Richie-Roo!
Baby Sylvia :)
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Getting So Close!
I can hardly believe that it's been THREE weeks since Richie was born! I know that time will continue to fly and that we will blink and he will be starting Kindergarten. It will come way too fast. But, while we're in special care and the weeks are going by fast, the days are still very long. It's a strange thing - the days are as long as can be, but the time is going fast collectively.
Richie continues to do well - he is up a pound over his birth weight - 5 pounds 10 ounces! He moved to queue-based feedings, which means he gets fed when he acts like he's interested in eating. This is a great step towards coming home! However, it does mean that he is no longer on a set schedule, which makes it harder to run home or rest in between feedings, since we don't know exactly when they'll be. But that's ok, since it won't be for much longer now.
We were hoping that he would be able to come home tomorrow, but since he had one spell on Monday, he has to be spell-free for one week before they'll take him off the monitors. So, Monday will be the earliest he can come home. It's annoying, since the reason they're keeping him longer isn't even a real issue for him. I think the "spell" he had was more of a fluke and not a real concern - even the Doctor wasn't concerned about it and was a little mad that it had even been documented. He hadn't had any issues before it and he's had nothing since. I know that two days isn't that long to wait, but this last stretch is the hardest, since I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but can't speed up the ride.
We'll make it through this - we're almost there!
Richie continues to do well - he is up a pound over his birth weight - 5 pounds 10 ounces! He moved to queue-based feedings, which means he gets fed when he acts like he's interested in eating. This is a great step towards coming home! However, it does mean that he is no longer on a set schedule, which makes it harder to run home or rest in between feedings, since we don't know exactly when they'll be. But that's ok, since it won't be for much longer now.
We were hoping that he would be able to come home tomorrow, but since he had one spell on Monday, he has to be spell-free for one week before they'll take him off the monitors. So, Monday will be the earliest he can come home. It's annoying, since the reason they're keeping him longer isn't even a real issue for him. I think the "spell" he had was more of a fluke and not a real concern - even the Doctor wasn't concerned about it and was a little mad that it had even been documented. He hadn't had any issues before it and he's had nothing since. I know that two days isn't that long to wait, but this last stretch is the hardest, since I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, but can't speed up the ride.
We'll make it through this - we're almost there!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Help Keep Richie Healthy
I am posting about a very important matter: RSV. For those of you who plan to visit us over the next few months, and even if you are not, please take a few minutes to read this.
I want to start by saying that we are experiencing the biggest challenge of our lives, and we’re lucky to be surrounded by so many family members and friends who have shown us so much love and support.
We’d also like to share an important topic that we recently discussed with our baby's pediatrician. If you are not aware of RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, you are among the majority. Most people have not heard of RSV, even though nearly every child has had the virus by age two. For full-term babies, RSV typically is not any worse than a common cold, but for preemies, the virus can be quite different. Babies born earlier than 36 weeks are at the highest risk for serious complications like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other sometimes fatal complications.
Our baby was born premature and had a low birth weight; these are among the highest risk factors for contracting RSV and developing serious complications. This website offers a great visual comparison of a preemie’s lungs compared to the lungs of a full-term baby: http://www.preemiecare.org/LungsTrees03-4.pdf
Preventing the spread of RSV is very difficult. Thus, we must be vigilant about keeping our child safe during RSV season (October through April). The virus is spread through physical contact, in the air via a cough or sneeze, or by touching an infected object. The virus can live as long as six hours on hands and up to twelve hours on objects, and it spreads very easily, especially from child to child. Studies have also shown that infants pose an even higher risk of spreading RSV to others.
You may ask, “Can’t they fight it off and build up their immune system? Kids need to get sick, right?” The simple answer is NO. Since our baby was pre-term, he did not acquire the necessary immunities to fight off infection. If he contracts RSV, he could be hospitalized and develop serious complications.
We’ll be asking our visitors to follow a few guidelines to help prevent the baby from contracting RSV or any other illness.
