Will's Incubator

When a baby is relatively stable but still premature or requiring intravenous fluids or other special attention, he or she is cared for in an "incubator." The incubator keeps the baby warm with moistened air in a clean environment, and helps to protect the baby from noise, drafts, infection, and excess handling. Incubators were invented in France in the late 1800's and the earliest incubators were, in fact, modeled after poultry incubators -- hence their name. Incubators are sometimes called "isolettes...."

Big Foot

Under the Bright Lights

Sweet Shades

Bilirubin - Will's tanning bed

A few days after Will was born he was placed under a bili light due to jaundice. As the picture shows he wore some sweet shades.

Phototherapy lights, or "bili lights," are used when babies are jaundiced (yellow). Some degree of jaundice, which is caused by the presence of a molecule called bilirubin in the blood, is common and even normal in newborns. However, in sick infants, jaundice can result from a variety of problems, and when jaundice is extreme it can cause brain damage. During the 1970's, it was discovered that certain wavelengths of light (in the blue part of the spectrum) can cause a chemical reaction that converts bilirubin into a harmless form as blood passes through the skin. It's important to note that bili lights do not deliver any ultraviolet light, so the babies are not in any danger of sunburn or other toxic effects. However, as a safety measure, the babies' eyes are usually shielded when they are under bili lights.

W. Gray - Thanksgiving Day 2008

William Gray Hicks ... Baby Boy. 

Will Gray an Introduction

Will Gray, born Wednesday November 26th, 2008 at 1:33 AM. At the time of birth, Will weighed 2lbs. 7oz.

Will's First Day

Will was on a ventilator until 11/28/08.

How We Got Here ...

During dinner with friends on Saturday night, November 22, Nichole went into early labor. On the advice of Dr. Gates, Nichole and I quickly left the Meridian for St. Vincent Women's Hospital around 9pm. Nichole measured her contractions at 3 minutes.

Shortly after 10pm Dr. Gates conducted a physical exam on Nichole. He immediately began instructing the nurses to prepare Nichole for processing to the "High Risk Unit." A flurry of nurses began working on Nichole. Simultaneously, Dr. Gates informed Nichole and I that she had dilated to 4cm and that Will's birth was imminent.

Dr. Gates immediately began a magnesium sulfate treatment (via intravenously) to slow the contractions. He explained that a steroid shot could be administered that would potentially aid in helping Will's lungs develop faster. At 27 weeks gestation, Will needed assistance with his lungs. Dr. Gates explained that if delivery could be delayed 48 hours it was likely that the steroid treatment would increase Will's survival odds. He felt that 48 hours was crucial to Will's ability to breathe.

By 11pm, Nichole was located in the High Risk Unit on the second floor. Dr. Gates prepared us by stating that (1) Nichole would be in the hospital until Will was born; (2) delaying delivery by 48 hours was crucial for lung development; (3) a baby born at 27 weeks can certainly survive but that the odds for complications were much higher than for a baby born at 28 weeks; (4) there was absolutely no way of knowing what caused early term labor; (5) there was no way of knowing whether the magnesium treatment would work and when Will would be born; and (6) the magnesium was likely to cause Nichole much discomfort.

The first night at SVWH was a long and sleepless night. I remember thinking "I can't believe this is happening right now." Fortunately, I felt like we had great care and that Nichole was both physically strong and strong at heart. We would also have great support from family and friends, including Ashley and Hugh Bailey (from NC) that we left at Meridian. How ironic that Ashley and Hugh, new parents themselves, were visiting that weekend.