Courtney and Rhys’ son Maverick was born at just 23 weeks but he was a fighter!

Please note: this story deals with infant loss

After only losing our daughter Savannah-Jane in December at 18 weeks gestation, Rhys and I had decided to do another round of IVF. Our doctor gave us the go ahead to start in April and if it worked I would have to have the cervical stitch put in at 10-11 weeks to carry this baby to term.

Once the stitch was put in, I felt better knowing it was holding the baby in. We were told it had an 80% success rate and I hoped that I wasn’t in that 20%. I had decided to finish up my job early at 23 weeks I wanted to be able to rest and keep my baby cooking for as long as possible. On Saturday, the 28th of October I went out for a farewell lunch with my work colleagues had felt some funny and unusual movements so I decided to go home and rest for the remainder of the day.

As it was the last time we would be together as a group before parting ways we decided last minute to take photo together. While standing there for photos I felt a small gush thinking I had wet myself I just crossed my legs and then it happened again, but it felt much bigger! I looked down and my feet were bright red! I was bleeding and all I could think was please not again, please! Not again. The ambulance was called, and it had only felt like 2 minutes had passed before a mica paramedic showed up, he told me they would take me to Frankston hospital, but I knew I was to early so I told them to take me to Monash as it was where I was booked to have my baby.

The ambulance arrived, and it was light and sirens the whole way. Once we arrived, I was taken straight into the pregnancy assessment unit and when they removed my blanket, they hadn’t known the extensive of my bleed but once they seen I was covered in blood, I was moved straight to birth suit.

It all came rushing back that feeling of waiting to see if your baby has a heartbeat, I was only there not 10 months ago. I kept looking at the roof with my head tilted back, I wouldn’t look at the screen because I was so scared that I wouldn’t see a heartbeat, so they turned up the volume and it was a very strong heartbeat! My baby was still alive.

I was examined and told I was 3cm dilated and I had bulging membranes so unfortunately, I was in that 20% my stitch was still there but I wasn’t holding like it should. I was monitored over the next 48hrs and had my labour stopped six times. We had 2 neonatologists come over from the children’s hospital and explain about having a baby at 23 weeks and what the risks were and asked us to try and keep him in as long as possible and they asked if we would like to resuscitate. The answer was yes it was always going to be yes.  I had my 2 shots of steroids and 36 hours of magnesium sulphate.

On the 1 November at 5am my labour started again, and it was coming in hard and fast. My contractions were 30 seconds apart. They did an exam I was still 3cm dilated so I was given the choice have him now even though he is only 23 weeks and 5 days or stop it and I decided to get him out. They cut my cervical stitch and I was rushed into theatre for an emergency c-section. I’ve never seen so many medical people in one room I was told that most were here for the baby so that made me relax. At 6:48 my very tiny 719-gram baby boy was born and our long journey of NICU had begun.

Maverick was born at Monash Hospital. He was intubated at 6 minutes old, and he was taken over to the Monash Children’s Hospital, Rhys my husband went with him while I went to recovery. I was told once I had movement back in my legs I could see my baby. I met my beautiful baby boy; We named him Maverick John Andrew. He was the smallest baby I had ever seen! But oh, so beautiful. 

We both unfortunately got very ill with Ecoli poisoning as a result of chorioamnionitis as a result we both got sepsis. The only bonus to being in hospital so long was I was close to my baby just a short walk away and I could visit anytime day or night. 

At 7 days old Maverick had surgery for a perforated stomach, he came out fine and didn’t need a stoma. 

At 16 days old Maverick’s kidneys and lungs started to shut down due to late onstage sepsis. We got the dreaded phone call that no parent ever wants to get come to the hospital now we don’t think he is going to make it. We live 45 minutes from the hospital that was the hardest drive we have ever done. He was put on nitric gas for 48 hours and this ultimately saved his life. It was the hardest 48hrs of my life I remember just sitting by his bed side crying. Watching him fight was remarkable that’s when I knew we had a very strong and determined little boy. 

On day 3 Rhys showed me around Maverick’s ward and I went to the parents’ room and picked up a copy of Life’s Little Treasures Foundation’s A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries. I read it cover to cover that night in my hospital room. I searched for the foundation on social media and found the in-hospital chat I instantly requested to join. NICU was very lonely, though the nurses were great at having a chat but sometimes you just wanted another mum to talk to, someone who knew how you were feeling. I looked forward to every Friday when it was NICU connections. I’d arrive at the hospital early get myself all set up and when Maverick got bigger, we would cuddle while chatting.

It was so amazing to hear from all the other parents from around Australia and how all their babies were doing. Each LLTF staff member would remember us each week and they would get so excited about his progress. I was so grateful for those two hours per week that I was able to have people truly understand what I was going through. 

We have now been home for 4 months and life hasn’t stopped. Maverick came home with a NGT and on oxygen of .250ml per litre and that was an adjustment but after a few days it was like second nature. At first, we had lots of follow up appointments but now we have 2 a month. We have dropped our oxygen requirements to half of what we were on, and we hope soon to be off it during the day. He is a very happy and easy baby, he loves people, swimming lessons and having a chat to anyone who will listen and if you’re lucky you’ll get a big smile. 

The advice for parents is ask lots of questions and get familiar with what they are saying and doing. Take time out for you! You will feel guilty at first, but you need to rest and recover. Get involved in your baby’s care and ask if there is anything you can do. Be their voice if you don’t like something or don’t understand something and your nurse can’t help going to the doctor and ask them to explain.