Intro: Adalyn born at 26 weeks 1 day (PIP)

DrRx

I normally post on the May 2012 board and PAIF, and someone mentioned that I should also join this board.  For my birth story, you can see my posts on those boards.  Long story short, I had pPROM (they think at 20 weeks) where the tear probably healed itself but not before getting infected.  We went on a routine fetal echocardiogram (we have an IVF baby) and that is where they saw the really low amniotic fluid and asked me if I had damp panties, which I did.  However, I never had a gush or the panties soaked, etc. At the hospital, they were never able to document amniotic fluid and I never leaked.  Well, on Day 24 I started bleeding, having contractions, spiked a fever, and my WBC went up.  So, my OB said that I had an infection and that we had to deliver the baby. 

Adalyn was born on 2/4/12 at 12:17am.  She weighed 1 pound 12 ounces and measured 12 inches long.  She is a fighter, just like her momma, and is doing remarkably well.  The neonatologist did warn us about the "Honeymoon Period" and that she may start to deteriorate after 1 or 2 days.  She is on the ventilator, but is taking many spontaneous breaths on her own and she fluctuates between a vent setting of 10 to 25. 

At her last weigh in, she lost 2 ounces, which they are not concerned with.  She did have to get a blood transfusion today (which they had told us when we did the NICU tour while we were on hospital bed rest is very common for premies before 29 weeks) because she was anemic.  She is also under the UV lights because her bilirubin was high, but it has been going down and so they didn't have to add a 2nd light this afternoon.  The neonatologist did hear a heart murmur, and he thinks that it could be due to either the anemia, her ductus not closing, or some sort of other foramen that didn't close.  He ordered an echo and we should be getting those results this evening or tomorrow morning.  She will also have her head ultrasound to check for bleeding probably Friday.  

The way I see it, since her Honeymoon Period is going so well, it leaves a lot of room for interventions in the coming days.  As I'm sure you ladies know, it is absolutely overwhelming and terrifying, but I have got to stay positive and know that we are all doing everything we can to give her the best chance at surviving.

I have been able to pump (did it for the first time about 5 hours after she was born) and have been able to do it about every 2 to 3 hours.  Yesterday there were pump sessions where I only managed to get a couple of drops, but today my milk actually started coming in! This last session I actually got 35 ml, and it is definitely milk rather than colostrum since it is much thinner and fluidy.  My boobs have also gotten to the largest they have ever been. 

The NICU where our Adalyn is in the new tower at our hospital and just opened in August.  All the babies are in private rooms, and all the rooms have a pull-out bed, TV, and bathroom, and Mom and Dad are welcome 24/7.  Much different than when my nephew was born here 2 years ago at 34 weeks.  Back then, the babies were in clusters or pods, and there were about 4 or 5 in each cluster. At least now, there is a private place in the room where I can pump, and they have many pumps on the floor for the NICU moms. 

Today, also, the neonatologist said that they were going to start feeding her my breastmilk 1ml every 6 hours.  I was so happy about that! It makes me feel like it is the one thing that I can do to help her in her journey. It makes me feel connected to her since I can't really hold her or touch her.

Here are some pics. The first one is of her with her eyes open, looking annoyed that they woke her up for the "Hands Time" where they change her diaper, reposition her, and do some other routine things.  The second one is the one and only time I've been able to touch her (since too much interaction stresses the baby out) when I met her for the first time about 8-9 hours after she was born.  Her little hand wrapped around my finger and it was one of the most overwhelming events in my life. 

 

thumperbrat2669

T's & P's to you and your family.

Mrs. Alice

Welcome and congrats on your daughter!  Sending my prayers that she continues to do well.  Way to go on the pumping too!  Keep us updated on her progress and don't hesitate to ask questions or vent when you need to

LuckyMarley

T&P to you and your family!

Denesdia

Welcome, mama and family!  I'm sorry that you had to join us, but this is the place to be.  I had a May due date, too, and my DD arrived in January at 25 weeks.  The NICU is a game changer, for sure.  Take good care of yourself, and keep us posted. 

SRK128

Thoughts and Prayers to you and your family. Your daughter is beautiful!

jcsntms06

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Fight Adalyn!

katie4253

Welcome.  Your daughter is beautiful.  Many thoughts and prayers to you and your family. 

efortune

She is so beautiful. I am sorry you are going through this, but congrats on your daughter. I hope she continues to thrive and will be home with you soon.

jacque_z

Welcome and congratulations.  Your daughter is beautiful! 

cutcopypaste

Just wanted to chime in that my DD (born at 26 weeks 2 days) did really well in the beginning and everyone told me it was the honeymoon period. Then it just never went away and she continued to do as well as possible until she was discharged at 37 weeks! It is possible to not have a deterioration after that honeymoon period so stay positive, as it seems like you are. That is one of my regrets, always waiting for things to turn bad and not staying positive. Your DD is beautiful and those pics remind me so much of my DD in the beginning. Congrats!

bhilyer

Congrats on the birth of your daughter.  Although you're meeting her much earlier than you planned, enjoy every minute of these first few days.

You're correct - it's overwhelming and terrifying.  You'll soon find out that things can change very quickly in the NICU.  Lots of ups and downs.  Take one day at a time, hour by hour if needed.  Your little girl is a fighter!

Keep us posted  

kelkel09

Congratulations on your beautiful daughter! Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. NICU life is not easy, but you will get through it. Just take one day at a time. This board has been a great support.

MrsMVM

Adalyn is beautiful. Welcome- you've come to a really great place. There is no more supportive board!

njdcgirl

Welcome and congrats on your fighter.  I read your birth story, and it brought back lots of memories for me.  It is definitely very surreal in the beginning.  I'm glad Adalyn is doing well, and I hope she keeps it up as long as possible.  The NICU ride is a difficult one, but so very worth it in the end.  I hope Adalyn continues to thrive.  Please keep us posted on her progress, and come here to find folks that "get it".  ((HUGS))

AlwaysSunny925

You and your family are in my thoughts & prayers, as is Adalyn.  Congrats on her birth.  And the private rooms sound wonderful.  Keep your head up, mama.  It's so important to be positive and it seems like you are doing a great job at it. 

haziedaze

Wow, Momma! What a journey you've been on to bring this little one into the world. She is BEAUTIFUL! Congrats on her birth and so sorry that you have a NICU journey ahead of you. Seems like you're picking up on the lingo quickly and settling in to this new routine. I'm so glad that you have a nice private place to nap, pump, etc. I think that was one of the hardest parts about being in the NICU.

I can't even imagine how scary it is to have a micropreemie. I know you'll always be waiting for "the other shoe to drop," but I'm sending all the T&P I can muster that it just never happens and she continues to do well. I hope this board will be a safe place to fall. Keep us posted and keep those beautiful pics coming!