My little man

My name is Marco and I was born on the 14 July 2006 Friday 3.25am about the same time now that I like to have a feed. I was overdue by 12 days Mum was getting bigger and bigger and could hardly walk in the last few weeks. Mum was induced on the Thursday morning and they broke the bubble I was being surrounded by in the afternoon. Then about midnight I was feeling all this pushing and pushing for a couple of hours but just wanted to stay where I was for a while then I felt these cold metal things called forceps on my head that is when I thought I better come out I popped my head out (facing the wrong way of course) and just didn’t feel like moving anymore well I was stuck actually that is when the midwife jumped on my Mum’s pelvis to get my shoulders out - Yes I had shoulder dystocia but at least I came out not to mention with the umbilical cord wrapped around me - I just didn’t want to let go!! I didn’t even get to see my Mum’s mountain of milk they all talk about.

I had to have my apgar tests done 5/10 then 9/10 and finally 10/10 and then a prick in my heal for the Vitamin K. At last I get to see my Dad who feed me by the bottle which I now am accustomed to. My first wee was all over the Pediatrician - and I’ve also got Mum and Dad as well, my aim is getting better each time. I know that Mum was still a bit spaced out (she had every drug you could think of during labour!!) She was being stitched up the Obstetrician who spent 2 hrs down there, as apparently I ripped Mummy a bit well a lot actually as she had a 3rd degree tear - what do expect from someone weighing 11 lb 12oz and 63cms long!!!

Well a couple hours later after being with Mum for only 10 mins giving her a cuddle I had to go to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Christchurch Women’s as I was breathing very deep and had to go on antibiotics for Strep B. which they put a IV cord through my navel and was also on CPAPS and oxygen. I guess you can say I had a pretty rough time coming into this world - Mum also was on antibiotics as we both got an infection during labor. The next day I didn’t really see Mum at all she was having a blood transfusion as she lost 1500mls approx. of blood. I was being looked after by the great Midwives and nurses. I had to be dripped fed (tube through my nose into my stomach - which I pulled out 7 days later) Mummy was trying to breast feed me as well - I was a good little sucker but there just was not enough milk to feed me.

Daddy also gave me my first bath which was a week after I was born - I must of stunk!! (But it was a baby smell) The next time I had a bath was at home and I went right under the water!! Dad was too busy putting the web cam on me to show off to Nana he forgot to hold me for that one second but now I love the water - you never know I could be the next Danyon Loader!! I was all excited to go home on Monday 24 July but I had lost weight (only 5grms) and its not like I need to put any on but they didn’t let Mummy and me go home until Wednesday and I had put on 80grms!!! Those prem babies in the Nursery were so jealous but I know they will be home soon too.

I did scare Nana a bit a couple of weeks ago when Mum and Dad went out for the first time since I had been home and I was being a guts with my milk and chocked. I went a shade of blue and Nana had to do CPR and we ended back at the hospital - but that’s another story. I am now 6 weeks old and growing stronger, healthier and loving every moment of it and learning something new everyday.