Being asked how old her baby Ruby is can be a complicated question for Ali Becenko.
Corrected age or actual age?
Ruby was born at 24 weeks and six days gestation, termed a B次元官网网址榤icro-preemie.B次元官网网址�
Her birth was a shock. Ali had experienced some complications during her pregnancy that led them to go to the hospital.
B次元官网网址淚 just thought I was there for an ultrasound.B次元官网网址�
Instead, Ruby was born a day-and-a-half later at BC WomenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital in Vancouver.
One hundred and 39 days after that B次元官网网址� about four-and-a-half months, they were able to bring her home.
B次元官网网址淚t was a long time. It was a roller coaster,B次元官网网址� she says. B次元官网网址淚t was definitely a whole world to be involved in, in one day.B次元官网网址�
Ruby is the daughter of Ali and Rod Gollan.
Ruby wasnB次元官网网址檛 stable enough to be held when she was born so it was about 11 days before Ali could hold her for the first time.
Then the type of ventilator was changed to one where Ruby couldnB次元官网网址檛 be held at all.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 quite a delicate thing having a breathing tube with a baby that size,B次元官网网址� she explains, adding that tiny babies donB次元官网网址檛 actually like to be touched too much.
Ali went for a month-and-a-half without holding Ruby. Instead, she says, the hospital has found that B次元官网网址榟and huggingB次元官网网址� is comforting to them. One hand went on her head while the other cupped her feet.
B次元官网网址淭hat was all I could do.B次元官网网址�
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One of the biggest hurdles was diaper changing, which had to be done in an incubator, hands in, only so far, working with a tiny baby who is distressed because she doesnB次元官网网址檛 want to be touched.
Ali left it to the nurses for a while who were skilled doing it.
Worry was a familiar companion. The night before Ruby was born, Ali remembers a woman coming in with all kinds of information about what was next, and lots of statistics.
B次元官网网址淚 remember her saying babies born at 27 weeks have a better outlook than babies at 24 weeks. That frightened me.B次元官网网址�
She says the medical professionals are forthright about whatB次元官网网址檚 going on.
B次元官网网址淏ut they donB次元官网网址檛 have a crystal ball. Even with a normal baby, it can be two years.B次元官网网址�
It was a happy day when she and Rod could take Ruby home, both of them full of gratitude for their medical team.
B次元官网网址淚 was just glad I could leave with her. Some people had to leave the hospital without their baby.B次元官网网址�
Ruby had a NG (nasogastric) tube for feeding when she left and she has chronic lung disease, accompanied by a bit of a grunt and a raspiness to her breathing. She will move out of that diagnosis when her lungs grow to normal size, Ali explains.
Just last week she had the feeding tube removed, she weighs 9 lbs 4 ozs and has been doing fine.
B次元官网网址淩od and I are beyond happy that she has reached this milestone.B次元官网网址�
Before Ruby made her appearance, her parents had chosen a couple of names. Her dad chose Ruby, her mom Claire.
However, when she saw the baby, Ali thought Claire was just too plain for her. Not to mention, her skin was ruby-coloured.
So Ruby Claire she is.
Ruby sleeps well at night, sheB次元官网网址檚 not a fussy baby, she loves staring at her dadB次元官网网址檚 beard B次元官网网址� in fact she loves beards in general B次元官网网址� she kicks her little feet, she likes lying on her play mat, she loves her little swing, and she can smile.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all worth it when they smile.B次元官网网址�
Ali and Rod would like to thank their family members for all of the help fundraising, as well as the communityB次元官网网址檚 incredible support, which enabled them to spend as much time as possible together in Vancouver as a family while their daughter was in hospital.
B次元官网网址淲e are so grateful for the help we received.B次元官网网址�
marthawickett@saobserver.net
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