Perinatal asphyxia

[Allenberg]

Most of you here don't know me, since I mostly lurk, and when I do post, its mostly in the PA forum, and I haven't even done that in awhile. However, at this moment, I need all the help I can get concerning the topic in the title.

On Thursday, my wife was in the hospital with preeclampsia, as she was 38 weeks pregnant. The doctor decided to induce, and at around midnight she was fully dilated, ready for delivery. During delivery, the fetus's heart rate kept dipping as the contractions got stronger, and I guess at some point, (I was in a state of panic and don't remember much) the heart rate dropped sharply, and the doctor did an emergency c-section. It took about a minute to get the baby out, and six minutes to revive her. I guess during the time she was being revived, bloodflow was able to be restored, and eventually she began to breathe on her own, and she came to full color.

At about the 12 hour mark, her they took her off the ventilator, as she was breathing fully on her own, however her body was having an episode that was similar to having a seizure. The doc in the NICU took an EEG of her brain, but didn't find any evidence of having a seizure.

Now, at the 36 hour mark, with medication her blood pressure is normal, pulse is normal, breathing is normal, blood gas levels are normal, blood sugar normals have came back to normal (they were at 200, but are now around 90), she's urinating, defecating, and she responds to touch, and has even kind of opened her eyes. She still has a case of what appears to be the shakes every so often, but not nearly as bad as it was before, though she is on sort of a medication that quells them.

We're told that in about 5-6 days the swelling in the brain will be reduced enough to do an MRI and check for any sort of brain damage. A couple kids of friends and family have been affected with the same thing, and have recovered in due time.

Does anybody here have any experience with this? Any replies would be appreciated. Thanks. :)

Ava Veronica Allenberg, b. 9 Jan 09

At 2 hours old


At around 16 hours old

[Midlodemocrat]

1. Congratulations! She's beautiful!!!

And, from what I know about perinatal asphyxia, (admittedly not that much) she should be fine. Congrats to all of you!!!!


:hug:

[Allenberg]

5. Thanks!

Much appreciated. :)

[lizziegrace]

2. I had the same condition as your wife

but Lelapin was okay. I almost died and took a long time to recover. I'm glad it was me instead of her...

:hug:

I can only send prayers to you, your wife and your beautiful little girl.

Please let us know how she's doing.

[Allenberg]

4. I will!

My wife has recovered extremely quick, strangely enough. She's even up and about today.

Thank you. :)

[lizziegrace]

Wait til she discovers she has

ankles and knuckles again. All that fluid will go away quickly.

;)

[Allenberg]

8. Ha!

They took the embolism stockings off her ankles. They looked like grapefruits.

[lizziegrace]

12. You in the 'burgh?

Both my parents are from SW PA. :hi:

I have a cousin who's a neonatal ICU nurse but I have no idea which hospital she's at.

[Allenberg]

17. Yep

:hi:

I'm at West Penn over in Bloomfield.

[lizziegrace]

18. Burgettstown and Elizabeth

:hi:

Still have family in Elizabeth. :)

[AwakeAtLast]

3. Well, first of all, congratulations!

Second: :hug:

And also - what a gorgeous baby! I am so sorry you have to go through this. It must be awful for you and your wife. I wish I knew something about the condition but I do not.

I'll be sending some prayers and healing vibes your way!

:hug:

[Allenberg]

6. Thank you!

I'll take all of them I can get at this point. :)

[auntAgonist]

7. Such a beautiful little baby

I don't know anything about this at all. I will keep your daughter (and her mommy and daddy) in my thoughts for a very positive outcome. She looks wonderful!

congratulations. I hope you're both able to get some much needed rest.


aA
kesha

[Allenberg]

9. Yeah

Last night, Lauren (my wife) and I slept like, well, like a baby. :D

[Tuesday Afternoon]

10. Prayers, Vibes Strength and the hope that all goes well for you,

your wife and dear little Ava :hug:

[Lyric]

11. My sister had this with her youngest baby.

We were in the room with her when she started trying to push Charlie out; we could see his head, but he was coming really, really slowly. Then his heart rate dropped and the docs rushed her into the next room to do an emergency C--apparently, he had the cord wrapped around him tightly, and the blood flow had gotten completely cut off.

As of now, Charlie is 100% normal and fine, save for some skin issues that have nothing to do with that. He had seizures for the first couple of weeks (maybe even a month or two, I honestly can't remember.) They gave my sister liquid phenobarbitol for the seizures, and I think some other meds that I don't remember. Anyway, he was fine long before he started trying to eat solid food, so I know it didn't take too long. He's also the smartest kid in his preschool class.

No worries.

:hug:

[peacefreak]

13. Welcome to the World, Sweet Girl

You & your parents are in my thoughts.

[Flying Dream Blues]

14. What a sweet, beautiful daughter you have.

I'm sure all that was scary! I don't know anything about the condition but it sounds like she's in great hands.
She's lovely and I'm glad your wife is doing better, too. You'll be a great dad!
:hug:
Prayers for all of you and healing vibes are coming your way.

[Allenberg]

15. I just want to say...

Thank you to everyone who has sent their well-wishes and/or offered prayers. It means the world to me. :)

[davsand]

16. Brightest Blessings to you and your new baby!

I have no experience with Perinatal asphyxia, but I DO know pretty babies when I see them, and yours is beautiful!

Glad to hear Mom and baby are progressing well, and I bet your little girl will be just fine. They use a lot of monitors now during delivery, and the reason for that is to make sure and help babies BEFORE they get in too much trouble during that delivery process. Sounds like your Docs were on top of the situation, so I'm betting your baby will be just fine.

11 years ago Material Girl was also an emergency C Section due to "fetal distress" and she is absolutely fine. I think her parents will never be the same again (the world is a VERY creepy place when you have kids!) but she is tearing it up every day.

They are very much of a gift and a joy even IF they scare the crap out of you sometimes.


:evilgrin:


Laura

[BlueIris]

19. Awwwww. Super cute. About the rest, I got nothing. nt

[Shell Beau]

20. I just had a baby myself! I can't imagine the fear you must of had.

Congrats! She is gorgeous! I hope she will be A-ok!! I just know she will! :hug:

[BarenakedLady]

21. Beautiful girl

Best wishes.

:hug:

[applegrove]

22. Congrats and Vibes. I'm sure it will be okay.

[Allenberg]

23. Thanks again everyone.

All the support is very appreciated. :hi:

[Allenberg]

24. Update:

Today, we're going to get the EEG results from Friday, the morning she was born, and she had another one done today, so we can measure the progress of brain activity.

She's using a CPAP machine now for apnea, and as a result her breathing is much more stabilized.

She's now on an anti-seizure medication, which is keeping her pretty knocked out.

Other than that, she's doing fine.

Keep hoping/praying for the best. :)

Thanks again to everyone for their support. :hi:

[livetohike]

26. Congratulations to you and your wife!

Your daughter is beautiful :-). Sending good vibes that she improves rapidly :hug:.

[myrna minx]

27. She is just beautiful. Congratulations! n/t

[AngryAmish]

25. Nothing to offer but well wishes

She is beautiful.

[Missy Vixen]

28. Congratulations, Mom and Dad!

Welcome to the world, sweet Ava! You're gorgeous!

I'm sending all good thoughts and prayers for Ava. She'll be fine.

Julie

[MorningGlow]

29. Gasp! Beautiful little girl!

Hi Allenberg,

I'm afraid I don't know much about perinatal asphyxia...okay, I know nothing about it...but I do know that babies are far more resilient than we think. I'm sure your daughter will be just fine! Sending good thoughts. :hi: