Anastasia's growth this week:
Weight: 2065 Grams!! (Was 1880 Grams)
Length: 44 Centimeters (Was 42 Centimeters)
Age: 10 weeks old (Should be 37 weeks gestation)
Friday
Today was a sick day in the house. Everyone had a stomach bug (but Rory), which makes me think it was something the 3 of us ate, since he didn't get it. Char had it the worse and somehow managed to push through work. (Someone's got to pay the bills). This resulted in us being unable to visit our little lady.
Today Anastasia got her 2 month immunizations and a special shot called Synagis. This helps prevent RSV (even though the season is nearly over, tiny preemies like Anastasia are at risk year round). They tend to give it when you are closer to going home. Yeah!
Saturday
Today the Nurse Practitioner called with good news. Anastasia took 65% of her feeding by mouth! She tolerated her shots well. She's finally in the 50% percentile in weight for 37 weeks gestation. She said at this rate Anastasia could be home in a week.Now that's a guesstimate, but a good one!! Happy Dance!
We got a new car seat for Rory so Anastasia can have his. Now Anastasia can do the car seat test (another step to going home). We also got her a sweet girly bassinet that we've been saving up for. Our plan is that she can sleep in our room for awhile, that way we can monitor her alarms and oxygen tank.
We had a fun family outing to the store. It'll be awhile before the whole family can hang out like that again. I guess we're just starting to really get ready for Anastasia to finally come home. I know it could be longer than a week, but it's exciting to think about and plan for.
Moment of honesty here. I'm worried and excited about her coming home. I'm worried I won't have doctors on hand 24/7. I fear she won't eat for me and lose weight. I'm nervous she'll get sick and end up back at the hospital. I worry that I'll forget everything I've learned being a mom.
Sunday
I just found out that Anastasia has taken a sudden turn for the worst. Her heart has gone into asystole (meaning her heart stopped beating and flat lined) 4 times over night. So far the nurses just had to wake her up, flick her feet to help stimulate her heart again. We're waiting for the doctor to see her to get some ideas as to why this is happening.
This is called the NICU roller coaster. You go up, like yesterday where we were planning on her coming home soon and getting everything ready. Then down, to where the baby's heart stops for no apparent reason and you think I could have lost my baby girl while I was sleeping.Char says it's a good thing this happened at a hospital instead of at home. We might not have noticed her heart stopped.
Oh this is scary. I want to wake up Char but he just feel asleep after a 12 hour shift.
Monday
How can I put into words the anguish and relief we've gone through over the last 24 hours? Guess I'll start where I left off.
Char woke up from his nap yesterday morning to me freaking out about Anastasia's heart. I just had to be with my baby girl. He called into work and let his family know what was going on. This was my first real meltdown since she was born, (I think that worried Char). His parents offered to have the big kids spend the night with them. That allowed us to spend the night in the hospital's guest house in case she had another episode. We packed for 4 people in less than 15 minutes, then loaded up the car and headed out. It was a whirlwind of activity.
We all drove down to the hospital with the plan of meeting Char's folks there. We got there first and I told Char to head back with Anastasia (since he's a nurse as well as Daddy) and I'd stay with the kids. Char sent me pictures and text updates while I was in the waiting room, later the cafeteria since the kids were hungry. Which is where we meet up with Char's folks.
We went back to go visit little Anastasia. They had run an ECG but couldn't get a neonatal cardiologist to read the results. However, she didn't have any more episodes. Char and his dad gave Anastasia a blessing. Then his dad got to hold her for a bit. Before they left his mom came back to see her too. They haven't seen her since a day or two after she was born. Can you believe she's doubled in weight since they last saw her?
I held my little girl, feeling a sense of relief. I just held her, waited for answers, and knew that should something happen she wouldn't be alone. Anastasia probably doesn't think she is or even feels alone. After all, she is surrounded by other babies and at least 2 nurses constantly there. But it gave me some peace of mind if nothing else.
After a few hours of holding her we needed to check in for the night. I found it funny we had to check in through the ER. Here are all these sick people and we're trying to get a place to sleep for the night. We checked into our room, which was tons nicer then I expected. We grabbed some dinner and went back to see Anastasia. We stayed until nearly 10 at night.
