Update on Progress

Short update on baby Kaylynn. She is responding to the CPAP wonderfully, breathing much easier and keeping her RR and O2 levels more even. We are wondering why they didn't just do that to start with, with as well as she responded. The fluid change helped with her "mud blood" (hahahaha) and her purple feet and hands have drastically changed to a nice pinkie-red. She isn't actually Jaundice yet, but they said she is bruised and would get it, so the Photo Therapy is preventing her from getting it. She is still maintaining her own body temp. even without the swaddling, and seems to be a much more active and content baby today. They also increased her milk intake from 15ml to 25ml and said that when she gets to 50ml they will take away the supplement fluids she's getting.

I'm sorry if anyone got as scared as I was this morning, but after seeing her complete turnaround I am actually thankful they decided to do this.

Oh! and! My milk has come in! So, she has been getting fed only Momma's goodness with no formula to supplement it, and I am actually making more than enough to feed her right now (my last pumping was 106ml and before that 109ml). We are staying in the hospital one more night (I think, we still haven't really gotten a confirmation) and will work diligently tomorrow on getting everything we didn't have ready together (like the breast feeding/pumping stuff we will need now, since I can't actually put her to breast yet).

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Jean Kirkpatrick: With the bad effects that can happen with all these treatments, you don't do anything with a preemie unless you're absolutely certain you have to…especially with oxygen and such.

Amanda Fetterhoff:  I was scared to tears when that was going on, I'm just glad now that she responded so well, and am hoping she has a big leap forward after this. I know it was necessary...but at the time I was so upset, I didn't want anything else to be done to her. Does that make sense?

Jean Kirkpatrick: Of course! It's some of the worst moments of your life…really…you want them to be ok, you wish it was you and not them, you don't know enough to even know what to ask, and you're almost paralyzed with fear... I worked there for 3 years... Since she responded so well, she probably will just continue upwards. Preemies at that age usually just need a little boost! Especially if she's tolerating the feedings so well already.  I helped start SJ's unit. It's a good one. And your whole being wants to grab her and run!! And get her away from all that crap, and those people that hurt her! You're a good momma…just want to help your baby!!

Amanda Fetterhoff:  It's actually kind-of funny you say that…the first thing I asked Roger when they actually let me hold her was, "do you think they'd notice if I took off with her?" not 5 minutes later the nurse walks in and says something about her "calling" her and pulls out what looks like a cordless phone that "calls" her when something on her monitor goes off. Roger was like, "umm…yea"

Jean Kirkpatrick: I wasn't kidding!! That's the instinct to protect kicking in! I was totally serious about all those things! It's a horrible thing to have your brand new baby in there. It's really one of the worst stresses you'll ever have! Take care of yourself, so you're ready when she comes home!!