Just wanted to let you know that Julia and I are home now.
For those of you who aren't aware of the situation, Julia Mireya Orwa was born on December 26 at 11:30pm. (Mireya means "miracle") Her arrival in this world was very early and unexpected. She was born just shy of 32 weeks gestation after my water randomly broke. What has happened since has been scary and difficult. I need to write out the whole story and will once I can find the time.
It's nice to be out of the hospital, but now the scary stuff starts. If we were in the US, I am sure Julia would be hospitalized for a month or longer. However, here the "nicu" consists of 40 babies in wooden boxes (beds) in two heated rooms with only 2 or 3 nurses to deal with them all. There are no monitors or advanced equipment except for a few lamps for babies with jaundice. Moms file in every three hours on the dot to feed the babies and then have to leave. So, since Julia doesn't have any major complications, they sent her home. Now it's up to us to save her. She is still learning to suck and I don't have much milk so we have to feed her with a cup every two and a half or three hours. Each feeding is terrifying and stressful. She is less than four pounds currently so we are just hoping she gains weight and flourishes despite the circumstances. She survived the delivery and we are praying God continues to perform miracles in her life.
I am recovering from the c-section (she was breech and unable to handle the stress of a normal delivery) and adjusting to life at home again after being hospitalized for 10 days. I am very happy to be back with Eli. Being apart from him ripped my heart apart.
We desperately need your prayers. Please pray Julia learns to suck, does well with the cup feedings, gains weight and remains free from problems, infections or complications. Please also pray that my milk comes in and that I continue to recover. Please also pray for George as he holds us all together. Our house is all upside down right now as we are in survival mode.
God has been merciful and gracious and I look forward to telling you how He has helped us during this hard time.
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Praying for you Stacie! Been praying since I heard your water broke. Julia seems like a fighter!! I had a c-section (2 of them). They are not fun, but God will give you the strength. We had to syringe feed with Jeremiah & it was awful & frustrating & exhausting. Praying Julia gains weight quickly. :-) Nichole
ReplyDeleteOh, Stacie....I am praying for you and little Julia....you delivered Julia just before Kristen delivered Sophie....I can't imagine how scary this whole experience has been for you, my friend. I will remember to pray for Julia every time I hold Sophie....and thank God for them both....
ReplyDeleteAmy