We ask that all visitors do the following:
1. When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the baby.
2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.
3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothing and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure.
5. If you are parents to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season.
Unfortunately we will not be attending many events during RSV season. Our goal is to make it through this and the next RSV seasons without the baby contracting RSV or any other serious illness. His lungs are still very fragile until he is 2-years-old.
Please understand that this post is not meant to offend anyone, just simply to provide an explanation. We hope you understand, and we appreciate your help keeping our baby safe.
Here are several resources with additional information about RSV below.
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv_resourceshtm.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsvfaq.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv2.htm
http://www.mostonline.org/preemieBB/viewforum.php?f=82
Love and best wishes to all!
I want to start by saying that we are experiencing the biggest challenge of our lives, and we’re lucky to be surrounded by so many family members and friends who have shown us so much love and support.
We’d also like to share an important topic that we recently discussed with our baby's pediatrician. If you are not aware of RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, you are among the majority. Most people have not heard of RSV, even though nearly every child has had the virus by age two. For full-term babies, RSV typically is not any worse than a common cold, but for preemies, the virus can be quite different. Babies born earlier than 36 weeks are at the highest risk for serious complications like pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and other sometimes fatal complications.
Our baby was born premature and had a low birth weight; these are among the highest risk factors for contracting RSV and developing serious complications. This website offers a great visual comparison of a preemie’s lungs compared to the lungs of a full-term baby: http://www.preemiecare.org/LungsTrees03-4.pdf
Preventing the spread of RSV is very difficult. Thus, we must be vigilant about keeping our child safe during RSV season (October through April). The virus is spread through physical contact, in the air via a cough or sneeze, or by touching an infected object. The virus can live as long as six hours on hands and up to twelve hours on objects, and it spreads very easily, especially from child to child. Studies have also shown that infants pose an even higher risk of spreading RSV to others.
You may ask, “Can’t they fight it off and build up their immune system? Kids need to get sick, right?” The simple answer is NO. Since our baby was pre-term, he did not acquire the necessary immunities to fight off infection. If he contracts RSV, he could be hospitalized and develop serious complications.
We’ll be asking our visitors to follow a few guidelines to help prevent the baby from contracting RSV or any other illness.
We ask that all visitors do the following:
1. When you arrive, please wash your hands and use hand-sanitizer as needed before touching the baby.
2. Please, if it is possible, get a flu shot.
3. Please refrain from coming over if you are currently sick and have not been symptom-free for at least 5 days, if you live with someone who is sick, or have been in close contact with someone who is sick.
4. If you smoke, we ask that you change your clothing and refrain from smoking prior to visiting, as a preemie’s lungs are very sensitive to smoke. Most RSV sites recommend against passive smoke exposure.
5. If you are parents to a baby or toddler, please refrain from bringing them to our house during RSV season.
Unfortunately we will not be attending many events during RSV season. Our goal is to make it through this and the next RSV seasons without the baby contracting RSV or any other serious illness. His lungs are still very fragile until he is 2-years-old.
Please understand that this post is not meant to offend anyone, just simply to provide an explanation. We hope you understand, and we appreciate your help keeping our baby safe.
Here are several resources with additional information about RSV below.
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv_resourceshtm.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsvfaq.htm
http://www.preemiecare.org/rsv2.htm
http://www.mostonline.org/preemieBB/viewforum.php?f=82
Love and best wishes to all!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Updates!
Richie is doing so well!!! We're on day 17 in the Special Care Nursery - he is just a few steps away from getting to come home. I don't know how long they will take, but at least we're on the way! He is in the "annex" of the SCN, which only has 3 babies in it and they're all babies who are stable and considered "feeders and growers". Richie is right in there, gaining over an ounce a day and eating like a champ!
