Back to postpartum for recovery the next 4 days. Would you even believe I had that same 1 star nurse from the hospital stay at week 12! I wish I had the balls to ask for a different nurse. This time I wasn't going to do things she should be doing, I'm the patient paying for quality care!
While in postpartum, Mary Lou and Maggie Sue were down the hall in the NICU. The nurses don't bring your baby to your room, you go to the baby. Each time you enter the NICU you sign in and do handwash scrub for two minutes. Don't cheat the clock, the front desk knows if you haven't washed for two minutes! Then, hand sanitizer when you enter the room and when you leave the room. Sounds a bit much, but protecting little miracles is that important.
Since birth, the girls have been separated from each other. Both girls have head gear - cpap machines, umbilical I V's, oxygen monitors, ultraviolet lights and vitals monitors, very intimidating. First full day in the NICU and I still have not held either baby, just look and touch. Back and forth from postpartum to NICU, I was attempting to pump and get the breast milk flowing. Before long there was milk! Being a first time mom, I was thrilled about the breast feeding thing.
Finally, after day four in the NICU I got to hold Mary Lou for the first time, whereas Maggie wasn't well enough to be held just yet. The best moment ever! All cords attached, I was introduced to kangaroo care. This link, http://www.marchofdimes.org/baby/kangaroo-care.aspx, explains kangaroo care and how it benefits mom, dad, and baby. Then, days later, I held Maggie Sue for the first time. Our time was priceless for the 20 minutes we got to hold each baby, once per day.
Before I was discharged from the hospital, we got an unexpected offer. The Ronald McDonald House of the Four States had asked us to stay with them until the girls were well enough to go home, and Children's Miracle Network would sponsor our stay. Living close to an hour away from the hospital, we, gratefully, accepted the offer. At this point, I had no clue when we would be home next. We entered the hospital with an overnight bag and some personal items, plus the winter weather kept showing its ugly face.
Each day consisted of : Attempting to eat and rest, pump milk, visit girls, take pictures when possible, health updates, every 3 hours, all day long. We quickly got to know some of the staff taking care of the girls, and knew they were being well taken care of. Each day was an emotional roller coaster, whether it was a good day or not. "Two steps forward and one step back is still moving forward."
The progress the girls were making was slow, but in the right direction. Head ultrasounds revealed no bleeding in the brain, echocardiogram revealed heart murmurs but not a major concern, vitals are within normal limits, oxygen levels show the need for continued oxygen support. As with preemies, underdeveloped lungs is common. Eye exams are required due to long term high volume oxygen support. Feeding tubes were used to feed the girls my breast milk, they did not do well with bottle feeding once they were old enough to try eating from a bottle. After weighing out risks verse benefits, the girls needed a blood transfusion. I was mortified, I signed the paper at birth for treatment if it was needed, thinking it wouldn't be needed. I asked to give my blood, but was denied as I was healing from surgery myself. Both girls had I.V.s in their heads for the transfusions. Ugly sight, but I could see instantly the color of both girls change from pale to pink. Only time would tell if the transfusion was the right decision.
After spending Christmas, New Years, Presidents Day, Groundhogs Day, Valentines Day, and opening day of Trout season (Trout season is important to us! ) we finally got news that we would be going home soon. We begged for them to go home without oxygen cannula/tanks, and apnea monitors. That only prolonged our stay. Our original due date was February 18, 2014, and it was March before we were cleared to room-in. The goal was to be well enough to go home around original due date. Before any baby is discharged from the NICU the parents room-in with their baby in the unit with nursing staff available if needed.
No cords attached! First or last order of business, the girls finally get there hospital pictures taken! Getting to see our babies without cords, monitors, and cannulas. This was probably only the second time I've seen them with anything, even tape, on their precious faces. They were so beautiful. I'm couldn't stop holding them knowing we had all this freedom. It felt amazing. The NICU was our life and always will be. I've cherrished all memories, good and bad.
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