We met with our new hospital, Christiana Hospital, that we will be delivering at. We were pleased with what we saw and how helpful and informative the staff was there. When talking to one of the OB residence we were informed of the different scenarios that will play out for our little superman.
Scenario 1: Best Case
I will arrive at the hospital Monday night, November, 26, to start the induction process. Once checked in, if I am not dilated they will do what is called a Foley Balloon Procedure. This is exactly how it sounds they insert a catheter into my cervix that will balloon and help me to start dilating. Once dilated to a 3 they will then give me Prostaglandin to start my contractions. I am able to get an epidural in the back, but not the one given in the IV due to it going into my blood stream and creating complications for Christian. The less stress on the baby the better, so I will be taking the doctors up on the juice. They expect Christian to make his debut sometime in the afternoon of November 27. We are hoping for a natural vaginal birth. After Christian is born (as long as he shows signs of breathing) he will be placed on my chest for a quick minute while they clean him off. He will then be wheeled to a different part of my room where the NICU staff will be waiting to assess his vitals. If he is showing strong vitals he will then be cleaned up and put in a little ICU "box" and wheeled back for Hunter and I to admire our sweet little love. We will be able to touch him, but not hold him. This is going to be the toughest part, not being able to have that bonding time. As long as he stays stable he will remain at Christiana in the NICU until I am released to go with him up to DuPont. As long as I have shown no complications and have made the necessary progress they will release me within 24 hours of birth. They will then take Christian up to DuPont by ambulance and Hunter and I will meet him up there. His cardiologist team will then decide his open heart surgery date and will go in and do the Norwood procedure within the first week of Christian's life.
Scenario 2:
Everything remains the same up until the vaginal birth. I start to show complications or Christian starts to show stress they will decide that a C-section is necessary. There are 2 different ways this could play out. Depending on the severity of the complications Hunter could be in the room with me or I would be put completely under and Hunter will have to wait in the waiting room. If Christian shows no signs of complications after this birth again he will wait until I am ready to be discharged, anywhere from 24-72 hours. We will then go up to DuPont.
Scenario 3: Worst Case
I have to be put completely under and Christian comes out with complications. In this case they will immediately take him by ambulance to DuPont where Hunter will meet them there. The cardiologist team will assess the necessary steps to proceed and Christian will undergo surgery within the first few hours of life. Even if I have him vaginally there could be complications and he still may be rushed to DuPont and have to get surgery immediately.
We would like everyone to pray that Christian's heart comes out strong and he will be able to hold off on surgery until I am able to be at the same hospital. The doctors seem confident that he is full term and a very good size baby. I am also very healthy and that is playing in our favor.
After Surgery
The first time we see our son directly after birth could be with tubes coming out from everywhere and an incision in his chest. We ask that you pray God will prepare us for this and keep us strong for Christian. He will be in the ICU area until he is stable enough to go into his own room. During this time only 2 ADULTS are allowed at his bed side at all times. The ICU is an open area with other babies, so to insure the best possible care this rule is strictly followed. There will be a room in the hospital or at the Ronald McDonald house that we will be staying at 24/7.
Visiting
We know everyone will be eager to meet our little joy, but we ask you wait until we have been able to breath from this whole ordeal. Christian will be in the hospital for several weeks to possibly even months and we want to make sure he is stable and out of ICU before people start coming to see him. We ask when we have given the OK, if you would like to come up and visit to call us first. We also ask that only adults come. We understand that everyone has children, but this is for the protection of our son. A common cold to a normal child could potentially be life threatening to Christian. Our sole purpose at this point is to protect Christian. We will also be asking you to wash your hands A LOT. Please do not get annoyed with this. If you have any kind of the sniffs please do not come. Although it might be nothing, we do not want to risk it. These rules will also apply when we go home for the first few weeks.
For family and friends out of town that want to visit, unless you are immediate family we ask you hold off until we have gotten in a routine with Christian. We would like him home before people start coming up to visit him.
Gifts
Although we do not expect anything we do know that people will bring things to the hospital for Christian. Things that are not allowed are latex balloons or flowers. Stuffed animals, pictures, books, button down the front onsies are all ok. If they have not been sanitized prior we will take them home and disinfect them before they will be set in with Christian. We understand that this seems like extreme measures, but this is an extreme defect.
We appreciate all the prayers and love we have received and continue to receive. We hope you all understand that this is a serious matter and we are not trying to be hateful with the rules we have established, but that it is purely for the safety of our son. We also realize everyone wants to give us advice; although we welcome your input please understand that this is Hunter and I's child and we will be making the decisions that we feel is best for him and our family.
We are very excited about FINALLY meeting this little miracle. Please just continue to pray God watches over Christian, Hunter, and I as well as guides the doctors during his procedures. We know God is in control of this whole situation.
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