XP: Past 72 hours and still going well for Adalyn!

DrRx

Past 72 hours and still going well for Adalyn!

As an update, Adalyn actually started getting 1ml every 6 hours of my breast milk on her 2nd day of life, and her heart echo ultrasound showed everything normal (the ductus closed, etc).  Our next big milestone is her head ultrasound to check for bleeding that is seen in preemies, especially micro-preemies.  I will tell you that since I had the steroid shots, there is a much lesser chance of having the brain bleed.  They're not quite sure why, but it has been associated with fewer incidence of  this.  Now, it is not 100% fool-proof, ie, just because you get the steroid shot prevents her from getting the brain bleed, but just makes it much less likely.  The main thing about the steroids is that they help mature the lungs so that preemies have a greater chance at survival. 

Her head ultrasound will be Saturday, but we may not get the results until Sunday or Monday.  It doesn't really matter, since there isn't much to be done if she does have bleeding at this time.  If she does, she may or may not need surgeries, etc.  However, we're not going to worry about that until we have the info.  Part of her right lung collapsed, which isn't great, but it isn't as serious as it could be.  They are having her lay on her left side to help with that (no chest tube or anything).    The 2nd xray done last night showed an improvement, and hopefully it will be better, if not completely gone by this morning when they do another Xray.  The fact that she has this, and her oxygenation and breathing are still good with low vent settings, is really wonderful.  She also had a blood transfusion on her 2nd day of life, but again, that is normal for a micro-preemie, which is what she is. 

She is past 72 hours and so far things have been better than expected.  If this was the "honeymoon period" that preemies get, it would be over by now and more interventions would be needed.  Luckily, the neonatologists, the nurses, and the respiratory team all say that she is doing really well for her gestational age.  They are pleased with her progress so far.  We've still got a LONG way to go, and we've been told that life in the NICU will have wonderful days and not-so-wonderful days.  It will be a roller coaster of rides, and the best thing to do is to enjoy the good days and not focus on the bad days. 

I now live my life around her "Hands On" time, which is every 6 hours, at 8a, 2p, 8p, and 2a.  It is a truly emotional experience that, although limited, we still get to do what every new parent of a newborn gets to do, which is to change their diaper, wipe their eyes, and soothe them when they get fussy. Last night I changed my first poopy diaper, and I got some poop on my hand! I said "It makes me feel like a mom, since I got poop on my finger!"  It really helps us deal and cope with this very stressful event that is occurring in our lives!

I'm not sure if I posted it here or on another board, but the day before yesterday, one of the neonatologist taught us how to soothe her.  We had been talking and her heart rate was elevated and she was fidgeting around (arms and legs kicking, etc).  She had me cup her head and her feet (so that she could push up against my feet) and my husband put his hand over her midsection and arm.  We spoke to her softly and did this, and within a minute or 2, her heart rate dropped to normal and she stopped fidgeting.  It was so amazing that she responded to us, and that we were able to do what a normal new parent of a newborn gets to do, which is to soothe them.  I can't tell you what an emotional event that was for me. .  

Here's a picture of that that the neonatologist took for us.  Don't you love the "sunglasses" that she's wearing, which is because she is under the UV light because of high bilirubin (which has been going down).

CLAYLIOVER

Sounds like she is doing great! Both my girls had Grade 2 IVH (bilateral). The bleeds resolved and there was no need for surgeries. Keep up the good work!

katie4253

Glad things seem to be coasting along well!  Thinking of you!

 

njdcgirl

Great update!  I can't tell you how many hours (and hours) I spent cupping my sons head and bottom.  Hours each day for the first month, until I was able to hold him for the first time.  So glad you're able to soothe your DD!