thursday, September 21, 2006 at 11:02 pm
Cam and I are sending prayers to Nolan, Kara, Ronan, and their families from Boston…warm happy baby thoughts!
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Nolan, Kara, Roman — you have been and continue to be in my prayers. I know how much you must worry about your little one. My nephew and his wife had twin girls a little over a year ago. They were born at 25 weeks and weighed in at 1 lb 13 ozs and 2 lbs 7 ozs. Now at one year old and weathering a few bumps along the way (including the smallest of the two having had surgery to repair fluid on the brain)they are active moving around trying to talk and kdoing all of the things one would expect of children their age (that is the age if they had been born in November instead of early). God is wonderful and takes care of his own.
Sunday, September 24, 2006 at 9:06 am
Dear Kara, Ronan, and Nolan,
My heart is filled with love and hope for you all. When I read this site and see the pictures, I feel the incredible love and support that surronds your beautiful Nolan. I know that Nolan feels it too. I sincerely believe in the power of love to heal each of us. You will all be in my heart and thoughts and I am sending as much love into the atmosphere towards you as I can.
Susannah
Sunday, September 24, 2006 at 8:06 pm
Roan & Kara
our thoughts & prayers are with you.
truat in the lord he is in control of everything & i know he will bring Nolan through.
we love you
tommy & wilma
Monday, September 25, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Roran and Kara,
Have been following Nolan’s situation from the beginning and appreicate the info the website provides. Just letting you guys know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are passing info on to many others who are lifting little Nolan up in prayer. Also, many employees of French Broad EMC are checking the website daily, just letting you know people from the mountains are with you.
Tracy Evans
Monday, September 25, 2006 at 1:18 pm
Dearest Ronan, Kara and Nolan,
Just want to let you know that Devon is blowing good luck kisses to Nolan everyday. You’re in our thoughts and hearts for always.
Deb and Devon
Monday, September 25, 2006 at 7:16 pm
Hi Kk and Ronan I was just seeing how you and the baby were doing and to say HI!!!!
Love you
Love Logan
Monday, September 25, 2006 at 7:39 pm
Just wanted to let you all know that you have been in my thoughts. The website is a wonderful way to follow Nolan’s progress. Many hugs and kisses.
Gillian
Monday, September 25, 2006 at 8:30 pm
Ronan, Kara and Nolan
You are in my thoughts and prayers, as well as those of everyone here at Cedar Creek.
Friday, September 29, 2006 at 11:52 am
Ronan, Kara and Nolan–
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sending best wishes that Nolan grows in weight and strength every day.
Cindy Biles
Sunday, October 1, 2006 at 4:39 pm
I think of you every day and continue to hold all of you in a special little pocket in my heart. It is right up on top priority. I look at the daily entry and it’s wonderful to be able to kept up with how Nolan is. Kara get enought rest, your liquid gold is so important. Much love, Marie Summers
Monday, October 16, 2006 at 7:48 pm
Hello Ronan and Kara,
I’ve been enthusiastically keeping up with Nolan’s progress. What a fighter! My niece in Atlanta had a preemie at 26 weeks last January. Her name is Katie and she’s doing very well except she will not eat by mouth because she had terrible reflux so has a feeding tube and will have one surgically inserted next month. She could have it for up to two years. David and I are thinking about you constantly and look forward to meeting Nolan in the near future. We understand what you’re going through and know that it’s a long road ahead, but so worth it! With love, Molly Sharp
Monday, October 30, 2006 at 3:53 pm
Nolan is a real fighter. He will be something special! My heart goes out to all of you. I know how hard this is. I send many prayers daily but am not sure how much clout I have. I have taught students who started out smaller if you can believe it. One is flying jets over Iraque now. There is a plan for us all.
Wednesday, November 15, 2006 at 6:45 pm
It was great seeing you for your happy birthday girls night out, Kara!
How beautiful you are smiling and holding Nolan. Hope to get the chance to see the two of you, AND Ronin, soon.
Love,
Colleen
Monday, January 29, 2007 at 11:25 am
We are happy to know about Nolan’s progress and see the January photos looking pink and plumper! We have thought of you so often and can sense how sweet times
are when you are with the baby through the wonderful photos. All of us on the art committee wish you and the baby well and hope he can come home soon.
Artie
Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Who would have thought that we’d all be rejoicing over a bowel movement!! This is great news and this baby just continues to show what a miracle of God he truly is. Congrats to all of you…now, get used to changing poopy diapers because you’ve only just begun. :-)
Grace and peace.
Ivy
Tuesday, February 13, 2007 at 10:45 am
Hey y’all,
Yea! I’m so happy to hear that Nolan is coming home to be with you guys! It was great looking at all the pictures…he is so beautiful. Just want you to know that I’m thinking of you guys and incredibly happy for you.
love
Liz