Baby Faith and Her Mom Went Home!

Myself, mom and baby Faith, Ashley who took care of the baby after birth.
(Posted with permission by the patient)

Kristen here...

Some of you have been following the story of a patient that I have been taking care of and her baby. For those that are jumping on this journey with us for the first time, let me give you a little background.  This patient came to me at about 31 weeks pregnant.  She was brought by a friend who was concerned about her and this pregnancy.  After hearing the patient's story, the reason for her concern was justified.  This patient had delivered 7 babies, but had no living children.  Her babies either died just shortly after birth or were delivered as stillbirths between 6-8 months of pregnancy. When she came to me she was 7 months pregnant and desperately seeking help.  She comes from nothing.  Her husband is an alcoholic and it was evident by her tattered clothes and slim frame she doesn't have any money of her own.  We delivered her a few days later by c-section and said a lot of prayers for this premature baby. The pregnancy was beginning to show signs of distress which pushed our hands to do an early delivery - knowing full well that premature babies can really struggle here, but also knowing she has had 5 other stillbirths at this point in pregnancy.  I am still not sure what took the lives of her other children which made this case that much more challenging because I didn't know what we were up against.

The patient and the baby did well.  It was interesting to watching this mother as she went from an attitude of indifference about her baby to one of joy and thankfulness.  Why shouldn't she be indifferent?  Hadn't she done this many times before only to go home empty handed?  The first few days of watching her child be in our NICU attached to IVs and oxygen was terrifying for her.  Was history just going to repeat itself?  Honestly, at that point I couldn't have given you an answer.

As the baby continued to thrive I saw this mother start to care for her, being at her bedside and being absolutely meticulous in every interaction with her fragile newborn.  I also saw this mother smile for the first time.  Wow, so much pain for one person to have to endure and now there was finally a glimpse of hope.  Many days later this new mother finally gave her baby a name - Faith.  Very fitting after all the prayers that went into the care of both mom and baby.  We truly were looking at a miracle.

One of the things that is different about Kenyan hospitals compared to back home is that when you come to deliver a baby you have to bring your own baby clothes and blankets.  If you don't bring your own baby blankets the newborn will have nothing to be wrapped in.  This is not supplied by the hospital. This patient didn't bring any clothes or blankets.  History had taught her that they weren't necessary.  Her babies never survived long enough.  This simple act struck me.  She really came to the hospital with no hope.  One of the missionaries caring for the baby saw this need and gave this mother the needed clothes and blankets.  A small thing in the grand picture, but a huge statement that we truly did believe her baby would live.

On the day the mom and baby Faith were discharged from the hospital the same friend that had originally brought her to us came to pick them up.  I hadn't really had a chance to talk to this friend when she originally brought the patient, but this time we had the chance to sit down and really talk.  This friend was planning on taking the patient and baby Faith back to live at her house for the next 6 months. She knows the desperate situation of the patient and her unreliable husband wants to make sure she is taken care of.  So wonderful!  One of my concerns is always how things are going to go at home after we discharge patients like this.  I was relieved to know that she was going to have at least some support. What further struck me is that as I was talking to this friend I learned that she is a retired NICU nurse that used to work at our hospital many years ago!  How incredible!  God not only saved the life of this premature infant, but also provided a nurse who specialized in caring for premature babies to go home with this first time mom and care for them both.  My eyes welled up with tears as I realized the gift that had just been given to this patient and her baby.  I could not have planned a more fitting situation if I had tried.

The patient and baby Faith walked out of the hospital and got into the waiting car.  This was the first time she had ever left with a child in her arms.  The promise of hope.  Such a sweet moment.

Her friend described to us where they will be living and we are hoping to do a home visit in another month or so to check in and make sure that all is well.  I will be sure to give you an update when we have one.  Thank you for following and for the many prayers that have been lifted up for this mom and her little one.  They were definitely felt halfway across the world!