NICU check-in 7/31

bananers

How many of us are still here? I'm thinking we won't need this in a couple more weeks!

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Current age/adjusted age:

What are your main issues currently?

What are some big milestones you've reached or are coming up?

Questions?

GTKY: What was your first drink after having the baby?

Don't forget the baby pictures!

bananers

Current age/adjusted age:
Current: 10w4d
Adjusted: 36w6d

What are your main issues currently?
Feeding and weaning off oxygen, but both seem to FINALLY be turning a corner. He took almost a full feed (54 out of 57 ml) last time we nursed and they are trialing him off oxygen again tomorrow (have done this twice now and both times he makes it about 12 hours and then he gets tired and needs the support again. Third time's a charm?)

What are some big milestones you've reached or are coming up?
Holy crap you guise, they are talking about sending us HOME. If he goes 48 hours eating well and 5 days without a major event, we are free. I never thought I'd see the day.

Questions?

GTKY: What was your first drink after having the baby?
An IPA from a local brewery. God, I missed beer. And I hear it's good for your milk supply.

Don't forget the baby pictures!

ballofmeat

How exciting that you will be bringing him home soon! I have definitely been keeping you guys in my prayers! 

AliKay20

@bananers I meant to comment earlier but got distracted by baby A's t-rex grunts for milk. 

This is huge! What a milestone!! I seriously got so excited when I read baby Emmett's progress!! 



Also, he is just so stinkin' adorable! Keep on swimming, E.

tmk0325

@bananers yay! The end is in sight! So happy that he's almost there and before his due date too! That is fantastic news

AliKay20

(NICU grad here)

Current age/adjusted age:
Current: 4 weeks on the dot!
Adjusted: 4 days old

What are your main issues currently?

1. Latching! Baby A may have tongue tie issue. Maybe it's nipple confusion too. She was used to bottle feeding and breastfeeding at the NICU. Probably had more bottle feeding than breast as I wasn't always there. We continued this method at home and I couldn't feed her as much as I wanted to as I have supply issues. Also, baby A seems to be extra hungry and fussy at night (right around midnight) these days.

What are some big milestones you've reached or are coming up?

-Maybe this isn't a big deal but at just over 7 lbs, baby girl finally fits into the newborn clothes as in, she filled out over the past week! This mama is so happy to see that baby A's legs are getting less and less wrinkly. Also today marks her 4 weeks already. Time flies!

Questions?

-Maybe all newborns do this but baby A moves her leg uncontrollably for like 10 seconds (just one leg) or her mouth trembles...all tend to happen while she's asleep! It's freaking me out a little and I always think the worst: "Omg does she have neurological issues?!" I'll def. ask her pediatrician next wk too. 

GTKY: What was your first drink after having the baby?

-Wow, come to think of it...I haven't yet (cue the gasps) but does getting a venti iced vanilla latte with extra espresso count?! 

Don't forget the baby pictures!

-We were on the struggle bus today to get this 1 month pic. Omg! Completely exhausted after this photo was taken. All of us! Haha (it was a family effort)!!

Bookhousegirl

@AliKay20 oh my god, I love that picture! The whole thing is so sweet and creative! 

AliKay20

Thanks & congrats @Bookhousegirl!! I don't know how we are going to keep up with these monthly milestone pics though! Baby girl was not having it!! 

Also, isn't it crazy how much bigger they look in pictures than in real life?! She looks so much bigger than 7 lbs here! 

allishally13

Hi everyone! First let me say I am thinking of all of you and your babies. It has been a busy week so I haven't been able to post about our nicu stay until today.

Current age/adjusted age: 5 days old, today was his original due date!

We are waiting on final okay from the doctors tomorrow morning during the doctors rounds that Oliver is free to go home!

He was rushed to the nicu Monday August 1st after a failed induction turned c section for gestational diabetes at 39w1d on Sunday July 31st. Apparently he had some fluid in his lungs and a collapsed lung that later we found a small hole in as well, so he was breathing really fast and pulling breaths into his rib cage he was working so hard. He was able to improve all on his own with minimal support from cpap and a few other things. He is now off all machines, he is breastfeeding starting last night without any issues, and breathing fine.

It was a scary experience especially since I had increased bleeding and potential preeclampsia during the c section, and was put on magnesium, but my husband and the doctors have been amazing with healing us both up this past week. I feel so blessed Oliver only had to stay in the nicu less than 1 full week and now see the strength it must take those of you who had to watch your babies stay even longer.

GTKY: What was your first drink after having the baby? I don't really drink alcohol, but I did have pop after he was born- non-diet!- since I was a gd. It was so good!

bananers

@allishally13 breathing issues are always scary. Glad he is doing better now and fx you get to go home tomorrow!

