# Emergency C-section and a 23 week old infant. Ugh. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 16, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358 "2005-02-16T15:16:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/1 "2005-02-16T15:16:41Z")
Heh. There’s no forum for “Earthshattering and Lifechanging Stuff I Must Share.” But last Wednesday, WhyBaby made her way into the world early - way early - via an emergency caesarian due to an infected placenta. She was at 23 weeks and 6 days gestational age. About 4 months premature. Almost literally “half-baked”. She was born at 1 pound, 5 ounces, and nearly 12 inches long. I feel so very overwhelmed. She’s holding stable for the time being. But she’s so tiny and fragile and I feel like crap myself 'cause of surgery and pumping milk every two hours. My husband and I had literally 10 minutes to decide whether to choose an emergency c-section (requiring a vertical cut, so all future pregnancies would also be c-sections) which would give the baby a roughly 50% chance of survival, and a pitocin induced vaginal labor which, due to position of the baby and cord, would almost certainly kill her. Now, I’m not going to pretend we made the decision out of rational thought. It was pure adreneline and emotion. I have very strong views on forcing very sick babies (and adults, for that matter) to live when their mental or physical capacities are nil. But the thing is, no one could tell us if she would be OK. The placenta was infected - but she was kicking around, having hiccups on the ultrasound and dodging the amniocentesis needle. There was absolutely nothing wrong with her at the time of delivery. Now - who knows? They say as long as she doesn’t get bleeding on the brain, she has a good shot at being “normal.” Of those 50% who survive at her age, 70% of them have no moderate to severe defects as a result. But that’s all numbers. No one can tell us about \*her \*yet. It’s just wait and see. And pray. So she’s on a vent - but breathing room air. (No extra oxygen.) She’s on antibiotics for an infection which popped up yesterday, but no one knows how serious it is yet. So please, whatever is within your personal belief system - prayer, meditation, cyber-hugs, healing spells, etc. - give a thought to little Caileigh Morgan if you would. ---
**Author:** ![CandidGamera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/candidgamera/32/2878_2.png) [@CandidGamera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CandidGamera)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/2 "2005-02-16T15:20:39Z")
Wow… sorry to hear about the complications. Hope things go better for you and WhyBaby. ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/3 "2005-02-16T15:22:54Z")
Oh, **WhyNot** , I’m so sorry. What a horrible thing to have happen. However, Caileigh’s Mom’s a doper, which means she already has a head start. Many thoughts and hugs are headed your way. I do know one lady who struggled to have her little girl, ended up having her very early (tho’ I don’t know exactly how early), and now has a very happy, healthy, 9 year old. My very best wishes are with you and yours. ---
**Author:** ![tanookie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/48db29/32.png) [@tanookie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tanookie)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/4 "2005-02-16T15:23:55Z")
I can understand feeling overwhelmed! We all wish your little one well here at Casa Tanookie. I’ve had a pair of emergency sections myself but the kids were later and most of the danger was to me. Make sure you pay attention to yourself in these post surgery weeks. Don’t overdo it. She needs her mommy in the best shape she can be. My email is here if you want. I’ve done the round the clock pumping of milk that wouldn’t come, the shifts in the NICU and the C Section recovery. _hugs_ ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/5 "2005-02-16T15:25:56Z")
Wow, **WhyNot**. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![taxi78cab](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47c2d/32.png) [@taxi78cab](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/taxi78cab)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/6 "2005-02-16T15:31:45Z")
**WhyNot** , I’m so sorry to hear that. You and your family and baby Caileigh (what a beautiful name!) are in my thoughts and prayers. ---
**Author:** ![PinkMarabou](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@PinkMarabou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PinkMarabou)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/7 "2005-02-16T15:32:50Z")
{{{HUGS}}} but little gentle ones for WhyBaby, big ones for you. Hang in there, you’re in my thoughts. Please keep us updated! ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/8 "2005-02-16T15:34:29Z")
(((((all the Whys))))) All my best thoughts to you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/9 "2005-02-16T15:34:55Z")