He has started taking bottles. We just made the decision to start those last night, since his nursing has been going so well. He took 36 ml (out of 44) during his first bottle and 44 (out of 44!) from his second bottle! Great job, Richie! He only took 16 from me today and then another 28 from a bottle. So, he's on his way. It may mean a set-back on breastfeeding, but if it means he can come home earlier then it's completely worth it. We can always work on breastfeeding some more at home.
After he masters feeding (and he's on his way!), he will need to pass his car seat test in order to go home. I think it's mainly to make sure he can be in his car seat with no problems - and then he can also come off of all his monitoring wires. He will also get a hearing test before he leaves the hospital.
So, hopefully he will come home soon! The Dr. said yesterday that it would probably be 3 more weeks, but with all this progress, I sincerely doubt it will be that long. I told Fred yesterday that my gut feeling was 10 more days. That would put us at 3 weeks total in the NICU.
I think I also forgot to give this update: since my birth canal was so narrow for even my 4 1/2 pound baby, I'll most likely have to have a c-section next time. AND because of my preterm labor, I'll have to get weekly progesterone shots starting at 16 weeks to keep the next baby cooking for as long as possible. I'm guessing this will all also make me high-risk for next baby. I wonder if that means more ultrasounds to see the peanut? I guess we'll have to wait (for a long time - that's for sure) to find out!
He has started taking bottles. We just made the decision to start those last night, since his nursing has been going so well. He took 36 ml (out of 44) during his first bottle and 44 (out of 44!) from his second bottle! Great job, Richie! He only took 16 from me today and then another 28 from a bottle. So, he's on his way. It may mean a set-back on breastfeeding, but if it means he can come home earlier then it's completely worth it. We can always work on breastfeeding some more at home.
After he masters feeding (and he's on his way!), he will need to pass his car seat test in order to go home. I think it's mainly to make sure he can be in his car seat with no problems - and then he can also come off of all his monitoring wires. He will also get a hearing test before he leaves the hospital.
So, hopefully he will come home soon! The Dr. said yesterday that it would probably be 3 more weeks, but with all this progress, I sincerely doubt it will be that long. I told Fred yesterday that my gut feeling was 10 more days. That would put us at 3 weeks total in the NICU.
I think I also forgot to give this update: since my birth canal was so narrow for even my 4 1/2 pound baby, I'll most likely have to have a c-section next time. AND because of my preterm labor, I'll have to get weekly progesterone shots starting at 16 weeks to keep the next baby cooking for as long as possible. I'm guessing this will all also make me high-risk for next baby. I wonder if that means more ultrasounds to see the peanut? I guess we'll have to wait (for a long time - that's for sure) to find out!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Birth Story Part 4
An epidural really is the best way to go, I think. However, my epidural was a bit uneven. I couldn't feel my right side at all, but my left side was only mostly numb. So, I did feel when there was pressure to push, which was actually helpful for when the time came to get him out.
The Dr. came in and said that it was time to start. So at about 1:45, we began the process of getting Richie into the world! My contractions were coming every couple of minutes, but I needed Florence to help me feel my abdomen to make sure that it was really happening, since I couldn't feel them. They say that you forget labor/birth, but I remember every single thing. I think it's because I wasn't in a lot of pain. Maybe if you go all natural you forget so that you're willing to do it again? I'm not sure. And pushing sure makes you tired! I hated not being able to breathe while I was bearing down (is that what they call it?) and I totally wanted to take a nap in between pushes.
I have no idea how long this went on, but eventually his head was right there! They had me feel the top of it and it was really weird. It was firm and slimy and just weird. :) And then he stayed put. Every push got him a smidge closer, but not by much. Turns out that he was sunny-side up and tilted to the side a bit, which makes it a lot harder for babies to come out. And they couldn't use a vacuum or a forceps (thank goodness) because hew as so little. So we just kept trying. I also had to get an episiotomy, which thankfully I didn't feel. The baby started to be in distress towards the end and they threatened to give me a c-section. One of the special care nurses had me do a trick with a towel - she held on to the end of it and I held on to the other end and had to try and pull it away from her. It worked! With that push, out came little Richmond!
