It has been a long time since I have posted, but we are finally home! At the end of last week, I was asked to stay overnight at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Hotel once again to make sure Teaghan would eat through the night. Of course she did this just fine and Brian and I were able to spend one last night in the official worst beds on Earth!
Teaghan also finished her apnea countdown, only having bradys when eating, which they said was quite normal. In fact, they said it is just reflux, which most babies have, it's just that they are not attached to a monitor! She also had to sit in her car seat for almost 2 hours to show that she would not have any issues. Teaghan barely fit in the seat, but after we had her in good, she was fine. She saved us from having to buy the smaller car seat, but just barely...
In the days leading up to her discharge, we had to sign our life away stating that we knew how to take care of our baby. The "care plan" was quite lengthy and we had to sign off on things such as we knew how to give her a bath, we knew signs of fever, and we would restrict our visitors when she was home for the first few weeks. Then we had to watch a series of videos on everything from car seat safety to shaken baby syndrome. Apparently there was no box to check that said second child! While Brian was bored to death going over these videos, I am glad that they do this with all families because many could probably use them!
It is nice to be home without the beeping of monitors and distraction of some of the other babies. It was so hard to watch each of them as they battled their own issues. We could not have asked for better care for Teaghan and were so thankful for all of the support we received. The nurses and doctors were excellent and we can't say this enough!
Charleigh was so proud to bring her baby sister home and has been a big help! She is constantly checking on Teaghan and loves to hold her! Although jealousy shows through every now and then, she has adjusted very well!
Since we have been home, Teaghan has gained 4 ounces and is now weighing 5 lbs. 2 oz. She eats very well...especially in the middle of the night! Now all we needs is some sleep!
My goal is to post at least weekly with an update...we'll see how I do!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
March 15
So posting every day has proven to be a challenge now that I don't have a home base at the hospital! My days consist of arriving for the 8:00am feeding and coming back to Katelyn's after the 8:00pm feeding. I have to pump in between her feedings which are every 3 hours! On top of this, you are not able to use cell phones in the ICN, so my communication with the outside world is limited!
As of today, Teaghan weighs 4 lbs. 13 oz., which is up from her birth weight. She has been breastfeeding quite well for the past two days, and they are feeding her with the tube at night. She no longer has an IV. In order to go home, she needs to have three more days with no apnea and needs to maintain her body temperature outside of the isolette. They tried to put her in a regular "crib" the other day, but she was still pretty chilly. A first this bothered me, but one nurse said that she would rather have her using her energy to grow rather than to stay warm. When looking at it from this perspective, I was okay with it.
They have asked me to spend a couple of nights at the hospital before we go home. I am waiting to see how close we are before I do this, but it could be the end of the week. I am really trying not to get my hopes up, but it sure would be nice to have the four of us under one roof - especially our own!
On Sunday a photographer from this area volunteered to take pictures of the babies in the ICN and their families. Charleigh and Teaghan made a really cute pair. They asked me if they could take some additional pictures of Teaghan for a public service announcement about pre-term babies, too. Each family was given a CD with all of the images. I will share some soon!
Dad is on Spring Break this week, so he, Mom and Charleigh are staying at Katelyn's with me for a few days. I bought Charleigh a princess sleeping bag and it works like a charm! They will go back to Keene on Wednesday and then come again at the end of the week. Katelyn and Garrett are in Arizona so the cats are enjoying the company! It is so nice to be able to put Charleigh to bed and wake up to her smiling face!
As of today, Teaghan weighs 4 lbs. 13 oz., which is up from her birth weight. She has been breastfeeding quite well for the past two days, and they are feeding her with the tube at night. She no longer has an IV. In order to go home, she needs to have three more days with no apnea and needs to maintain her body temperature outside of the isolette. They tried to put her in a regular "crib" the other day, but she was still pretty chilly. A first this bothered me, but one nurse said that she would rather have her using her energy to grow rather than to stay warm. When looking at it from this perspective, I was okay with it.
They have asked me to spend a couple of nights at the hospital before we go home. I am waiting to see how close we are before I do this, but it could be the end of the week. I am really trying not to get my hopes up, but it sure would be nice to have the four of us under one roof - especially our own!
On Sunday a photographer from this area volunteered to take pictures of the babies in the ICN and their families. Charleigh and Teaghan made a really cute pair. They asked me if they could take some additional pictures of Teaghan for a public service announcement about pre-term babies, too. Each family was given a CD with all of the images. I will share some soon!