We got up at 5:30 (hoping some answers came while we slept). Quickly got ready and went to the hospital, which was only 100 yards away. Much, much closer then a 90 minute drive. The nurses had changed all the lines connecting to the monitor in case it was a reading error. However, when Char held her the Asystole alarm went off. Everything else was fine but the monitor was showing a few seconds of a flat line, then it went away on it's own. He promptly gave her to me for cuddles. I feed and held her until it was time for rounds.
They still hadn't found a cardiologist at that time. But she does have an apnea (stops breathing) and bradycardia (her heart rate gets very low). Which is a normal preemie problem that she needs to control before she can come home. Or could be a big sign of acid reflex. Char asked if we could give her anti-acids to which the doctors said no to.
Our nurse brought up her minor episode she had earlier in the morning. Now everyone is starting to wonder if the monitor itself has a glitch. Which is what I'm hoping for, I'd rather there be a bug in the system then a problem with her heart.
Tuesday
I just got another phone call. More bad news, ( I'm starting to believe the old adage of "No news is good news"). Her eyes and heart are having issues. Let's start with her little eyes.
Anastasia now has Stage 1 ROP, Retiopathy of Prematurity. (Heard of a guy named Stevie Wonder? Well he went blind from ROP). Anastasia's isn't that bad but it means she'll need glasses. Now we have to monitor her closely from now on. To let you know how quickly this can turn to blindness, if you miss an eye appointment they will call CPS on you.
She's still having heart issues. They have run ECHO cardiograms, ECG, and blood tests. Something electrical is off but they can't put their finger on it. They know she has a severe case of acid reflex. But more tests are needed at this point.
Wednesday
This morning I slept right through my alarm! Char suddenly woke up at 6:15, woke me up and asked if I was still going down to visit or if I was feeling sick. To which I replied "Crap!!" I don't think I've gotten ready faster in my life. By 6:25 I was on the road and grateful the car had enough gas.
Once I got there I starting doing her cares I noticed she was having retractions (which is a sign of severe breathing troubles). I asked the nurse how long she's been having them. The nurse said Anastasia didn't have retractions. I showed her and she replied "Well, she didn't have them earlier."
The nurse grabbed the APRN and the whole scenario repeated itself. By this time Anastasia's retractions had worsened and now her respirations had increased (another sign of breathing problems). They kept saying "Well, her O2 levels are fine." I kept insisting there was a huge issue going on and wanted a chest X-ray. They resisted because of the radiation on her little body. Meanwhile her breathing got faster and retractions got worse.
I attended rounds and brought the issue up in front of the whole care team. The doctor agreed with me and ordered a chest X-ray. The results showed that she had aspirated on her acid reflex. Now we get to wait and pray that she doesn't get aspiration pneumonia.
We have been asking for anti-acid medication for weeks now. We believed it was the cause of her heart issues but the doctors pushed back. Now that a cardiologist thinks she's suffering from severe acid reflex AND she's aspirated they've put her on anti-acids (Prilosec). Hopefully, this will help her bradycardia. Which is what we wanted back on Monday.
The doctors decided to put Anastasia on an Ad Lib trail. Ad Lib is where they let the baby eat whenever, however much they want. There is a slight catch, if she doesn't eat at least 143 mls (4.83 ounces) in a 12 hour period they will have to put the rest in a feeding tube.
Early in the afternoon I noticed Anastasia was wiggling a little bit (which is an odd behavior),I told the nurse I was feeding her, to which she said she was swamped with the new admin and asked that I wait. Soon after Anastasia's heart rate shot up to the high 170's, She wasn't crying but I knew this wasn't right.I got help from a tech to warm up her bottle (they have special machines I don't know how to operate). I told the nurse again that I was going to feed her. She asked that I wait just a little longer, but too late. I was already feeding her. Right away her heart rate slowed, she stopped her weird wiggling and guzzled 55 mls (almost 2 ounces).
I felt like Super Mom today. I'm really getting to know when something is wrong with my new baby girl, which helps me feel better about her coming home. I can tell when things are off with her. That's so empowering.
Thursday
Char thinks the NICU staff were dropping hints that Anastasia is coming home soon. Here are some examples:
--The dietitian wrote down the formula recipe on a can of formula. She also switched brands to a type that is easier to find in stores. It's made just for preemie babies (and is expensive).
--While preparing Anastasia's formula mixture for the day the nurse had me come over and watch how she follows the recipe. Then told me we'd be going home with this can. It's a tiny little container of formula!! I didn't believe her but Char does.
