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Maeve's Story
"I was about 20 weeks pregnant with my second child when I mentioned to my OB that I was not feeling the baby move as much as I had remembered with my first child..."
I also noticed that my belly was not growing as much either. The doctor chalked it up to "every pregnancy is different". She did however suggest that we do another ultrasound just to be sure. 4 weeks later during that ultrasound we learned that the baby had fluid in the brain/dilated ventricles and was small for her gestational age. We were transferred to a different practice/hospital where we met with the high risk OB group. The following two weeks were spent going to many doctors - taking blood tests, extra ultrasounds to monitor ventricles, fetal MRI, fetal echo cardiogram, etc. On November 25th, while at the OB for an ultrasound they noticed that my amniotic fluid was dropping and they noticed a decline in the function of the placenta. The OB sent me straight to the hospital where I was put on bed rest.
I was monitored for the next 4 days until the placenta started to reverse flow. Three hours later and 10 weeks early, my daughter Maeve was born at 2 lbs 5 ounces and 14.6 inches. Miraculously Maeve breathed on her own (I had received steroids while on bed rest in the event she was born prematurely) with no assistance. We were in the NICU for 6 weeks. When they finally discharged Maeve she was 3 lbs 10 ounces. She had failed her hearing screen, and according to the developmental pediatrician she was "jerky" and a "little stiff".
In the weeks and months following Maeve's birth we would come to learn that the virus which had attacked her central nervous system, caused - damage to her brain, bilateral hearing loss, cortical visual impairment, feeding issues and left her motorically delayed. One of these disabilities is too much for any child to face let alone all of them combined.
As her mother, I would do anything to take the burden of each and every one of Maeve's challenges away from her if it were possible. But it's not possible. So instead, I will be Maeve's strongest advocate, I will be her loudest cheerleader, I will challenge doctors who say she can't, I will welcome the curious questions of children who ask "what is that on her ear", or "why can't she talk yet, why can't she walk yet", I will rejoice in each and every small milestone she makes, I will lead by example to ensure my three year old son Cooper learns that regardless of a person's disability they should be treated equally and with the same amount of love and respect and I will be sure that Maeve's life is filled with the greatest love a child could ever feel.
Today, through all of Maeve's challenges, she continues to amaze us with the progress she makes. We are blessed to have a team of therapists that work with Maeve daily including speech, OT, PT, vision, special ed and nutrition. Maeve had cochlear implant surgery on her right ear this past January and heard mommy and daddy's voice for the first time 4 weeks later. We are in the process of planning her left ear for surgery in the months ahead. She is rolling over and sat up for the first time 3 weeks ago. She was fitted for a standing frame to assist her in strengthening her legs, and give her the opportunity to play in a new position. Although predominantly fed by bottle, Maeve is tolerating food more and more each day.
She has the most adorable infectious laugh and is incredibly ticklish. She adores her big brother Cooper who is madly in love with her and extremely protective - and who has recently insisted that we call her big girl Maeve instead of baby Maeve. And will be sure to correct you if you make that mistake. Francis and I are blessed to have both Maeve and Cooper and look forward to watching them grow in the years ahead.
- Shared by her mother, Katie