Dad is on Spring Break this week, so he, Mom and Charleigh are staying at Katelyn's with me for a few days. I bought Charleigh a princess sleeping bag and it works like a charm! They will go back to Keene on Wednesday and then come again at the end of the week. Katelyn and Garrett are in Arizona so the cats are enjoying the company! It is so nice to be able to put Charleigh to bed and wake up to her smiling face!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
March 11
After a long day with some photo therapy, Teaghan is looking great! She was beginning to look quite orange and after several days just under her light level, she finally went way over at 16.9. Her little sunglasses made her look a little funny! They will re-test her Friday morning, but we should be done with the jaundice ordeal.
Teaghan is also nursing very well! Yesterday she fed well, needing only half feeds at some points and today I breastfed her all day. Her eating patterns are still immature, but she is able to handle it. In addition, she has reached her maximum feeding, 41mL, for those in between tube feedings. The nurse told me that I may want to consider sleeping at the hospital to feed her overnight, but that I would have to share a room with one or two other women. I think I will wait until we get a little closer to going home - I have had my share of doubling!
Teaghan gained 80 grams on Wednesday and we are hoping for similar gains from today. I guess we'll have to wait and see...
She had a brief apnea spell that lasted for seven seconds. They will probably start her countdown over again, meaning she has at least another 5 or 7 days there. This said, they are also saying that she will very possibly be home by the end of the month. I don't want to rush things at all....although it sure will be nice to have both girls at home!
Charleigh continues to love her new role of big sister! She loves to help change her diaper, take her temperature and even hold her (for very short periods of time). She was less than impressed with the poopy diaper T gifted us with this afternoon, though. Charleigh, Mom and Dad visited today and will be here tomorrow, too. Next week Auntie Kate and Uncle Garrett will be on vacation, so the whole crew will come spend a few nights! I can't wait to tuck Charleigh in again!
Teaghan is also nursing very well! Yesterday she fed well, needing only half feeds at some points and today I breastfed her all day. Her eating patterns are still immature, but she is able to handle it. In addition, she has reached her maximum feeding, 41mL, for those in between tube feedings. The nurse told me that I may want to consider sleeping at the hospital to feed her overnight, but that I would have to share a room with one or two other women. I think I will wait until we get a little closer to going home - I have had my share of doubling!
Teaghan gained 80 grams on Wednesday and we are hoping for similar gains from today. I guess we'll have to wait and see...
She had a brief apnea spell that lasted for seven seconds. They will probably start her countdown over again, meaning she has at least another 5 or 7 days there. This said, they are also saying that she will very possibly be home by the end of the month. I don't want to rush things at all....although it sure will be nice to have both girls at home!
Charleigh continues to love her new role of big sister! She loves to help change her diaper, take her temperature and even hold her (for very short periods of time). She was less than impressed with the poopy diaper T gifted us with this afternoon, though. Charleigh, Mom and Dad visited today and will be here tomorrow, too. Next week Auntie Kate and Uncle Garrett will be on vacation, so the whole crew will come spend a few nights! I can't wait to tuck Charleigh in again!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
March 9
Teaghan continues to do very well! She is up to eating 24mL every 3 hours and that will increase at 11pm tonight to 30mL (1 ounce) every three hours. She gained another 20 grams and is headed back to her birth weight. She looks very jaundice, but still has bilirubin levels right below her cutoff. The doctors said that today is the day her levels should peak and then they should start to go down. The only other issues are totally related to prematurity....she needs a little extra heat and continues to have about one apnea issue each day. They say both of these issues will resolve themselves in time.
There has been some talk of transferring Teaghan back to Keene. While I am happy that she is doing well enough to continue this, I am not incredibly comfortable with that move. She is monitored so closely now and they deal with premature babies all the time. I really would like her to stay where she is for a little longer, even if it is harder on all of us.
Teaghan was moved to another bed space today. The little boy next to her went home and they needed two close spaces for a set of twins. They are almost moving her as much as they moved me!
I went home for a brief visit last night (Monday) and Charleigh was very excited to realize that I still live in our house! We got in our jammies and played hard before bed. After making her pancakes for breakfast, I headed back to the hospital early. Although I hated leaving the hospital even for this short time, it was so nice to spend this time with Charleigh. I am looking forward to a time when we can sleep at home with both girls!
There has been some talk of transferring Teaghan back to Keene. While I am happy that she is doing well enough to continue this, I am not incredibly comfortable with that move. She is monitored so closely now and they deal with premature babies all the time. I really would like her to stay where she is for a little longer, even if it is harder on all of us.
