Hospital - Update

[missjenniebean]

So among the whirlwind week of having Miss Vera we have been home a total of like 2.5 days.

HOPEFULLY, They will let us go home soon. She had to be under a biliblanket and light for a day to get her levels down from 22. Poor thing had to have her heel poked every 4 hours. Luckily she didn't need to go to the nicu for a transfusion or because her levels were too high. Once they came down under 14, they then had the results from her NB testing come back with extremely high thyroid hormone levels and the second test came back extremely low. So, of course, they are testing for this as well BC it can affect her overall growth. We opted to stay other night vs driving back, as we are an hour away from here.

So here we are, waiting for the results from a test they took her blood for at 5 a.m. And her follow up bili level.

I'm sure all will be fine but I am starting to get irritated.

I had to meet with lacation BC she and I are still having latch problems and takes us forever to feed. She gave me a nipple shield to act as training wheels and to help protect my raw nipples from more abuse. We have definitely improved in that area.

Poor SO hates watching her gets pricked and wants to take his Little Girl home. He only gets 1 week off from work BC that is all we can afford and the poor guy spent it in the hospital watching her get poked. I keep trying to get him to take a nap, but he insists on being awake. I let him sleep through the night though, so he gets some sleep.

Sorry for the rant. I just needed to write it all down, want to go home, want my girl to stop being poked and prodded, and see my puppy.










ETA dont know where saga came from and it wont let me edit it out. Tired mama syndrome.





UPDATE: so, tests came back. Her levels for thyroid came back still low and her jaundice is rising again so we have two follow up appointments on Tuesday. They don't seem too concerned and we get to go home. Still exhausted but at least we know where we stand.

[sully326]

First off, she's adorable!

I'm sorry you guys are still there. Hoping everything goes smoothly & you get to go home soon! Hang in there, mama!

[mrsmonogrammed]

Poor baby girl:( I hope you get good news on her tests soon!

[cnumbers]

She's lovely.

I hope everything is okay.

[missjenniebean]

Thanks ladies! We hopefully will be out of here soon. Idk why they can't get a test reading done that was taken at 5 am and it is now almost 2:00.

[dogmama22]

Aww poor Vera and mom and dad! She is just precious and I hope you get to go home very soon. You must be exhausted

[whoopsadaisy]

She's so beautiful! Hope you can go home soon for a nice, long weekend together.

[sunnyb]

She is precious! I hope they let her go home soon!

[Widget123]

Poor baby girl and poor momma and daddy Hopefully it'll be over soon enough.

[bruunk]

She's beautiful! I hope you guys are home soon - watching them poke her has to be horrible, I'm so sorry!

[laurenlou83]

I hope you are on your way home soon!

[sapphyre0702]

She is beautiful! I hope all her tests come back excellent and you are home with your puppy by tonight!

[holliberry28]

Hoping her tests results come back normal and you get to go home today!

[alayne926]

So sorry that you guys are still stuck at the hospital. Hoping all the tests come back and you guys can enjoy a long weekend at home together.

[billyhorrible]

I am so sorry you're having to deal with this - and I hope her levels drop soon. Otherwise, remember, having her there means they can take care of a lot of the associated problems quickly. I know it sucks to be there, and I know you are worried about her, but they will take good care of her.


As for the Breastfeeding - the latching is one of the absolute last things that babies develop in the womb. So earlier born babies have a harder time with it. All this means is she will get there, but it may take time. And there's nothing you're doing wrong (because I know how easy it is to blame yourself). It's a learning process for her too!

[tiffbot]

Aw, hope you guys are out soon, it's so tough seeing our LOs go through so much BFing can be so hard in the beginning, and just remember you are already doing your best by seeking help! GL!!

What a sweet picture of little Vera!

[wormgerm]

Poor sweet pea. She's beautiful! billyhorrible said it well. As much as it sucks you guys are in great hands. Hope today brings you peace.

[missjenniebean]

May 22, 2015 13:11:17 GMT -5 billyhorrible said:

I am so sorry you're having to deal with this - and I hope her levels drop soon. Otherwise, remember, having her there means they can take care of a lot of the associated problems quickly. I know it sucks to be there, and I know you are worried about her, but they will take good care of her.


