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ELLA GRACE— USA Lived November 10, 2012 to November 25, 2012 Late-onset Mother's GBS Status:Tested positive Gestational Age: 38 weeks (planned C-section) Age Harmed: 13 days |
Our first pregnancy was uneventful - even carrying twin girls! My doctor reviewed the many risks of carrying twins, but the one thing my doctor and pediatrician didn't warn me about was Group B Strep. When I tested positive for GBS, he didn't even bother to review it with me. His words were, "don't even think about it and don't Google it - it will unnecessarily scare you. You will have antibiotics before they are born and there's nothing to worry about." He could not have been more wrong.
When Ella started getting unusually fussy at 13 days old, I contacted her pediatrician twice. She was crying, but it was different this time - a sound I hadn't heard before. "Babies cry", he said. "Get used to it", he said while he laughed. When I contacted him again about her not eating, he said give it more time. When I called back, he didn't answer the phone, so we went to the ER. After being admitted to 3 hospitals in 2 days,2 helicopters and 3 surgeries, there was nothing else that could be done. Ella Grace died in my arms on November 25, 2012. Her twin sister Abby was hospitalized for 5 days and had to endure a spinal tap, countless tests and intravenous antibiotics.
What if my doctor gave me all the facts about GBS when I tested positive, instead of dismissing something that is so serious? What if my pediatrician took my concerns seriously the first time? What if someone, anyone, had told me about the signs of GBS? What if the medical community educated women about GBS, rather than treating it as if new moms weren't capable of handling this information? What if I got Ella to the hospital earlier? What if, what if, what if.....
Now I'm left with other questions. What would she look like? What would she enjoy doing? How would she interact with her sister and brother? What would her laugh sound like? What flowers should I bring to the cemetery? How do I explain this to her twin sister and baby brother?
I write this story with the hope that we can, through GBSI, educate women and the broader medical community about GBS. Please read this story, contribute if you can and pass this information to every new mom you know. No one should have to bury their child. If this information saves one family from the pain that we have had to endure, our mission will be complete.
~Nicole DeChiaro, USA
When Ella started getting unusually fussy at 13 days old, I contacted her pediatrician twice. She was crying, but it was different this time - a sound I hadn't heard before. "Babies cry", he said. "Get used to it", he said while he laughed. When I contacted him again about her not eating, he said give it more time. When I called back, he didn't answer the phone, so we went to the ER. After being admitted to 3 hospitals in 2 days,2 helicopters and 3 surgeries, there was nothing else that could be done. Ella Grace died in my arms on November 25, 2012. Her twin sister Abby was hospitalized for 5 days and had to endure a spinal tap, countless tests and intravenous antibiotics.
What if my doctor gave me all the facts about GBS when I tested positive, instead of dismissing something that is so serious? What if my pediatrician took my concerns seriously the first time? What if someone, anyone, had told me about the signs of GBS? What if the medical community educated women about GBS, rather than treating it as if new moms weren't capable of handling this information? What if I got Ella to the hospital earlier? What if, what if, what if.....
Now I'm left with other questions. What would she look like? What would she enjoy doing? How would she interact with her sister and brother? What would her laugh sound like? What flowers should I bring to the cemetery? How do I explain this to her twin sister and baby brother?
I write this story with the hope that we can, through GBSI, educate women and the broader medical community about GBS. Please read this story, contribute if you can and pass this information to every new mom you know. No one should have to bury their child. If this information saves one family from the pain that we have had to endure, our mission will be complete.
~Nicole DeChiaro, USA
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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.