--The APRN reminded me that if we miss an eye appointment, CPS gets called. Which I thought was a random thing to bring up. Seriously, out of the blue she said that.
--She also reminded me that Anastasia will need to see the Primary Children's cardiologist SOON after discharge.
--Everyone keeps saying to bring in the car seat for the car seat test. I finally did but the charge nurse wants it super sanitized. I swear it could be autoclaved and it wouldn't pass her inspection. We re-washed it and re-sanitized it today and will take it back in tomorrow.
Anastasia's growth this week:
Weight: 1880 Grams!! (Was 1655 Grams)
Length: 42 Centimeters (Was 42 Centimeters)
Age: 9 weeks old (Should be 36 weeks gestation)
Friday
My friend, Valerie, used to do these "What an Average Day Looks Like" when she had 4 kids under 4 years old. I loved those posts, it amazed me what she would do in one day. I keep trying to do something like that but I always seem to lose track. But not today! I even made it into it's own post titled An Average Visit Looks Like .... (it won't hyperlink).
Talked with Anastasia's doctor today. Currently, she has difficult task to complete in order to come home. She needs to eat by herself for 2-3 days. It's hard because she has to remember 3 important things to do that a term baby doesn't have to even think about for the most part:
1- Suck her bottle
2- Swallow her food (without choking or aspirating)
3- Breath normally.
Repeat in quick succession.
Anastasia only drinks a small portion of her bottle and then she just tires out so quickly. She's back on oxygen because she's using all of her energy to learn how to eat she forgets to breath correctly. We're praying that she gets more energy and learns to be able to do both.
Saturday
I always seem compose eloquent posts as I fall asleep but forget everything when I wake up in the morning. I even sit and stare at my laptop and try hard to recall what my thoughts were the night before. I need to start keeping a note book on my nightstand.
I'm full of worries today. I'm worried about her not eating, I'm worried about her liver not working properly, I'm worried about the medical bills, I'm worried about her anemia. I'm really disheartened by the fact that in a week Char goes back to work and I won't get to see Anastasia nearly as much. (Anyone want to watch Rory for me so I can visit my baby girl?) Poor Char hasn't held her in over month.
Anyways, today I spent time with Heidi Anne; we painted, colored, even cuddled. I even made her favorite dinner, creamy chicken and rice. I'm trying to spend some extra one on one time with her before Anastasia comes home.
We just suffered a setback with Anastasia. she lost 2 ounces in one day. She was gaining such good weight and then lost it all in one day. We came so close to 1800 grams (which is 4 pounds) and now we're back down to 1668 grams (3 pounds 10 ounces). 4 pounds isn't just a milestone it's a landmark because so many things happen once you hit it, you maintain your body heat better, you suck better, you eat better.
I did finish this cross stitch project for her. It fits her crib bedding nicely. Heidi Anne now wants one, too. Does anyone want a cross stitch bird or cross stitch anything? I've got to frame them still. This house will be filled with cross stitch projects.
Sunday
I talked to the doctor this morning about Anastasia's sudden weight loss. She said she wasn't concerned just yet. She told me not to worry, sometimes preemies just lose weight but then gain it back just as quickly. She said she doesn't intervene unless it's continued for over 2 days in a row. I asked what we'll do then and she told me we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
Today my friend Amber took Heidi Anne and her friend to church today. Thank you a million times over Amber!! I was planning on going until a migraine struck. I even had Rory in an adorable outfit all ready to go. I know I need to go to church, I could really use the support of the community. But throwing up in the pews might send the wrong message not to mention super embarrassing. There's always next week.
I just called the nurses to see how Anastasia is doing and somehow she weighs 1810 grams now. I don't know what to believe. One night she's 1668 and the next she's 1810. That's a difference of 142 grams in one day. I'm at a loss. I guess we'll wait and see what tomorrow brings.
Monday
Today a friend offered to watch Rory for us. This meant Char could visit Anastasia as well. Char got to hold Anastasia for the first time in over a month and for the longest amount of time ever. She acted a little off when he held her, she kept stretching, yawning, and breathing irregularly. I almost put her back to bed instead of cuddling her. But Char told me to try first before I put her away.