As for the Breastfeeding - the latching is one of the absolute last things that babies develop in the womb. So earlier born babies have a harder time with it. All this means is she will get there, but it may take time. And there's nothing you're doing wrong (because I know how easy it is to blame yourself). It's a learning process for her too!

You are right, I know. Exhaustion and frustration gets the better of me sometimes. I'm so thankful we have good care and like you said it is being taken care of head on. Just need to be reminded, thank you!

You ladies are awesome, update in OP, so wonderful of you guys to keep us in good spirits.

So hard to not blame myself, especially on such little sleep but the BF is getting better and will with time. The first day was the worst for me , I cried so much but I just have to take naps and get rest or I'll go crazy!


You ladies are awesome!

[billyhorrible]

May 22, 2015 13:55:00 GMT -5 missjenniebean said:

So hard to not blame myself, especially on such little sleep but the BF is getting better and will with time. The first day was the worst for me , I cried so much but I just have to take naps and get rest or I'll go crazy!

I hate this so much.  Because it's not just you.  It's why I'm such a breastfeeding advocate - formula is fine if it's your choice, but I feel like for so many women, they feel like they don't have a choice and the guilt is ridiculous.  Whenever anything is difficult with breastfeeding, we immediately blame ourselves:  I'm doing something wrong.  I'm not producing enough.  I'm not meeting my baby's needs.  And really, that is so far from the truth.  There are so many intricacies involved, and so little good education. 

For 8 1/2 months Vera hasn't felt hunger.  She hasn't had to work to support herself.  Now all of a sudden she has all the feels, and no idea how to fix the situation.  At the same time, you're new at this too!  It's a case of the blind leading the blind.  And both of your anxieties come into play.  I will tell you from experience, that the more anxious or stressed you are, the more anxious and stressed she is, and the more difficult it is to breastfeed.  But realistically, how do you turn that off?   That's the cycle that most of us go through.  And it's a totally normal thing.   For you, it's even worse, because she needs to eat so she can poop so she can drop her levels.  Obviously you're going to feel a lot of pressure.  And I wish I could take that off your shoulders.   Since I can't, I'll just leave you with the thought that it will get easier.  Maybe not tonight, or tomorrow, or 3 days from now, but it will.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and you will make it there. 

[ajm11]

I'm so sorry Vera, you, and your SO are going through this! She will be in my T&Ps!

[trixi282]

She's adorable.  I'm sorry you've had to go back and forth, but I probably would have stayed overnight with an hour drive as well.  I hope you can get discharged soon and get her home again.  If it's nice and sunny out maybe you can get her outside just a bit to help with the jaundice while you're home.

Hang in there mama, you're doing what's best for her!

[lalamomma]

Sorry it is such a frustrating time. Emotions like crazy those first weeks. I totally understand the poke problem. I HATED it with DD. Broke my heart! We were trying not to give her a pacifier, but the poor kid was getting stabbed with needles and that heel poke thing so much we gave it to her because it seemed to make her happy. They didn't even really want us to pick her up out of the light more than we had to so soothing was difficult. So I am sending well wishes and happy thoughts your way!

[erbear]

She's adorable and I'm glad you get to go home soon!

[Deleted]

Glad you received a reassuring update. Such a sweet picture of Vera.

[ladysif]

She is beautiful! So sorry you are having a rough time. I hope she is a better sleeper for you tonight - everything is infinitely harder when you don't get any REM sleep. And as one who had major latch problems (and major pain!) with DS1, I can commiserate and know how hard it can be. But you're being very proactive and doing awesome, so try to give yourself a break! You are going through a lot right now, you just had a baby. That is enough for anyone to have to deal with, and you have all this other stuff on top of that. Hope you can go home soon!

[fuccimama]

Beautiful LO and I hope she gets better soon!

[kemdupuis]

She is perfect! I am sorry you've been stuck in the hospital so long, but glad both you and Vera are doing well and have Drs that are being cautious. Hoping she continues to improve!!

[maddib]

missjenniebean so sorry you guys have had so much to deal with! But am so glad you get to take her home!!! Hopefully all goes well and she will continue to get better! And by the way she is just a precious little doll baby!!!!

[bendherova]

Hugs, hugs, hugs. Vera is a lovely little girl!

[mcp6286]

Sorry it's been a tough start! She is adorable and hopefully soon this will be a distant memory! T&Ps as you all adjust