He didn't cry right away and I'm pretty sure his apgars started out really low, but he did look all around at everything! They wrapped him up and put a little hat on his egg-shaped head and I got to hold him for about 2 minutes before they whisked him away to the special care nursery. He's been there now for 10 days, which is crazy to me! The days are so long, yet time is going so fast. I'm on my own this week, since Fred is going back to work until he comes home. Wish me luck!
The Dr. came in and said that it was time to start. So at about 1:45, we began the process of getting Richie into the world! My contractions were coming every couple of minutes, but I needed Florence to help me feel my abdomen to make sure that it was really happening, since I couldn't feel them. They say that you forget labor/birth, but I remember every single thing. I think it's because I wasn't in a lot of pain. Maybe if you go all natural you forget so that you're willing to do it again? I'm not sure. And pushing sure makes you tired! I hated not being able to breathe while I was bearing down (is that what they call it?) and I totally wanted to take a nap in between pushes.
I have no idea how long this went on, but eventually his head was right there! They had me feel the top of it and it was really weird. It was firm and slimy and just weird. :) And then he stayed put. Every push got him a smidge closer, but not by much. Turns out that he was sunny-side up and tilted to the side a bit, which makes it a lot harder for babies to come out. And they couldn't use a vacuum or a forceps (thank goodness) because hew as so little. So we just kept trying. I also had to get an episiotomy, which thankfully I didn't feel. The baby started to be in distress towards the end and they threatened to give me a c-section. One of the special care nurses had me do a trick with a towel - she held on to the end of it and I held on to the other end and had to try and pull it away from her. It worked! With that push, out came little Richmond!
He didn't cry right away and I'm pretty sure his apgars started out really low, but he did look all around at everything! They wrapped him up and put a little hat on his egg-shaped head and I got to hold him for about 2 minutes before they whisked him away to the special care nursery. He's been there now for 10 days, which is crazy to me! The days are so long, yet time is going so fast. I'm on my own this week, since Fred is going back to work until he comes home. Wish me luck!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Birth Story Part 3
Picture it: September 4th, 8 am - I was just told I was going to have a baby THAT DAY! Fred and I were totally shocked and unprepared, but knew this was it! After that, they decided I could have my epidural at any time. So, I said "Yes, please" and we waited for the anesthesiologist. He came at around 10 am and we got it started. I would say that I was not a fan of getting the epidural, but was a fan of what it did! I am also not good at getting them - I'm too jumpy! They have you sit on the edge of the bed and curl your back towards them. And then they poke you to numb the area. Then they tell you that you have to be REALLY still in order for them to put the needle in. I kept jumping every time that they poked me and I got yelled at a little bit. But I was trying to be still!!!
Finally, they got it in. And then it was relief! I could actually sleep! I took a little nap and it was glorious. I even was allowed to lay on my back, which I hadn't done in weeks. My Dr. came and checked me and I was 8 cm and 100% - so they broke my water. I think this was at about noon or 12:30. His head dropped really quickly, too. They decided they would re-check me at 1:30. The nurse (Florence) came in at 1:30 and found that I was ready - 10 CM!!!!!!! Gah!
The Dr. came in at about 1:45 and we got ready to meet our baby.
To be continued...
Finally, they got it in. And then it was relief! I could actually sleep! I took a little nap and it was glorious. I even was allowed to lay on my back, which I hadn't done in weeks. My Dr. came and checked me and I was 8 cm and 100% - so they broke my water. I think this was at about noon or 12:30. His head dropped really quickly, too. They decided they would re-check me at 1:30. The nurse (Florence) came in at 1:30 and found that I was ready - 10 CM!!!!!!! Gah!
The Dr. came in at about 1:45 and we got ready to meet our baby.
