Maggie is our sweet angel! She continues to do just great. At our visit today, Maggie was back under the lights. It's normal for preemies to be on one day, off another, back on the next.
Maggie's feedings have increased again today to 23ml per feeding. As long as she tolerates her feedings, the doctors will continue to increase how much she gets. This is good because as her feedings increase, her need for TPN (the nourishment she gets through IV) goes down.
We did kangaroo care again today. Maggie had the hiccups, which were so darn cute.
We can't believe how fast this week has passed. If the next few weeks go as fast as this week, she'll be home before we know it.
In the meantime, Jeff is going to start work on the nursery this weekend. Maggie won't be moving into her new room right away, she'll be sleeping in the travelling bassinet in our room. The bassinet is very special to the Christenson family, more than 40 babies have slept in there since Jeff's brother Chris was born (40 years ago - he was the first). It has travelled around among relatives, so Maggie will be joining the long list of babies to have slept in the bassinet. Jeff, his brothers, cousins, Cece and all of Maggie's Christenson cousins have slept in it.
Thanks to everyone for their kind words, thoughts and prayers. We are so blessed.
Bridget, Jeff, Cece and Maggie
Friday, October 8, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Firsts
This afternoon's visit with Maggie was really fun and full of firsts for us. Jeff got to take her temperature and change her diaper! Maggie is no longer under the lights, so she gets to wear clothes. We brought her a few new preemie outfits and we dressed her up. I got to hold Maggie during her feeding, another first. She was just a sweet as could be. She was pretty alert during our visit, which was really cool. She just seems so content.
We talked to the doctors and nurses and have the following to report. Maggie's weight is up, her feedings are increasing to 19 ml every 3 hours, all of her vitals are stable, and the results of the ultrasound were normal. She just continues to do well as she can. We're so proud of her!
We'll keep up this routine for the next few weeks until she starts to show signs/interest in nursing (this typically happens around 35 weeks gestation, she is 32 weeks 2 days today). At that time, I'm sure we'll be spending more time at the hospital.
We talked to the doctors and nurses and have the following to report. Maggie's weight is up, her feedings are increasing to 19 ml every 3 hours, all of her vitals are stable, and the results of the ultrasound were normal. She just continues to do well as she can. We're so proud of her!
We'll keep up this routine for the next few weeks until she starts to show signs/interest in nursing (this typically happens around 35 weeks gestation, she is 32 weeks 2 days today). At that time, I'm sure we'll be spending more time at the hospital.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Kangaroo Care
Doing great!
Maggie continues to do well in the NICU. Yesterday, she was taken off photo therapy, but today she was back under the lights to keep her bilirubin levels stable. She has increased her feedings from 11 ml to 15 ml every 3 hours, which is awesome. Yesterday and today, we continued our kangaroo care with Maggie. Its hard to believe that she's been with us a whole week tomorrow! The doctors did an ultrasound of Maggie this morning (routine for babies born this early) and we hope to have results back from that this evening.
Meanwhile, we're staying busy with Cece. She loves to look at pictures of her sister and give her kisses. She can't wait to finally meet her sister in person.
Maggie continues to do well in the NICU. Yesterday, she was taken off photo therapy, but today she was back under the lights to keep her bilirubin levels stable. She has increased her feedings from 11 ml to 15 ml every 3 hours, which is awesome. Yesterday and today, we continued our kangaroo care with Maggie. Its hard to believe that she's been with us a whole week tomorrow! The doctors did an ultrasound of Maggie this morning (routine for babies born this early) and we hope to have results back from that this evening.
Meanwhile, we're staying busy with Cece. She loves to look at pictures of her sister and give her kisses. She can't wait to finally meet her sister in person.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Discharge
The new normal
I was discharged from the hospital Monday afternoon. Before we left, I did an hour of kanagroo care with Maggie. She is just so perfectly sweet and snuggly, even at her small size. The time was therapeutic for both of us.
