Monday, February 23, 2009

The Twin's Progress

2/23/09 - 34w5d

I was discharged from the hospital on Friday. The nurses said I could stay until Saturday but I was ready to be home. Dean and Samuel will be in NICU for a few weeks. The NICU doctor and nurses really couldn't say when they would be released but said the twins would need to hit certain milestones before they could go home.

They need to be able to regulate their own temperature in an open crib, have consistent weight gain, take feedings by mouth and have no apnea or bradycardia.

Day 1, Tue Feb 17: Dean and Samuel checked into NICU and set up residence in their isolettes. Thankfully, the boys can breath on their own so they did not need medical assistance. That is a big plus. Since Dean had ingested blood from the abruption, he had a tube in his mouth to remove it from his stomach. Samuel also had a tube in his mouth but luckily, did not have a placenta cocktail during delivery. Proud grandparents, Gary and Winnia and Aunt Rhonda came to visit.

Day 2 Wed Feb 18: I was able to get out of the hospital bed and shuffle to NICU. I did kangaroo care with Dean and it was the first time I held him. Dean pretty much got all the blood out of his system, thank goodness.

Day 3 Thu Feb 19: Dean and Samuel started their phototherapy for jaundice. They got their first superhero masks to help protect their eyes from the ultraviolet light. Gavage tubes were placed in their noses which goes down to their stomach. This acts as an air vent when they are breathing fast, is used for feedings when they cannot suck and is used to check the contents of their stomach. Dean and Samuel got more visitors today. June and Koehler came to see them.

Day 4 Fri Feb 20: The boys were moved to a part of NICU called big stepdown. I think this is supposed to be a good move out of regular NICU. Both were still on the phototherapy. We bottle fed them for the first time. I had been expressing milk since the first day but did not strike gold until late on the third day. Whatever the boys did not take from the bottle in 30 minutes, would be fed through gavage. The suck reflex for preemies usually comes at 34-35 weeks gestation but may not have the swallow reflex. If they get the suck-swallow, they may not manage to coordinate breathing along with it. Usually this comes about 36 weeks. I tried to feed Sam and just watching him struggle with the bottle made me cry. He just looked so fragile and tired. Like an old man. He's my Samuel Button.

Day 5 Sat Feb 21: Sam weighs 4 lbs 4 oz and Sam weighs 3 lbs 2 oz. I got to give Dean and Sam a bath! I was so nervous but nurse Chris helped me get through it. I think I was more traumatized then the babies were being cold and wet. Just being with them warms and breaks my heart at the same time. I love these critters to bits and it makes me so sad that I cannot be with them 24/7. But they need to get stronger and they are getting great care. That's what I have to keep telling myself.

Day 6 Sun Feb 22: The boys were moved to another room in NICU. They seem to be getting the full tour. I kangaroo'd Dean and tried to feed him 25 cc of milk but he would not take it so ended up getting it fed via gavage. Rod kangaroo'd Sam but with a pinched nerve that has been pretty debilitating, he could not hold Sam for long. Rod fed Sam 18 cc and he downed it in 10 minutes which is awesome. Dean is back up to his birth weight at 4 lbs 6 oz. Sam is at 3 lbs 6 oz.

Day 7 Mon Feb 23: There has not been any change in their progress. I tried to feed Dean again. They took him off IV and increased his feeding to 30cc. He only took about 5 cc. I try not to be too discouraged but it seems they feed better in the daytime than at night. Same thing with Sam who only took about 10 cc of his 18.

They will be a week old tomorrow. I can't believe that much time has already passed. I am hoping that this next week brings even bigger strides and that the boys can hit their goals.

3 comments:

Sarah said...

Sounds like they are doing better everyday, Thao. :o) Catherine was in NICU for only 4 days but couldn't take the bottle until the 3rd day and had to take it by tube until then. It is frustrating, I know. But they'll get it down..! I'm glad you can take the time to post.

Kari @ A Giveaway Addicted Mommy said...

How wonderful that everyone is doing so well! Thank you so much for sharing the stories and photos - The one with the hand next to Sam (i think?) really showed just how tiny they are! They look so good though!! You are so blessed.

I felt like I was right there with you as you went through the drama that unfolded on the days prior to delivery. That was an eventful few days! The picture of you on the table in your stylish hair cap reminded me of the 3 I have of me in that same beautiful head piece. You look great!

Take this time to rest and get ready for these beautiful boys who will soon be filling your home with lots of love (and dirty diapers, bottles, burp cloths....)

Much love
-Kari

Craving Cinnabon said...

I wish you well on your recovery and hope you get your boys as soon as possible! And congrats on being a mommy!