Introducing Rémi David LeGros

January 4th, 2023

Rémi was born at 37+2 weeks at Mt. Sinai hospital weighing just 4lbs 9oz. While he was a bit early of his due date, we were extremely grateful for every extra day he spent growing in utero.

For those of you who don't know, I was admitted to hospital on December 2nd after a routine appointment at 32 weeks exhibiting high blood pressure. I wasn't worried, it had to be just a fluke right? I was at the high risk clinic after all, and had just spent the morning commuting from Huntsville to Toronto to discuss the plan for delivery due to my blood clotting risk factors. Besides, I just had a clinic appointment 2 days prior and my blood pressure was fine then. Wrong.

I was triaged in a matter of minutes and found myself admitted overnight, and alone in a hospital in Toronto. A few short tests later and it was confirmed I had pregnancy induced hypertension, as well as preeclampsia. An ultrasound revealed that in addition, our baby wasn't growing well and there was an IUG (intrauterine growth restriction) as well as polyhydramnios (too much amniotic fluid). The reason: late onset gestational diabetes coupled with a very poorly functioning placenta that felt like it was doing it's best to try to kill me. There was even talk of delivering the baby immediately.

After 5 days, and medically controlling the hypertension and preecamplsia, I headed home with a a good discharge plan and regular follow-ups. At the first follow-up visit in Orillia, baby was showing signs of distress and we were shipped back to Toronto worrying again about an immediate delivery. I spent the next month admitted to hospital for close monitoring of me and baby. The plan was to do our best to make it to 34 weeks without incident, then deliver. Each day we played it by ear, not knowing if that was the day baby or I would be medically stressed enough to have an emergency csection.

34 weeks came and went, and the new plan was to hit 36 weeks. That too passed by and it seemed very likely that we would safely make it until 37 weeks and have a planned c-section. There were a few hiccups along the way, and the one thing that always puzzled the doctors was the polyhydramnios. I was almost convinced I would be in the over 50% of women with randomly unexplained high fluid. Almost.

Every day I stayed pregnant meant one more day Rémi could grow bigger and mature his lungs. By the time we hit 36 weeks, the chances of having a NICU stay went way down. This was a huge win. By the time we hit 37 weeks, we were prepared to go home after my surgery recovery with a healthy baby.

Rémi was born kicking and screaming- the happiest sound to my ears in the OR. They placed him on my chest and I held him until it was time to cut his cord. David accompanied him to the warmer and cut his umbilical cord and hung out with him while they finished my surgery. Everything seemed so unbelievably perfect.

We knew the pediatric team was going to look him over while I was being wheeled to recovery then bring him back to me there. As more time passed, I knew something was wrong.

Finally, a doctor came in. I can't tell you exactly what she said, but I knew in that moment Rémi wasn't coming to my recovery room. He was being taken to Sick Kids for further investigation and treatment, but he had a blockage somewhere before his stomach and likely a connection between his esophagus and trachea needing constant drainage so he didn't choke. I was living out my worst nightmare on repeat.

Sick Kids was busy, and therefore slow in transferring Rémi. This was a major blessing as it meant I got to cuddle him skin to skin for HOURS before the team came to transfer him. He was stable and breathing and absolute perfection. We got to spend quiet time together as a family getting to know one another in a moment I will cherish forever.

David went with Rémi and I was wheeled back to my room to recover. From there, our big adventure with Rémi began from finding out his diagnosis to learning about his recovery. If you want to learn more check out the blog on TEF and EA (tracheal esophageal fistula with esophageal atresia). Our little fighter handled his first surgery like a champ and continues to grow while he waits for his next surgery to connect his esophagus and stomach.

Stay up to date on Rémi's progress in the updates tab!