Adélka was born unexpectedly in the 27th week of pregnancy, weighing 590 grams. My pregnancy started and progressed without complications. During a scheduled check-up, my doctor became worried about Adélka’s size given the duration of my pregnancy. His concerns were so great that he referred me to have an ultrasound scan in hospital on the very same day. Hospital staff was not very forthcoming but after some time I was told that I should be transferred to hospital in České Budějovice and that my pregnancy may be terminated. Instead of calming down, I felt increasingly desperate and fearful for Adélka. After admission to hospital in České Budějovice, the main diagnosis was that the foetus is malnourished. More tests, ultrasound scans and monitoring followed... I had to be under constant supervision and was examined several times a day. The situation was so serious that the head of the unit got involved in the tests after six days, expressing great concern and mentioning a pre-term birth. This was followed by more monitoring, which confirmed his predictions. I knew this moment would come right from my admission to hospital but it is something one can never be prepared for. Adélka was delivered by Caesarean section three months before her due date, weighing 590 grams and measuring 32 centimetres.
Right after her birth, Adélka was put on multiple devices and a ventilator. Once her condition stabilised, the ventilator was replaced with a CPAP machine for 14 days. This was followed by 42 days of oxygen therapy. That day, I only saw Adélka on a picture taken by my husband. It took another two days before I could meet her in person. Having seen the picture, I was getting ready to meet a tiny baby but in reality she was even much smaller. She was transparent-like and a device was connected to virtually every part of her body. All the devices were flashing and beeping and I saw many readings but did not understand them much. The head doctor explained everything to us and was ready to answer all of our questions. My husband and I stood there almost speechless, just saying that Adélka and all of us must make it. I was hospitalised for another six days, during which I visited Adélka repeatedly every day. Following my discharge from hospital, we usually visited Adélka every other day. I returned to hospital 38 days after Adélka was born to be with her every day. I learnt many new things about how to look after her, including kangaroo mother care and the first exercises based on the Vojta method. We were doing the exercises four times a day, gradually progressing to the difficult ones. Asymmetry caused Adélka to put strain on just one side of her body, which resulted in the flattening of her head. On day 78, we went happily home.
A cycle of examinations and tests followed. At one of them, Adélka was recommended to wear a cranial orthosis. We did not hesitate a second, started searching for information the next day and placed an order. The only manufacturer was far away, but not even the distance could change our mind. The Foundation for Premature Children and Their Families quickly made the necessary arrangements with the medical facility and the cranial orthosis was immediately paid for. The recently opened Prague branch, where we go to for scheduled check-ups, has been extremely helpful. Minor modifications were made to the orthosis during our first check-up and the next session was scheduled. This was far more thorough as Adélka’s head was scanned and compared with a scan performed before she started wearing the helmet. Although she made considerable progress, her head remained close to being severely deformed. Further minor modifications were made to the helmet following the scan. Because Adélka started using the helmet in summer, we were concerned about how she will cope. The helmet must be worn for 23 hours a day and may only be taken off for exercises, bathing and long travel. Adélka has been a hero from day one and has overcome this without major difficulties. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for her to cope with all difficulties also in the future.
Our great thanks go to all staff of the neonatology ward in České Budějovice and, last but not least, to The Foundation for Premature Children and Their Families.