S Starr
07-27-2008, 06:19 PM
I posted a pre-eclampsia thread a few weeks ago when my protein started to creep up. The next day July 3rd, my liver enzyme numbers zoomed up and I took an unexpected ambulance ride to a hospital an hour away with a good NICU.... From July 3rd to the 9th, we rode a roller coaster of waiting. The liver enzyme numbers actually went back down to normal, but the protein kept going up, passing 3000 by the 8th. BP kept being too high, but the doctors weren't going to deliver based just on that until they'd tried all their med options. Early morning of the 9th, though, my migraine turned into an unfamiliar headache. It didn't respond to morphine -- indicating it could well be a symptom of severe pre-eclampsia -- and the OB did a c-section late morning.
Mikaela cried at birth. (yay!) They had given me steroid shots when the protein started to rise, and probably that helped her lungs develop. She had to be on oxygen less than 24 hours, and was moved to an isolette (a graduation from the heat lamp) after just a few days. She also started taking some feedings completely by mouth rather than through a tube after a few days.
After I was released from the hospital, I moved across the street to a "guest house," a relatively cheap hotel affiliated with the hospital. I didn't go to every feeding, but 4 or 5 out of the 8 every 24 hours. I was able to breastfeed some (never a full feeding. She'd fall asleep!), and I held Mika for 60-90 minutes, skin to skin, once or twice a day.
DH came to visit several times, sometimes with DD1 (27 months). Lonely lonely! DD1 was well entertained by neighbors and friends, but still obviously missed me, whereas my new baby couldn't tell me that she cared two cents for my presence! But we made it. On day 9 after birth Mika suddenly started taking full feedings by mouth, and she was released on day 12.
Mikaela is a happy, calm little baby. She was born at 4 lbs 4.4 ounces, and passed 4 lbs 11 by last Thursday. She's eating well. One to three explosive watery poops a day, plus littler ones. To maintain her temperature, we have to keep our bedroom at 71 (hot for us!) and layer her in onesie, sleeper, hat, and 8 to 12 (!) layers of blankets! But she's healthy and alert, and so far DD1 doesn't resent her presence. (Not enthusiastic either, as you can see by the family photo...)
I wish I could have waited through mid-August with the rest of the August mamas, and had a term baby, but we're grateful for the blessings we have!
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee273/SStarr-stuffforsale/birthofnumber2wMama.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee273/SStarr-stuffforsale/Jul212008020LTL.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee273/SStarr-stuffforsale/Jul202008043LTL.jpg
Mikaela cried at birth. (yay!) They had given me steroid shots when the protein started to rise, and probably that helped her lungs develop. She had to be on oxygen less than 24 hours, and was moved to an isolette (a graduation from the heat lamp) after just a few days. She also started taking some feedings completely by mouth rather than through a tube after a few days.
After I was released from the hospital, I moved across the street to a "guest house," a relatively cheap hotel affiliated with the hospital. I didn't go to every feeding, but 4 or 5 out of the 8 every 24 hours. I was able to breastfeed some (never a full feeding. She'd fall asleep!), and I held Mika for 60-90 minutes, skin to skin, once or twice a day.
DH came to visit several times, sometimes with DD1 (27 months). Lonely lonely! DD1 was well entertained by neighbors and friends, but still obviously missed me, whereas my new baby couldn't tell me that she cared two cents for my presence! But we made it. On day 9 after birth Mika suddenly started taking full feedings by mouth, and she was released on day 12.
Mikaela is a happy, calm little baby. She was born at 4 lbs 4.4 ounces, and passed 4 lbs 11 by last Thursday. She's eating well. One to three explosive watery poops a day, plus littler ones. To maintain her temperature, we have to keep our bedroom at 71 (hot for us!) and layer her in onesie, sleeper, hat, and 8 to 12 (!) layers of blankets! But she's healthy and alert, and so far DD1 doesn't resent her presence. (Not enthusiastic either, as you can see by the family photo...)
I wish I could have waited through mid-August with the rest of the August mamas, and had a term baby, but we're grateful for the blessings we have!
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee273/SStarr-stuffforsale/birthofnumber2wMama.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee273/SStarr-stuffforsale/Jul212008020LTL.jpg
http://i229.photobucket.com/albums/ee273/SStarr-stuffforsale/Jul202008043LTL.jpg
