Michelle Tito was ecstatic when she found out she was pregnant for the fourth time. But it didn’t last too long. The mother of three had a history of pregnancy issues due to her high blood pressure. The Titos had spent months at the NICU when their eldest son was born at 34 weeks, their twins born at 28 weeks and their youngest girl who was also born at 34 weeks.
The couple lost their little girl due to a blood clot in her small bowel that got critical. She was operated on the clot, which led to necrosis. The little one fought for over three days before her organs gave in and her heart stopped. The couple had not anticipated another long journey into the NICU when Michelle got pregnant for the fourth time.
Michelle was thrilled when the doctors told her it was a baby girl and everything was healthy. But in her 16th week of pregnancy, Michelle’s blood pressure was rising. She was hospitalized two weeks later and was told to take it easy and slow. 4 weeks later she was back in the hospital for bleeding. Her doctor put her on bed rest for a few days under observation before she was sent home.
At 24 weeks, she rushed to the hospital to monitor her fast-rising blood pressure. The doctors found high levels of protein in her urine, which slowed down the baby’s growth. The doctors said it could lead to pre-eclampsia.
In a week the doctors declared it was too dangerous for Michelle to go home and suggested an emergency delivery. Meanwhile, Michelle developed HELLP syndrome with renal failure, low blood enzymes, and a swollen liver. The blood flow to the baby was restricted and it was not gaining much weight.
The next day, premature delivery was done and little Gemma Lily Tito made her entry into the world at 25 weeks gestation weighing just 715 grams. Gemma was immediately taken to the ICU where the doctors battled to stabilize her heart rate. Based on doctor’s suggestions, she was on a complete parental nutrition (TPN) drip for nourishment.
It was a struggle as Gemma’s kidneys weren’t functioning properly, she had fluid retention and her body was quite swollen at one point. Her electrolytes were monitored as she was losing too many nutrients and salts. Her weight dropped to 660 grams before she gained again eventually.
As her lungs were still immature and underdeveloped, Gemma was given surfactant to help increase the volume of her lungs. Regular tests were performed to check the oxygen levels in her blood. She was placed in a special incubator, an Omni-bed with a soft mattress that resembled the womb. Water was added to the mattress to keep it moist inside much like inside the womb.
The tiny little girl then developed right lung pneumonia and was put on antibiotics. The doctors had to get her off the ventilator, but her PDA (patent ductus arteriosus opening in her heart) opening couldn’t let them do much. The doctors then gave her steroids which helped her get off the ventilator. The doctors then switched Gemma to a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine to keep the airways open.
For about 8 weeks, brave Gemma was kept in the special incubator while she fought with all her tiny heart. When Gemma was 5 weeks old, she finally felt her mother’s touch and it was an emotional moment for everyone. She was weighing 850 grams. The couple celebrated with a cake when Gemma, 7 weeks old weighed 1 kg.
Every week was a huge step for the parents as they watched their baby girl make tremendous improvements. Gemma was moved from a ventilator to CPAP and then onto Vapotherm High Flow therapy — a new method of CPAP, with a nasal prong (cannula).
Just before Christmas, Santa came in early and the doctors finally approved the 2.17 kg weighing Gemma to go home. The parents saw her as their little Christmas present. After 3 and a half months — 99 days in the NICU, Gemma went home as a survivor.
She is undergoing a treatment of Synagis injections to help protect and build her immunity. Furthermore, she also has a hernia for which she’s being treated. Gemma, 9 months old and currently weighing 4.4 kg is growing stronger and beautiful.
“She is still so little but a real busy body who loves to party with mom at night and sleep in the morning! She is an absolute miracle. They say big journeys begin with small steps. She is such a big miracle in such a little girl,” beams Michelle.
It is indeed fascinating how a little girl can fight with so much courage and audacity.
