Deacon is still having issues with the leak in his lung. In a recent x-ray, the doctor found yet another pocket of air outside of his left lung. They had to reopen the tube between his lung and cavity wall (they had clamped this on Friday) as pockets of air are still accumulating. The tube that they had put in him did not reach to this pocket, so they had to go in with a needle to remove the air. After removing it, his blood pressure dropped significantly. Low blood pressure may signal that he is dehydrated or anemic and needs more fluid or blood. The doctor felt it was necessary for Deacon to have another blood transfusion, so this happened last night (Saturday). When we left the hospital last night (around 11 p.m.), his blood pressure was getting a little better. After three nights of not weighing him, he weighed in a 1 lb 7 oz last night, so he is increasing his weight from a low of 1 lb 5 oz.
And for the best news yet, 12 days after birth and I finally got to hold Miss Avigail (aka Peanut). They call this kangaroo care, holding your naked preemie (although she has a diaper on) against my warm naked chest. Research has shown that a baby up against the heat of their parents' bodies maintain their body temperature as well or better than in an incubator. They are less likely to cry, have less apnea, higher levels of oxygen saturation, and a more restful sleep. All of this seemed true when I was holding her. Typically, they like you to only have them out of the incubator for around an hour so. However, Avi was doing so well that I got to hold her for almost two hours! It was the most amazing feeling ever, words can't even describe it!
Avigail weighed 1 lb 8 oz, finally surpassed her birth weight!
And for the best news yet, 12 days after birth and I finally got to hold Miss Avigail (aka Peanut). They call this kangaroo care, holding your naked preemie (although she has a diaper on) against my warm naked chest. Research has shown that a baby up against the heat of their parents' bodies maintain their body temperature as well or better than in an incubator. They are less likely to cry, have less apnea, higher levels of oxygen saturation, and a more restful sleep. All of this seemed true when I was holding her. Typically, they like you to only have them out of the incubator for around an hour so. However, Avi was doing so well that I got to hold her for almost two hours! It was the most amazing feeling ever, words can't even describe it!
Avigail weighed 1 lb 8 oz, finally surpassed her birth weight!
Avi's little hand grabbing ahold of Mom's finger
Mom and Avi getting in our first bonding session