When it was my turn to hold her she calmed down and fell asleep. Char said it's because she remembers me. I'm starting to believe she knows I'm mommy. I've been worried that she doesn't know who I am exactly. I sometimes think she knows the nurses better than her own mom. But Char reminded me that she knows my voice, how I hold her, even how I smell. The way she settled once she was in my arms confirmed she feels safe with me, (if nothing else).
Tuesday
I'm still trying to find the right nick name for this tiny girl. Normally I would've had two months extra to try out names and figure out her personality better. My Aunt Deb calls her Ana-Rose, which I really like, delicate yet has that tough edge to it. Char really likes Little Lady because she's always in ribbons and bows and has that feminine air about her. She is my tiny fighter, yet "Warrior Princess" is already taken...maybe it'll have to wait until she's home.
I'm so done with the NICU roller coaster ride. The ups, downs, the holding your breath to see what happens next. The sudden weight gain the drastic weight loss. Her eating like a champ to not taking a single bottle. I'm exhausted from all the driving back and forth. Or planning on seeing her but then Sophie's Choice of which child to pay attention to. I just want her home. I want to spend time with all the kids at one time. I want to ask "Can I get off this ride yet"? But I know there are no breaks when it comes to life in the NICU.
Wednesday
In the NICU there are 3 beds for 3 stages.
First is the Giraffe, which is for your small preemie / super sick baby.
Next is an isolette, which is for your preemie / sick baby / baby that needs a little more TLC.
Lastly is a regular open air hospital bassinet. This is for your mostly healthy to healthy baby.
I used to think it's just a clear piece of plastic for your baby to rest in while you wait to go home. I know I never gave it a second thought, until Anastasia came along. In the NICU having a baby in a bassinet means your baby is over 1800 grams, can maintain their own body heat, it means your baby is close to going home. Today my baby was in the hospital bassinet!!
Currently she is being feed every three hours. The doctors wanted to start feeding her on an "ad lib" schedule. Which means whenever she cries, she gets feed. The nurses advised against this step for one simple reason. Anastasia doesn't cry. She could be starving but will be just patiently waiting for them, wide-eyed and alert. The nurses know she's starving due to how quickly she downs her bottle. The doctor choose to wait a few more days and then we'll see about changing to ad lib feedings.
I found out that Anastasia has 2 hernias. Both are due to her prematurity and she could outgrow them. We're going to take the "wait and see" approach for now. However, it can pop up again once she's grown and pregnant. I thought it was funny how she's still in the NICU and the doctors are already worried about her health once she gets pregnant. I'm worried about her health right now.
Speaking of health everyone at rounds voiced their opinion of taking her to crowded areas. It was a resounding "Don't!!". Apparently, 8 or less is okay-ish but more then that is considered a crowd until this time next year.
Thursday
Today was a lovely scare. The insurance liaison called saying she received a message stating that Anastasia isn't covered by our insurance. My heart (and stomach) dropped. Apparently, there was an insurance oversight and they forgot to add her. They say she should be covered from birth forward. But she should've been added well over a month ago. Sigh. Pray the insurance gets this worked out, because we're at half a million right now.
1. Visit Us
I know a limited amount of people can come see you in the NICU, but if you're one of the specially selected people to come on back, go visit them. Yes, our baby needs kid gloves, but we would love some company. The nurses are great but they have work to do. Even if you can't come back give them a reason to come outside of the NICU wing. Visit for food in the cafeteria or at our house (excuse the mess).
2. Remind Us We're Not Alone
If you can't come see them, a little card can go a long way. Send a text or a phone call. Message them on Facebook. Catch them up on the outside world. Yes, this is a scary situation but we need company, too. It helps to know there are people backing them up and there for us.
3. Help Distract Us
Lend a book to read or old magazines you have piled up. Suggest podcasts to listen too, make a mix tape of music that helps soothe or energize you to give them. We're spending a lot of our time pumping, praying, driving to and from the hospital, and cuddling a tiny miracle. Often times we're alone and worried and need to take our minds off things. Encourage us to work on those pintrest projects. ( I did cross stitching, for some reason working on a project for my baby girl made me feel more connected to her.)
4. Write It Down
Encourage them to write down our feelings and experiences. Give them a journal, a baby book, a notebook, pens, or suggest we start a blog (if we don't already have one). We may want to forget all this has happened but it's such a huge part of our baby(ies) lives and will most likely change ours forever.
