Caitlin's First Week

The past week has been the most exciting and frightening week of our lives.

Friday:
Caitlin scored an 8/9 and 9/9 on her Apgar test. She only cried when being poked for shots. The pediatrician gave her a healthy baby status. She seemed content and happy. She had her hearing test and passed on one side, but was a bit too active for the second ear, making the test inconclusive. We sent her to the Nursery during the night, to be brought to us for feedings.

Saturday:
Cailtin remained content and slept almost all the day. She seemed most alert between 2:00 - 4:00 am. Caitlin was again given the hearing test. This time she failed in both ears.

Sunday:
At 3:00 in the morning, we were notified by the nurse that Caitlin had lost 15 ounces, just over 10% of her birth weight. We were told weight loss is normal, but in the 5%-10% range. Later when the doctor saw her, she received a healthy baby status. Both Kim and Caitlin were okayed to be discharged; however we decided that Kim should have another day to rest from the c-section. Kim was beginning to show signs of Edema in her legs. Caitlin had her third hearing test, and this time passed on both ears.

Monday:
Early in the morning we were told that Caitlin had lost another four ounces, bringing her weight loss to over 15%. The nurse ordered a bilirubin blood test for jaundice. Around 7:00 in the morning we were told that Cailtin had an elevated bilirubin count and had to go under the lights. She also needed to be supplemented 2 ounces of formula every two hours. Thus began the every two hour feedings, which took about an hour for each feeding. Kim and I were extremely exhausted and very scared. We knew jaundice is common as is weight loss, but it did not change how we felt. We seemed unable to feed or help our baby. We prayed and cried almost continuously. A nurse who was helping with our feedings recommended that we allow the staff to cover a couple of feedings at night.

Tuesday:
Caitlin received another bilirubin blood test, which although lower than the first, was still elevated. She gained 3 ounces that day. The nurse practitioner decided to continue the treatment of lights and bi hourly feedings; Which we learned from a nurse as the nurse practitioner failed to come and tell us her report. Although Kim still had Edema in her legs, she was discharged. We were allowed to move to a different hospital room in the maternal ward. We continued the bi hourly feedings throughout the day. Caitlin did not complain under the lights. She often looked like she was sunbathing. Late Tuesday Kim began to be concerned that her breathing was more labored.

Wednesday:
At 4:15 in the morning Kim's breathing had become more labored. She also felt pressure in her chest. The edema had spread to upper body and her hands. The nurses would not look at her since she had been technically discharged. We went to the ER to have Kim checked out. They looked at her quickly and decided an a battery of test including a test for heart distress and blood clots. The grandparents quickly came in to keep Kim company as I went to be with Caitlin. The ER doctors decided to admit Kim. On the other hand Caitlin's weight had increased another two ounces and her bilirubin count had dropped into a safer level. Caitlin was okayed to be discharged. Thus began the journey to transfer our stuff and Caitlin to our third room in the hospital. While doing this some reports from the doctors arrived. Kim showed signs of an enlarged heart. However, a different test showed that there was no damage to the heart. Around six in the evening the doctor reported that the results of the tests showed no immediate danger to Kim. The Edema was more pronounced than normal and the excess pressure was the cause of the labored breathing. Kim was prescribed a drug to reduce the Edema and discharged. Around 7:00 on Wednesday night we were able to bring Caitlin and Kim home for the first time.