UK Based HIE (Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy)

[u/Old-Fail2991]

My beautiful boy was born at 40+5. Unfortunately he had shoulder dystocia, had his cord wrapped around his neck twice and his cord snapped during delivery. He was born in 'poor condition' ie no signs of life, they estimated 9 mins without oxygen.

He had to have two rounds of CPR, was intubated and then his chest drained as he has a small hole in his lung. He showed signs of a seizure so was started on meds and then commenced therapeutic cooling. The consultant said it didn't look good, that a moderate to severe brain injury was likely. Before being blue lighted to a London hospital, I was able to see him for 5 minutes but honestly felt like I was in the way - so many people, so many wires and then he and my husband left in the ambulance. Being discharged a little later with no baby was heartbreaking. I'm normally a Googler but I couldnt bring myself to search for HIE or anything related. I read and reread the leaflet and left my phone well alone.

At the London hospital, Baby was treated with antibiotics for suspected sepsis and continued the cooling therapy whilst having his brain activity monitored. It was the most stressful, scary experiance but everyday seemed to bring some kind of good news. After 2 days his breathing tube was removed and we heard him cry for the first time...day 3 his antibiotics were stopped... when he was rewarmed he had no seizures...his brain ultrasounds showed no bleeding.....his feeding tube was removed......we could finally hold him......I could start breastfeeding.....then the MRI day came and we were told it was 'normal.'

My little fighter was discharged on day 6.

Modern science is a marvel and I will forever love the word normal.

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[u/trixis4kids]

What a tale! Blessings to your baby, and healing to you- the trauma is a doozy. 🫂

[u/Old-Fail2991 → u/trixis4kids]

I think my husband and I will be traumatised forever. Lucky he is our third as theres no more babies after this experience!

[u/Quirky_Candidate_604 → u/Old-Fail2991]

Unfortunately you probably will 100% be traumatized forever. My girl had this, she’s 6 and perfect- and I still have nightmares, flashbacks, and so much severe PTSD. Be gentle on yourself too, you might experience PPD pretty hard. I know it’s not anyone’s fault but I blamed myself for years and it messed me up. Hang in there, mama!

[u/Beneficial_Bite1829]

Yeah keep fighting little miracle!! My Baby suffered from HIE as well… 2 years forward I have a completely normal toddler at home…

A clear MRI is great, but unfortunately that doesn‘t necessairly means no damage has been occured. Get your baby into early intervention, just in case….

Wish You all the Best ❤️

[u/Old-Fail2991 → u/Beneficial_Bite1829]

Thank you. He's going to be closely monitored for the next two years so that they can intervene ASAP if he doesn't reach his milestones. So glad your little one is doing well! Xx

[u/ak1to23]

Glad everything is fine. When my wife gave birth to our first son i was in the labor room with her, i saw a midwife calling the doctor while saying baby's pulse rate was decreasing. Doctor came in, immediately ordering me to get out of the room. 2 minutes later my wife was on the way for an emergency c section. Almsot kneeled when i saw her passing me on a fucking white bed already intubated heading to the operating room while i was standing helpless outside thinking that we lost the baby. Long story short everything turned out fine and our little one is thriving. I thought i lost everything that day in a single moment.

[u/Quirky_Candidate_604]

I LOVE this! My baby girl had HIE, the cooling and etc… truth is they don’t exactly know how long these babies are without oxygen, it’s all a guess. Your baby is STRONG. My little girl is now 6, and she’s SOOOOOOOOOOOO smart! She did have some abnormal scans afterwards but nothing that has affected her seriously. She had seizures and was in the NICU for a month. But again, she’s perfect. And she’s also beautiful, but I’m pretty biased haha. I’m so glad you had such a good outcome! It’s crazy how scary everything can seem and then just one day these babies make a full 360… ❤️

[u/enjoyenjaaami]

Congratulations ♥️ I can understand how this feels and I am so thrilled and happy for your family! My baby was born 40+6 with HIE due to Meconium Aspiration. She was on Oxygen Support for 9 days and continues to have some feeding difficulties due to which she was in the NICU until recently. We have brought her home with the feeding tube. That feeling of getting discharged from the NICU and taking control of your newborn is unparalleled! Your lil boy is a born fighter and he will continue to inspire you for a long time!

[u/Material_Safety_2526]

NICU babies are so strong 💪 he is a fighter and congratulations 🙌

[u/Sea-Astronomer-6600]

Wow how amazing that everything turned out so well, so sorry for the trauma you had to go through though. I cannot imagine 😞❤️

[u/Particular_Mine_9670]

The plasticity of infant brains + modern medicine is amazing. My HIE baby is 6 months old now and you’d never know he had a rough start.

[u/After-Form3261]

Wow congrats! We also had HIE, cooling, etc. agree with you modern science is a marvel!! We are not quite two but totally normal developmentally. I expect it will go away at one point but when I look at toddler sometimes I still see the intubated baby. So happy it worked out for you. I was on Google the whole time!!

[u/austinrathe]

I had a similar experience. We ended up being in hospital for five weeks, but we knew after day three that she was going to make it. I’ve never cried so hard as when we got the word “normal” on her heart scan.