{"id":4803,"date":"2026-07-28T21:52:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T21:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=4803"},"modified":"2026-07-28T21:53:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T21:53:12","slug":"courage-trust-and-expertise-save-miracle-baby-at-uc-davis-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=4803","title":{"rendered":"Courage, trust and expertise save \u2018miracle baby\u2019 at UC Davis Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

A mother holds onto hope through a high-risk pregnancy and her newborn\u2019s life-saving surgeries<\/h2>
Elizabeth Randel and her son, Michael.<\/figcaption>

Elizabeth Randel relied on courage and trust to navigate her high-risk, uncertain pregnancy. But she never lost hope. Today, her son\u2019s happiness and strength are a testament to Elizabeth\u2019s perseverance, the support of her family and the expertise of the care team<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael is a happy, happy boy for all that he has been through,\u201d Elizabeth said of her firstborn. \u201cMy son is a miracle. I’m really glad I decided to stick it out because I wouldn’t have\u00a0him. Thank you, UC Davis.\u201d<\/p>\n

Diagnosed with a pregnancy complication called PPROM<\/h2>\n

It was June 2025 and her amniotic fluid was leaking, a condition called oligohydramnios. The diagnosis? Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). This is when the amniotic sac, or “water,” breaks before active labor begins<\/p>\n

Elizabeth was referred by her local hospital to\u00a0UC Davis <a href="https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/?p=4792" title="Bilimeters now in every Sanford Health<\/a> Sioux Falls clinic”>Health<\/a>, home to the highly specialized maternal-fetal medicine department. From prenatal care through labor, delivery and beyond, multidisciplinary experts support every step of the parenthood journey, including high-risk pregnancies, complex\u00a0congenital abnormalities\u00a0and\u00a0unexpected complications<\/p>\n

Elizabeth and her husband, Anthony, initially met with maternal-fetal medicine doctor,\u00a0Carolyn Reyes. She detailed the difficulty that Elizabeth and her developing baby were facing: The depleted amniotic fluid surrounding Elizabeth\u2019s fetus meant her baby\u2019s organs could be underdeveloped or his tiny limbs could be deformed. There was also the risk of preterm birth or stillbirth, as well as sepsis for mom.<\/p>

The Randels were given concerning news about their developing baby.<\/figcaption>

Aware of the daunting obstacles, the Randels decided to move forward with the pregnancy. Reyes and the UC Davis maternal fetal medicine team supported the couple yet expressed their concerns<\/p>\n

\u201cI remember saying to Elizabeth, \u2018These pregnancies humble me since we cannot predict the outcome. Some have survived and thrived, most have not,\u2019\u201d Reyes said. \u201cBut we were there to help her no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n

Waiting for Michael<\/h2>\n

The Randels, including Elizabeth’s mom \u201cGranna\u201d Shannon Mainwaring, packed a bag and headed down the hill from above Placerville to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento on June 23, 2025. Elizabeth was 22 1\/2 weeks pregnant<\/p>\n

Elizabeth was closely monitored during her stay, which would last more than 80 days to reach 34 weeks of pregnancy. It was a strain on the family<\/p>\n

Anthony would work during the week, then drive to Sacramento for dinner with Elizabeth, then head home \u2014 every day, for three months. Granna Shannon also visited daily and delivered \u201cTeam Michael\u201d shirts and hats she created<\/p>\n

But Elizabeth still felt alone, worried and scared. Fortunately, staff in the hospital took up the mantle to care for her mental health<\/a>, as well as her physical needs<\/p>\n

I remember saying to Elizabeth, \u2018These pregnancies humble me since we cannot predict the outcome. Some have survived and thrived, most have not.’ But we were there to help her no matter what.\u201d\u2014Carolyn Reyes, maternal-fetal medicine doctor<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Nurses like Ashnita Singh helped brighten Elizabeth\u2019s darkest days. \u201cShe was so kind, fixing me mommy mocktails and sharing photos of her life while she took care of me,\u201d Elizabeth recalled. \u201cI really needed another connection to the outside world during that time, and I am so grateful to her for providing that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Welcome to the world<\/h2>\n

