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KAIGE — NEW ZEALAND
Born June 13, 2008 Late-onset Mother's GBS Status: Not tested Gestational Age: 38 weeks Age harmed: 2 weeks 5 days |
Firstly my heart goes out to those mummys and daddys whose stories are told on this site. May God bless your angels and give you strength.
Kaige's story begins on June 13, 2008, the day he was born. He was just perfect. My labour was induced at 38 weeks as I was type 2 diabetes, and, as is standard in NZ, they don't let you go too far over 38 weeks for fear baby will get too big. My waters were broken at 8pm on 12th June and Kaige was born at 12:55am on the 13th. I went home later that day, with my perfect little man having never even heard of GBS. Neither I nor any of my friends and family had ever even heard of this killer. I certainly never knew about testing or the possibility of prevention through antibiotics during delivery.
On the day I took Kaige to my local GP, he was off his food, and wasn't "crying", but was "whimpering". He was alert, no fever, but very lethargic. My gut instinct told me something wasn't right. My GP checked him over and said everything looked fine, he had no temperature, and appeared fine. Thankfully my GP recommended we go to the hospital, "just to be safe." By the time I got to the hospital Kaige had a fever of 38.1 and was "floppy." The hospital took bloods and a urine sample and then did a lumbar puncture on my poor little guy. Not for one second, did I think there would be something seriously wrong...not my baby!!
Kaige's lumbar puncture came back positive for meningitis - at this stage the doctors weren't sure what type he had - however the name 'meningitis' put the fear of God into me. I broke down in tears in total disbelief that this was happening...it just wasn't right...it just wasn't fair.
Kaige was immediately given a drip of antibiotics, and we were admitted to hospital. Now 10 days later, I am still here at the hospital. Kaige has endured 2 drips, 1 x long line drip, multiple blood tests, 2 lumbar punctures and 2 CT scans. He is currently on antibiotics to kill the baby killer, and also another drug to stop the seizures he's been having. His last CT two days ago showed he has had a slight stroke on the right hand side of his brain which is why he's been having seizures, although, he is definitely a lot better now and is on the way to recovery.
I am appalled and angry that I knew nothing of GBS, that I wasn't given testing options, that the antibiotics that could have saved him all this pain were not offered because no one knew!! It disgusts me.
I don't know what the future holds for my beautiful boy, I don't know what long term effects he will face, I don't know much about anything really, but what I do know is, that I will treasure every precious moment, every whine, whinge and tear, I will treasure every smile, every tantrum, every hug, every nano second I have with my children forever more. The things I used to believe were important are now nothing to me. I will cherish time with my loved ones and thank God for every day I have with them.
— Lynda Chase, New Zealand
Kaige's mother wants to make it optional that women in NZ be tested for GBS while pregnant, and, also, that ALL pregnant women in NZ are made aware of this terrible disease.
Kaige's story begins on June 13, 2008, the day he was born. He was just perfect. My labour was induced at 38 weeks as I was type 2 diabetes, and, as is standard in NZ, they don't let you go too far over 38 weeks for fear baby will get too big. My waters were broken at 8pm on 12th June and Kaige was born at 12:55am on the 13th. I went home later that day, with my perfect little man having never even heard of GBS. Neither I nor any of my friends and family had ever even heard of this killer. I certainly never knew about testing or the possibility of prevention through antibiotics during delivery.
On the day I took Kaige to my local GP, he was off his food, and wasn't "crying", but was "whimpering". He was alert, no fever, but very lethargic. My gut instinct told me something wasn't right. My GP checked him over and said everything looked fine, he had no temperature, and appeared fine. Thankfully my GP recommended we go to the hospital, "just to be safe." By the time I got to the hospital Kaige had a fever of 38.1 and was "floppy." The hospital took bloods and a urine sample and then did a lumbar puncture on my poor little guy. Not for one second, did I think there would be something seriously wrong...not my baby!!
Kaige's lumbar puncture came back positive for meningitis - at this stage the doctors weren't sure what type he had - however the name 'meningitis' put the fear of God into me. I broke down in tears in total disbelief that this was happening...it just wasn't right...it just wasn't fair.
Kaige was immediately given a drip of antibiotics, and we were admitted to hospital. Now 10 days later, I am still here at the hospital. Kaige has endured 2 drips, 1 x long line drip, multiple blood tests, 2 lumbar punctures and 2 CT scans. He is currently on antibiotics to kill the baby killer, and also another drug to stop the seizures he's been having. His last CT two days ago showed he has had a slight stroke on the right hand side of his brain which is why he's been having seizures, although, he is definitely a lot better now and is on the way to recovery.
I am appalled and angry that I knew nothing of GBS, that I wasn't given testing options, that the antibiotics that could have saved him all this pain were not offered because no one knew!! It disgusts me.
I don't know what the future holds for my beautiful boy, I don't know what long term effects he will face, I don't know much about anything really, but what I do know is, that I will treasure every precious moment, every whine, whinge and tear, I will treasure every smile, every tantrum, every hug, every nano second I have with my children forever more. The things I used to believe were important are now nothing to me. I will cherish time with my loved ones and thank God for every day I have with them.
— Lynda Chase, New Zealand
Kaige's mother wants to make it optional that women in NZ be tested for GBS while pregnant, and, also, that ALL pregnant women in NZ are made aware of this terrible disease.
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.