So we are just a few days shy of having a 4-week old baby and it has been quite a crazy, yet rewarding ride. So Ashley came into the world on 04/23, and we went home on 04/25.
BACK IN THE HOSPITAL
After the 2-day checkup on 04/27, we were sent to the hospital for a bilirubin test since she looked rather yellow and was a little lethargic - and to think, we just thought we had a good sleeper! And although all newborns lose weight, she had gone down to 5lb 8 oz, which was over 12% loss in 2 days. They typically expect babies to lose up to 10% of their weight in 7 days, so that was also not good. Her bili level turned out to be 22.5 mg/dL which was rather alarming, because levels above 25 can cause brain damage and other developmental delays, and levels below 5 are normal. http://kidshealth.org/parent/pregnancy_newborn/common/jaundice.html#
They said if it was below 15, they would just monitor and not treat, 15-18 we would have done phototherapy in our house, and 18-22 we would have to go to the hospital. So not only were we for sure going to the hospital, but we were very scared because the 22.5 was so close to 25, and higher than the threshold the dr had prepared us for. So she ended up needing an IV for dehydration, and triple phototherapy to bring the jaundice down. Within 16 hours, her bili levels were considered acceptable high (12.5), but they kept us in the hospital an additional 2 days to make sure she (and we) knew how to feed properly. So we were told we needed to supplement with formula out of medical necesity, and while we were in the hospital, we had to feed her in the incubator. So we did that, and had a long stressful stay in the hospital - with visits from lactation consultants, constant monitoring of her eating, my milk, and her weight. So with all the scrutiny, combined with post-partum hormones, I was an emotional wreck!
FIGURING OUT OUR ROUTINE AT HOME
We were back home (again....) on the night of 04/30. We were doing alot of tracking of time of feedings, amount of pumped milk, and amount of supplemented formula. My sister left for her graduation on the morning of the 4th, and my mom went back to boston on the 5th. Pete ended up staying home and working from home on the 6th and 7th, as I was quite overwhelmed! We were going back to the pediatrician every other day for weight checks, as they wanted to make sure her weight gain was back on track....so at her 2-week birthday (May 7), she finally reached her birth weight again. On top of getting things settled with Ashley, I also ended up getting this sort of rare rash caused by pregnancy, it affects 1 in 240 pregnancies, and 6 in 1000 post-partum. I went to a dermatologist and ended up needing to go on oral and topical steriods. It was itchy like crazy and spread to my torso and legs.
http://www.google.com/images?q=puppps&rls=com.microsoft:*&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ADFA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=--XyS8vRHYu4NpOPzL8H&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CDYQsAQwAw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruritic_urticarial_papules_and_plaques_of_pregnancy
Her schedule is a little off, seemingly only sleeps 2 hours at night, but during the day she will go 4 hour stretches, so we are both tired to say the least. Pete is obviously back at work, so he is tired from restless sleep and helping with night feedings, and I am tired because the days are busy with taking care of Ashley. So as of Friday my maternity leave will be 33% over - and it is going by too fast! I FINALLY have some more confidence in being able to take care of AJ and ventured downtown on Friday to bring her to Pete's work, and last night took her to Pete's softball game. So I feel good enough to be leaving the house on my own.
CUTEST BABY EVER
So thats the story to date - we have her 4-week check-up on Friday coming up, although based on her little pot belly, I am guessing she is now about 7.5 lbs so we'll see. She is a really good baby - only really cries when she is hungry, so that is good news!!
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
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