Day 2: New Years Day

1/1/21 - Friday

James is a perfect 26 week old baby according the NICU Doctor who just came into our room. He likes to move his feet and stretch his arms. His oxygen levels are great and could be off the oscillator sooner than anticipated. His blood pressure and blood sugar levels are great. His his urine will get tested in a few days for protein, but urinating is a great sign that the kidneys are functioning properly.  

Due to James being born on Dec 31, the Medicaid and insurance more than likely won’t cover his medical expenses for that day, but will retro and cover the remaining stay for 2021. It will be interesting to see what that bill will look like for his procedure and stay for just one day out of pocket. Since he is born under 1190 grams, we will qualify for Medicaid and need to make those arrangements next week. 

Our social worker is very helpful. Along with the woman from birth records. We will register the birth certificate with the desk next week and call Cigna to get James on insurance. 

After the Magnesium sulphate finished at 4:37pm today, Lindsay was able to sit up, stand up, and eventually take shower. Huge progress for only 24 hours after delivery. The pain meds helped with comfort. Time eventually helped with the shivers.  She also was able to eat some solid foods. 

Lindsay also got to meet James for the first time today!  It was a unique experience due to the photos making James look bigger than he actually is. My first encounter meeting James gave me flashbacks to last year’s fetal demise since that was the only newborn I’d ever seen. It’s unnerving to go through such uncertainty again, however, we are cautiously optimistic since James is doing well.  All his vitals are great for a 26 week old. He’s moving a bunch. The only thing he needs is time.  Every day he will “play like a champion.”