Tiny bundles bring enormous joy
Celebrating World Prematurity Day
Shock and disbelief are the words Colleen Kitchen uses to describe the birth of her daughter, 10-weeks ahead of schedule. “There were signs, but I was ignoring them all day,” laughs the new mom.
Pictured above: Colleen Kitchen, Eddie Van and baby Jacklyn
30-weeks into her pregnancy, Colleen was dealing with bowel issues when she noticed some bleeding. She and her partner Eddie Van raced to hospital in her hometown of Brantford, where baby Jacklyn was born 20-minutes later.
“We just got there. A nurse ended up delivering her.”
Weighing just two pounds, seven ounces, tiny Jacklyn was immediately transferred to McMaster Children’s Hospital. Although stable, her early arrival left Jacklyn without fully developed lungs. She was hooked up to a CPAP machine to assist her breathing.
After a week at Mac, the determined newborn was transferred to the Special Care Nursery at St. Joseph’s where she’s progressing well, hitting all of her milestones and gaining weight at just over three pounds.
“She’s doing amazing. No issues or concerns,” says Colleen.
Amanda Cialeo knew she would be in hospital for a pre-term birth. The Smithville mother was carrying triplets. “We made it to our scheduled C-section at 32-weeks,” says a relieved Amanda.
Romeo, Giavanna and Miabeth were born October 29. The girls each weighed over three pounds and Romeo just over four pounds.
Pictured above: Amanda and Robert Cialeo and triplets Romeo, Miabeth and Giavanna
“They’re perfect,” says dad Robert.
The trio is also residing at the Special Care Nursery at St. Joe’s, where Amanda and Robert spend most of their time. But life for these newborns started at Mac, where Amanda took up residence 10-weeks prior to their birth. She was hospitalized on modified bedrest.
“We were doing everything possible to keep them in there and keep Amanda from going into labour,” says Rob.
A week after their birth, the triplets moved to St. Joe’s where Amanda says “…they are eating and growing and learning to breast feed.”
While the birth stories are unique for each of these families, the storyline is not uncommon. One in 10 babies around the world is born early. In Canada, there are 30-thousand preemies born each year. Although there are increased health risks, medical advances have improved outcomes for babies born before their due date.
Almost three decades ago, Colleen’s brother was born at 27-weeks. Poor lung function meant he would never come home.
“Jacklyn had the same lung issue as my brother, but because we have advanced things like CPAP, she’s completely fine.”
Both families are grateful for the health care professionals who are guiding them on this bumpy start to parenthood, and helping to keep the stress to a minimum.
“They always keep us up to date on our daughter,” adds Amanda, “so there’s no room to really worry that much.”
Instead, both families are looking ahead to getting their babies home. And if all goes according to plan, it should be a wonderful first Christmas.