We're home!! All three of us. It has been a long day, but Elena has been discharged. We will be able to celebrate Christmas with all our families. Every one will be able to meet Kiki.
Now we begin to sort out our new schedule, feedings every 3 hours (bottle and NG tube only so we can track volume), when will I pump, when will I SLEEP?
Time to take a quiet moment, relax, and reflect on my new family. :)
Friday, December 21, 2007
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Latest update
Elena is doing well. We are learning that she 1) has a temper, 2) likes to assert herself, and 3) it's her way or the highway.
Earlier this week she was feeding by bottle, then had a little bit of trouble tolerating the food. I think perhaps the quantity of food was increasing a bit fast for her little system. As a result, she was on IV food all day on Thursday, no milk. Poor Kiki.
Yesterday she began bottle feeding again, at 15cc per feeding, increasing by 5cc every 9 hours. She was very hungry all day, inconsolable at times. Last night she was so upset that she was finally given a bit of morphine so she could get some sleep. The feedings continue to go up and she continues to tolerate the food. As of 7pm tonight, she is taking 40cc per feeding. If she does the same at 10pm, she will increase to 45cc at 1am and then increase by 5cc every 6 hours.
Ultimately the goal is to get her to take and tolerate 66cc of milk for consecutive feedings and then have a few days of weight gain after. The weight gain should not be a problem, as she has been gaining steadily. Born at 7 lb. 13 oz, she is now up to 8 lb. 6oz.
Her incision is healing beautifully. Right now it just looks like a scabby belly button. Her tum has been round and firm, but today finally softened, meaning that she has a bit let gas and discomfort. She is pooping up a storm (I know, why do parents feel that the world wants to know about their babies poop?) But this is a very good sign. It shows that things are moving well through her system, despite the section of her bowel being removed.
All in all, Elena is steadily improving. We hope to have her home very soon, although we are also prepared to spend an intimate Christmas at U of M.
Thank you to everyone for their well wishes and visits. It helps to be supported so well by family and friends!!
Earlier this week she was feeding by bottle, then had a little bit of trouble tolerating the food. I think perhaps the quantity of food was increasing a bit fast for her little system. As a result, she was on IV food all day on Thursday, no milk. Poor Kiki.
Yesterday she began bottle feeding again, at 15cc per feeding, increasing by 5cc every 9 hours. She was very hungry all day, inconsolable at times. Last night she was so upset that she was finally given a bit of morphine so she could get some sleep. The feedings continue to go up and she continues to tolerate the food. As of 7pm tonight, she is taking 40cc per feeding. If she does the same at 10pm, she will increase to 45cc at 1am and then increase by 5cc every 6 hours.
Ultimately the goal is to get her to take and tolerate 66cc of milk for consecutive feedings and then have a few days of weight gain after. The weight gain should not be a problem, as she has been gaining steadily. Born at 7 lb. 13 oz, she is now up to 8 lb. 6oz.
Her incision is healing beautifully. Right now it just looks like a scabby belly button. Her tum has been round and firm, but today finally softened, meaning that she has a bit let gas and discomfort. She is pooping up a storm (I know, why do parents feel that the world wants to know about their babies poop?) But this is a very good sign. It shows that things are moving well through her system, despite the section of her bowel being removed.
All in all, Elena is steadily improving. We hope to have her home very soon, although we are also prepared to spend an intimate Christmas at U of M.
Thank you to everyone for their well wishes and visits. It helps to be supported so well by family and friends!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
She likes it, she likes it!
Elena has officially eaten! On Monday, she had several feedings of 15cc of breast milk. Today, she had several of 45cc. Once she has had several feedings of 66cc, she tolerates them, and can show a few days of steady weight gain, she'll be coming home. Keep your fingers crossed. In the meantime, here is a video of her first feeding!!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Baby, we have a baby!!!
Just a quick post.
Elena Marie was born on 12/07/07 at 12:47am. 7 lbs 13 oz, 19.5". I went into labor around midnight on the 6th. Went to Ingham Regional for assessment, contractions were 4 minutes apart. A quick ambulance ride to Ann Arbor and 24 hours of labor later, we had a little girl.