Maggie had another bloody stool before we arrived in the NICU yesterday morning, which the doctors were concerned about. Test results came back fast and it was determined the blood in her stool was from me (ingested during delivery), so she is absolutely healthy and the doctors did resume her feedings. She is still receiving breast milk through a feeding tube and the rest of her essential fats/nutrients through IV until her intestines are matured enough to handle feedings. She is now up to 7 ml per feeding (from 4 ml a day or so ago). She is still receiving almost light theraphy to keep her bilirubin levels down. We called to check on her before bed last night and she was doing just great.
Jeff and I will be visiting her in the NICU this afternoon for some more kangaroo care! We'll keep doing this every day for the next few weeks. Around 35/36 weeks gestation babies develop the proper sucking reflex, so once she starts to learn this, her feedings will increase and we'll get to start nursing. I'm sure that will change our routine to me spending more time at the hospital so I can nurse with her. Once she is able to take all of her feedings by mouth (via bottle or breast), consistently gain and keep on weight, and regulate her body temperature, she'll get to go home.
Bridget
I was discharged from the hospital Monday afternoon. Before we left, I did an hour of kanagroo care with Maggie. She is just so perfectly sweet and snuggly, even at her small size. The time was therapeutic for both of us.
Maggie had another bloody stool before we arrived in the NICU yesterday morning, which the doctors were concerned about. Test results came back fast and it was determined the blood in her stool was from me (ingested during delivery), so she is absolutely healthy and the doctors did resume her feedings. She is still receiving breast milk through a feeding tube and the rest of her essential fats/nutrients through IV until her intestines are matured enough to handle feedings. She is now up to 7 ml per feeding (from 4 ml a day or so ago). She is still receiving almost light theraphy to keep her bilirubin levels down. We called to check on her before bed last night and she was doing just great.
Jeff and I will be visiting her in the NICU this afternoon for some more kangaroo care! We'll keep doing this every day for the next few weeks. Around 35/36 weeks gestation babies develop the proper sucking reflex, so once she starts to learn this, her feedings will increase and we'll get to start nursing. I'm sure that will change our routine to me spending more time at the hospital so I can nurse with her. Once she is able to take all of her feedings by mouth (via bottle or breast), consistently gain and keep on weight, and regulate her body temperature, she'll get to go home.
Bridget
Sunday, October 3, 2010
More Rest
Another day of rest
Today continued to be a much needed day of restorative rest and recovery for both me and Maggie. I am feeling more and more mobile and got up again to make a visit to the NICU to see her, along with Jeff.
Yesterday we had learned Maggie had some blood in her stool. The doctors were trying to determine if was caused by the delivery or if she has an intestinal issue. She was taken off of her feedings until they knew more. After the x-ray came back today, it turns out she is OK and it is safe to resume feedings. She is being fed breastmilk/formula 4 times daily through a feeder tube the goes in her nose to her stomach. Nurse Kim says Maggie really likes to eat, which is a good sign. I'm doing my best to keep up my end of the deal for her.
Another change in Maggie's condition is that she had an apnea spell today (common for babies born prematurely - this is when the baby stops/forgets to breathe and needs assitance coming out of the spell). Maggie's nurses got her through this episode and have started her on caffeine, which helps limit these spells.
Maggie continues to spend lots of time under the UV lights today, so our visit was short this afternoon. We plan to return this evening to give her "kanagroo" care (this is skin to skin contact) for a while, then she'll go back under the lights.
We'll be going home tomorrow and before we do, Jeff and I are going to work on a little photo project for Maggie. We're going to print out pictures of Cece, Ole, Artie, and us and stick them on her isolette, so she is always surrounded by us (even when we're not here).
As great as it will be to go home, it will be weird to not go home with our new baby girl. However, we know that she'll be with us really soon and that she's in the best place possible with the smartest doctors and nurses taking constant care of her.
Bridget, Jeff, Cece & Maggie
Today continued to be a much needed day of restorative rest and recovery for both me and Maggie. I am feeling more and more mobile and got up again to make a visit to the NICU to see her, along with Jeff.
