In my last post, I described the unexpected arrival of our little ones. I had an emergency c-section on January 3, 2011, (33 weeks) due to little Will's sudden elevated heartbeat. Both babies came out screaming, which was music to our ears! Will weighed in at 4 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 18 inches long, while Sydney was a petite 4 pounds, 1 ounce and 17 inches from head to toe.
Right away the babies were rushed off to the NICU to get checked out. We were anxious to find out what was causing Will's heart rate to skyrocket, and those first few hours were tough as we waited for the news. Finally, after a few hours in recovery, we were informed that the babies were stable enough for us to visit on our way back to my hospital room. Since I still couldn't feel my legs, my bed was wheeled right into the NICU so I could get a glimpse of my babies. It was a scary time, since my babies were so very tiny and red and hooked up to so many machines. The doctor explained to us that it had taken about two hours for Will's heart rate to begin to normalize, and that they could find no obvious reason for him to have been in so much distress. They would perform more tests in the next few days to be sure no heart problem existed. In the meantime, both babies were hooked up to various machines, IVs, and monitors to help them breathe, eat, maintain their body temperature, and keep an eye on their vital signs.
Both babies have made amazing progress since that first scary night!
Sydney Claire
Although she was the smaller of the two babies, Sydney has been the more mature as far as development is concerned. Her breathing was supported as a precaution the first night she arrived, but after that it was all removed and she is doing fine breathing room air. She is fed breast milk mostly via gavage (a tiny tube running up her nose and down into her tummy) but has been making tons of progress with the bottle, and has gained four ounces in the past few days alone! We were able to hold her several days last week, but unfortunately her IV site that was originally in her little foot got swollen, and the doctors were unable to find another good site. Instead, they had to thread one through her umbilical cord this past Friday, and we are not allowed to hold her anymore until the umbilical line is removed. However, since she is eating so well this should happen in the next day or so, and then we can hold her again and begin breast feeding! As soon as our little girl is able to eat enough to stop the gavage feeds and gain weight, she will be able to come home with us.
William Lawrence
Little Will has also come a long way since his birthday. Since his lungs were not as mature as Sydney's, he needed the help of a ventilator to breathe for several days. However, as of Monday morning he has been off all breathing support and is doing great on room air! Will wasn't fed any milk for the first five days or so, but has just begun taking gavage feeds and is also working on the bottle. He is making up for lost time...apparently he was super hungry all those days on an empty tummy! Since he is doing so well with eating he should also begin to pack on the ounces in the next few days. Will also has an umbilical line and was very easily overstimulated when he was born, so we have not been able to hold him yet, although we are able to feed and bathe him in his little bed. But just like his sister, his umbilical line should be removed soon and Mommy and Daddy can make up for lost time :) As soon as Will is able to eat enough without relying on gavage feeds, he will be able to come home as well. Eat up, buddy!
I am now crying. Literally tears are rolling down my cheeks. Your babies are such miracles. Can you believe how strong they are? The NICU is such a roller coaster ride. Two steps forward and then one step back. But because of the time they will spend there, you will never take one moment- one developmental milestone- for granted. Because you know how hard your babies have fought since day one.
ReplyDeleteSteph,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you all! They are absolutely and without a doubt, two gorgeous little angels! This road is rough and scary. It's frustrating and seems so long. But they are growing stronger every day and surrounded with love. Sydney and Will have been blessed with one amazing mommy!
Congrats!
Oh, Stephanie...your babies are beautiful!! What little fighers! You all are in my thoughts and prayers! Keep the updates coming ... I'm sure it will be amazing how fast they grow and develop!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your two miracles. They are adorable. I will be praying for fast weight gain so they can both go home.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless you all.