I’m not sure if this is a TW or not but I thought I would say it just in case. It’s about my 4 year old daughter being in the PICU this week with life threatening symptoms.
So super long story, after three ER trips starting Saturday concerning the way my daughter was breathing, Sunday morning she completely stopped breathing. She turned blue right as we got into the ER room and luckily we were able to get an epinephrine mask on her that saved her life. She almost had to intebated because she was fighting the mask (suffocating instinct is to push anything away from your face while trying to gasp for air). She was in the ICU for three days with terrible retracted breathing and a heart rate over 200 before she was finally showing signs of getting better and moved to the pediatrics floor. She was released that night to go home, even after I said I wasn’t comfortable and didn’t think she was ready and by the morning I had to call an ambulance to take us back. She got admitted again into pediatrics, thankfully this time I caught the breathing before it was too bad but I was scared I couldn’t make it to the hospital in time so I called the ambulance. She has been home since yesterday and is doing well. she was diagnosed with parainfluenza that caused croup and lower respiratory problems. Croup caused her throat to close and her lower respiratory issues caused her to not be able to breathe out. She reacted asthmatically (even though she doesn’t have asthma) and all of the signs of breathing problems were in her sleep. Needless to say, I haven’t taken my eyes off of her and haven’t let her sleep in her room by herself. She’s been sleeping in my bed and has never coslept besides being in a bassinet for a little while. She misses her room and her bed. Which brings me to my favor!
Anyone with a current baby monitor that they use, over the next few days could you please listen and let me know if you can hear your child breathing? I also want to be able to see her but hearing her is much more important. Let me know which brands you can hear your child breathing with please so I can make a good educated decision when buying one!
Also, hug your babies. I never want to experience anything like that again. That virus is like RSV, but worse. No vaccination for it and most of the time it’s not bad, but when it is it can be deadly. It also has nothing to do with the flu despite its name. My daughter was a preemie and was intubated at birth but any kid can react the same way she did regardless of if they had premature lungs or not. I hope all your babies stay safe and healthy this flu season!!
Re: Anyone currently with a baby monitor please help *tw*
I don’t have any recommendations for a baby monitor but you might try an air mattress in her room if she misses her bed? Hope she’s better soon
We bought this monitor for our new baby-
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07BRKFS24?psc=1&ref=
It apparently has breathing monitoring but I haven’t used it yet and I’m not sure if it’s my meant for babies.
This is the monitor we have. I can hear my son breathing if I turn it up all the way, but I have to hold the speaker by my ear and make sure there's nothing else on in the room (fan, white noise, etc). If I zoom in and he's in the right position, I can also see him breathing. It may not be the best option, but thought I'd share in case you don't get any other recommendations. It is pretty cheaply made so it'll break if you plug it into the wrong charger, but otherwise has served us well!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07FP4ZGWX/ref=mp_s_a_1_29_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1547466537&sr=8-29&keywords=video+baby+monitor
We have the motorola monitor and if I turn the volume up all the way I can definitely hear the girls breathing (as well as zoom in and see it). We'll all be thinking of you!
the infant optics DXR-8 is great, used it with DS and if you have the camera on the closer side you can hear them breathe. Honestly though, a good audio monitor may be the best option?
Regarding monitors, would any of the new ones, like Owlet, work for older kids? I wouldn't trust a regular audio or video monitor for that. Our audio monitor is from Motorola and even at full volume doesn't catch the breathing. In general, they are marketed all towards being able to hear a baby cry, but not any other noises which could affect your own sleep. And it has to be a sustained noise for a few seconds before our monitor starts to transmit. So I would look more into the smart ones which connect to the body and can track the vitals. And also check with her pediatrician, if he/she might have a recommendation.
Married: 2012
BFP #1 Sept 2014, MMC Dec 2014 | BFP #2 May 2015, DD Jan 2016
June 2016 - CP
2017 - Medicated Cycles & IUI's
IVF w/ PGS - January 2018
FET #1 - April 2018 - BFN
ERA Cycle May / June 2018
ERA Biopsy June 2018 ~ Results: receptive (no change)
FET #2 - July 2018 - BFP
U/S #1 7wk1d - HB 144 U/S #2 9w1d HB 166
Anatomy Scan 1st 11/2/18 2nd AS 11/19
EDD March 28, 2019
Baby Girl born 3/26/19