5. Help With Older Kids
Offer to watch our older children (if we have some). This allows us to go visit the baby in the hospital and know our other kids are in good hands. Take the kids to the park or a walk with your children so they can catch up on household needs and a little catnap.
6. Food Is Wonderful!
We're so busy worrying about the baby or catching up on house things that food falls to the wayside.
-Drop off freezer meals so we can just heat it when we need it.
-A crock-pot meal.
-Heck, you could order a pizza for dinner (trust me, it's a lifesaver).
-Drop off breakfast items, (cereal, English muffins, fruit, ect) often breakfast gets forgotten about. I once brought my friend who was in the NICU "breakfast in bed", I brought cereal, milk, oranges.
-Basket of snacks would be great and save money from having to get them from the hospital cafeteria.
It may sound simple but any of these are very appreciated.
7. Help on the Home Front
Surprise! Our house is a mess and we hate it!
-Offer to come pick up the house (just the kitchen, bathroom, living room).
-Watch the kids while we pick up. You know how it is to clean with kids then add a life changing event full of stress and it equals impossible.
-Let's clean and talk together, after all many hands make light work.
8. Inspire Us
Print off or bring your favorite inspirational quotes, sayings, and scriptures and even songs / hymns. Cute dollar store items to decorate the house or the NICU with. Those little seasonal window clings are fun, simple, and reminds us what time of the year it is. You or your kids can color pictures to hang in the hospital. My friend's children made Anastasia "Get well soon" pictures and they follow us where ever Anastasia's moved to.
9. Donate
Donate blood, breast milk, clothing, blankets to cover the isoelttes or make smaller sized flannel blankets for them to wrap the babies in. If you like making little tie quilts donate those. If you have preemie or newborn clothes your baby doesn't use anymore, give them to the NICU. (Keep that special outfit but give the rest to families in need.) No one really plans on being a preemie parent, it could happen to anyone.
10. Home From the Hospital isn't The End
In some ways it's only the beginning. It'll take time for us to get back in the groove of things. Since we're bringing a baby home it may take even long for us to find a "new normal". Any help is greatly appreciated once we've been released from the hospital.
Here's what a normal visiting day looks like. My friend, Valerie, used to do these all the time before her kids got older. I loved the "What an average day looks like" posts.
4:30 AM - Get up and get ready. I hate turning on lights and worry about waking up everyone else. So I get ready in the dark or turn on as little light as possible. For some reason it takes me at least 15 minutes to get up and 15 to get ready.
5:00 AM - Leave the house and go get gas and a Coke to keep me awake. Set up a podcast to entertain me, this morning I'm listening to Stuff You Should Know. (Awesome podcast, you should listen to it).
5:10 AM - Get on the Interstate.
5:40 AM - Pass Echo rest stop and remember something I've forgotten back at home. Today I've forgotten her clean baby clothes. I grunt angrily at myself at forgetting them by the front door.
6:00 AM - Remember I forgot my headphones. Grunt.
6:45 AM - Make it to the hospital. Plenty of parking at this time of day. A perk of being up so early. Sigh because I am up so early. Grateful to have made it down the canyon safely despite it being pitch dark and a long drive.
6:50 AM - Grab a doughnut from the hospital cafeteria. I'm hungry, I haven't eaten and most likely won't be eating until I get home in 6 or so hours. Today the nice lady that knows Char is there, asks about Anastasia and gives me a discount. The breakfast of champions.
7:00 AM - Get to the NICU and sign in. Then my favorite part, I make a bee line for Anastasia. I chat with the nurses to see how she did overnight, what she took by bottle or any temperament changes. Hear if she has any doctor's appointments over the next day or two. Yesterday the developmental therapist came and took a look at her.
I call Char to check on the kids at home and give him the updates.
I get Anastasia out, hold her, just stare at her. I'm always taken back by this tiny miracle growing each day that I'm carrying in my arms. Admire her curly, dark brown hair. Wonder what color those eyes will be, I'm betting brown.
8:00 AM - Do her cares, Which means; take her temperature, change her diaper, switch her pulse monitor to the other foot, try to give her a bottle. The nurse then puts what she doesn't eat into her feeding tube. Today she ate 15 mls!
8:15 AM - Back to cuddle time. Read Facebook and blogs, wish I could listen to a podcast. Holding her is great and such a bonding experience but she falls asleep so quickly in my arms. I need something to keep me awake. I'm used to the different alarms now and I'm tending to my baby and it's so peaceful that I get sleepy.
