Beyond that drama though (and the back and forth from the car place to the hospital), Gesina had a busy day. She saw the physical therapist which exhausted her. The neurologist said he is pleased with her progress on the two drugs she is on and she is going to get a repeat EEG on Monday. The attending physician is happy with her feedings EXCEPT that Gesina has a few good days and then has a "light" day where she is fussy and won't eat much and has to be fed by the feeding tube. Today she had another inconsistent day where she got 44 ml (out of 110 ml) by nursing at one time then only 24 ml (again out of 110 ml) the next time and fell asleep. My guess is she likes to eat small amounts in quick bursts and isn't into the large amounts spaced over longer periods. She's all about fitness and keeping her metabolism up :-) Also, the nurses do an assessment before they feed her. So that means she wakes up, gets poked and prodded, and THEN gets fed. By the time she gets fed, she is really hungry and not to happy about all the poking and prodding. I think these things add up to Gesina being fussy and at times, difficult to calm down enough to eat successfully. I'm not her doctor, however, so I'll follow their lead. I can't wait to get her home so I can feed her every 2 hours instead of the every 5 hours they do now and test my theory.
The other things I did today was take an infant CPR class; I hope I never have to use it! I also filled out some of the discharge paper work so I'm ahead of the game (we can't get our hopes up that this means anything as the nurse just wants me to be ready when the day comes). Now, if Gesina were to come home next week, I hope it's after I get my car back on Wednesday as I left the base for her car seat installed in my car. I have to have it checked to make sure I installed it correctly but I can't do that until I get the car back. Oh, and of course I left my garage door opener in the car...
Wow, what a day! You've been busy:) I believe you're right about the nursing too...At this age, they want to nurse about every 2 hours, I'm a little confused about why they wait so long in between her feedings? I'm sure them "doin their thing" does irritate her, she's already waited 5 hours... I think it's harder on her to go so long in between. Nursing also takes practice, for you and for her. The lactation specialist came out to the house to help Kells, it made ALL the difference...she taught her things to aggravate Pru so she would nurse and not constantly want to go back to sleep. I won't say the first few months were easy, she had her challenges, but she definitely wouldn't do it differently if given a choice:) I'm not asking you to answer this, but it's something I've wondered...Do they give you plenty of time to work with her while nursing? Do they help you with pointers to encourage her to continue to nurse? Or do they just give you a certain amount of time and then go on to another baby or situation/job? I ask, because the lady who helped Kells pointed things out to her. She explained that Pru had to learn too and Kells would need to guide her. She was a huge help to her. They need to rest while nursing too, they nurse and then they "catch their breath" so to speak:) I think it will be easier in more ways than one, for you to have her home with you. It's just easier to relax and not feel like your every move is analyzed...Being a first time mama is already nerve racking, it's even more so when you're wondering what they're thinking about how well you do things too...
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear your car is being taken care of. Now to just get the blood work back and the EEG, maybe she'll be home soon!!
Jackie, I also think you're right about the feeding times. When my babies were hungry, I fed them and it was about every 2 hrs. Try making a baby bird or any other animal wait 5 hrs. before they ate. You would have your hands full and with some of them, you better run and run fast! I'm so glad Gesina is doing so well. Wishing she can go home soon. You will both be more relaxed, I'm sure. Love you all. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I've fought with myself for 2 weeks...And I just...my heart breaks for you...You are Gesina's mama. Yes, the NICU is full over very talented, specialized people. This point I will support. Yes, you are a first time mama. Yes, they deal with and have dealt with more babies and issues than you, I'll support that as well. BUT, you carried this baby, you hoped, dreamed, smiled, cried for her. You are a woman, you have at least a moderate ability to reason, you seem to me, at least, to be in full control of your faculties...DO NOT let someone take your Mama's intuition...you knew when she was cold, and you know how irritated she is having to eat. You know when you walk into that NICU what kind of day she's had. You FEEL that...it's just this "thing" you "know" or "suspect" And THAT is just how it is. Yep, they're the Pro's...but sometimes the Pro's get a lil jaded, it goes with the job...they see the good, the bad, the highs, & the lows....I could Never, ever, work in that kind of a place. But sometimes, I wish they'd at least ASK a mama or daddy what THEY think about the little daily nuances....I hope I haven't upset you, or anyone else for that matter. But it just breaks my heart that she's doing So so well, but yet ...as a mama, you seem to be struggling to find your feet in their "way of doing things". I know they have their reasons. But ALL babies are different. They don't all nurse the same way, they don't all like one paci or bottle nipple. They're just like us, they have their preferences...as for feeding every 5 hours??? Why can't they do some of "the things" WHILE she nurses? Or after? Or let her feed every 2-3 hours and then keep their every 5 hour schedule for their services...? I know, I suspect they do this because it's a schedule they maintain because of the number of babies they have to take care of. BUT, while you were off work, why couldn't they let you nurse on a closer schedule? Probably because the times you're not there someone else would need to do it. I'm sorry, tryin' to get my thoughts into words here...Maybe it's because my daughter has become a mama & I see what she's struggled with and it makes me sensitive to what you're dealing with. But I want you to be acknowledged. I want you to FEEL acknowledged. I want the Beautiful Baby Gesina to be home, walked back and forth, cherished, gazed at, cried over, cuddled, rocked, cooed at, dressed up, toe nails painted, hair faux hawked or beribboned, .....lolol....I want you to wake up to feeling like the special mama you are.
ReplyDelete........LET's PAUSE FOR A MOMENT OF REALITY HERE.......
Let's not forget the toxic poop diapers that SOMEHOW manage to cover her, the new dud's, the car seat cover and part of the back seat...or...the ...WTH was that...?...that came flying out of her mouth? LOLOL...there ARE gonna be Some surprises that aren't as "fun" as others...But at the end of the day, when you're beautiful fairy angel is sleeping peacefully...these things kinda drift to the back ground as you are, once again, amazed that You created this beautiful piece of humanity....
Ok, I think that covers about everything...Mak & I look forward to every update. We spend our time each night going over her progress, as well as the others that call for updates...We're all hoping, she'll be home with ya'll soon:)