Prayers, warm thoughts, and good vibes headed out for the whole **WhyFamily**. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/10 "2005-02-16T15:35:45Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > \ > So please, whatever is within your personal belief system - prayer, meditation, cyber-hugs, healing spells, etc. - give a thought to little Caileigh Morgan if you would. You got it! Sending warm thoughts your way! May whatever god there be, grant you an ease to your sorrows. ---
**Author:** ![MissGypsy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@MissGypsy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissGypsy)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/11 "2005-02-16T15:47:21Z")
You and your precious tiny baby are in my thoughts. Such a pretty name you chose for her! I hope all turns out well, and you remember to take care of yourself. (little tiny baby hugs to her) ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/12 "2005-02-16T15:49:10Z")
Meet my [Goddaughter](http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/e/emmakate/). Hopefully her mom will be along shortly with some words of wisdom. My thougts and prayers are with you. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/13 "2005-02-16T15:52:52Z")
Wow, Whynot, I’m sorry to hear of your premature delivery and also congratulations on your new baby. My son was 23.5 weeks and classical CS also due to an incompetant cervix, an infection, a PROM, and a prolapsed cord. That was one bad day. He was 1 lb 8oz and 11 inches. His eyes were still fused closed. He is 7 and in first grade. The teacher says he is one of the best readers in his class. He is of normal height and weight, and does not have asthma or wear glasses (although he did lose 10% of his peripheral vision. He does have a diagnosis of Asperger’s type autism, but I don’t think it’s preemie related. Although he was “The Worst Baby Ever”, he is a wonderful, happy and healthy kid now. I am a registered nurse and my specialty is antepartum (problem pregnancies). I am a veritable font of preemie information and I can direct you to on-line resources like Preemie-L. Anyway, best wishes to you. I hope you have an even better outcome than we had, and I have no complaints. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/14 "2005-02-16T15:55:35Z")
Oh, my email is in my profile. I’m always available to you if I can be of help. ---
**Author:** ![evilbeth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/evilbeth/32/2268_2.png) [@evilbeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/evilbeth)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/15 "2005-02-16T16:10:29Z")
As the mother of a surviving (former 14-ounce) micropreemie, not only am I keeping your family in my thoughts and sending all the positive thoughts your way that I can muster, I am available day or night if you want to talk, scream, vent, question, just know someone who has been there is there for you. Please email me at evilbeth at hotmail dot com and I will get you my number. I know what you are going through and I know you are bombarded with all kinds of information and things that are really confusing. Emmy, my daughter, actually HAD a brain bleed but it was in what was considered a non-developmental area and has suffered no ill effects from it. I am completely sincere in offering my help in any way I can. I also understand if you don;t want ot talk about it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/16 "2005-02-16T16:10:51Z")
Yikes!!! You and WhyBaby will be in the Zappas’ thoughts and prayers. We had a much shorter NICU haul than you’re looking at but I cannot say enough about how caring and dedicated most NICU staffers are. ---
**Author:** ![Tomcat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Tomcat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tomcat)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/17 "2005-02-16T16:10:54Z")
Big loving hug out to y’all… ---
**Author:** ![Ghanima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Ghanima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ghanima)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/18 "2005-02-16T16:14:51Z")
Congratulations! Take heart, doctors only get better at treating these types of things so I’m guessing your baby’s chances are better than you think. We had 4 1/2 month premature twins born into my family not long ago. They were due in February but born in October. They both had a terrible time eating, and both ended up on feeding tubes for months and months, but now they are both eating normally and are both healthy and happy babies! Hugs and best wishes for you and your family. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/19 "2005-02-16T16:14:59Z")
Sending warmest wishes to you and your family. I always like to think that babies born under extraordinary circumstances have big things planned for them in life. I’m sure the same will be true of Caileigh. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358/20 "2005-02-16T16:17:54Z")
Warm wishes and lots of supportive thoughts for you and new tiny treasure. Keep strong! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emergency-c-section-and-a-23-week-old-infant-ugh/290358.md?page=2)