SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. - First-time mother Emily McCardle remembers the trauma when she unexpectedly went into labour and delivered Paizlee Rose Adams at just 23 weeks at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax on April 25, 2018.
“Not knowing what the outcome would be when she was born or if she did survive what health complications would follow was terrifying,” shared McCardle.
“It was the very earliest they even gave a baby the chance for a survival when born,” she added.
Paizlee Rose weighed just one pound when she was born to McCardle and Andy Adams of Summerside.
Without modern medicine, she would not have lived more than a day.
“You think that when you have a baby you will hear their cry, but there was no cry when she was born. It was very scary waiting to hear from the health professionals that my baby was okay. It was a very emotional time,” she continued. “And it was her one week birthday when I finally got to hold her.”
The IWK had just opened a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) when Paizlee Rose was born, allowing the young couple to stay with their premature baby in their own private room.
“We are able to sleep right in the same room with her, it’s been amazing. I’ve been with Paizlee Rose the whole time,” noted McCardle, while she acknowledged Adams returned to P.E.I. for work and would often be called back to Halifax for emergencies.
Paizlee Rose recently underwent surgery to close the “ductus arteriosus” in her heart, a common procedure with micro-premature infants.
After birth, the baby’s first breath initiates the closure of this duct because the placenta is no longer a part of the circulation. With some premature babies, like Paizlee Rose, this duct fails to close causing too much blood flow to the lungs and surgery is required.
“We try to think of the positive and take it day by day,” said McCardle.
Since the surgery, Paizlee Rose has made great progress and now weighs 2 lbs.
McCardle added with warmth, “You can see a difference in her than when she was first born. She’s definitely got her dad’s spunk. She does what she wants when she wants.”
The couple started a Facebook page called “The Powerful Journey of Miss Paizlee Rose” to keep family and friends updated on their daughter’s progress after an outpour of support.
“The involvement in our situation has been incredible from everyone, and the best way to get through is to stay positive,” noted McCardle.
Paizlee Rose will be at the IWK until at least August 22, her original due date.
“If she still needs assistance with her breathing, we could end up staying until September or October.”
McCardle added, “It’s extremely hard to be away from P.E.I. because we do have two dogs, and it’s not normal life anymore. But we are very thankful we can stay here at the hospital.”
“If we didn’t have the IWK in Halifax we would have to drive to Ontario, so we are very lucky,” acknowledged Adams.
The couple thanked family and friends for their “positive vibes” that helps them through this journey.
