Ellie’s Story: A Message Of Hope & Faith For NICU

Today I’ve invited my friend, Melissa, to share the incredible story of her baby girl Ellie.  From day one, Ellie has had a special purpose, and her story is beyond incredible. Quite simply, you are about to read a miracle.  

If you or a close friend or family member have ever experienced what it’s like to have a baby in the NICU, then you know how just stressful it can be.  Melissa shares how she and her husband chose faith over fear in the face of death.  This story is raw, emotional, and powerful.  I love these brave mama friends of mine that are willing to share their hearts and advice with you all.

It’s a powerful thing when momma’s work together and encourage one another, isn’t it?  Melissa not only shares her heart-wrenching first days with Ellie, but also some amazing words of encouragement for all NICU moms.

We hope that this post encourages NICU families to continue having faith and hope, even in the midst of dark days.  We pray that  families facing uncertainty feel the same unexplainable peace that Melissa and her family felt.

I’m so excited to share Melissa’s words with you.  Here is Ellie’s Story…

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1

Bright and Shining Faith

No one ever expects to have a baby in the NICU. When you get pregnant
you dream of having the perfect delivery, the perfect newborn phase and all the beauty that comes from a brand new baby.  I would love to share my very unexpected, but beautiful journey with you.

My 3rd baby was to be my last baby. I knew going into pregnancy that I
would savor every moment. She was everything I had dreamed about. I
dreamed about my delivery day and how I would bring my other two
children in to meet her.

I had dreams of my kids getting a cute picture with her on the hospital bed. I was especially excited for this baby because she
was a little girl and my older daughter was thrilled to be getting a sister.

November 4, 2016 I was scheduled to be induced at 8:30 am. My middle
child & my 1st’s labor was only 1 hour-long and so my doctor wanted to have a controlled environment so she wouldn’t be born in the car.

On the early morning of November 4th, my water broke at 2:30 am.

I was thrilled, but very nervous that my labor would go fast. We got in the car and quickly made it to the hospital. We were checked in and brought to a delivery room at 3:30 am.

It was an amazing labor and delivery and out of all 3 children the easiest. I had so much peace and literally did not feel one contraction (thank you epidural).

I smiled and laughed and was just so happy! It was everything I had dreamed about.  At 9:02 am my sweet Ellie Faith was born. She was perfect.

The amazing nurses laid her on my chest and I was able to look into her eyes. I remember thinking how wonderful it was to see her.  The nurses brought her to the warmer and checked her apgar scores at 1 and 5 minutes.  Apgar is a quick test performed on a baby at 1 and 5 minutes after birth. The 1-minute score determines how well the baby tolerated the birthing process. The 5-minute score tells the nurse how well the baby is doing outside the mother’s womb. Her scores were perfect! 

The nurses told us that she was  8 lbs 9 oz which was my biggest baby…I couldn’t believe it!  At 9:20 they wrapped her up in a blanket and brought her back to me. As they brought her back I noticed her head was rocking back and forth and as she tried to breathe it sounded like a tapping noise.

I didn’t think much of it and the nurse asked if we wanted a family picture.

After the pictures were taken, the nurse noticed her breathing was getting worse and she went from a normal new baby color to a blue/gray color. She scooped her up and this would be the last time I’d hold her on her birthday.

A frenzy of activity followed. The nurses had called in a pediatrician to help with the situation and I heard “I can’t get a pulse ox over 40%.” My heart sank. I looked at Matt completely blindsided and terrified.

This was not how I expected my daughter’s beautiful birthday to be.

To continue reading the rest of Ellie’s Story, click here….