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JACOB — USA Born April 4, 1995 Early-onset Mother's GBS Status: Not tested Gestational Age: 35 weeks Age Harmed: 1 day |
I began having contractions and was dilated to 3 at my 34 week doctor visit requiring bedrest. At 35 weeks I woke at 2a.m. to urinate and my water broke. I went to the hospital and was admitted and monitored until that morning when doctor decided I needed help regulating labor. I delivered about 12 hours after first signs of water breaking. Jacob was very blue from knees down and was having trouble with low temperature. I noticed bubbles were coming out of his mouth and he just slept. He was left with me in my room and about 2 hours later he was taken to the nursery to be checked over. Within 30 minutes my doctor came in to tell me that Jacob was very sick and might need to be transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital. It was thought that he had pneumonia from aspiration. He deteriorated and was sent to Children's by medflight. He was intubated during flight and coded two times before placement on high pressure vent. Day 3 he developed pneumothorax and day 4 went into cardiac arrest. It was complicated and a chest tube was placed.
He was found to have patent ductus arteriosis and other shunting which caused pulmonary hypertension. His kidneys quit functioning right and he swelled 3 times his size. He developed a small brain bleed. We were told his chance of recovery was small and a full recovery near impossible. At around week 1 we were told cultures came back showing strep infection with sepsis. They were discussing ECMO which was a new treatment still being studied and had very high risks. However Jacob decided he had enough and wanted to get well. He made a turn around and never looked back. We went home about 4 weeks later with a blood pressure machine only. At age 1 he came off blood pressure meds and has never been sick since. He is now 16 and a big buffed up athlete. About 2 months ago he had a spell and his blood pressure shot up. He has been going thru some testing but cause is not known and doctors consider it episodic. His blood pressure is still running high and we are planning to go back to the high blood pressure clinic at Childrens.
Hang in there parents and never give up. The day Jacob came home was the day GBS was given its name and prevention and treatment defined.
— Jeannie Henderson, AR, USA
Jeannie kept a diary from day 1. Completed RN degree later and keeps up-to-date on info for teaching purposes.
He was found to have patent ductus arteriosis and other shunting which caused pulmonary hypertension. His kidneys quit functioning right and he swelled 3 times his size. He developed a small brain bleed. We were told his chance of recovery was small and a full recovery near impossible. At around week 1 we were told cultures came back showing strep infection with sepsis. They were discussing ECMO which was a new treatment still being studied and had very high risks. However Jacob decided he had enough and wanted to get well. He made a turn around and never looked back. We went home about 4 weeks later with a blood pressure machine only. At age 1 he came off blood pressure meds and has never been sick since. He is now 16 and a big buffed up athlete. About 2 months ago he had a spell and his blood pressure shot up. He has been going thru some testing but cause is not known and doctors consider it episodic. His blood pressure is still running high and we are planning to go back to the high blood pressure clinic at Childrens.
Hang in there parents and never give up. The day Jacob came home was the day GBS was given its name and prevention and treatment defined.
— Jeannie Henderson, AR, USA
Jeannie kept a diary from day 1. Completed RN degree later and keeps up-to-date on info for teaching purposes.
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.