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Critical Difference Stories: Birth
Twenty-Four Week Miracle: The Micah Plimmer Story
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In a Hurry
When their first child Maddox was born, everything went just as planned. So,
when Jodi (25) became pregnant again two years later, she and her husband Shawn
(29) expected a similar experience. They couldn’t have imagined
how different it would be. Jodi began having troubling symptoms in her 15th
week. From that point on the pregnancy remained in jeopardy. At the end of
week 23, Jodi began having contractions.
Even though the contractions were coming regularly, as often as five minutes apart, they weren’t terribly painful – at least, not at first. Jodi's contractions were monitored and she was given medication to reduce or stop the contractions, but they continued. The contractions grew more intense each day.
Jodi was still having contraction as she entered her 24th week. She was then referred to perinatologist Renee Bobrowski, MD, with the Saint Alphonsus Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic. Dr. Bobrowski performed an ultrasound which showed that Jodi was extremely low in amniotic fluid. While this condition was a major concern, the womb was still the safest place for the fetus. So while there were no immediate plans on delivering, it was apparent that the pregnancy would not reach full term.
Back at home, Jodi’s contractions progressed and the couple became uncomfortable with the situation. They called Dr. Bobrowski, who agreed that Jodi should go to the hospital. The young couple arrived at Saint Alphonsus Family Maternity Center before their doctor, and Jodi was admitted.
Change of Plans
The plan was to delay delivery for at least 48 hours. That additional time
was needed to treat the fetus with medication vital in organ development, increasing
his chance for survival. A Cesarean delivery would be easier on the fragile
24-week fetus, who was now in an awkward breech position.
All those plans were forgotten when Jodi’s body suddenly began to push out the baby. An examination revealed that birth had begun and Micah was emerging. Jodi was rushed into the Cesarean delivery room, but there was no time to prepare for a C-section. Shawn hurried to change into scrubs, but by the time he rejoined his wife Micah had already arrived.
A team of nurses worked to stabilize the 1lb-14oz newborn. An intratracheal tube for breathing support was inserted down the tiny nose and the micro preemie received a life-saving medication. Within minutes Micah was quickly taken to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Jodi had not yet held, or touched Micah - the mother and baby bonding would have to wait.
In the NICU Micah was placed in a glass incubator. He was connected with an array of tubes and wires to monitor and control nearly every aspect of his physiological and chemical status. In the isolette he would be safe from airborne threats and excessive noise, while temperature and humidity were delicately regulated. The NICU nursing team was now responsible for micro-managing Micah’s care.
Meanwhile…
Back in the recovery room, Jodi and Shawn were joined by neonatologist Stewart
Lawrence, MD. Everything had happened so rapidly, the parents had no time
before birth to be briefed on what to expect after delivery. Concerned and
filled with questions, the couple listened as Dr. Lawrence explained the
situation.
“He put everything in terms we could understand,” said Jodi. “And he had the best bedside manner I’ve ever experienced from any doctor…he was what we needed at that moment.” But his news was not entirely promising.
“Twenty-four weeks is a borderline-viable stage,” said Dr. Lawrence. “At this extremely premature age the baby faces a multitude of complications and threats.”
Quite simply, the odds were against Micah’s survival. Even if he beat those odds, he would likely incur some long-term disabilities.
In addition to Dr. Lawrence, in Micah’s corner was neonatologist Jennifer Merchant, MD. “My first impression of Micah is that this was a baby in a very difficult situation,” said Dr. Merchant. “The best thing Micah had going for him was his size. He was very tiny, but was well grown for his age. My concern was whether or not his lungs would tolerate everything we had to do to keep him alive.”
Blessings
The first few days would be the most critical. In addition
to the risk of lung damage, Micah faced the potential of bleeding in the brain,
a common issue in babies of his age. Micah was also in jeopardy of serious
eye damage, a result of unstable blood pressure typical in 24 week preemies. Surprisingly,
Micah passed the three day milestone and finished out the week without the
anticipated brain bleeding, or any other major issues. His battle, however,
was not over. There was still a gauntlet of threats in the days ahead.
The frightened mother and father could only wait and pray. An ally came to their side offering comfort and assistance. Kristi Burke, the NICU Family Support Specialist with the March of Dimes, was an ever present advocate for the family. Kristi became the eyes and ears for Jodi and Shawn when they couldn’t be with Micah - even capturing precious moments in photos to share with the parents later.
“Kristi would recognize each milestone and celebrate with us,” said Jodi. “She was there if I needed to find a doctor or if I needed a hug. She was huge blessing to our family.”
Moment to Remember
Jodi was at Micah’s side every day, watching her baby through the glass
wall, anxious to hold him for the first time. Shawn came when he could, but
spent most of time between working and caring for their older son Maddox. In
the evening of day eight Jodi and Shawn received a call from the NICU. They
were going to change Micah’s bed and if Jodi and Shawn hurried, they
could be there to hold Micah for the first time – if only for a moment.
It didn’t take any convincing.
“I watched as the nurses passed Micah to Jodi,” Shawn remembered. “The look on her face was awesome. Then they told me to take off my shirt…and I held his weightless body against me. It seemed like my hands were too big to hold him, but it was awesome.”
Superlatives
Weeks went by and Micah was amazing everyone with his
development. But he still couldn’t breathe on his own. To test his breathing capability Micah was
occasionally removed from the ventilator, only to return an hour or so later. “Micah
did not breathe regularly, even with all the little tricks we employ,” Dr.
Merchant remembered.
It would be thirty days before Micah managed without
the respirator, but he had successfully dodged lung failure and major eye
complications. As Days and weeks passed, the tough little preemie was sending
a clear message, he was here to stay. After 110 days, Micah was ready to
go home – one
day past his original due date.
“Micah did everything we needed him to do to survive…as though
he had read the book in advance,” said Dr. Lawrence.
“Micah had a strong spirit,” said Kristi Burke. “It
was amazing to watch him.”
“We all grew very close to Micah and the family,” said NICU Nurse
Brooke Disney. “Micah was remarkable.”
“He was fantastic,” said Dr. Merchant. “For a baby born as early as he was, with all the lung issues he had, to go home without oxygen and on minimal medications was phenomenal. A lot of the credit has to go to his mom,” Dr. Merchant added.
“She was such a calm and strong presence for him. She just believed in him and that was huge.”
“We’ve been able to help a lot of very early babies,” said Dr. Lawrence. “… and Micah did among the best. Mom and Dad were very committed and very loving. They were with him every day, and we know that provides as much benefit as anything we do in the NICU. He was a very miraculous child.”
Above and Beyond
“The care that we received couldn’t have been better,” said
Shawn. “…even the valets who parked Jodi’s car were
important to us.”
“Our experience at Saint Alphonsus was a blessing,” said Jodi. “We know Micah might not have survived had it been several years earlier, so the technology made a huge difference. If it’s possible to have a good NICU experience, then we had a good experience. They did a lot of things above and beyond what was required.”
“The entire experience of Micah’s being born so early and being hospitalized was a true miracle and we knew God’s hand was on him,” stated Jodi. “We wouldn’t wish for it, but it’s made us better people. He’s our little miracle.”
