Olivia Released
Olivia was released from the hospital last night and it was as hard a thing as you can imagine to leave Micah Ahava there. Thus begins our adventure of visitation, peer support, and less immediate access to our daughter. Since my alarm didn't go off this morning when I wanted it to (or I slept through it?), this is already the longest I have gone without seeing her since her birth (14 hours!).
The good news is that it has been a positive 24 hours for Micah. Her counts are doing well, and we were allowed to take our first family photo together. She has dark hair and her skin is less translucent. It is hard to imagine how someone could already have grown so much and still be so small. But the big news: She opened her eyes!
The biggest prayer concern (besides poop) is with her blood flow. At 24 weeks, 4 days gestational age today (almost 6 days old!), Micah's circulatory system isn't ready-made for life outside the womb. She is still adjusting, and has a common condition called PDA:
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
If the ductus arteriosus remains open (patent) after birth, it results in abnormal blood flow between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This allows oxygenated blood from the aorta to mix with oxygen-poor blood in the pulmonary arteries. A small PDA may not have any damaging effects on the baby other than a heart murmur. However, large PDAs are more serious and put extra strain on the heart and lungs. The lungs may become congested and the child may experience difficulty breathing. In addition, the extra blood flowing to the lungs increases pressure in the lung's blood vessels, which may lead to permanent damage if not corrected.
If the PDA is small, it may close on its own and not require treatment. Medication has been effective in treating some premature babies with PDAs. However, for larger PDAs, catheterization or surgery can be used to close off the PDA. Doctors can use a catheter (long thin tube) to insert a device that will block the PDA, or they may surgically close the PDA with a clamp or suture. [http://creationwiki.org/Fetal_circulation]
Micah's treatment includes a program of three injections of a chemical designed to mimic the one the body produces to close the PDA in a normal birth. The primary risk is a generally slowing down of the body systems, so she has once again been taken off of Mama's milk and is on a diet of supplements and fluids. We should know the results of these efforts by Monday night or Tuesday.
As expected, Micah has also needed more blood product transfusions due to the fact that her body does not produce enough blood for her needs and for the lab work. They do an amazing job of returning unused blood to her body, but it's a lot of lab work.
We will be heading back up to the hospital shortly to visit Micah. Thank you for your continued prayers.
The good news is that it has been a positive 24 hours for Micah. Her counts are doing well, and we were allowed to take our first family photo together. She has dark hair and her skin is less translucent. It is hard to imagine how someone could already have grown so much and still be so small. But the big news: She opened her eyes!
The biggest prayer concern (besides poop) is with her blood flow. At 24 weeks, 4 days gestational age today (almost 6 days old!), Micah's circulatory system isn't ready-made for life outside the womb. She is still adjusting, and has a common condition called PDA:
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
If the ductus arteriosus remains open (patent) after birth, it results in abnormal blood flow between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. This allows oxygenated blood from the aorta to mix with oxygen-poor blood in the pulmonary arteries. A small PDA may not have any damaging effects on the baby other than a heart murmur. However, large PDAs are more serious and put extra strain on the heart and lungs. The lungs may become congested and the child may experience difficulty breathing. In addition, the extra blood flowing to the lungs increases pressure in the lung's blood vessels, which may lead to permanent damage if not corrected.
If the PDA is small, it may close on its own and not require treatment. Medication has been effective in treating some premature babies with PDAs. However, for larger PDAs, catheterization or surgery can be used to close off the PDA. Doctors can use a catheter (long thin tube) to insert a device that will block the PDA, or they may surgically close the PDA with a clamp or suture. [http://creationwiki.org/Fetal_circulation]
Micah's treatment includes a program of three injections of a chemical designed to mimic the one the body produces to close the PDA in a normal birth. The primary risk is a generally slowing down of the body systems, so she has once again been taken off of Mama's milk and is on a diet of supplements and fluids. We should know the results of these efforts by Monday night or Tuesday.
As expected, Micah has also needed more blood product transfusions due to the fact that her body does not produce enough blood for her needs and for the lab work. They do an amazing job of returning unused blood to her body, but it's a lot of lab work.
We will be heading back up to the hospital shortly to visit Micah. Thank you for your continued prayers.
Comments
You are now walking in shoes that we walked in December 1986 as our second child was born at 28 weeks. I was flown from Abilene to Ft. Worth in the middle of a frosty December night and Wes arrived at 10:42 a.m. that next morning at Harris Hospital weighting 2 lb. 4 oz. Let me assure you that Micah is in the absolute best place she can be. The medical staff at Harris and Cooks were a true gift fromf the hand of Our Lord. Wes is now 25, 6'1", married and expecting his first child. He is our miracle child. The Lord taught us many, many lessons during those weeks at Harris the greatest of which was that He was always there. Whether we were at the Ronald McDonald house or in the NICU, His Presence surrounded us and called us to Him moment by moment. Wes, as most premies, had his ups and downs but the Lord made every step with us and we daily saw Him everywhere. The opportunities to share our faith were limitless. Press hard into Him and trust His plan and design for you and for your sweet little daughter.
If you or Olivia need a listening ear, please do not hesitate to call either of us.
Dennis - 325-733-5123
Brenda - 325-733-5238
Praying for you,
Brenda Greer