Any updates, @LSN8308?

AnyMax · July 2014

@LSN8308‌, I was wondering how you, Dalia, and Abdullah are all doing, and if you have any updates on their progress.

I hope those beautiful babies are growing bigger and stronger each day!

LTMama · July 2014

mrsdanielleM2010 · July 2014

How thoughtful, @AnyMax‌! I've been wondering too, and secretly hoping for more pictures of the twins

@LSN8308‌ hope all is well!

jg1011 · July 2014

Just came to check birth announcement thread to see if there were any updates!

Hoping all is going well.

MrsLaLaBug · July 2014

can't wait to see squishy pics!

LSN8308 · July 2014

Hey girls, oh how I've missed you alllll!!!!!

my initial plan was to make weekly updates during our stay in the NICU, but that idea went out the window.

So quick recap of my last 13 days....

Abdullah (Baby

-
June 29th - Abdullah had an obstructed anus that was preventing him from pooping and passing gas, which they said required surgery, he was transferred to childrens hospital in Chicago about an hour away from the hospital I gave birth at. During the start of surgery they realized the obstruction wasn't as severe and instead of making any incisions they were just able to dilate him and that seemed to do the trick. They're still dilating him twice a day to make sure his anus stays open until they see him pooping more often on his own.

He was there for 9 days, but after the 5th day he was cleared from all the specialists and drs for him to be transferred back to the nicu his sister is in. They were giving us such a hard time and it took endless calls and at the end, it came down to literally threatening to call our insurance to tell him our son is being held unnecessarily and not to pay them, and we wouldn't pay a dime more if they tried to send us a bill. ...what do u know, within 5 minutes of saying that to both the dr and the case manager they immediately setup a return transfer and he was brought back on July 7th. We are so relieved to have him back as u can imagine I wasnt able to make a lot of trips there because of my c-section with the 2 hour round trip drive and all the walking. I only saw him twice during those 9 days and it was killing me being away from him

.... but all is well now. Hes almost up to full feeding, so hopefully in a couple days they will take his IV line out.

Dalia (Baby A) -
Miss feisty is doing well, a few days ago she had an issue breaking down a certain enzyme in her kidneys and it was causing acid buildup, they gave her some meds for 2 days and it cleared right up, she came up to full feeds on July 7th and got her IV taken out. And they also tried taking her off her oxygen because she seemed to be making a lot of progress breathing on her own (snapped the cutest pic of her without the oxygen tube), but unfortunately she started having a little trouble and needed to be placed back on it.

Both babies are having occasional dips in their heart rates still, they're both on caffeine and its helping but they are noticing a lot of the dips right before they're due for their next dose of caffeine. And other times its after they eat and the dr is saying it could be reflux. Both growing steadily, theyre passed their birth weight now at around 2lb 15oz.

Me - TIRED! lol. Im so grateful to the hospital I had them in because they have a great option for moms with babies in the NICU that want to stay am extra week if they have the room. I stayed an extra 8 days after my official discharge on June 30th and it was so nice being able to walk down the hall to the nicu whenever I wanted and to drop off some milk. I came home on the 8th and its been a bit of a hard transition coming home without them, but focusing on that wont make anything better so im trying to be positive.

Breastfeeding and pumping is a work in progress, Ive been meeting with the lactation consultants every few days and my supply as of now is great for the babies, but they said I need to look ahead and build my volume to double what it is now to make sure I can exclusively BF. Staying on top of the every 2 hour sessions is a bit hard and I manage to get at least 8-9 sessions but I alwsys feel guilty when I cant hit 10-11 because the LC said to aim for at LEAST 10. But im working on it.

I bought some lactogenic foods, oatmeal every day, fenugreek powder, sesame seeds and nuts, Parsely, lentils and greens. Hoping it will help and if it doesnt the LC will give me some herbs to take.

Im going to put up a pic in another post cuz TB wont let me attach anything from the app.

Ill definitely be more consistent with these updates so you wont have to read a novel every couple weeks.

Thanks ladies xoxo

LSN8308 · July 2014

Dalia the short time she was off her oxygen and Abdullah 2 days before being transferred back.

dinodna3 · July 2014

Thanks for the update and glad to hear the babies are doing well!

Edit: Aww, they are such cuties!

portentosa · July 2014

((((((((((Hugs))))))))) to you mama!! You are an awesome mom! I'm so happy to hear your little ones are gaining weight and making positive progress. I'm tearing up thinking about having to fight a hospital like that to get my son back to me. You are an incredibly strong woman and we are all here for you.

Pumping is hard. Pumping from day one with everything else you are going through is harder. Aim for that 10oz mark, but please don't feel guilty if you don't make it, you are doing such an awesome job already. My biggest things to increase milk supply is pump often (every two hours seriously blows, but it works), drink tons of water, and make sure you eat enough calories.

Again (((hugs))). Can't wait to see squishy pics! :-)

ETA: I type slow. LOVE the pictures!! :x

LifeofCat · July 2014

Thanks for the update; they are absolutely beautiful

Bella2425 · July 2014

Thanks for the update! I'm so glad things are going well. Thinking of you!!

AnyMax · July 2014

Oh, LSN, they are absolutely precious! It is so wonderful to hear that they are both making progress. I can only imagine how difficult this all has bee, you are all so strong!

Please do not feel guilty if you are not quite up to your pumping goal yet. You are doing an incredible job already, and you will get there. You've got this, mama!

I think it's safe to say, none of us will mind if we read a million small updates, or one long one at a time. We are all thinking about you and will take whatever updates we can get

ashaw512 · July 2014

So glad y'all are doing well! And your babies are precious!

tatorhead328 · July 2014

Congratulations on your sweet babies!!! So glad your little boy is back with you finally.

nilvero · July 2014

Glad you are doing well and that things are going as well as they can be with your babies!

LSN8308 · July 2014

breannekot said:
My sister used a "lactation" cookie to keep her supply up and swore by it. I can post the recipe if you'd like @LSN8308‌

Ive heard about those, but haven't gotten a chance to find a good recipe, I'd love to have it whenever you get a chance to post it. Thank you!!!

JustCricket · July 2014

So glad to hear positive updates

and love the pictures!

conradraging · July 2014

So good to hear your positive update! They're so precious!!

slowmo · July 2014

Beautiful babies!

mrsdanielleM2010 · July 2014

@LSN8308‌ they are so so precious! Glad they're back together in the same spot and that there are improvements to discuss! Don't feel guilty for doing what you can, just try fresh every day

you got this and you're so strong! Lots of love and prayers!

camichael84 · July 2014

Beautiful babies!! I'm glad to hear they are doing well! Thanks for the update.

trebekastan · July 2014

Oh my goodness, they are so precious and lucky to have you for a mom. You are doing an amazing job so far!

LTMama · July 2014

Thank you so much for the update! I'm so glad all is going well and that they're growing steadily! You're doing great with your pumping - pumping for a NICU baby is so hard, but 10oz already is awesome. Keep doing what you're doing!!!

MrsLaLaBug · July 2014

love the pics and the update!!

Groxb · July 2014

Little nuggest!! Thanks for the update @LSN8308‌! We're all cheering for you!

poptart109 · July 2014

Beautiful babies!

kaleb87 · July 2014

Thank you for the update! They are both beautiful and sound like little fighters! I am glad they are back together. It sounds like they take after you because you sound like a fighter yourself! Keep up the good work! You and your family will continue to be in my thoughts & prayers.