Elena went into surgery around 4pm on Friday, came out around 7:30. She ultimately had a small potion of her bowel removed. She is recovering well, came off the vent on Saturday morning. Last night she had some stomach juices backing up out of her nasal tube, but x-rays show no blockage and this morning this seems to have decreased almost completely. She has a bit of a rash on her tum around the surgery site, so she will be put on antibiotics as a precaution against infection.
Our current course of action is to wait for the Drs. to determine that she can start getting small amounts of breastmilk ans she how well she digests. This was supposed to happen today, but because of the stuff backing up, Drs. are being cautious. Let's hope for tomorrow. Once we can see that her bowels are "awake", handling food well, and she poops, this little lady is home.
Quite honestly, we have heard several anticipated lengths for her stay. One nurse said that Elena will probably spend Christmas, but most others sound like it will be slightly sooner. Fingers crossed for sooner!!
Here is a short video of Elena on Saturday night. She has been a very calm baby. They have her on very little sedation right now. She is quite tuckered out and sleeps much of the time, but when she is awake, she is very alert and active.
Elena Marie was born on 12/07/07 at 12:47am. 7 lbs 13 oz, 19.5". I went into labor around midnight on the 6th. Went to Ingham Regional for assessment, contractions were 4 minutes apart. A quick ambulance ride to Ann Arbor and 24 hours of labor later, we had a little girl.
Elena went into surgery around 4pm on Friday, came out around 7:30. She ultimately had a small potion of her bowel removed. She is recovering well, came off the vent on Saturday morning. Last night she had some stomach juices backing up out of her nasal tube, but x-rays show no blockage and this morning this seems to have decreased almost completely. She has a bit of a rash on her tum around the surgery site, so she will be put on antibiotics as a precaution against infection.
Our current course of action is to wait for the Drs. to determine that she can start getting small amounts of breastmilk ans she how well she digests. This was supposed to happen today, but because of the stuff backing up, Drs. are being cautious. Let's hope for tomorrow. Once we can see that her bowels are "awake", handling food well, and she poops, this little lady is home.
Quite honestly, we have heard several anticipated lengths for her stay. One nurse said that Elena will probably spend Christmas, but most others sound like it will be slightly sooner. Fingers crossed for sooner!!
Here is a short video of Elena on Saturday night. She has been a very calm baby. They have her on very little sedation right now. She is quite tuckered out and sleeps much of the time, but when she is awake, she is very alert and active.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Slo-o-o-o-w Going
I went for a Dr. appointment this afternoon. I did not get the news that Ray and I were hoping for. Essentially, things have not really progressed at all this week. I am not even far enough along to be induced. Boo!!!!!
Since I am currently 40 and 2/7 (that is medical jargon for "Come on already, Elena!!) I will start going to the doctor twice a week.
My next appointment is Friday. I will sit on the fetal monitor for 30 minutes, have an ultrasound, and meet with the doctor. Same drill two days next week. If nothing has happened by next Friday, then we'll take some next steps.
Unfortunately, the longer Elena puts off birth, the more likely it is that we will have to go the route of a C-section. Elena's going to keep growing whether she is in or out. And as the doctor put it, "You can't really naturally give birth to a ginormous baby when she's got part of her belly sticking out." Poignent, and not what I wanted to hear.
With any luck, I will suddenly progress quickly and the next thing you know, we'll have baby Elena here. Everyone keep your fingers crossed and think labor related thoughts!!
Since I am currently 40 and 2/7 (that is medical jargon for "Come on already, Elena!!) I will start going to the doctor twice a week.
My next appointment is Friday. I will sit on the fetal monitor for 30 minutes, have an ultrasound, and meet with the doctor. Same drill two days next week. If nothing has happened by next Friday, then we'll take some next steps.
Unfortunately, the longer Elena puts off birth, the more likely it is that we will have to go the route of a C-section. Elena's going to keep growing whether she is in or out. And as the doctor put it, "You can't really naturally give birth to a ginormous baby when she's got part of her belly sticking out." Poignent, and not what I wanted to hear.
With any luck, I will suddenly progress quickly and the next thing you know, we'll have baby Elena here. Everyone keep your fingers crossed and think labor related thoughts!!
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