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ASPEN POLOMCAK — USA
Born June 1, 2017 and died June 27, 2017 Late-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive Gestational Age: Full term Age Harmed: 3 weeks old |
I was tested for GBS at 35 weeks pregnant and came back positive. I remember my doctors telling me no worries and that I would get antibiotics when it was time to deliver. I had a slight possible allergy to penicillin (which is the "best" antibiotic to get for this bacteria) but my doctor agreed to use it anyway. This was my wish that I pushed - I figured where better to try it than in a hospital where I'm already hooked up to an IV anyway?!
Active labor started around 1am on Thursday June 1st and I gave birth to our beautiful perfect baby girl at 6:36pm. I received 2 doses of antibiotics in that time but my main doctor was not on at the start of labor and he refused to give me the antibiotic I was possibly allergic to. I was given a different one instead (cannot remember what.)
We stayed in the hospital for the typical 2 nights after and had zero signs of any health issues. After getting home we had an amazing 3 weeks with our beautiful girl. She got so terribly sick so fast. The night leading up to me taking her into the doctor she was kind of fussy and didn't seem as interested in nursing. She would make the GBS "grunting" noise that I was not aware of. Please be aware that the noise is a sign to take your infant in immediately! She had a fever by the time I called the doctor and they told me to come into the office. After checking her out they sent me to the Pediatric hospital. From there she went downhill very quickly...while getting a spinal tap she quit breathing and eventually had to be hooked up to a vent.
From there she started having seizures and needing blood pressure meds. Then blood transfusions and so much more...I honestly can't remember it was all such a blur. I just remember feeling like every time we had a step forward there would be 3 steps back. Eventually they took eeg machine off and it was time for our dreaded CT scan. At this point her soft spot on her head was bulging and doctors were concerned for results.
When the doctors came in with chairs to sit with us and tell us the results we knew in our hearts what they were doing to say. They expected bad but told us they were surprised at how bad it really was. She had extreme brain damage on her entire brain and was bleeding around the brain. They informed us she would not survive and if she would- it wouldn't really be her. Just a body.
This is something I prayed and prayed about. I did not want to be given this choice. My husband and I slept together in a room in the hospital that night- praying in the morning we would have our miracle and she would be showing signs of healing. This was the first time neither of us was with her in 5 days at the hospital. On Tuesday June 27th we woke up and went back into the room to find she was back on a decline. After talking with doctors, family, and friends we decided we didn't want her being poked and pulled anymore. We held her while she took her last precious breaths here on earth.
I wanted to share her story so it could help maybe one mother to see the signs before I did. I did everything I could to be the best mother but I just didn't have the knowledge on late-onset group b strep. Please feel free to share Aspen's Story.
— Hannah Polomcak, USA
Hannah shares her story on Facebook, talking with her pediatricians, and fundraising.
Active labor started around 1am on Thursday June 1st and I gave birth to our beautiful perfect baby girl at 6:36pm. I received 2 doses of antibiotics in that time but my main doctor was not on at the start of labor and he refused to give me the antibiotic I was possibly allergic to. I was given a different one instead (cannot remember what.)
We stayed in the hospital for the typical 2 nights after and had zero signs of any health issues. After getting home we had an amazing 3 weeks with our beautiful girl. She got so terribly sick so fast. The night leading up to me taking her into the doctor she was kind of fussy and didn't seem as interested in nursing. She would make the GBS "grunting" noise that I was not aware of. Please be aware that the noise is a sign to take your infant in immediately! She had a fever by the time I called the doctor and they told me to come into the office. After checking her out they sent me to the Pediatric hospital. From there she went downhill very quickly...while getting a spinal tap she quit breathing and eventually had to be hooked up to a vent.
From there she started having seizures and needing blood pressure meds. Then blood transfusions and so much more...I honestly can't remember it was all such a blur. I just remember feeling like every time we had a step forward there would be 3 steps back. Eventually they took eeg machine off and it was time for our dreaded CT scan. At this point her soft spot on her head was bulging and doctors were concerned for results.
When the doctors came in with chairs to sit with us and tell us the results we knew in our hearts what they were doing to say. They expected bad but told us they were surprised at how bad it really was. She had extreme brain damage on her entire brain and was bleeding around the brain. They informed us she would not survive and if she would- it wouldn't really be her. Just a body.
This is something I prayed and prayed about. I did not want to be given this choice. My husband and I slept together in a room in the hospital that night- praying in the morning we would have our miracle and she would be showing signs of healing. This was the first time neither of us was with her in 5 days at the hospital. On Tuesday June 27th we woke up and went back into the room to find she was back on a decline. After talking with doctors, family, and friends we decided we didn't want her being poked and pulled anymore. We held her while she took her last precious breaths here on earth.
I wanted to share her story so it could help maybe one mother to see the signs before I did. I did everything I could to be the best mother but I just didn't have the knowledge on late-onset group b strep. Please feel free to share Aspen's Story.
— Hannah Polomcak, USA
Hannah shares her story on Facebook, talking with her pediatricians, and fundraising.
To learn more about Perinatal & GBS Misconceptions, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of Preterm Labor, click HERE.
To learn more about the Signs & Symptoms of GBS Infection, click HERE.
To learn more about Why Membranes Should NOT Be Stripped, click HERE.
To learn more about How to Help Protect Your Baby from Group B Strep (GBS), click HERE.