On January 6th 2011 at 9:57pm at just 31 weeks 4 days gestation Edamame-kun made his way into the world.
He weighed only 1730grams and was just 40cm long. It was of course a shock arrival and he was born less than 15 minutes after I arrived at the hospital.
We arrived back from Australia Monday night, Shun took Noah to the in-laws on the Tuesday so that I could get all the unpacking and everything done before meeting them for dinner at the in-laws and then overnight I came down with Noro Virus (a type of gastroentoritis) and spent all of Wednesday vomitting and Noah stayed with the in-laws that night (so did Shun as Noah ended up getting sick as well and they took him to the emergency room). I had been to my baby clinic on the Wednesday afternoon to be put on a drip (since dehydration had hit from all the vomitting) and they checked the baby then and all was fine. That night I didn`t sleep very well and I had what I thought were braxton hicks contractions- most of Thursday I had some contractions come and go- sometimes I would go an hour without one and other times I would have four in one hour but none of them were very strong and I was scheduled to go to the clinic again Friday so I thought I could get it checked out then. My in-laws bought Noah back at 5:00pm and at 6:30 I noticed some bleeding and it was then that the contractions started to get a bit more regular- 10 minutes, 8 minutes, 12 minutes but I was able to breathe through them fine- I fed Noah his dinner, we had a bath and I got him ready for bed but I rang Shun at almost 8pm to say I thought I better ring the hospital. I put Noah to bed, rang the hospital, rang my in-laws and packed a bag with one set of pajamas and a toothbrush (seriously, that was it mainly!) and then I started to get scared because the contractions were getting stronger and I knew Shun wasn`t going to make it home before the in-laws arrived.
My MIL picked me up at 9pm, FIL stayed at the apartment to watch Noah and we headed towards the hospital- Shun rang to say it would be at Funabashi station at 9:10pm so we went there first and he got in the car. The contractions were now 5 minutes apart, getting stronger and I was freaking out thinking there was no way that they were going to be able to stop them now.
We arrived at the hospital at 9:45pm, the contractions were coming one on top of the other and as I walked in the clinic doors my waters broke all over the floor and I could feel the baby crowning.
We got upstairs but Shun had to wait outside since it was now an emergency situation. The doctor checked me and kept telling me not to push (bloody hard) and they I kept asking if the baby was okay and they were trying to find a heartbeat without any luck and the doctor kept telling me “wakaranai” (which means “I don`t know”) then he said “You have to stop pushing because the baby is coming bum first” and so the doctor had to reposition the baby so that he came out head first (he came out facing upwards though instead of downwards). When I was allowed to push he came out it one push- at 9:57pm.
He was blue and didn`t cry at first but he did end up crying by himself before they started working on him- that was the longest 30 seconds of my life waiting for him to cry. It might not have even been 30 seconds but it seemed like hours.
They worked on the baby for a little while- then told Shun to come in and hold my hand. An ambulance was called and by 10:15pm he had been taken away in an ambulance (and Shun went with him- as did the doctor and one of the nurses from my clinic).
I had no idea if the baby would be okay- I was left in the room where I gave birth with tears streaming down my face.
We also have no idea what caused the early labour (and how fast it happened) but it is believed that the Noro Virus may have played a part in causing me to go into pre-term labour. Some of you may remember I had pre-term labour with Noah but it was stopped with drugs orally around 31/32 weeks.
When the doctor came back to the hospital he said that they thought the baby would be okay and that if I had given birth in the car or at home that the baby would of died as his temperature was already very low at birth and his breathing was laboured from the start.
A couple days after the birth when Shun and I were talking about the car trip/labour/birth aand we both stopped and said “Did you see the black cat”- on the way to the hospital (bloody scary car ride that was) Shun`s mum slammed the breaks on at one stage because a black cat had run across the road in front of us. Shun said that he knew then that the baby was going to be born early (and that night)….
Introducing Shion Isaac M******** (Kanji is 祉穏）
I was given permission to go and visit Shion at the NICU at the University Hospital where he is on the Friday night (and on the Saturday night) even though I was still in the clinic (I was released Sunday). It was the first time I got to touch my baby and see his face.
It has been a rough couple of days- hard to believe that just over a week ago I was still in Australia. Lots going on with Shion`s care- he is likely to be in the NICU for awhile, possibly even until early March but we have high hopes that if his health is good that he will be released before that.