Teaghan was moved to another bed space today. The little boy next to her went home and they needed two close spaces for a set of twins. They are almost moving her as much as they moved me!
I went home for a brief visit last night (Monday) and Charleigh was very excited to realize that I still live in our house! We got in our jammies and played hard before bed. After making her pancakes for breakfast, I headed back to the hospital early. Although I hated leaving the hospital even for this short time, it was so nice to spend this time with Charleigh. I am looking forward to a time when we can sleep at home with both girls!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
March 6 and 7
So posting every day is not nearly as easy when there is no home base in the hospital! Here is a brief recap of the past two days...
Saturday - Teaghan continued to do well today! She still is without the CPAP and has been very stable. The only concern at this time was her bilirubin level. She looks quite yellow, but is still under the "legal limit". : )They began to let me hold her a little more and had me take her temperature and change her diapers. Messy for a little stinker!
Charleigh, Grandma and Grandpa came today and had a great visit! Our nurse for the day, Nurse Amy, was WONDERFUL with Charleigh. She allowed her to help change her diaper, take her temperature and hold her. Charleigh was thrilled and it was so fun to watch. She loves her baby sister! Charleigh sang her ABC's to Teaghan and then left with a bag of diapers and two bottles for her babies from Amy. This was the best part of the day!
We celebrated Katelyn's birthday since she will be gone on the 17th and then Brian and I headed back to say good night to Teaghan. When we arrived, we scrubbed in and headed to her bed space to find that she was replaced with a "Caution Wet Floor" sign. You can imagine my panic. I asked at the desk where I might find her, only to learn that she had "graduated" to the carpet area. This area is for babies who are more stable. Phew! This area is much more comfortable and relaxing as there are no really needy babies. There are still alarms, but not nearly as many machines.
Exactlly one month later, I was discharged from the hospital... I did have a hard time leaving the hospital without Teaghan, but I am trying to remember that she is in good hands. We went back to Kate and Garrett's and enjoyed full size towels and a real bed...ahh!
Sunday - Teaghan was dressed this morning when we got to the hospital!!! She looked so cute! I was surprised, though, how small the preemie clothes were on her! I guess I will only look for Newborn and up sized clothing!
Teaghan continues to do well. She did have a few episodes of apnea overnight and again twice during the day. They are not at all concerned, but it is a rather uncomfortable feeling for me. This is something that they say she will outgrow when she reaches 35 or 36 weeks. They are also still watching her bilirubin level, but she escaped the tanning session again today. She was also had a few periods where she was pretty awake today which was a nice change! Her feedings will double today and go up again by 6 mL tonight at 11:00pm. This makes a whole 18 mL every 3 hours! Teaghan even gave nursing a good chance this afternoon. Little steps, but we are headed in the right direction.
The clan came to visit again and Charleigh is still totally in love with Teaghan. She insisted on holding her again, although it was for just a short time. Charleigh just loved it when Teaghan grabbed her nose. Too cute!
Publish Post
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March 5 - One Day Old
I am actually writing this early on Saturday morning because during my usual blogging time, Brian and I were packing our things thinking we were either getting discharged or moved to a new room and being doubled for my last night at the Hitchcock Hotel. Keep in mind this was from 10:30pm on, so I was less than entertained! Needless to say, we packed everything, Brian loaded the car with some things and they decided not to move us...at 1:30am!!!
Anyway...we had a terrific day with Teaghan and Charleigh! We were pleasantly surprised when we went for a quick visit at 5:30am and Teaghan had been taken off of the CPAP (only 9 hours with it) and was breathing 100% on her own. She continues to do well! At this point, they say she is pretty low maintenance; she is still finishing her 48 hours of antibiotics just in case of infection, needs a little bit of additional heat to keep her body temperature up, and has the feeding tube and IV. She has taken what little I have been able to pump as supplements and even becoming a little cranky when it is time to eat!
Charleigh came to see visit and was so very excited to see Baby Teaghan! Because they are so strict with who can see her, our time was limited, and only 3 of us could go in at a time. Mom, Charleigh and I went in and Charleigh was so cute....in her Big Sister shirt, Charleigh gently touched her hand and talked to her. She was also anxious to pack her up and bring her home...not quite yet! Dad came in right after and Brian's parents visited in the afternoon.
I have to say it is very difficult to sit in the ICN with the levels of care some of the babies need. They are SO tiny and some very sick. I am VERY happy that I sat in bed for as long as I did and so incredibly thankful that she is doing so well!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
March 4 - She's Here!