Elizabeth\u2019s scheduled C-section was set for Sept. 9, 2025, but she ended up going into labor the night before. Michael Timothy Randel, whose middle name honored Elizabeth\u2019s late dad, was 5 pounds, 12 ounces and 16 inches long \u2014 coincidentally enough, the date of nurse Ashnita\u2019s birthday (5\/12)<\/p>

Michael Randel was rushed to the NICU immediately after birth. He would soon be diagnosed with a condition no one anticipated.<\/figcaption>

But as expected, Michael\u2019s entry into this world was complicated. He was moved to the UC Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), a designated Level 4 nursery (the highest possible rating) for the Sacramento region. The NICU provides specialized intensive care for infants who are born prematurely, face critical health challenges or require surgery<\/p>\n

Michael required respiratory support for immature and underdeveloped lungs, said NICU nurse specialist, Christa Mu. \u201cAs anticipated from prenatal findings, he had contractures<\/a> affecting all his extremities, but most notably his feet,\u201d Mu added.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Elizabeth and Anthony had prepared for those possibilities<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was breech<\/a> and he wasn\u2019t breathing. Anthony told me the care team worked to resuscitate him for about 15 to 20 minutes before they were able to transport him to the NICU,\u201d Elizabeth said. \u201cHe had also been so squished\u00a0in my belly and didn’t have room to kick and grow and stretch so he had clubfoot<\/a> and a bum wrist.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition, Michael\u2019s spinal cord required neurosurgical evaluation, and a small hole in his heart needed the care of pediatric cardiologists<\/p>\n

But then the care team discovered something no one could have anticipated<\/p>\n

A surprising diagnosis: Anorectal malformation<\/h2>\n

Doctors soon learned that Michael had no way to poop<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael was born with an anorectal malformation<\/a>. In his case, he did not have a visible anal opening,\u201d said UC Davis Children\u2019s Hospital pediatric general surgeon, Jamie Anderson. \u201cThis is something that is not seen on prenatal ultrasounds and always comes as a surprise and quite a shock to families.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

Indeed, the family seemed stunned when Anderson explained the rare diagnosis and the need for immediate surgery. \u201cIt\u2019s a lot to take in,\u201d Anderson acknowledged<\/p>\n

\"Smiling
\nThis is something that is not seen on prenatal ultrasounds and always comes as a surprise and quite a shock to families.”\u2014Jamie Anderson, pediatric general surgeon<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Granna Shannon remembers how the mood post-delivery quickly changed<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a picture right before Elizabeth was going in for her C-section and she looked so happy. We were so excited that she made it to that 34-week mark,\u201d Shannon said. \u201cAnd then, when the baby was born, the scenario was really, really scary. I saw the heartache and the fear in Elizabeth’s eyes.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the new mom held onto hope<\/p>\n

\u201cMy biggest fear was the unknown. The care team had proven they were both experienced and kind,\u201d Elizabeth said. \u201cI just had to let go and trust more strangers with the life of my child.\u201d<\/p>\n

The expertise Michael needed, close to home<\/h2>\n

Thankfully, UC Davis Children\u2019s Hospital has the region\u2019s only dedicated pediatric colorectal surgery center, part of a network of national pediatric colorectal and pelvic learning consortium providers. Michael underwent three operations for his anorectal malformation<\/p>\n

\n\"Three
Baby Michael would spend more than three weeks in the NICU as he recovered and his family learned at-home care for his special needs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anderson first performed a colostomy (or an ostomy<\/a>) \u2014 a surgery that brings the colon up to the skin to allow stool to be evacuated when natural functions are impaired. Waste exits through the stoma into a wearable, disposable pouch. It is a life-saving procedure that can be temporary or permanent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Poop preparedness: The bottom line<\/h2>\n

In Michael\u2019s case, the stoma would be in place for 6 months so the Randels had a lot to learn. But team Michael was all in<\/p>\n

Mu, the NICU nurse, taught the family personalized and entertaining lessons on how to change, empty and clean the plastic pouch<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ostomy care<\/a> but I call it ‘stool school;\u2019\u201d, Mu said. \u201cI try to make it fun but it can be really overwhelming.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Headshot
\nImagine having to spend extended time in the NICU with very little control over the environment or situation. It was overwhelming for first\u2011time parents who had done everything \u2018right.\u2019\u201d\u2014Christa Mu, NICU nurse specialist<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Randels faced it head on<\/p>\n