His weight dropped a lot the first couple of days and he went down to 1503grams but has started to climb back up now- he was 1523grams today when I went and apparently gaining 20-30 grams a day is a good sign for a preemie.
He has jaundice and is under special lights (phototherapy?) at the moment and will be like that for approximately a week until his bilirubin levels return to normal- jaundice is extremely common in premature babies though so apparently this is not a huge concern.
He was on a ventalator for the first couple of days but was moved to oxygen through his nose on Sunday and his drip was also removed on Monday which meant I got to hold him for the first time yesterday. He is so unbelievably tiny that it felt like I was holding nothing….
We had a bit of a scare today when he stopped breathing while I was holding him. He breathing got laboured and the machines went off bringing the nurses over but before she could get the oxygen over his nose/mouth the machines went off again signalling that he had not taken a breath for 10 seconds or more but he soon started again. It seems that some phlegm in his chest had caused the breathing issues and so the nurse had to suction it out.
The staff in the NICU are amazing- I couldn`t think of better people to look after him and look over him while I can`t be there myself.
They are gradually increasing his milk intake (and from today he is on breastmilk full-time) and he is on 25ml every three hours at the moment (he started at 5ml!)
Noah is completely unaware that he has become a brother- it will be doubtful he would be able to meet his little brother before we bring him home from the hospital since only parents are allowed in the NICU and that is where little Shion will stay until he is released. Noah is also finding it hard because each day I leave him for a couple of hours and after not seeing me for 3 days (and before that he barely saw me Wed or Thur) straight he is very clingy.
We are staying at the in-laws until further notice- I need access to the car and also need MIL to watch Noah when I go to the hospital each day so for now it is the best plan. I don`t usually do much driving in Japan but Shun has shown me the way to the hospital and Shun`s dad came with me today while I drove and from tomorrow I will be driving myself there and back (alone). I am so glad now that I got my Japanese license sorted 18 months ago.
I could write more but to be honest it is hard for me to process thoughts and put them into words right now.
Please keep little Shion in your thoughts and prayers and pray for him to get big and strong.
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I am just a twenty something Aussie girl living in Chiba, Japan with my Japanese husband trying to make sense of the crazy Japanese world we live in! We welcomed our first son in December 2009 (Noah) and a second son in January 2011, 2 months premature (Shion). I am working hard at raising them to be confident, bilingual, happy kids!
Oh wow. Sending my congratulations and my prayers for you and your family. Hang in there!
lots of love from me, lulu. congratulations on the birth. i love his name! i hope he gains steadily and comes home soon!
Lulu, I cannot imagine all that you are going through and have been through. Glad you are able to stay with your in-laws and that the hospital staff is so wonderful. Little Shion is going to have quite the stories to hear about later. Thinking of you, Shion (and Shun too- must be so hard to concentrate on any work!)
Congratulations with your newborn son! He really looks so tiny… Keep on eating well little Shion so you get big and strong!
Oh, Lulu. Reading Shion’s birth story had me in tears. I cant imagine how frightened you must have been. What a brave mum you are! Little Shion is so precious and sounds like a fighter. I am sending you lots of love, healing, and positive vibes your way. xxx
Thank you for sharing your story, Lulu. I’ve been thinking about you every day since you announced little Shion’s birth. Of course, I hope he’ll be all right and be able to come home soon. I’m happy and relieved to hear he’s in good hands and that it sounds like so far everything is working out for the best for what could’ve been a nightmare situation.
Take care! I’m rooting for you and your family… sounds like you’ve got each other to depend on so you’ll be okay
There`s nothing I can really say that others haven`t said.
“wow” was the first thought that came to my mind and visualizing it as it happens definitely headed in the directions of tears.
I`m just happy that he seems to be doing well and that you are staying so strong.
I`ve thought about you everyday since I saw your status on Thursday
Lulu, thank you for sharing your story, even as you are getting through the days visiting Shion and taking care of your other two boys at home. Shion looks like he is doing great and for any step backwards, he’s moving ahead two or three more. He’s a fighter and we’re all rooting for him and you all.
Congratulations! I’m glad that Shion is in good hands and taken care of. My thoughts are with the little guy, but he looks like a fighter!
Congratulaions. I hope Shion’s trip through ICU is without too many hiccups.
