Day 13 - Steady Baby

Morning update: Oxygen 41% today. Up to 12 ML every 3 hours for feeding. Weighs 1lb 9oz. Adding multivitamin of Iron today. Checking daily blood gas. No other changes for today. Steady progress. 

Afternoon:  James had a low grade fever at 100.2. White cell count showed slightly abnormal. Immature fighting cells/white cells. Infection or stress response is possible.  Blood and urine culture happening now.  It’s the first time his encasing is open. 
Results take 24 hours to come back. If needed, antibiotics will be provided. Cause is uncertain at the moment, but this is preventative for now. Common procedure for his size. Having to hold him down during the IV and watching him squirm was so hard for me (dad) to experience.  His little eyes crying for help while they put the IV in his arm to draw blood. I did not like this front row experience.  But James handled it so well! He is a tough little guy and I cannot wait until he gets to comprehend his entire journey. 

Evening: Temperature went down to 98.2.😅 Thank goodness. Cranial Ultrasound results all came back negative - no brain bleeds. James just needs to rest and grow. 


Tomorrow we have our conversation with the Social Security office to see if we can get qualified for Medicaid since James is considered to be a person of disability with being born under 1190g (2lb 10oz). These benefits could cover majority of the hospital cost. As a best case scenario, everything gets covered. A worst case, it could be $250,000+ 😳. We will see how this unfolds. 

Lindsay's Health Update:

Lindsay's blood test from this morning came back good for her liver numbers. Just need to increase iron, B12 and folate due to a slight anemia. Waiting to hear from OB if she is still on the bedrest. Follow up appointment on Thursday.

We tried adding in barley and brewer's yeast into her diet to promote breast milk production. Unfortunately she had a severe allergic reaction and broke out in hives. Often women without a history of allergies unexpectedly develop them after childbirth or, if they are allergy prone, their symptoms are worsened. At some point, she'll need to get an allergy test done.

She is hoping to speak with lactation this week to get some questions answered. Flange size is very confusing and seems like it may vary during pumping/breastfeeding.