Our Families - Abby Marie
We met Dr. Daneshmand when I was 27 weeks pregnant with Abby. She suffered from severe anemia and required two blood transfusions (PUBS) in utero. Dr. Daneshmand was a part of her first transfusion.
Each day following the transfusions, Abby’s daily ultrasounds and doppler studies improved and, just as we were set to be discharged from the hospital, she began experiencing heartbeat decelerations. Abby seemed to recover and, although we were sent home, I went in daily for testing.
At just about 33 weeks gestation, while being monitored at the hospital, Abby had a deceleration that caused concern, so we were re-admitted to the hospital. After a very long night, it was decided that Abby would celebrate her birthday, over six weeks early.
Abby was delivered by Dr. Daneshmand on Frirday, 11/23/07, just over 33 weeks gestation. She weighed 3lbs 9oz. Her blood count was still extremely low which required immediate transfusions. Her bilirubin levels were very high which meant she spent day after day under the ‘blue light’ and, along with this, she suffered from hydrops.
During the first week of her life her blood count was somewhat regulated, her bilirubin went into an acceptable range and the fluid was nearly all gone from her body.
It was on that 7th day that her nurse noticed some neurological abnormalities. We had always been concerned that she may suffer from brain damage due to the anemia.
After a few more days of tests (such as an EEG and MRI) it was confirmed that she had severe brain damage.
Abby’s brain damage was not caused by the anemia, it was caused by a seemingly unrelated placental problem.
Abby was unable to breath or eat on her own. She never opened her eyes nor cried. She was this perfect little baby, with tons of blonde curls, beautiful in every way.
Abby was able to have spent time with her older siblings, Wesley and Molly, as well as many other family members and friends. On Tuesday, December 4, 11 days after her birth, she passed away. We will love and miss her every hour of every day.
