The Real Deal takes a look into the lives of the joys and struggles of real parents. This week FamilyShare interviewed blogger Britt Jessop. If you would like to be considered for a feature on The Real Deal, tell us your story here.
Q. What is one of the hardest moments you've dealt with as a parent?
In the worst winter our city had seen in 20 years, December 2016, I unexpectedly had to deliver my 34 week old son, due to IUGR (Intrauterine Growth Restriction). He and I had not grown from weeks 30-34.
We were not ready or prepared.
I can say that the NICU experience was undoubtedly the hardest moment of my life. Healing from a c-section, and dividing time between a toddler at home and my baby up at the hospital was a trial itself but there were two moments in the seven week stay that I fell to my knees, sobbing that God would let my son live through it and offered to give my life instead. On Christmas day my son's digestion system became severely bloated and prevented anything from going in or out. Over the course of the next week with meticulous care from the staff, he got better.
The next big hurdle was that he had two episodes in one morning where he had stopped breathing.
I remember going in early in the morning and seeing an almost motionless and pale faced baby.
I immediately knew something was wrong and cried and held on to the nurse as she explained what had happened that morning and that we needed an immediate blood transfusion. After the blood transfusion he had an incredible turn around and we were able to leave the NICU in a week.
Q. How did you handle it?
I handled it the best I knew at the time I guess. My husband and I alternated hospital visits several times throughout the day. Some days spending the whole day at the hospital while we alternated playing with my two-year old daughter in the hospital playroom.
Back and forth, back and forth through snowstorms and black ice.
I held my baby against my skin, amidst the tubes and wires for as long as I could, singing Christmas songs to him, praying with him and over him.
Making friendships with the world's most incredible nurses, doctors and therapists. And being lifted by the word of God and from the prayers, service, letters, messages, comments, posts of friends and family.
Q. Do you wish you would have done anything differently?
Honestly the thing I wish I would have done differently is to have found more ways to thank and serve the NICU staff. I am eternally grateful for them.
Q. What is a sweet moment you've had with your children (or just one individually) lately?
Kind of menial but sweet for me none the less was this morning while I was stretching on the floor. My son quickly crawled over to climb on me and then my daughter climbed on top too. We all tickled and giggled together.
