Meconium aspiration
First time parent here,
Had to experience probably what was the scariest moment of my life as my wife was wheeled away for an emergency c section as they said my son was in distress. After what felt like forever (maybe 10 mins actually) , I get suited/ scrubbed and get to be present and hold her hand through out the procedure. When I hear what brought tears to my eyes in the best way possibly, my baby boys cries. Right away he’s moved to another table as they said he needed a bit of oxygen and in just holding my wife telling her how amazing she did and how proud I am of her. He gets wheeled off to the nicu, with many nurses and it seemed as if he’s ok. I stay with my wife a tiny bit longer to make sure she’s on before I check on him cause to my knowledge he’s doing well and well my wife is still open on a table. We get settled up and I finally get to see the most beautiful baby boy. Dr’s tell us he suffer from meconium aspiration when my wife’s water broke and he’s going to have to stay in the nicu for a few days as he needs some help breathing as they clear the fluid. Not even a day or 2 in my precious boy is intubated, and I can’t begin to describe the feeling as I seen my little one filled with tubes and wires. It still breaks my heart just thinking about it. He did begin to progress and little by little he went from ventilator to a cpap, and is now on a nasal cannula. As happy as I am he’s doing better and I know it takes time for the lungs to heal, I can’t help but still feel so empty at times knowing my boys not here, seeing the toll it takes on my wife. We were able to to nest at the hospital for a few days, but now are discharged and some nights are hard being away form him knowing he should have been home with us. It’s been almost 2 weeks and I do my best to stay optimistic and I am confident he’ll be home soon. But my heart goes out to anyone in a similar situation, or ANY situation to where you can’t have your little one with you. I know I have to be patient and wait a bit longer, but it felt good to speak about this a bit. Thank you.