Day 5 (I think). Today was a slow news day, which Dr. Treen says is a good day. We like slow news days around here. Mom did get to change Andrew's diaper, though. It seemed to be a real treat for her. Andrew continues to rest most of the day, but he lost 20 grams in the last 24 hours. The doctors tell us that weight loss is normal right now and we should not expect to see him really gain any weight for about two weeks.
Meredith was discharged today but she was not ready to go home yet. The hospital was kind enough to give her a courtesy room so we are staying at least one more night here.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
NICU Day 4
Day 4. Andrew's bilirubin has come down some, so the doctors took him off the phototherapy for now. They also removed one of his tubes today and increased his feeding to 1 cc every 4 hours. He seems to be resting comfortably most of the time, as you can see from the new photos that I posted this evening.
Meredith should be discharged tomorrow night, but she is going to try to stay in a courtesy room for another night or two so she can be close to the NICU. We are both starting to get run down a little and hope to turn in early tonight.
Meredith should be discharged tomorrow night, but she is going to try to stay in a courtesy room for another night or two so she can be close to the NICU. We are both starting to get run down a little and hope to turn in early tonight.
Monday, April 28, 2008
NICU Day 3
Day 3. Good news keeps coming in on the baby front. The occupational therapist had a look at Andrew today and said "his suck was superior." The neurodevelopmental pediatrician also evaluated him and said he looked "great." All of the doctors and nurses seem to be amazed at his progress. His bilirubin levels have come down some, but not quite enough to get rid of the phototherapy. I took a few pictures of him basking in the lights today and (thanks to the Rubys and their handy-dandy card reader) posted them with the other pictures at http://picasaweb.google.com/dwdeaver/Andrew?authkey=0MbNv8YNwLg. He also got his first real "meal" today.
Meredith has been a bit reclusive this week, but she is also doing well. I think she still has some pain from the surgery, but she is walking on her own today and we still plan to be home by Wednesday.
We have received lots of support from all corners and we appreciate everyone's phone calls and email messages. We look forward to the day when all of you can visit Andrew personally. I know we aren't as interesting as the little guy, but you will just have to be happy visiting with Meredith and me for now!
Meredith has been a bit reclusive this week, but she is also doing well. I think she still has some pain from the surgery, but she is walking on her own today and we still plan to be home by Wednesday.
We have received lots of support from all corners and we appreciate everyone's phone calls and email messages. We look forward to the day when all of you can visit Andrew personally. I know we aren't as interesting as the little guy, but you will just have to be happy visiting with Meredith and me for now!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
NICU Day 2
Day 2. Mom is up and moving about the hospital today. She ate a big breakfast after being deprived from solid food for 24 hours, and I do believe she enjoyed every last bite.
Andrew also made some progress overnight and is now breathing on his own. He's also getting a little tan under the phototherapy lights, which helps break down bilirubin to treat and prevent neonatal jaundice. Oh, by the way, I finally managed to get his inaugural photos off our camera and on to the world wide Internets: http://picasaweb.google.com/dwdeaver/Andrew?authkey=0MbNv8YNwLg
Saturday, April 26, 2008
NICU Day 1
Andrew Wilson Deaver checked in early today, standing 13.5 inches and tipping the scales at 1 lb. 10 oz. He started squeaking and crying almost immediately, which is a good thing. And he came out kicking at Dr. Hyslop and peeing on everyone else, both of which are also good things. Dr. Treen checked him out in the NICU and everything looks good so far. He is on a ventilator for now, but Dr. Treen expects to move him to CPAP in the next day or two.
Meredith is also doing well and even made a short trip down to the NICU this evening to visit with Andrew. Meredith and I expect to go home on Wednesday, but Andrew will be here for at least a couple of months.
All of the doctors, nurses, and staff here have been great and have taken excellent care of all of us. We know Andrew is in good hands and we could not have asked for a better medical team.
Meredith is also doing well and even made a short trip down to the NICU this evening to visit with Andrew. Meredith and I expect to go home on Wednesday, but Andrew will be here for at least a couple of months.
All of the doctors, nurses, and staff here have been great and have taken excellent care of all of us. We know Andrew is in good hands and we could not have asked for a better medical team.
The Andrew Report
We do not have an exact time for delivery yet, but today is the day. Meredith would appreciate a little private time for awhile, but she asks that you please continue your prayers for Andrew. He will go straight to the Neonatal ICU (NICU) and be there for quite some time.
Please feel free to hang out in the waiting room if you can't stand to stay at home. I'll be sure to let everyone know when she and/or Andrew are ready for a few visitors (in small doses of course).
I will try to give everyone another update after the delivery...
Please feel free to hang out in the waiting room if you can't stand to stay at home. I'll be sure to let everyone know when she and/or Andrew are ready for a few visitors (in small doses of course).
I will try to give everyone another update after the delivery...
The Andrew Report
Meredith and Andrew had a good night's sleep last night and a big breakfast this morning. Both of them seem to be in good spirits this morning.
The schedule around here is a little different on the weekends, so we haven't seen the doctor yet today. We hope he comes by before noon, but we don't really know when he will show up. Look for updates later today...
The schedule around here is a little different on the weekends, so we haven't seen the doctor yet today. We hope he comes by before noon, but we don't really know when he will show up. Look for updates later today...
Friday, April 25, 2008
The Andrew Report
For anyone that has not heard yet, Meredith and baby Andrew were admitted to the hospital on April 23, 2008.
The good doctors have told us that there is some problem with the placental perfusion. In lay terms (because that's all I know), I think they are telling us that Andrew is not getting enough oxygenated blood through the placenta. Without enough oxygenated blood he can't develop normally (for all you wikipedia and WebMD junkies, the technical term is intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR).
Andrew's gestational age is about 29 weeks, but he is small for his age because of the IUGR. He moves around a lot and seems to have a strong heartrate, which are both good signs, but his weight is extremely low and his stomach is not very developed yet. The doctors estimate that he is about two weeks behind schedule. It is likely that he would survive at this stage, but there are still significant risks of complications. Each day that he gets to stay put decreases those risks some.
So, each morning our perinatologist takes an ultrasound to see if there is any change in the perfusion. As long as there is no change, Andrew gets to stay put and Meredith just gets to take it easy for another day. As soon as there is a change for the worse, we expect the doctors to deliver him within a few hours.
In a nutshell, we wake up every morning and hope he gets another day.
I will try to post an update every morning after the ultrasound. Stay tuned.
The good doctors have told us that there is some problem with the placental perfusion. In lay terms (because that's all I know), I think they are telling us that Andrew is not getting enough oxygenated blood through the placenta. Without enough oxygenated blood he can't develop normally (for all you wikipedia and WebMD junkies, the technical term is intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR).
Andrew's gestational age is about 29 weeks, but he is small for his age because of the IUGR. He moves around a lot and seems to have a strong heartrate, which are both good signs, but his weight is extremely low and his stomach is not very developed yet. The doctors estimate that he is about two weeks behind schedule. It is likely that he would survive at this stage, but there are still significant risks of complications. Each day that he gets to stay put decreases those risks some.
So, each morning our perinatologist takes an ultrasound to see if there is any change in the perfusion. As long as there is no change, Andrew gets to stay put and Meredith just gets to take it easy for another day. As soon as there is a change for the worse, we expect the doctors to deliver him within a few hours.
In a nutshell, we wake up every morning and hope he gets another day.
I will try to post an update every morning after the ultrasound. Stay tuned.
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