11:00 AM - Time for cares again. Pretty sure I nodded off for 30 minutes there. She took 18 mls by bottle for me!
11:15 AM - Hold her a little longer. I know I plan on being back tomorrow but things come up. So you never know for certain.
11:30 AM - Leave the hospital and call Char to see how he and the kids are. Tell him how the visit went.
1:00 PM - Get home (safely). Spend time as a family before Char leaves for work at 2:30pm. Eat!!
Anastasia's growth this week:
Weight: 1655 Grams!! (Was 1459 Grams)
Length: 42 Centimeters (Was 41 Centimeters)
Age: 8 weeks old (Should be 35 weeks gestation)
Friday
I choose to stay home with a handsome little boy today who wanted nothing but mommy cuddles. He also didn't let me get much accomplished. I would put away one thing he had gotten into, meanwhile he's getting into something else. Cords mainly, he has this thing where he like to pull cords out of things. Like this laptop. Oh bother.
Saturday
Anastasia meet with the developmental specialist yesterday. The specialist thought she wouldn't eat much because she was acting so sleepy, but Anastasia surprised her by eating nearly 20 mls in one sitting. It took sometime, however the specialist said that's normal for her age. Then this morning she ate a WHOLE feeding of 29 mls (that's nearly an ounce of food) in one sitting. I'm excited about each feeding and how much she had because it's one step closer to discharge.
I hate how every day is "Sophie's Choice" with the kids. Today it was Heidi Anne who didn't want me to go because she wants to spend time with me. Plus Rory is still teething, he needs mommy to hold him. Dad is good but I guess Mommy is better. Furthermore, Char is going into work early to do some overtime (these medical bills won't pay for themselves). Sigh. I let the nurses know I won't be able to come in today nor tomorrow. They promised to cuddle Anastasia for me.Thank heavens for NICU nurses.
I just got off the phone with Anastasia's nurse. Anastasia isn't quite right according to her (this nurse has had Anastasia several times) so I'm trusting her judgement. Anastasia has been fussy and irritable and that's just not her nature. If she's not better by next care time the nurse is calling the doctor. She slowed down the feeding and it hoping it's gas or nasty acid refulx. I've never prayed for gas harder in my life.
I'm full of mommy guilt for staying home today because Heidi Anne and Rory miss me so much. Maybe I blame myself for not going and feel like "this is what you get for missing her visit today". I know that's wrong and God doesn't play it that way, but you can't help but wonder sometimes. I just want someone, anyone to talk to. So you're it blog.
Oh look! People online.....
Well, just texted everyone I know that's up this late. Luckily, my friend Cori was up and alert enough to talk. Which made me feel better. She kept me company until the next cares. Anastasia is doing better and ate a whole bottle but they've had to put her on flow by oxygen.
Sunday
I feel like since Anastasia has been in the hospital for two months now and I should have loads of sage advice to give. Or say that I've learned a great, valuable lesson. Or I that I have a new lease or purpose in life. (Que inspirational music theme).
But NOPE. (Vinyl screeches to a halt).
I still feel lost. I still feel down some days, like I'm in over my head. I still feel torn between visits. I still wake up in the morning hoping everything has either ended and everyone is home safe or that it never started and it's all been a dream. Maybe it'll take time (months or years) before I gain that wisdom or to fully understand what exactly I have learned from our time in the NICU.
As I was folding her preemie laundry I was thinking (again) how she shouldn't even be here yet. I made the realization that barn door has already been opened. I need to stop wishing I were still pregnant and I need to stop blaming myself for her being in the NICU. I may never know for sure why I went into labor early but I am sure grateful I was at a good hospital and had a wonderful doctor when crap hit the fan. Now to keep reminding myself that.
(Hey! Maybe I did learn a something from all of this!)
Monday
Well, I just got word she's off the breast milk. She's 1600 grams ( 3 pounds 9 ounces) thus too big to have the breast milk anymore. It's not a matter of insurance but of supply and demand. It's just like blood transfusions, you don't get one because you're a little anemic - you have to be in dire need. Well, there is a great need for breast milk (you'll never hear of that type of donation or drive) and very little supply. Anastasia just happened to reach the cutoff point. Apparently, she misses the taste of breast milk or at least not a fan of formulas' flavor.
