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Against All Odds

How Advocacy, Hope, and a Positive Mindset Saved Mikaela’s Life

Meet our guest, Yesenia Wittman

Yesenia Wittman is a 28-year-old Social Media Manager and Elementary School Program Coordinator. Her biggest accomplishment to date is her new role as a mother to her daughter Mikaela. She and her husband, Michael live in sunny San Diego and just celebrated their 6th wedding anniversary. She shares her remarkable story about hope, advocacy, positivity, and life.

Introduction

Today we have a special episode with new mother Yesenia Wittman, who with her strong advocacy, hopefulness, faith, and positive mindset ultimately saved her daughter’s life! You will not help but to feel enlightened and filled with hope as you hear their story. Amidst the COVID pandemic, she had severe preterm premature rupture of membranes at just 13 weeks. Her medical team advised her to terminate the pregnancy and left her with no hope. Instead, she fought for her daughter and after some research, advice from support groups, determination, faith, and self-care, she was able to carry her daughter beyond viability and give her every fighting chance to survive. Listen in to hear their remarkable story, some of the struggles she and her husband, Michael endured, and how sweet, amazing Mikaela is doing today!

Advocacy

As Yesenia Wittman was shopping at her favorite spot, she felt fluid run down her leg followed by a sudden gush of fluid. Confused and scared, she consulted with her obstetrician who confirmed that she did have extremely preterm premature rupture of membranes. She was referred to a specialist in San Diego who encouraged her to terminate the pregnancy with a D & C despite the baby still having an active heartbeat.

Confused, scared, and feeling alone (since her husband was not allowed into the exam room due to COVID restrictions) she nearly fainted. As a couple, they decided to go home and process all of the information they had been given.

She quickly began to research resealing, preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), and joined a Facebook support group. Taking some of the advice she was given, she put herself on bedrest, took Vit C, drank Coconut Water, fish oil, and Zinc and waited.

She spent 11 weeks on bedrest at home. She was admitted to the hospital at 24 weeks gestation and continued bedrest. Unfortunately, she developed an infection that ultimately lead to the decision to delivery their daughter, Mikaela, at 25 weeks. Mikaela came out crying and it was the best sound her parents had ever heard!

Yesenia was not afraid to speak up and advocate for Mikaela in the NICU either. She stated that she always felt comfortable voicing her concerns and it was encouraged in their NICU. We both agreed on the importance to advocate for your baby, speak up on their behalf, and ask questions or for clarification when needed. It can make all of the difference.

Hope

Yesenia and Michael could have given up hope back when her membrane’s ruptured at 13 weeks, but they refused to terminate the pregnancy and wanted to give their baby an opportunity to survive!

She definitely came out ready to fight! Mikaela initially did well once admitted to the NICU, but she quickly declined and required intubation, was placed on a ventilator, required up to 100% FiO2, and was started on inhaled Nitric Oxide (iNO). She received steroids and at one point, Yesenia was told that Mikaela’s lungs were incompatible with life. But one physician stepped in, gave Yesenia hope, consulted with additional specialists and Mikaela’s condition began to improve with some adjustments.

Despite many difficult days, decisions that had to be made, and moments, Yesenia remained hopeful and trusted in her baby’s care team. Once Mikaela stabilized, she had her PDA coiled and her mother said she completely “flourished” after the procedure.

Positive Mindset

Yesenia stated that she always tried to stay positive and optimistic. She chose to focus on the positive components each day despite her daughter being in the NICU for so long. She thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated Mikaela’s primary nurses and looked forward to the daily updates from the NICU care team and the “art” projects they did with Mikaela.

By focusing on the positive aspects during Mikaela’s NICU journey and celebrating every single milestone she achieved, no matter how small helped her get through some of those long, lonely days. Yesenia also made Mikaela’s room a positive area for them with some decor and by personalizing it.

Closing

After their very traumatic journey, Mikaela came home after spending 114 days in the NICU. She is a happy baby that loves to babble and is thriving at home! She remains on oxygen, is being followed closely for her retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and receives PT and hydrotherapy for her right foot. Yesenia and Michael could not be more proud of Mikaela and all of her achievements!

Yesenia recognizes that the NICU journey is very difficult, but she encourages anyone who currently has a baby in the NICU to try and stay positive, keep your faith, and to celebrate every one of your baby’s milestones! She shares her “Mom Adventures” on Instagram to give hope to other families.

Follow Yesenia on Instagram @yeseniawittman

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