Thinking of you and Shion.
I’m sure you’ll stay strong throughout this and hope little Shion continues his gain and is soon home with his family. xx
Not much more I can say that I or anybody else hasn’t said but you are all still in my thoughts everyday. I am praying that little Shion gets big and strong as soon as possible so that he can come home to you, Shun and Noah where he belongs. You are the bravest mummy in the world and your boys are lucky to have you! Love from the 4 of us here in Shizuoka
*wishes I was closer to be of more help*
Thankyou for sharing that Lulu. It must have been so frightening for you. Shion is a fighter and so are you. I’m glad you have your in-laws there to help you during the next few months and I am so glad you made it to the hospital in time.
Thinking of you all
Xxx
Oh my goodness! Sending thoughts and prayers that little Edamame-kun gets big and strong and healthy so he can come home soon. It’s good to know he is being cared for so well – stay strong!
Congratulations! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you!
Wow, that was a fast labour!
You’re going to be busy in the upcoming weeks so take care of yourself and here’s hoping the ICU will release him soon.
Congratulations.
Wow, it really is such an amazing story, one you’ll be telling Shion’s kids one day I’m sure! You sound like you are doing so well, your boys are lucky to have you! Can’t wait to watch Shion grow up and hear about all the mischief that him and Noah are going to get up to!
Wow, really scary! But it’s wonderful that he made it, and i’m sure he’ll continue to get better. He’ll be in my thoughts. And the rest of your family too. Hang in there!
Yikes! A fast and scary entry to the world for Shion! Sounds like he (and you!) are doing well though, and that is all that really matters. Sending lots of ‘grow big and strong’ vibes your way!!
I’m sure this will take awhile to process Lulu, it sounds like it was very scary and it seems like you’re doing a great job of hanging in there so far. Sending vibes to Shion to continue growing and improving so he can come home soon and meet big brother Noah!
He sounds like such a little fighter Lulu and he is so lucky to be born into such a loving family. Great signs that he is already up to 25mls of milk!
Congratulations on his birth. I’ll be praying for his health and speedy release from the nicu.
Don’t forget to take time to look after yourself as well xxoo
Oh, WOW! Congratulations, and all the best in the coming weeks, and may little Shion go home SOON!
Congratulations to all of you and prayers for little Shion to continue growing bigger and stronger.
ML in Tokyo (frequent lurker)
Congratulations to you and welcome to little Shion. I am praying for you and your family.
congratulations on the birth of Shion.
Thinking of you and praying that he gets nice and big super fast.
Congratulations on the birth of Shion!
Thinking about your family, sending you good wishes..
Oh my goodness, what an experience. I’m glad Shion is doing well and that you have the support of your inlaws. Congrats, he is precious.
What an entrance! Sarah y told me about your early birth but reading your story here is so moving. Our thoughts are with you and we hope it’s not long before Shion gets to rough and tumble with his big bro.
Congratulations, and I hope he’s coming home with you sooner than feared. Sounds like he’s in good hands while in NICU, though, and that’s so important! Thinking of your family and sending good thoughts your way.
Congratulations on Shion’s birth but how scary for you all. So glad that you had good medical care and have the support of your in-laws. It’s wonderful that he is off the respirator already and drinking your breast milk. Hope that he is soon home with your family. Nancy
Lulu, congratulations on Shion’s birth. The pictures of him and of him and you are precious. Jun and I will be praying for both of your precious sons and for you and Shun every day! May God richly bless your family!!!
Lots of thoughts and prayers from me too!
You are such an inspiration. I’m sending positive vibes to Shion-kun! Congrats on another lovely son. I’m sure you’ll be covered in mud and other icky boy stuff in no time. Stay well.
Oh hun.
*hug*
Very very late here but congrats Lulu.
Positive vibes coming your way from me too
Lulu! Congratulations on Shion’s birth. I’m sure this wasn’t what you planned but you did exactly the right thing. I hope you can feel all of our support and prayers as you go through this difficult time. Shion will be home with you before you know it. Take care of yourself, too!
Just wow! What a scary experience! But look at him now! I just wish that when you are in the NICU with your baby someone would come back in time and show you a photo of them 6 months down the track, or 12 months. I’m so glad I had Roo before the boys were born and in the NICU, because I had the foresight to know that “this too shall pass”.
Thank you for sharing!