Anastasia's suffering from anemia. Her body just stopped making red blood cells, apparently it happens frequently with preemies. This special anemia even has it's own name "Anemia of Prematurity". Due to the anemia she's more sleepy then normal. Poor baby girl.
They gave her a shot of a medication called Darbepoetin, Darbe for short, and increased her iron supplements to the maximum level. Before Darbe the default treatment was to give preemies a blood transfusion for anemia, (which they may do if her levels get worse), pray it doesn't. Anyways, Darbe stimulates the babies' bone marrow to make red blood cells versus using valuable blood donations.
As you can tell the nurses have fun matching her bows to her outfits. I love this gauzy yellow bow with the spring themed gown. I miss these little details.
Tuesday
Today was a long and busy day. Heidi Anne is home on spring break and I had a doctor's appointment down in Salt Lake City. I thought we haven't had an outing in awhile, why not make an adventure out of it? We decided to go to the newly renovated LDS Church History Museum. I invited my mother in law to come along as well.
As we crossed the streets Heidi asked "Why are there so many people here?" To which I replied "Because this is called a big city." I figured it would be empty, man was I wrong. Apparently, a lot of people had the same idea for spring break as us. It was extremely busy.
Which caused Heidi to go into overload. I think if it was less crowed the visit would have been more relaxed. Afterwards, we walked around temple square to look at the lovely flowers and just enjoy the sights.
After that we went to one of my mother-in-law's favorite places to eat downtown. It's called the Nauvoo Cafe. Rory surprised me by eating half of a grilled cheese sandwich (and it was a big half of a sandwich).He was so proud of himself. After that we walked some more around City Creek Center. Then went off to my doctor's appointment. Where (shocker) Char walked with the kids some more.
Wednesday
At our hospital a parent has to attend 2 classes before your baby can be discharged (freed) from the NICU. These classes are only offered once a week on Wednesdays, so if your baby is cleared to go home but you haven't finished your classes, they make you wait. I decided to get them out of the way as soon as possible, but kept picking cuddle time over classes. Not today! Because I was a witness to a family having to wait 2 days to take home their baby home because they missed 1 of the classes.Today was the day I would get these classes out of the way so when she's ready to be released there are no delays in getting her home.
The first class is Infant CPR. As you may have guessed we only covered infant CPR and infant choking. I asked the instructor why we needed to take this class. According to the instructor, preemies have more cardiac episodes when compared to term babies and we need to know how to save our babies. Apparently, Anastasia's fight for survival doesn't end once we're discharged from the NICU, in many ways, it's just the beginning.
The second class was called Discharge class or as I call it Parenting 101 with Intro to Car Seats for Preemies. The proper way to put a preemie was very insightful. I even took a few pictures to know how we should put her in the car seat (because there's no way I'm going to remember this in a month). They even used a special preemie doll to make it to scale. The rest of the class was "Get your baby vaccinated." "This is how you hold a baby". "This is how you burp a baby." "Don't take your preemie baby to crowded places like the store, church, ect." Yeah, a hour of this. The only fun thing was the group of people I was with. The teacher said this was the most interesting group she's had in a long time. We were a sarcastic, vocal, and blunt class (Char would've had a blast).
I got to visit with Anastasia before CPR class and before Discharge class. She's back on oxygen but only when she eats. She's suffering from acid refulx and to protect her airways she involuntarily closes her airways. She holds her breath to long causing a need for forced oxygen. But it's just when she gets food.
She was a very sleepy baby today and is still suffering from anemia. She did take a bottle for me of 8 mls, almost 2 teaspoons of food. The nurses tell me she's more alert at night, my little night owl takes after her daddy, I guess.
Thursday
Heidi Anne was super sick with a stomach bug yesterday. Poor Char had to deal with a sick kid and Rory who was getting into everything. Even the trash can Char got for Heidi to use when she got sick. He did a great job of handling everything while I was in class / visiting the baby girl. Heidi Anne is feeling a little bit better today but we're remaining on high alert.
Over the last few days Anastasia has hit a wall with her growth. She was gaining roughly an ounce a day for the first few days this week. Now she's gaining 7-ish grams (which is nearly nothing) these last couple of days. They brought it up in rounds today and the doctors aren't concerned, in fact if she kept growing at the rapid rate they would have decreased her calories. They said her growth was 28 grams a day on average which is wonderful.