To be continued...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Birth Story Part 2
Ok, so where was I? Oh yes, I had just been admitted so that they could stop the contractions. I was not prepared to stay overnight in the hospital - again, totally thought they would just give me some meds and send me on my merry way back to bed rest. This was also the the first time I've ever stayed overnight in a hospital, so that was also interesting. So, they sent me over to a Labor and Delivery room and started me on an IV with fluids. I received a medication (can't even remember what it was) that I took orally every 20 minutes for the first hour. They did a Group B Strep test, but started me on penicillin anyway, which is standard procedure for an unknown Group B Strep status. Man, when they added the penicillin to my IV it HURT SO BAD. My whole hand and wrist just burned. It hurt just as much as the contractions! So, that part sucked. And they gave me more every 4 hours, for 24 hours. I never learned what the Group B status was - my guess is that it was negative and they didn't want to tell me for fear of pissing me off.
They expected the pills to start working immediately. They didn't. So, they continued to give them to me every 6 hours. The night was pretty long. I had contractions about every 5 minutes. They varied in intensity - some were mild and some weren't. I felt some in the front, but I felt most of them in my back. The baby looked good throughout this, which Fred and I think is because he was happy he was going to be breaking free soon :)
Sometime in the middle of the night, the contractions started getting worse. I felt them in my back so much. I kept waking Fred up to come and rub my back. He wasn't very good at it because he was so sleepy! The nurse checked me in the middle of the night and I was still only 3-4 cm. I got more drugs early the next morning and they still didn't do anything! At 8 am, the Dr. came in to talk to us. She said that she had checked with the Neonatalogist and they had decided that because I had had the steroid shots 2 1/2 weeks earlier and because the meds weren't working, they were just going to let me go. (At first I had the silly thought that they meant I could go home! It quickly dawned on me that was NOT what they meant. I hadn't slept, obviously.)
The Dr. did a quick check and I had progessed to 5 cm! So, the fun began - I was definitely having that baby that day! Yikes!
To be continued...
They expected the pills to start working immediately. They didn't. So, they continued to give them to me every 6 hours. The night was pretty long. I had contractions about every 5 minutes. They varied in intensity - some were mild and some weren't. I felt some in the front, but I felt most of them in my back. The baby looked good throughout this, which Fred and I think is because he was happy he was going to be breaking free soon :)
Sometime in the middle of the night, the contractions started getting worse. I felt them in my back so much. I kept waking Fred up to come and rub my back. He wasn't very good at it because he was so sleepy! The nurse checked me in the middle of the night and I was still only 3-4 cm. I got more drugs early the next morning and they still didn't do anything! At 8 am, the Dr. came in to talk to us. She said that she had checked with the Neonatalogist and they had decided that because I had had the steroid shots 2 1/2 weeks earlier and because the meds weren't working, they were just going to let me go. (At first I had the silly thought that they meant I could go home! It quickly dawned on me that was NOT what they meant. I hadn't slept, obviously.)
The Dr. did a quick check and I had progessed to 5 cm! So, the fun began - I was definitely having that baby that day! Yikes!
To be continued...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Welcome Richmond! Birth Story Part 1
Richmond Julian Williams - Born 9/4/09 - 4 pounds, 10 ounces - 17 1/4 inches - 2:51 pm
So, Richie just could not wait! Here's what happened: I had gone in on Monday for an appointment and like I said below, I had not progressed. I was told to watch out for contractions that were more than 5 in one hour. On Thursday around 9 am, I had some bloody mucous. Then the contractions started. There were more than 5 an hour, but they weren't too painful, but I called anyway. They told me to watch them for the next couple of hours and see if they got worse or at least didn't change. They didn't get any better, so I called and let them know and they told me to come on in. Fred booked it home and we headed to labor and delivery (again!).
I seriously thought that they would just give me meds and send me home. They gave me a terbutaline shot to stop the contractions and then checked me. I had progressed to 3-4 cm and 85% effacement and they could feel a bulging bag of water. Soooooo, they admitted me with the intention of stopping my contractions.