So my back pain turned out to be contractions.... I woke up at 2am with this horrible back ache again. It was on and off through the night, but nothing consistent until around 6:30am. They put me on the monitor and, sure enough, I was having contractions. I was not at all dilated at this time. Teaghan was looking great, so they took me off of the monitor for most of the day. The contractions were strong, but about 8-10 minutes apart until around 4:00pm. Look out! At 5:15pm I was 5 cm, fully effaced, and by 6:00pm, I was at 9cm ready to push! I had requested a heating pad for the pain, but they could not get a working one in here all day! They also tried to give me one dose of something for the pain, but it was WAY too late - this was only like 5 minutes before she was born. Although it hurt like hell, I managed to get through it okay. I didn't even swear once!!!!! (This is a miracle considering the trucker mouth I adopted during Charleigh's labor.)
At 6:25pm, 33 weeks, 2 days, Teaghan Shea was born. She came out crying and needed very little support. Brian was able to cut the cord and then they whisked her away to the ICN. Teaghan weighed 4lbs. 11oz. and was 17 inches long! Not bad compared to what we were expecting. She has lots of black hair!
We were unable to see her until almost 8pm...this time passed very slowly. When we got there, she was receiving some support breathing with the CPAP. This provides pressure to help her breathe, but she does not need any oxygen at all...she is breathing room air. She needs a little extra heat, and they put in a feeding tube and IV. She is not yet eating, but the tube will release some air in her belly so she can burp! They did a chest x-ray and a CBC, but both looked fine. I have to say, being in the ICN and seeing all of the tubes and monitors was a little overwhelming, but I am sure we will get used to it. It is just a relief that she is doing so well!
Charleigh was SO excited when we called; far more than I ever thought she would be. Mom and Dad had just finished washing and reassembling the infant car seat (with Charleigh's help). When she heard that Teaghan was out of Mommy's belly, she wanted to get the car seat and head here!
Brian and I are both hoping to get some rest tonight, but I am not feeling very tired. We'll see...
At 6:25pm, 33 weeks, 2 days, Teaghan Shea was born. She came out crying and needed very little support. Brian was able to cut the cord and then they whisked her away to the ICN. Teaghan weighed 4lbs. 11oz. and was 17 inches long! Not bad compared to what we were expecting. She has lots of black hair!
We were unable to see her until almost 8pm...this time passed very slowly. When we got there, she was receiving some support breathing with the CPAP. This provides pressure to help her breathe, but she does not need any oxygen at all...she is breathing room air. She needs a little extra heat, and they put in a feeding tube and IV. She is not yet eating, but the tube will release some air in her belly so she can burp! They did a chest x-ray and a CBC, but both looked fine. I have to say, being in the ICN and seeing all of the tubes and monitors was a little overwhelming, but I am sure we will get used to it. It is just a relief that she is doing so well!
Charleigh was SO excited when we called; far more than I ever thought she would be. Mom and Dad had just finished washing and reassembling the infant car seat (with Charleigh's help). When she heard that Teaghan was out of Mommy's belly, she wanted to get the car seat and head here!
Brian and I are both hoping to get some rest tonight, but I am not feeling very tired. We'll see...
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
March 3
I am officially falling apart! Last night I woke up at 2:30am with horrible pain in my lower back. I figured out that it wasn't labor when I moved and I got some relief. This has continued since then; I cannot get comfortable at all. They brought in a new chair for something different, but it only feels better for a few minutes. Brian decided to try my bed for a little bit tonight and even his back started to hurt after a little while. I may have to break down and take some Tylenol!
Charleigh and Mom rode up with Brian today and Dad came up after his classes were over. Charleigh had picked out some projects to do with me at Michael's so today we made an Easter necklace. She did a pretty good job stringing the wooden beads!
Tomorrow they are checking my sugar again....what fun. Does it really matter when I am going to have the baby next week? Really I am just mad I couldn't eat whatever I wanted tonight! : )
Charleigh and Mom rode up with Brian today and Dad came up after his classes were over. Charleigh had picked out some projects to do with me at Michael's so today we made an Easter necklace. She did a pretty good job stringing the wooden beads!
Tomorrow they are checking my sugar again....what fun. Does it really matter when I am going to have the baby next week? Really I am just mad I couldn't eat whatever I wanted tonight! : )
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
March 2 - 33 Weeks
One week from today! I am so ready...or I was until I heard the girl in the next room screaming, crying and swearing for an extended period of time. Maybe a c-section wouldn't be so bad?!
