Posted on 12/07/2007 2:09:23 PM PST by rawhide
It was to be the one and only cuddle Carolyn Isbister would have with her tiny, premature daughter.
Rachael had been born minutes before - weighing a mere 20oz - and had only minutes to live. Her heart was beating once every ten seconds and she was not breathing.
As doctors gave up, Miss Isbister lifted her baby out of her hospital blanket and placed her on her chest.
She said: "I didn't want her to die being cold. So I lifted her out of her blanket and put her against my skin to warm her up. Her feet were so cold.
"It was the only cuddle I was going to have with her, so I wanted to remember the moment." Then something remarkable happened. The warmth of her mother's skin kickstarted Rachael's heart into beating properly, which allowed her to take little breaths of her own.
Miss Isbister said: "We couldn't believe it - and neither could the doctors. She let out a tiny cry.
"The doctors came in and said there was still no hope - but I wasn't letting go of her. We had her blessed by the hospital chaplain, and waited for her to slip away.
"But she still hung on. And then amazingly the pink colour began to return to her cheeks.
"She literally was turning from grey to pink before our eyes, and she began to warm up too."
Four months later, Rachael was allowed home weighing 8lb - the same as a newborn baby - and she has a healthy appetite.
(snip)
What a great photo!!!
It sure is. I am think God & his angels were looking out for this baby.
Great story!
ping
Boy if this doesn’t make you believe... nothing will!!
Thanks for ending my day with a smile....or I should say another one. As I type, a very special little boy is sound asleep dead center in my bed!! Who cares??? I’d give up my world for him.... Another child who was given less than a 10% chance of survival. But with God’s mercy and the prayers of a nation, Logan is testament to love and prayer.
Nana
Nana, you know the center of the bed is the best spot!! lol.
Sending love and hugs to your little bed hog! : )
What an great story ... thanks for the ping
Congrats to Mom & Baby.
Cheers!
bump!
just wow
I’m glad I clicked on this story just before heading to bed. Reading it was a great way to end the day. Thanks for posting.
BTTT
The baby's just been informed that all of the baby pictures will be shown to the prom date...
Mark
Wrong... This story gets added to the exception list... Along with the movies "Ol Yeller" and "Brian's Song."
And you're right, it is a tear jerker in a good way!
Mark
When Rachael was born she was grey and lifeless.
"The doctor just took one look at her and said no," said Miss Isbister.
"They didn't even try to help her with her breathing as they said it would just prolong her dying. Everyone just gave up on her."
Ian Laing, a consultant neonatologist at the hospital, said: "All the signs were that the little one was not going to make it and we took the decision to let mum have a cuddle as it was all we could do.
"Two hours later the wee thing was crying. This is indeed a miracle baby and I have seen nothing like it in my 27 years of practice. I have not the slightest doubt that mother's love saved her daughter."
Rachael was moved on to a ventilator where she continued to make steady progress.
Miss Isbister said: "The doctors said that she had proved she was a fighter and that she now deserved some intensive care as there was some hope.
NOW she's worth saving? Think of the brain damage that could have happened in the intervening time they left her to "die"......this is unthinkable here.
Praise God we do not have socialized medicine...the type that Hillary would love to cram down our throats.
Sorry for the rant........God Bless this little one and her mother.
:)
Stinking monitor. We have only had it two months and it is blurry...
What a wonderful story.
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