Monday, March 05, 2007

Babies!

I was wrong - the babies were born right at 30 weeks. For those of you that have had, or know, a preemie - every day counts. Every single day.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for all, for the wonderful words over the weekend. It was so nice to get up this morning and read them all.

Yesterday was a very long day. Got up early yesterday and drove down for a visit. The roads were still a little icy. I got bored counting the cars in the ditch, and just started counting semi-trailers and cars that were upside-down. Final count - 4 semi's and 13 cars upside down. It should have taken me 3 1/2 hours but took closer to 4.

I did create a little stir when I showed up. I hadn't called to let the know, only because Mom and Dad would have worried.

Got there just in time to go see the babies. Rather than walk, or even ride in a wheelchair, my sister is relegated to riding on a gurney. They're really struggling to control her blood pressure. Yesterday while I was there it was averaging around 188/102. Not good. They're still watching her for another seizure. The first one was caused by eclampsia. Thing is, my sister didn't have 'pre-eclampsia,' she had a seizure. The last thing she remembers Friday is handing off the phone and telling him to "Call 911." The police were there within in a minute, the ambulance in three.

The babies are doing what they need to - sleeping, breathing, and growing. The little girl has had a little expressed breast milk and she pooped! That first poop is pretty important. The little boy is improving steadily. We were there when the doctor made his rounds. He was pleased with the progress they are making.

Ah well, it was a good visit as much as being a helpless bystander can be 'good.' I'm glad I went.

This whole thing could still turn to crap pretty fast.

Itty Bitty Baby Boy:















Itty Bitty Baby Girl:















New Mama and Itty Bitty Baby Girl:














The Isolettes. They're sharing a room:

8 comments:

g-man said...

I'm really glad that they all are doing as well as can be expected. I'm not a good bystander.

joansy said...

I'm glad you were able to make it. They're beautiful.

I developed pre-e w/ almost no warning. I saw the peri on Tuesday and everything was fine. I saw him on Thursday and he called an hour later to say that I needed to check in the hospital for a c-section. It was amazing how quickly it happened. The good news is that delivery of the babies is the single biggest step in recovery. I developed hellp syndrome immediately after birth, with some pretty similar symptoms to those of your sister. It was a rough 4 days, with lots of blood draws, steroids, up and down blood pressure and exhaustion, but after it was over everything was pretty much ok.
Anyway, that's the long way of saying I wouldn't be suprised if she has hellp, but if she does recovery may be just a few days away.

I hope they're all doing well soon.
Big, enormous hugs.
J.

Anonymous said...

I had a really bad headache and woke at 4:00 in the morning. Called my doctor who said to meet her at the Emergency Room. She said my blood pressure might be high. I remember getting there and was in bed and had to pee, which they said would have to wait until after I finished the paperwork. In the middle of signing my name I went into convulsions and don't remember a thing. I woke up a day later having had an emergency c-section. Good thing we called the doctor in the middle of the night. They called it toxemia, but I think its the same as eclamsia. I think it happens way more than people think.

I'll be sending good thoughts to those babies and your sister. I'm glad they are doing well.

Unknown said...

Mine was a placental abruption, so I have no advice on the blood pressure... but I am definitely thinking of her. I am so glad you were able to get down there (even if you are a crazy person given the weather!), I am sure it absolutely meant the world to her. And the babies are amazing. They look wonderful. They look just like Declan did and Declan was 32 weeks. I'll pulling for your family, chica. More kisses.

sillychick said...

Amazing pictures, thank you for sharing.

I have no words for you. I'm not sure anything I say is good enough, other than it teaches us that every single minute is precious. Much like the new babies.

Tell your sister an Ohio girl is thinking of her and whisper in the babies' ears, "Go Bucks!"

TxGambit said...

Wow. Amazing pictures. You're sister and the babies are in my thoughts and prayers. I have no experience.... {{{{HUGS}}}}}

Becky said...

The pictures bring back memories. My daughters were born at 29 weeks, so I totally get the NICU roller coaster. Keeping everyone in my thoughts ...

Gretchen said...

Thank you all, so very much for your wonderful and thoughtful comments!