My Story

Preterm Birth & NICU Course (Sloane, Twin B)

Patient/Subject: Sloane (twin, brother co-twin)
Gestational Age at Birth: 36 weeks (4 weeks early)
Birth Weight: 4 lbs 1 oz (1.85 kg)

Section 1: Pre-Admission Event (Maternal Appointment)

• Mother presented for a routine high-risk pregnancy monitoring visit (frequency of visits exceeded that of a singleton pregnancy due to high-risk status).

• During a non-stress test (lying down, mother on vacation time from work), a sudden deceleration in Sloane’s heart rate was detected.

• Though 4 weeks early, mother had pre-packed a hospital bag, which was already in the vehicle.

Section 2: Delivery & Immediate Postpartum

• Father, working in investment banking, had completed an overnight shift and arrived home at 9:00 AM the morning of the event. Mother called him directly from the appointment to come to the hospital.

• Mother was transported directly to the operating room and prepped for an emergency cesarean section.

• Immediate post-birth contact: 2 minutes of maternal holding permitted for both twins before transfer to the NICU.

• Mother was later wheeled into the NICU to see Sloane.

Section 3: NICU Course (Duration: 4 weeks)

• Primary diagnoses upon admission:

  • Respiratory distress (difficulty breathing)

  • Jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia)

  • Episodic hypotension (frequent loss of blood pressure)

  • Apnea of prematurity with bradycardia (Sloane would fall asleep and “forget” to maintain heart rate; required physical startle/stimulation to resume normal cardiac rhythm)

Section 4: Discharge

• Discharge weight: 6 lbs (approx. 2.72 kg)

• Length of NICU stay: 4 weeks