The 6th Annual Radiothon for the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation took place yesterday. Many people took the time to donate and share their stories of when the hospital was there for them.
One local resident, Shannon Daae told the story of when her daughter was born.
"In 2008, I was 29 weeks pregnant and I was scheduled for a glucose test. That morning I woke up feeling really weak, feverish and sick. The hospital staff decided not to have the test but instead I was checked in the maternity ward to monitor the baby. I had some minor contractions and the doctors thought I might have a bladder infection. They thought it might be a bladder infection so we went home. That was the start of the events that unfolded."
Daae goes on to say that when she returned to the hospital later that day, she discovered that she was in the final stages of labour. She was quickly admitted to the maternity ward and the baby was born shortly after that. She was 11 weeks early and weighed only 2 lbs. 12 ounces.
"She made a few feeble attempts to cry and then her heartbeat stopped. At that point, all I could say was 'Wow. This is all in God's hands now.' The nurse started CPR and she was in tears and not giving up. I remember watching that and appreciating it so much. She put her heart and soul into saving my baby. At the same time, I was in trouble too. I had three doctors working on me and three on the baby and they all fought for our lives that night."
The baby was eventually resuscitated and a hand ventilator was used for four hours until the ambulance could come which was delayed due to a major blizzard that day.
Daae was later told that a placental abruption was the cause of the premature delivery. It is a serious condition that occurs when the placenta either partially or completely separates from the uterus before the baby is born. The condition can cause lack of oxygen to the baby and sever bleeding which is dangerous to both mother and baby.
She adds that she is grateful to all the support they received at the hospital
"They took such good care of us."
Yesterday's event raised over $191,000 in a 12 hour period.
Sat, Apr 20, 8:00 AM
Seasonal, Labour
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