We had our stay-over in the NICU and it was tough. We arrived on Friday morning and got our training on the apnea monitor, the usage of the oxygen tanks, the nebulizer and the suction device. After the training, they moved Michael into this little room that had a pull out sofa and a table. That was it. Robert went home to work from home for a few hours and returned to the NICU at night. I was alone with Michael for 8 hours straight and the nurse would come in every now and then to bring his food and check up on me. It went pretty good. The alarm only went off just before Robert came back. Michael did not sleep more than 15 minutes in this time. He finally fell asleep when Robert arrived and I had a chance to step out of the room a little bit.
Michael is supposed to go home this week, depending on how his feedings go. They didn't go very well for our stay this weekend. He did not manage to finish one feeding all the way. He gets 75 cc and finishes between 35 and 50 cc every time. I feel so bad for him. It seems like such a struggle. The good news is that his O2 requirement dropped down to almost nothing - he went from 4 liters/min to .25 within 2 weeks and that is major progress!! The night went pretty good, but of course we didn't sleep. Michael makes really weird (preemie) noises. He snorts, moans and groans and squeaks like a little mouse. It is kind of scary, because we don't recognize if he is in pain, choking or just stretching. The next morning, after being somewhat frustrated that he didn't, we told Dr. Zabaleta that we didn't think it would make sense to stay another day, as obviously he won't be going home on Monday or Tuesday.
Dr. Z persuaded us to come back that night and stay over another night, to get used to it. We went home got some rest and returned to the NICU that night, to do the same thing over again. Robert and I were both uncomfortable on the pull out sofa and Michael was uncomfortable all night. We think he might have had cramps. He doesn't burp well at all, which is also common for preemies. And, on top of this, his apnea alarm kept going off all night!!! We aren't too sure whether its just his shallow breathing that triggered the alarm or actual apneas. Either way, it kept Robert up with a very rough night and we realized again that Michael is not ready to go home yet. Different nurses tried to help out with the feedings, taking pride in the fact that each would be able to show us how its done. The pride taken by the NICU and nurses is a good thing, and we've happily have learned the tricks that made Michael eat well; but, no luck. Thus, Dr. Z ordered a new nipple (which is being used for babies with cleft palette) but it didn't seem to help.
At 5 AM they moved Michael back into the NICU for a deep suction and we didn't think it would make sense to move him back into the stay-over room for only a few more hours. Robert and I went home at 6 AM.
This stay-over was supposed to make us feel comfortable in taking care of Michael and the usage of the durable medical equipment. We feel we can handle the both, but not until he matures more in his feeding. We both left very frustrated that we cannot get our baby to eat. We know he knows how to eat, as he has done it before. We are hoping this is just another 'stage' that he will grow out of (hopefully soon, as we are so ready to take him home!!!). We are also hoping that we will forget about all these frustrations within a few months from now. We know this adorable beautiful little miracle baby is all worth it!!!! He is now 6 pounds, 12 ounces!!
3 comments:
Good Evening to you both, my paryers are with you and baby michael. I can only imgaine how you guys feel.
I'll keep on reading your journal to see how is Michael. Take care and the baby knows you both are lovely and wonderful parent.
Hi Nathali, just checking in on Michael and he looks great! Such a cutie. If you are not comfortable taking him home make sure they know this. Ashton was NOT ready to come home when he did and I really felt like we were pushed out the door. You need to be 100% comfortable with Michael and all of the things that come along with him.
Feedings...don't feel too upset, it isn't your fault at all. Sometimes these kids just have a hard time with it. I also think that the nurses should not really go so much on a scheduale and just let the babies eat when they are hungry.
Keep up the good work!!!
Hi Nathali,
The first thing I noticed (AFTER I noticed what a handsome son you have) is that they still have those same "bathtubs" Morgan had almost 16 years ago. A trip down memory lane!
Shannon is right that you shouldn't walk out the door with him until you are comfortable with everything. Keeping mind that the "going home" won't be the one you once imagined, with all the machines and monitors and various attachments, things will be more relaxed when you get home. You won't feel like you're under such a microscope. But take your time, this is only a few days of waiting on him to be ready compared to a lifetime you'll have with him at home. God's continued blessings! Love! Juli
Post a Comment