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back from the hospital again
We had to take another trip to the hospital Saturday. We spent 2 nights in the NICU. Cate went from completely healthy looking to completely yellow in less than 24 hours. When we left the hospital on Thursday her bilirubin levels were at 6.3. They have to be under 10 so her number was low risk. Saturday evening we were instructed by the pedi to take her to the lab at Womans to have her levels checked ... they were 19.7. Once the levels reach 20 the doctors become concerned about possible brain damage. Not the words you want to hear coming out the pedi's mouth about your 4 day old child. Matt and I rushed back to Womans where they admitted her to the NICU. They checked her levels again (roughly 3-4 hours after the first draw) and they were at 20.9. Thank goodness we decided to call when we did b/c I almost didn't and that breaks my heart to think about.
Anyway, they started aggressive phototherapy with 3 overhead lights and one biliblanket. They also inserted an IV into her little arm to push fluids, helping to remove the bilirubin. I couldn't breastfeed so she had to take formula, which was okay by me if it meant she would be better quicker. The only problem is now she's use to drinking from a bottle and isn't taking too well to the breast. Hopefully we'll get back on track with that in the next day or two. By Midnight her levels had dropped to 16.2, but they were still high. They checked her blood every 6 hours after that and the levels dropped everytime. When we left today they were at 10.5, but she was able to come home. We go back to the lab in the morning to have the levels rechecked to make sure they aren't going up again.
My little girl was a trooper ... much braver than her momma. I spent the entire first night crying me eyes out over the whole situation, over having to leave Cole again and over not being pregnant anymore, which is a whole other story.
I hope all of you are doing well. I can tell you already that this 2 under 2 thing is going to be the craziest business I've ever dealt with, but I already love it. My heart became complete last Tuesday and I've never been happier or felt more love in my heart than this last week.
Re: back from the hospital again
omg I am so sorry! I can't imagine how freaked out you must have been, that is an astronomically high level! E had jaundice bad and DH had to bring her to bili-clinic every day for like a week after she came home. But I think her highest peak in her levels was like 12.
Thank goodness you decided to bring her in! Hugs to you and to her from me!
Oh hun, how scary! I am so glad to hear baby Cate is all better now and back at home where she belongs.
My 2 cousins were both biliruben babies. I've actually never heard of any other kids having what they had! Their levels were around 14-16 when they were born. They both had to stay in the hospital for about a week and one of them ended up going home with this light that was attached to a maching and you wrapped it in her swaddle with her. Very pitiful!
Oh my goodness, how scary! I know how scary & emotional the NICU experience can be. Ugh, and the hormones and the sadness of not being pregnant anymore makes it all that much harder! I'm sorry you had to go through this but I'm so glad to hear that she is okay and you were able to come home.
I hope her levels continue to go down and stay that way. Keep us updated! Try to get some rest and enjoy your family!
How scary, I am glad she is better though. I bet you were a nervous wreck.
Ditto this exactly
Oh MissD I don't know what to say! That sounds like a lot of stress all at once. I hope little Cate is doing better soon. Hang in there girl! You have my thoughts and prayers going out to you.
Oh no! I'm so glad she's doing a lot better and hope she continues to get even better.
Keep us updated!