Teaghan was a super star during the NST this morning and I again, did not have one tonight. When the doctor came in this morning, he was sure to tell me that the induction could last anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days. I guess this is better than the 3 days it took with Charleigh! They will start the Pitocin at midnight on Monday/Tuesday and see how it goes. I really hope we are able to get some sleep that night, but I doubt it!
Charleigh came for a nice visit today and was full of it, as usual! She managed to fill two diapers during the three and a half hours they were here and smell up the whole room - gross! This is one benefit to bed rest - (the only one I have come up with so far...) no diaper changing. Teaghan got the hiccups again when Charleigh was here and she likes to feel them. I am not sure she knows exactly what to think. Teaghan gets the hiccups at least 4 times a day! Charleigh always got them right when I was going to bed.
There was nothing good on TV tonight so I reorganized my bedside table. How pathetic is that? I am definitely ready to be out of this room!
Teaghan was a super star during the NST this morning and I again, did not have one tonight. When the doctor came in this morning, he was sure to tell me that the induction could last anywhere from 2 hours to 2 days. I guess this is better than the 3 days it took with Charleigh! They will start the Pitocin at midnight on Monday/Tuesday and see how it goes. I really hope we are able to get some sleep that night, but I doubt it!
Charleigh came for a nice visit today and was full of it, as usual! She managed to fill two diapers during the three and a half hours they were here and smell up the whole room - gross! This is one benefit to bed rest - (the only one I have come up with so far...) no diaper changing. Teaghan got the hiccups again when Charleigh was here and she likes to feel them. I am not sure she knows exactly what to think. Teaghan gets the hiccups at least 4 times a day! Charleigh always got them right when I was going to bed.
There was nothing good on TV tonight so I reorganized my bedside table. How pathetic is that? I am definitely ready to be out of this room!
Monday, March 1, 2010
March 1 - A New Month
Now that I am totally disgusted with the Bachelor...
This morning we finally were able to get a definite date that they will induce me... the fun will begin March 9. At first, the doctor said that I would not be 34 weeks until Wednesday the 10th, but after seeing the look on my face, he decided to double check. I was right! When Keene admitted me, they wrote the wrong due date down, so they checked my early ultrasounds. One day may not seem like a lot, but for me, that's a whole 24 hours more to sit in bed! They already had two inductions scheduled for this date, but bumped one of them, since they can only do two in a day. I guess that is the benefit of sitting here waiting for a month!
They also decided to cut back the non-stress tests to only one time each day. This is stressing me out a little so I am going to double check with the doctor in the morning. When the nurse told me this tonight, she thought it was a good thing because Teaghan has done so well. To me, this time on the monitor is my reassurance that everything is okay. We'll see...
When you have been in a hospital bed for so long, it becomes quite depressing to look in the mirror. SO...while make up and a curling iron sound like way too much energy, my eyebrows were a permanent fix that needed help. I decided to wax my own eyebrows in my hospital room. Mom delivered the goods yesterday. Since you can't see in the mirror very well, I climbed up on the chair and sat on the counter (and only got caught by Nellie the cleaning lady). I felt much better when done! This is enough for now, though...no major makeover before next Tuesday for me!
Today was a no Charleigh day, but she will be here tomorrow afternoon. Brian went back to Keene to work, so it was quiet night.
This morning we finally were able to get a definite date that they will induce me... the fun will begin March 9. At first, the doctor said that I would not be 34 weeks until Wednesday the 10th, but after seeing the look on my face, he decided to double check. I was right! When Keene admitted me, they wrote the wrong due date down, so they checked my early ultrasounds. One day may not seem like a lot, but for me, that's a whole 24 hours more to sit in bed! They already had two inductions scheduled for this date, but bumped one of them, since they can only do two in a day. I guess that is the benefit of sitting here waiting for a month!
They also decided to cut back the non-stress tests to only one time each day. This is stressing me out a little so I am going to double check with the doctor in the morning. When the nurse told me this tonight, she thought it was a good thing because Teaghan has done so well. To me, this time on the monitor is my reassurance that everything is okay. We'll see...
When you have been in a hospital bed for so long, it becomes quite depressing to look in the mirror. SO...while make up and a curling iron sound like way too much energy, my eyebrows were a permanent fix that needed help. I decided to wax my own eyebrows in my hospital room. Mom delivered the goods yesterday. Since you can't see in the mirror very well, I climbed up on the chair and sat on the counter (and only got caught by Nellie the cleaning lady). I felt much better when done! This is enough for now, though...no major makeover before next Tuesday for me!
Today was a no Charleigh day, but she will be here tomorrow afternoon. Brian went back to Keene to work, so it was quiet night.
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