Yesterday we had learned Maggie had some blood in her stool. The doctors were trying to determine if was caused by the delivery or if she has an intestinal issue. She was taken off of her feedings until they knew more. After the x-ray came back today, it turns out she is OK and it is safe to resume feedings. She is being fed breastmilk/formula 4 times daily through a feeder tube the goes in her nose to her stomach. Nurse Kim says Maggie really likes to eat, which is a good sign. I'm doing my best to keep up my end of the deal for her.
Another change in Maggie's condition is that she had an apnea spell today (common for babies born prematurely - this is when the baby stops/forgets to breathe and needs assitance coming out of the spell). Maggie's nurses got her through this episode and have started her on caffeine, which helps limit these spells.
Maggie continues to spend lots of time under the UV lights today, so our visit was short this afternoon. We plan to return this evening to give her "kanagroo" care (this is skin to skin contact) for a while, then she'll go back under the lights.
We'll be going home tomorrow and before we do, Jeff and I are going to work on a little photo project for Maggie. We're going to print out pictures of Cece, Ole, Artie, and us and stick them on her isolette, so she is always surrounded by us (even when we're not here).
As great as it will be to go home, it will be weird to not go home with our new baby girl. However, we know that she'll be with us really soon and that she's in the best place possible with the smartest doctors and nurses taking constant care of her.
Bridget, Jeff, Cece & Maggie
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Recovery
Going home on Monday!
After another good day of recovery, I'm finally feeling better to write in the journal! I had a good night's sleep and have been able to manage through the pain today with the help of some lovely drugs and several naps. I've gotten up a few times and walked around. We visited Maggie in the NICU, but didn't get to hold her because she was undergoing light therapy (to get her billirubin levels stable).
The doctor's say that I get to go home on Monday, which will be nice, because I miss our little Cece. She's doing so great this week and has been a good girl for her grandparents.
My folks brought Cece to visit last night and we showed her pictures of Maggie. She kissed each and everyone one! She is too little to visit her in the NICU (siblings have to be 2), so I think the pictures helped her understand what is going on.
The next month is going to be hard on our family, but I think we'll be able to get through it. I just want Maggie to do well and get strong so she can come home with us as soon as she can.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We certainly feel so blessed to have your support.
Bridget, Jeff, Cece and Maggie
After another good day of recovery, I'm finally feeling better to write in the journal! I had a good night's sleep and have been able to manage through the pain today with the help of some lovely drugs and several naps. I've gotten up a few times and walked around. We visited Maggie in the NICU, but didn't get to hold her because she was undergoing light therapy (to get her billirubin levels stable).
The doctor's say that I get to go home on Monday, which will be nice, because I miss our little Cece. She's doing so great this week and has been a good girl for her grandparents.
My folks brought Cece to visit last night and we showed her pictures of Maggie. She kissed each and everyone one! She is too little to visit her in the NICU (siblings have to be 2), so I think the pictures helped her understand what is going on.
The next month is going to be hard on our family, but I think we'll be able to get through it. I just want Maggie to do well and get strong so she can come home with us as soon as she can.
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. We certainly feel so blessed to have your support.
Bridget, Jeff, Cece and Maggie
Bridet Feeling Better
Bridget continues to feel better. We both had a good night's rest and Bridget's moving around more and more. She walked to the corner of the wing we're in today (as she did yesterday). The IV came out today, too, which means there's less concern around her hemoglobin levels.
We visisted Maggie this morning. The nurses are concerned with her bilirubin levels so they had her under a bili-light. She looked like she was hanging out at the beach, complete with shades. They were also a bit concerned about a bloody stool she had. The blood could either be from the delivery or from her intestine. If it's from her intestine, that's a more serious issue. However, everything else looks normal so the nurse thought it was more likely that the blood was from the delivery. We'll know more later.
We visisted Maggie this morning. The nurses are concerned with her bilirubin levels so they had her under a bili-light. She looked like she was hanging out at the beach, complete with shades. They were also a bit concerned about a bloody stool she had. The blood could either be from the delivery or from her intestine. If it's from her intestine, that's a more serious issue. However, everything else looks normal so the nurse thought it was more likely that the blood was from the delivery. We'll know more later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)