Andrena Cluse had a feeling her baby would be born early. It was an intuition she couldn’t explain, but one that prompted her to prepare her baby’s room and purchase supplies like a diaper bag and first teddy bear well in advance of her due date.
Those instincts proved to be correct when Cluse went into labor when she was just 23 weeks into her pregnancy. After several days of labor and treatments, Gigi was born at just one pound, 4.6 ounces -- 16 weeks and four days ahead of schedule.
Gianna during her first days of life weighing approximately 1 lb. 4.6 oz.
“It still gives me goosebumps to think about her being so small,” Cluse said. “When she was first born, she was crying, and it sounded like a baby kitten. The nurses had to take her to the NICU right away. I did get to see her as they wheeled her out in the incubator, and it seemed as if she was looking at me. I was overwhelmed with joy, but I was scared at the same time. There were a lot of mixed emotions.”
Gigi would remain in the NICU for the next five months as doctors and nurses helped her tiny body develop. Dr. Amy Zeringue, NICU Medical Director at Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital and neonatologist with Pediatrix Neonatology of Louisiana, said like other premature babies, Gigi’s biggest challenge was that her organs were severely underdeveloped and needed time to mature.
“When babies are born so early, their organs are very fragile, so they need our most specialized care,” Dr. Zeringue said. “All extremely preterm infants in the NICU need to be on a ventilator for a certain amount of time because their lungs haven’t fully developed. We also place them in isolettes to simulate the feeling of being in utero. They are often at risk for brain bleeds, so we try to protect them and minimize stimulation.”
Cluse said that during the five months Gigi was in the NICU, she was continually astonished at the care provided by people whom she describes as “angels” who put her baby’s needs first every day.
Gianna’s mother, Andrena, practicing skin to skin bonding in the NICU with the help of the nursing team.
“It was like God had sent every person who needed to be there,” she said. “Gigi got the best care possible. There was not one thing I needed to worry about. I didn’t have to ask what was going on or why things were happening. Every doctor and nurse was right there to provide me with updates. They loved on my baby like she was their own. When I saw how strong they were to take care of those tiny babies, I knew that as Gigi’s mom, I could show up and be next to her.”
Dr. Zeringue said a key part of treatment in the neonatal world is that the whole family needs care. In addition to physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and specialists, Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital also has a NICU navigator who works with families throughout a baby’s stay, a social services team, and mental health professionals who screen new mothers for postpartum depression and provide necessary resources and support.
NICU nurses from Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital celebrating Gianna’s first birthday after providing her with exceptional care.
“We know these babies are often with us for a long time, so we kind of feel like they are our extended families,” Dr. Zeringue said. “We try to provide any type of support they need and remove some of the nervousness they have about their baby being so small. Even in the beginning, we try to do skin-to-skin and kangaroo care with the parents. It can be overwhelming because the babies have a lot of equipment around them, but our staff works hard to make them feel comfortable so they can bond with their babies as much as possible from the very beginning.”
Cluse was a bit apprehensive when doctors announced that Gigi could go home. She slept little during those first few weeks, wary for any signs that Gigi was suffering a setback. Fortunately, those fears were unfounded. Today, Gigi is a thriving three-year-old who loves gymnastics, dancing, singing and reading.
Gianna, now three years old, has a personality full of life that can bring a smile to anyone’s face.
“She is like a little old lady in a toddler’s body,” Cluse said with a laugh. “She is so intelligent. Right now, she wonders a lot about why the world is so big. She’s very outgoing and she knows what she likes. She’ll listen to Gracie’s Corner on YouTube and calls that her party music. She’s ready to go to school. She loves to write and learn. She’s truly one of the most amazing three-year-olds I’ve ever met.”
As far as her development, Gigi has hit every growth milestone early or on time and has had no delays. Doctors have detected a small heart murmur, but nothing that is of major concern or has impeded her growth. She still sees a pulmonologist regularly, but has remained healthy enough to do everything other three-year-olds do.
“I believe that the care she got during those first five months played a tremendous role in her development today,” Cluse said. “It was the perfect combination of gentle care, the latest technology and a ton of love around her all the time.”
Cluse and Gigi are still in touch with many of the NICU nurses and staff who helped treat her, and Cluse routinely updates them about Gigi’s progress. She’s hopeful that they can all meet together in person later this year.
“Seeing Gigi grow up is amazing and reminds me that this is why the work we do is important,” Dr. Zeringue said. “We know that oftentimes, the long-term outcomes can be really great. It makes you feel proud that you are a little part of her life. I’m just so excited to continue to watch her grow up. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes.”
Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital provides the highest level of Neonatal Intensive Care in Acadiana. As the region’s only Level III Surgical NICU, we provide comprehensive care to infants born at all gestational ages and birth weights. For more information visit LourdesRMC.com/NICU.