BIRTH STORY did not go as planned // Hospital + NICU after ten homebirths

They saved your babies life under the circumstances❤

Our son spent 88 days in the NICU. I will always be grateful to the medical staff for saving his life.

My last pregnancy ended with me going into heart failure at 36 weeks, which necessitated an emergency c-section. I was sent to the ICU, and my son was lifeflighted to Kansas City to be put on a jet ventilator. Thank God the hospital saved our lives!

NICU nurse here 🙌 so glad that you had good nurses. As a healthcare worker I feel that the risks and fears are always presented because we have seen someone suffer from these risks and even die. If you've worked in the field for long enough you've seen it all. In order to let the parents make the best decision for their baby, they have to be aware of the potential risks.

I'm a nurse 20 years and a Respiratory Therapist for 26+ years. I know it's hard what you went through. Please just know that our job is to protect you and the baby. The baby being born so early and in distress is an urgency that is detrimental to his survival.

My daughter was born at 33 weeks in cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated. 28 days in the NICU. She's now 22 weeks pregnant with her first baby .

I mean this in the most respectful and caring way.. As an L&D nurse, i am so happy that you shared this. Many of us in L&D spend 90% of our shift advocating. There is a LOT of work that still needs to be done in women's health, physiologic birth, family support, autonomy, informed consent etc. Traumatic stories like this, your perspectives, are SO important! I am sending you all so much love ❤️ congratulations on your sweet boy. I am so happy you both are ok.

I am sorry for all you had to go through. I mean this with all love and happiness for you. Please be happy you have a live, healthy baby. Speaking as a mama who lost her baby due to a home birth and not being close enough to the hospital. It’s really hard to make a determination like “it was going too fast, if they had allowed things to go slower it may have been fine” they care about the life of you and your babe. Even if it was a traumatic experience compared to your other experiences.

We are trained to get baby out as quick as possible in any emergent life or death situation, it can be rough but its so we don’t end up delivering a baby too slowly and they suffer significant impairment or even death, in that moment we cannot predict how much your baby can cope with so its all about making sure baby is out and alive and mama is safe too. It can be rough but it’s how things go in an emergent situation, they need to play things safe as it were.

Unfortunately the memory of a traumatic birth never leaves you, I had nightmares for years afterwards and still today more than 40 years on it's distressing to think about. My heart goes out to you and your such an inspiration.

49 years ago I had a baby at 27 weeks gestation. She weighed 2lb 2 1/4ozs. It was an anxious and nerve wracking time. She was in Hospital for 12 weeks and came home a week before Christmas. Which was a week before her due date. She suffered some additional physical and mental delay problems but all in all she was the most happy and humorous of all my children. She has an affinity with animals, especially horses and cats. She is a known ceramicist who has won many prizes for it, both in the disabled and open sections. I've known your fear , I know your anxiety but I knew that God had not given me a task that I could not fulfill. Best wishes to you and all your children. I am looking forward to next year when she turns 50. God bless.

NICU nurses are amazing! My son was in NICU for 21 days. You all did amazing!! The moment that got me is when you explained how they briefly brought your son in before transport. That brought back tough memories for me. 19 yrs ago I experienced the same thing and i begged to be discharged but I had signs of an infection from surgery so i couldn’t leave the hospital until taking care of that infection. 2 days until i saw my son again. It seemed like forever. So please process that trauma and ask God to give you peace because it’s hard to forget. But i have a healthy 19 yo son and you have a healthy baby so God watched over us. Your children taking care of each other is amazing.

I cried and laughed with you. I hemorrhaged after our first was born and afterward my doctor told us it had been serious. This happened 40 years ago in a small hospital when the family doctor delivered the babies. I remember hearing the sharp urgency in his voice calling out orders to the two nurses and was close to passing out about the time I was finally getting IV fluids and shortly after that I knew he had things under control. I know it was by the Grace of God that I survived. I praise the Lord for your precious Lewis. God bless and keep you all.

My baby was born prematurely. I thank God I was in a hospital. If I had not been, she would not be alive today.

Sometimes, hospitals can become so rigidly focused on following protocols that they forget the importance of listening to the patient's unique needs and concerns. As a registered nurse, I understand that protocols are in place to ensure the best possible outcomes, but they should not come at the expense of patient autonomy. It's crucial for healthcare workers to balance protocol-driven care with empathy and understanding of patients' perspectives and preferences. This is essential for providing personalized care and fostering trust between healthcare providers and patients. I'm so sorry to hear that you had a challenging experience in the hospital, feeling unsupported in your desire for a natural childbirth and minimal interventions. It's unacceptable when healthcare workers don't respect a patient's choices and autonomy. However, I'm relieved to hear that your baby is safe and at home with you. Remember that your voice matters, and it's essential to advocate for yourself in healthcare settings. Keep speaking up and seeking care that aligns with your values and preferences. ❤️❤️❤️

My twins were born 4 weeks early and in the nicu then pediatric floor before going home…10 days total. It’s such an emotional roller coaster. One twin didn’t pass the car seat test and we had to rent a car bed for her. Both came home on apnea monitors. Now they’re 20 and about to start their 3rd year in college. God is SO good! Praise God for baby Lewis!!

"this needs to be a collaboration". Amen!!! So well said

My nephew is one of those little ones that has been there since February. Born in February due June 27th weighing 1lb 4 oz. He is still there but by the grace of God he,is thriving.

Dear Julie & Jason, I hope you are recovering from you traumatic experience. May God bless Lewis and hold him in the palm of his hand all the days of his life. Prayers to all of you, for healing and blessings.

I was teary-eyed hearing your birth story but SOBBED when you told about Elsie and Bella taking care of the youngest and the farm. The pictures they sent were priceless. I know y’all know it already but you guys are BLESSED. Congrats to all your family on the new little one.