\u201cImagine having to spend extended time in the NICU with very little control over the environment or situation. It was overwhelming for first\u2011time parents who had done everything \u2018right,\u2019\u201d Mu said. \u201cBut quickly, the Randels became ostomy pros and we laughed a lot during the process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michael was discharged after 24 days, the first of his many medical milestones<\/p>\n

Home is where the heart is \u2026 and the wipes are in reach<\/h2>\n
\n\"Pics
After four months at home, Michael returned to UC Davis Children’s Hospital for the second of three colorectal surgeries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Home for 4 months old, Michael went back to the hospital so Anderson \u2014 along with Payam Saadai, co-chief of the pediatric colorectal center \u2014 could perform a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty, to create a new anal opening. Then, at 6 months, Anderson reversed the stoma so Michael could stool normally through his new anal opening<\/p>\n

\u201cI don’t know how Dr. Anderson did that. It looks normal and there were no issues. He pooped the very next day after the connection surgery,\u201d Elizabeth said. \u201cWhatever she did, she did it with precision and gave my son the chance to have some normalcy in his life. Dr. Anderson is\u00a0amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n

But that \u201cnormalcy\u201d would take a little adjusting to<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were so used to his poop being contained,\u201d Elizabeth chuckled. \u201cIt threw me for a loop at first. The number of wipes I went through in the beginning \u2026 wow!\u201d<\/p>\n

Teamwork makes the bowels work \u2026 and more<\/h2>\n

Doctors said that Michael could experience constipation and\/or incontinence as he gets older and may need medication for constipation, but they are confident he is on the right path toward a normal bowel function and a healthy, fulfilling life<\/p>\n

\u201cMichael\u2019s case really highlights the team approach we have here at UC Davis,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cThe NICU took great care of him in his early days and weeks. And the surgeries wouldn\u2019t be successful without a huge team of inpatient and outpatient nurses, nurse practitioners and specialized staff who know all about caring for stomas and babies with anorectal malformations and other colorectal issues.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\"Mom,
Elizabeth, Anthony and Michael Randel reunite with pediatric general surgeon, Jamie Anderson, at the UC Davis Medical Center.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Randels appreciate the continued follow-up care for Michael and stay connected to the care team<\/p>\n

\u201cWe keep in close contact with all of these kids as they grow up to help address any issues with stooling if they arise,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cIt\u2019s been an honor to help take care of Michael in his early months and I can\u2019t wait to see how he grows up!\u201d<\/p>\n

And Anderson is not the only one<\/p>\n

With the opening of the\u00a0 UC Davis Health Folsom Medical Care Clinic, Michael\u2019s new pediatrician, Peter\u00a0O’Malley, will keep tabs on this \u201cmiracle\u201d boy, too<\/p>\n

\u201cDr. O\u2019Malley is wonderful! I can tell he really cares. Plus, we don\u2019t have to drive so far,\u201d Elizabeth said excitedly<\/p>\n

Miracle Michael<\/h2>\n

With his grumpy eyebrows and spirited personality \u2014 which Elizabeth\u2019s attributes to her own dad \u2014 Michael is all his parents could have hoped for. Despite the ongoing orthopaedic challenges, the Randel family feels blessed to have made this decision and would do it all again<\/p>\n

\n\"Three
Now 10 months old, Michael continues to be the apple of his parents’ eye. The Randels are grateful for the care he received.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cHe’s freaking adorable and so happy,\u201d Elizabeth beamed. \u201cMichael definitely has some hurdles, but he’s handled so much already. He\u2019s a warrior and we love him dearly.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Elizabeth Randel relied on courage and trust to navigate her high-risk, uncertain pregnancy. But she never lost hope. Today, her son\u2019s happiness and strength are a testament to Elizabeth\u2019s perseverance, the support of her family and the expertise of the care team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4811,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[459,461,463,462,460],"class_list":["post-4803","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-pregnancy","tag-courage","tag-expertise","tag-miracle","tag-save","tag-trust"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4803"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4810,"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4803\/revisions\/4810"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4811"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4803"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4803"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lumeamara.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4803"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}