To be continued... (we have to go see Richie in the Special Care Unit :) )
So, Richie just could not wait! Here's what happened: I had gone in on Monday for an appointment and like I said below, I had not progressed. I was told to watch out for contractions that were more than 5 in one hour. On Thursday around 9 am, I had some bloody mucous. Then the contractions started. There were more than 5 an hour, but they weren't too painful, but I called anyway. They told me to watch them for the next couple of hours and see if they got worse or at least didn't change. They didn't get any better, so I called and let them know and they told me to come on in. Fred booked it home and we headed to labor and delivery (again!).
I seriously thought that they would just give me meds and send me home. They gave me a terbutaline shot to stop the contractions and then checked me. I had progressed to 3-4 cm and 85% effacement and they could feel a bulging bag of water. Soooooo, they admitted me with the intention of stopping my contractions.
To be continued... (we have to go see Richie in the Special Care Unit :) )
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Bed Rest Extended
Boo! The fetal fibronectin came back positive. Not surprising, but still disappointing. I was really hoping that I would be able to go back to a regular life! So, I continue what I've been doing for the past 2 weeks. Sigh.
Blah
The lab wasn't able to get a result from my fetal fibronectin swab for no good reason. So now I have to go back today to get the swab re-done. Boo.
32 Week Update
Note: Still no update on my fetal fibronectin results yet!
How far along? 32 Weeks, 1 Day
Total weight gain/loss: 22 pounds gained - lost 3 pounds according to my Dr.'s scale. Pretty surprising, considering I snack all day and I'm more sedentary than I've EVER been.
Maternity clothes? Comfies still - mostly maternity pants, but then I just wear huge t-shirts.
Stretch marks? Sadly, I've found about 4 small ones on each hip. They're not long, but they're there.
Sleep: I wake up every time I switch sides, and if I lay on one side too much it is so sore!
Best moment this week: How active he's been!
Movement: He's been very active this week - I keep playing the game "What Body Part is This?"
Food cravings: I want chocolate ice cream with powdered sugar. I have the ice cream, but I've been trying to resist the sugar, since I know it's not good for me.
Gender: Boy! :)
Labor Signs: Still on bed rest for pre-term labor possibility. I've been having contractions regularly, but I haven't progressed in the last two weeks.
Belly Button in or out? Still in, for now.
What I miss: Going to Target, doing normal stuff.
What I am looking forward to: Getting the results of my most recent fetal fibronectin swab.
Weekly Wisdom: Scour the internet for good deals on your baby wants - we found our travel system for a lot cheaper than at BRU!
Milestones: First one - making it to 32 weeks! This means I can deliver at my regular hospital. Second one - reserving a day care spot for Richie!
How far along? 32 Weeks, 1 Day
Total weight gain/loss: 22 pounds gained - lost 3 pounds according to my Dr.'s scale. Pretty surprising, considering I snack all day and I'm more sedentary than I've EVER been.
Maternity clothes? Comfies still - mostly maternity pants, but then I just wear huge t-shirts.
Stretch marks? Sadly, I've found about 4 small ones on each hip. They're not long, but they're there.
Sleep: I wake up every time I switch sides, and if I lay on one side too much it is so sore!
Best moment this week: How active he's been!
Movement: He's been very active this week - I keep playing the game "What Body Part is This?"
Food cravings: I want chocolate ice cream with powdered sugar. I have the ice cream, but I've been trying to resist the sugar, since I know it's not good for me.
Gender: Boy! :)
Labor Signs: Still on bed rest for pre-term labor possibility. I've been having contractions regularly, but I haven't progressed in the last two weeks.
Belly Button in or out? Still in, for now.
What I miss: Going to Target, doing normal stuff.
What I am looking forward to: Getting the results of my most recent fetal fibronectin swab.
Weekly Wisdom: Scour the internet for good deals on your baby wants - we found our travel system for a lot cheaper than at BRU!
Milestones: First one - making it to 32 weeks! This means I can deliver at my regular hospital. Second one - reserving a day care spot for Richie!
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