Nikkoli98

Just thought of something for when your LO's are getting ready to graduate from the NICU.  If they have little bean bags to rest their feet on, you might want to ask about taking it home with you.  I wished I had thought of this, when Daniel's feet get loose in his crib he just screams and screams and he is much more comfortable with something to rest his feet on.  Not sure if they will allow you to take them home - but it might be worth asking about...

sbelle474

Good morning.  It had been a whirlwind of a weekend.  After little one was born Friday night, his blood sugar tanked and he has been in nicu ever since.  They still have him on sugar water iv but hope to start weaning him soon.  Anyone out there experienced this?  They are having to formula feed him to keep his sugar levels stable and my milk hasn't come in yet.  Stressed about gong back and forth to hospital, and not knowing when he can come home. 

gadzooks_3

@sbelle474  my LO had a similar experience. He was in the NICU a total of 4 days. They began tapering him off the IV fluid after the first 24 hours. I had not been discharged yet as I had a C-section so I could go to the NICU to breast feed but they still supplemented each feeding with formula.  Are you pumping? Did you have GD? 

Nikkoli98

sbelle474 said:

Good morning.  It had been a whirlwind of a weekend.  After little one was born Friday night, his blood sugar tanked and he has been in nicu ever since.  They still have him on sugar water iv but hope to start weaning him soon.  Anyone out there experienced this?  They are having to formula feed him to keep his sugar levels stable and my milk hasn't come in yet.  Stressed about gong back and forth to hospital, and not knowing when he can come home. 

Yes!  We had this exact same issue.  Baby D's blood sugar was down to 30 a few times.  He also had to have 48 hours of antibiotics and blood draws.  My milk also hadn't come in (FTM) and I assume it was more difficult b/c of being over 4 weeks early too.  Not to be discouraging, but my milk supply is still really low.  (8 - 13 oz per day instead of the 25- 36 oz that is apparently normal).  But back to your issue, we ended up in the NICU for 7 nights - but part of that was because he also had jaundice and had to be under the lights for several days.  Are you able to room in with him???  Is there a Ronald McDonald House available to you???  Those things made it easier for us.  

sbelle474

Thank you both. I did have GD.  He has been in nicu for three days and hasn't been weaned yet.  I have been trying to breast feed but he isn't getting much at all (i had a breast reduction ten years ago so my milk supply is touch and go).  He eats about 50 ml of formula so i am happy he is at least getting fed. No Ronald McDonald here  i hope when we head back today they can start weaning him.  Just ready for him too be home! Glad you both have yours home and thank you for the encouragement!

Edited b/c tb ate my words.

AliKay20

sbelle474 said:

Good morning.  It had been a whirlwind of a weekend.  After little one was born Friday night, his blood sugar tanked and he has been in nicu ever since.  They still have him on sugar water iv but hope to start weaning him soon.  Anyone out there experienced this?  They are having to formula feed him to keep his sugar levels stable and my milk hasn't come in yet.  Stressed about gong back and forth to hospital, and not knowing when he can come home. 

I know how stressful this is as A spent 11 days at the NICU. They also had to give her formula but I gave her colostrum in the beginning while waiting for milk to come in. 

It was not easy physically and emotionally to go back and forth from home to hospital as it would be 45 mins each way. I also hated staying in the house without baby A. I even kept her nursery room door closed as going in there would be an emotional mess for me. 

We weren't qualified for Ronald McDonald house but we did stay at a hotel 5 mins away from the hospital (we used our card points to offset the cost). Hope your LO gets better soon and that you can find some ways to make things easier on you in this difficult time. Best wishes.

gadzooks_3

sbelle474 said:

Thank you both. I did have GD.  He has been in nicu for three days and hasn't been weaned yet.  I have been trying to breast feed but he isn't getting much at all (i had a breast reduction ten years ago so my milk supply is touch and go).  He eats about 50 ml of formula so i am happy he is at least getting fed. No Ronald McDonald here  i hope when we head back today they can start weaning him.  Just ready for him too be home! Glad you both have yours home and thank you for the encouragement!

Edited b/c tb ate my words.

My milk took a few days to come in, so they supplemented with formula. Colostrum will help with the blood sugar so don't think that just because your milk isn't in yet that it is futile to pump or breast feed.    The good news is the glucose tends to stabilize in the first few weeks if it is GD related. I hope they can taper off soon. It is so hard to see your LO in the NICU and on an IV.

AliKay20

To all the NICU warriors: 

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_57b9cbeee4b07d22cc388ba7

tmk0325

AliKay20 said:

To all the NICU warriors: 

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_57b9cbeee4b07d22cc388ba7

AliKay20 said:

To all the NICU warriors: 

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_57b9cbeee4b07d22cc388ba7

Thanks for sharing @AliKay20

sbelle474

Thank you alikay20!