Avery's NICU Adventure

Avery was diagnosed in utero at about 37 weeks as having premature atrial contractions.  It was found on a routine non-stress test that I had done where they monitor fetal heart rate and movement.  I then had an appointment with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist and we had a Level II Ultrasound.  She weighed 6 lbs., 10 oz. at this ultrasound, but all of her structures seemed normal.  She was still having the abnormal rhythm, and we were told they would follow it at birth.

During my cesarean delivery the neonatal doctor was present, and Avery was taken right from the operating room at birth to the newborn intensive care nursery.   She was hooked up to the heart monitors, and was found to be having several premature atrial contractions, causing her heart rate to at times only be 70 beats per minute. She underwent an echocardiogram, as well as holter monitor studies.  It was found that on the echocardiogram she has what is considered as a  RSPF or Redundant septum primum flap, also known as Foramen Ovale Aneurysm.  The foramen ovale is normally open during the fetal period and slowly closes after birth.  In Avery's case, this area has an extra flap that is irritating her left atrium causing her to have the PAC's or abnormal rhythm.  The good news is that these beats are not giving her any difficulty with her blood pressure or oxygenation levels.

We follow up this week with further holter monitoring as well as with the pediatric specialist out of Children's Memorial Hospital.

Avery seemed to enjoy her stay in the NICU, the nurses were just wonderful and took excellent care of her!  She had her own room, and really was treated like a little queen!

Day 2

I just can't get enough of my CUTE little angel!!!!

Grandma Hassman

Big Brother Nolan checking out his little sister

Avery's First 24 Hours

Just a few Hours Old!

“A newborn is the start of all things-hope, and a dream of possibilities...”

Author Unknown

24 Hours Old

Today we spent our day in the neonatal intensive care unit. Avery had a holter monitor placed. And she was wonderful at breastfeeding which made MOMMY very HAPPY!


We are very anxious to learn more about Avery's heart rhythm. The good news is that so far it does not seem to have any affect on her.

Our New Family of 4

Our growing FAMILY!

“One generation plants the trees; Another gets the shade.”  

Chinese proverb

Nolan was absolutely adorable after Avery was born! He was congratulating everyone on her birth. I don't think he totally understood, but he heard people saying it, so he started saying, "congratulations!"

My little boy is just CUTE!

Avery's Birth Story

I had been having irregular contractions for weeks, and was ready and excited to meet my little girl.  I kept praying that something would trigger labor, as I really did not want a repeat cesarean section which was scheduled for December 3rd, at 39 weeks of pregnancy.  I started contracting more regularly on Nov. 30th in the later evening at 38 weeks, 5 days and, by Dec. 1st at 6am I was having contractions at regular intervals about 3 minutes apart.

We checked into the hospital and learned that I was in labor, but only the early stages.  At that point I was able to choose whether I wanted to attempt to have a vaginal delivery or proceed with a cesarean section.  I really did not want a repeat cesarean section, so we decided to try for a vaginal birth.  The only difficulty was that I could not have any induction agents because of having a previous cesarean section.

So we waited for my labor to become stronger, but it really didn't and after several hours, I had not dilated any further.  I walked the halls of the labor unit for 1 hour, in hopes to get things going, but to no avail.  The doctor decided to break my water in hopes of getting things going, and we waited some more.  Still not any further along, and 8 hours since we arrived to the hospital, the doctor decided it was best for myself and our baby to have a repeat c-section.  I was slightly disappointed, especially since I was contracting at 38 weeks and 5 days.  But I at least had tried to deliver vaginally, and sometimes I realize in life, "things are just out of our hands."

And once I saw my precious girl, it really didn't matter how she arrived!

“Each day comes bearing its own gifts.  Untie the ribbons.”  

Author: Ruth Ann Schabacker

Happy Birthday Avery!

Introducing:  AVERY NICOLE MAYCUNICH

Born at 5:14 PM on Dec. 1st, 2010

7 lbs, 1 oz., and 20 inches long

Fun facts:  December 1st was the first snow in Chicago in 2010