Alicia Thomas
Holliday, TX
Our pregnancy was completely normal - all of our ultrasounds were perfect and our son was measuring as he should've been for every check up. My doctor let me go 5 days past my due date to be induced on April 25, 2013. The induction went well: we started at 8am and our son Travis was born at 3:40 pm.
He was born with a 2 vessel cord instead of a 3 vessel cord. The doctors thought that he had swallowed or inhaled some fluid so they suctioned him out. I had decided early on to breastfeed, the immune systems benefits and the bonding were very important to me. Travis spent the night in the nursery because he still had fluid in his lungs. Early the following morning, the pediatrician told us that our son had tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), and that he needed to be flown to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth as soon as possible.
When I arrived in Fort Worth with my mom (my husband remained in Wichita Falls for chemotherapy), we found out that in addition to an infant's ability to feed properly, TEF can come with heart issues brain defects and digestion/plumbing issues. We learned that Travis had a hole in his heart. After three surgeries (TEF repair, open heart surgery, and a G-Button) .since he was on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and lipids, I had more breastmilk than I knew what to do with! The ladies who work in the milk depot at Cook Children's told me about Mothers' Milk Bank of North Texas. I began the donor process soon after. Travis no longer has a G-Button and eats like a horse, we still donate milk every chance we get - generally by the trash bag full! I tell all the new moms I meet about MMBNT.
Alicia's Breastfeeding Advice
Because of Travis' health issues, I pumped my milk. Find a pump that you're comfortable with and find a comfortable place to pump. I have found that staying hydrated helps a lot, too - I drink like I am pregnant! I usually pump better when my son is with me. Travis likes to sit on my lap while I pump - he chews on the tubing and the crossbar!
Travis on his first day in the NICU
Travis is all smiles after his G-button is removed