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ROLAND — USA
Born February 13, 2022 Recurrent Late-onset Mother's GBS Status: Tested positive Gestational Age: 29 weeks Age harmed: 3 weeks, recurring a month later |
I got pregnant at 18, very excited for him. I had a pretty healthy pregnancy other than catching COVID multiple times. I lost my mucus plug at 26 weeks, provider didn't believe me, I was then checked-was at 3cm and life-flighted out of state where they managed to stop it. I was given many cervical checks, which my provider at home didn't want because it increases the risk of infection. They tested me for GBS, I was positive. But I have many allergies to antibiotics, and told us GBS gave kids the "flu". I then went into labor at 29 weeks, bleeding heavily, baby wasn't moving. This was in our county hospital I gave birth, vaginally. It was a Friday night, they took 6 hours to come see me. The provider on call sent me home and told me not to come back, but I was in labor. He wanted to go home. I was also COVID positive. I remained at home, bleeding heavily for two days, until I went in on a Sunday morning, I requested a different doctor, and he didn't care. I was at 7cm. He didn't believe that the risk was too high, so he didn't treat me. My son was born at 29 weeks, so he was transferred to a NICU in another state. He was given a week of antibiotics after birth. At 3 weeks old, he wasn't acting right, and nurses didn't believe me. The next morning he coded 4 times. He ended up having blood transfusions, PICC lines, bruises over his entire body for trying IVs. He received first round of antibiotics, two weeks worth.
A month later, I caught him having a seizure, and was not believed. Later that night, same situation arises, we found that the PICC line (that is made of plastic) causes bacteria to cling to it. GBS had clung to it, and infected his heart through his PDA that hadn't closed. They had to contact infection control in other states, because he is the only case of having it twice. Roland got 6 weeks of antibiotics, then an MRI. The MRI revealed 75% of his brain matter was gone. The nurses crying seeing it and his doctor team. They told us they didn't expect him to live 3 months after we took him home. He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. We were told he would never eat, walk, if he caught a cold he would pass away, he was blind and deaf, they told us to contact hospice. We told them that Roland would show us what he could do and what help he needed. We took Roland home May 10, 2022. It is now June 7, 2023. Roland eats purees, Roland loves to stand and dance, he has the biggest smile and loves to giggle. He says mama, and gives kisses. Roland can take steps with his AFOs and gait trainer. Roland is fully hearing and can see us. Roland's journey hasn't been easy, he struggles with choking, he has had a few seizures, he has caught colds that have lead to a few pneumonias. He has many issues with stomach pain, and he was a very inconsolable baby. With a good team of specialists we see out of state every month, his pediatric team at home, and medications, and no limitations from his parents he has thrived. Us as parents were settled with a crazy amount of debt, his provider is no longer working after delivering him, but we are being sued by the hospital he was born at for the medical bills due. We also did try to file a lawsuit, but the provider claimed he gave antibotics and so do nurses. Our home hospital is not a place our son can seek medical care now. We want to spread awareness for our son, and so other parents don't have to go through this.
- Haley Maronick
"I am trying to start a nonprofit and spread education and awareness"
A month later, I caught him having a seizure, and was not believed. Later that night, same situation arises, we found that the PICC line (that is made of plastic) causes bacteria to cling to it. GBS had clung to it, and infected his heart through his PDA that hadn't closed. They had to contact infection control in other states, because he is the only case of having it twice. Roland got 6 weeks of antibiotics, then an MRI. The MRI revealed 75% of his brain matter was gone. The nurses crying seeing it and his doctor team. They told us they didn't expect him to live 3 months after we took him home. He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. We were told he would never eat, walk, if he caught a cold he would pass away, he was blind and deaf, they told us to contact hospice. We told them that Roland would show us what he could do and what help he needed. We took Roland home May 10, 2022. It is now June 7, 2023. Roland eats purees, Roland loves to stand and dance, he has the biggest smile and loves to giggle. He says mama, and gives kisses. Roland can take steps with his AFOs and gait trainer. Roland is fully hearing and can see us. Roland's journey hasn't been easy, he struggles with choking, he has had a few seizures, he has caught colds that have lead to a few pneumonias. He has many issues with stomach pain, and he was a very inconsolable baby. With a good team of specialists we see out of state every month, his pediatric team at home, and medications, and no limitations from his parents he has thrived. Us as parents were settled with a crazy amount of debt, his provider is no longer working after delivering him, but we are being sued by the hospital he was born at for the medical bills due. We also did try to file a lawsuit, but the provider claimed he gave antibotics and so do nurses. Our home hospital is not a place our son can seek medical care now. We want to spread awareness for our son, and so other parents don't have to go through this.
- Haley Maronick
"I am trying to start a nonprofit and spread education and awareness"
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.