Alesi

The hospital said that her mother died 3 days after childbirth. The reason? Anemia caused by repeated cases of malaria. This is the all-too-familiar tale that we receive from social welfare workers when they ask us to rescue a baby. Maternal death rates here are very high. Infant survival rates without the mother are very low. Fortunately the Nursery had a space, so we took Alesi in.

Alesi weighed a mere 4lb. 8 oz. at birth and even less (4 lb. 1 oz.) when she was admitted to the Nursery. She was 9 days old when she arrived at our door— jaundiced, lethargic, and virtually unable to suck. “Sleepy” said her caretaker. So, instead of providing the vigilant care needed for such an at-risk infant, the caretaker just let her sleep.

We fed Alesi an ounce of formula every hour. Nevertheless, she became weaker and weaker and was still unable to suck. We were feeding her with an eyedropper, but dishearteningly, she became unable to swallow. Our only option was take her to the hospital. There, she got a feeding tube and IV antibiotics for the sepsis that was slowly killing her. She stayed in the hospital for a week, struggling for her life. We were very worried because Alesi wasn’t gaining any weight. Fortunately we discovered that her IV had been clogged for 2 days and no one had noticed! Once the drip was finally re-started, she tolerated her feedings and the tube was eventually removed. After 9 days in the hospital Alesi was discharged weighing the same as when we got her—4 lbs 1 oz. However, she did appear to be doing slightly better. She was weak, but well.

Back at the Nursery we started feeding her with a tiny cup as she was still too weak to suck. She was assigned a special nanny devoted to her care, feeding her every hour and keeping her isolated from the other babies to protect her from infection.

Slowly, slowly, Alesi got stronger. Still, I was doubtful about her survival, worrying over every little thing that happened. She got bloody diarrhea, an infection on her scalp, and was still incredibly vulnerable. But she grew stronger, ate better, and finally gave up the cup to go for the nipple on the bottle.

Today Alesi finally broke the 3 kg mark (6 lb 6 oz). She sucks her bottle well. She kicks and looks around and is getting cheeks (in both places). She looks like a survivor. We will move her into a regular baby room with 4 roommates today.

Alesi is a success story of the best kind. Whenever I get discouraged I go into her room and peek at her soft and growing frame. Alesi gives me hope. 

Pictured with Alesi is visitor Rebekah Heller