Mommys Name: Cindie
Babies Name: Tyler James
Babies Gender: M
Date of Birth: 8/14/08
EDD: 9/13/08
Weight/ Height: 5lbs 5oz 18’in long

Birth Story (Optional): I had a tough pregnancy, morning sickness til 25w every day and each week thereafter. Bad leg pain due to varicose veins. I found out at 17w via amnio that he had Down Syndrome and EHK (my rare skin problem). I was followed up on with the genetic specialist, and by a high risk ob. He tentatively scheduled my Csection for Sep. 3, and on Aug 14 I had a follow up ultrasound. At the previousl U/S my fluid measured low, 7cm. At the U/S on Aug 14 it was revealed that I had Oligohydramnios or NO fluid. Also the baby had a LARGE Vsd or hole in his heart.

The U/S tech told me that we’d be having him that day due to the no fluid and I called DH and told him to hurry up and get there. (loma linda was an hour away from home.) he went on FMLA leave that hour and came to be with me. So I was happy when the spinal took effect. I was REALLY scared tho because we didn’t have time to check his lungs. So they laid me on the table and cath’d me and put up the curtains and called dh in there. I cried for a couple min and they began surgery. After about 15 or so min they finally got him out but had to be VERY careful due to his skin problem. When they pulled him out we heard the most BEAUTIFUL cry and then they whisked him off to the NICU team. My U/S lasted ½ hr or so, and she pushed REAL hard on my stomach w/the wand.. By the time I was in L&D waiting til my surgery time (set as STAT Csection not really emergency) I begun contracting every 3-4min… boy did they hurt and I was happy to have my Spinal!

So I was happy when the spinal took effect. I was REALLY scared tho because we didn’t have time to check his lungs. So they laid me on the table and cath’d me and put up the curtains and called dh in there. I cried for a couple min and they began surgery. After about 15 or so min they finally got him out but had to be VERY careful due to his skin problem. When they pulled him out we heard the most BEAUTIFUL cry and then they whisked him off to the NICU team. Thankfully his lungs were good but he needed blowby oxygen due to the hole in his heart. They then stitched me up and took me back to my room. I had him at 4:44pm on 8/14. I got to see him at midnight and then the next morning at 8:30 I walked the halls to the NICU. They had me on good pain meds for the surgery pain because I wasn’t careful at all and did way too much. My little boy is BEAUTIFUL and special. I came home after 4 days and he came home 1 week ago last Wednesday after 1 month in the nicu. He’s going back next month for a OHS. and as of today: We are thinking that along with his other issues, he is deaf. he doesn't respond to loud noises or startle unless his crib is BUMPED. Today the fire alarms went off all over the house and he kept quiet in his swing just looking at the ceiling.... It's not an issues for daddy and Me, I speak sign language and have TONS of deaf and hard of hearing friends. My mom is an interpreter... and carlos can learn sign as TJ does. :)

Upon delivery, the doctors and nurses had carefully greased up they’re gloves and his bedding in preparation for his fragile skin. He had some tears and rips where the skin had been abraded in utero and thru the birth itself. But most of the tearing came after birth during his first few hrs of life.

he was also on TPN (IV nutrients) for the first day and night of his life but slowly has been adding breast milk or formula(to supplament the milk til it comes in more) each day starting at 3cc's and moving up to 25cc's every other feeding or so. Originally they wrapped his wounds with nonstick pads and COBAN or the kind of bandage they use when you give blood.. It comes in pretty colors and sticks to itself. Well we realized it was tearing his skin and I came up w/the idea of using the bandaging they put on burn victims. It looks like netting, with the nonstick pad underneath and aquafor on his skin.