Jaundiced.

by Veronica on August 2, 2012

in Evelyn

We were hoping to take Evelyn home today after her discharge from NICU yesterday. Unfortunately, while her bilirubin levels are below the cut off line, they have increased overnight, in quite a big jump.

This means that we could take her home tonight and then bring her back tomorrow – knowing that she would likely need phototherapy and a few days in NICU, or, we can re-admit her today to spend 24 hours wrapped in a biliblanket.

Luckily, the family room is available, so I will be spending another day in hospital here with Evelyn, hoping that she is improved by tomorrow.

The bonuses of this are that I shouldn’t have to use the hand pump that the hospital loaned me to express once I get home (the ever gorgeous Kate has posted me an electric pump and I am so grateful I will kiss her the next time I see her) and that I will have my own room for a little bit, with Evelyn rooming in and hanging out in her cool blue light blanket.

She’s still feeding really well, better in fact than when she was still in NICU, and is latching perfectly. Her weight loss has been minimal (30g in the last 2 days, but she did wee everywhere shortly before her weigh in) and she is waking herself for feeds.

All very good signs.

Edited to clear up confusion! The hospital has awesome electric pumps, I was talking about the hand pump they’d loaned me to take home, while I waited for Kate’s in the mail.

Becky August 2, 2012 at 10:52 am

WHAT? The hospital only let you use a hand pump? That makes your three ounces even more astronomical! That’s just… wrong. The best part of the hospital over here is they have hospital-grade pumps that cost about $1500 which are free for the using if you need them. They’re AWESOME 🙂

Veronica August 2, 2012 at 11:06 am

no, sorry! There are aweso e electric pumps for when you’re in here. I was talking about the one they were loaning me to take home, while I waited for Kate’s to arrive in the mail. Sorry to confuse everyone!

Sharon A. August 2, 2012 at 10:55 am

I’m also surprised they didn’t have the good electrical pumps for you. Glad you get to stay with her though

Arienette August 2, 2012 at 11:39 am

She’s beautiful, and you’re being so brave and strong, even while wobbly. I can’t believe she’s here already! Seems like only yesterday you were getting married!

Sending you love and thinking of you, hoping you and Evelyn get to go home soon.

Nathalie Brown August 2, 2012 at 1:19 pm

Veronica, wishing you all lots of love and a going home soon. Evelyn is silly precious x

Marita August 2, 2012 at 5:00 pm

Fingers crossed you can both go home together very soon. I am glad they found a room for you to stay in with Evelyn.

river August 2, 2012 at 9:29 pm

Great to hear that Evelyn is feeding so well; you’ll both be home in no time.
I saw photos of her over at your Mum’s blog, she’s gorgeous.

Fee @ Oh Gorgeous Baby August 4, 2012 at 5:57 am

How much do those hospital electric pumps rock! Hand pumps are definatly much harder work after using one of those while in hospital so I can completely understand why you will be kissing her when you see her next.
I hope the billy levels start to stabilize and that weight gain is something that starts getting done page time here.
Having a premmie is a huge experience and just when you expect things to go the other way somehow the rules change and you have to re evaluate your move and your feelings to go along with that. Best thing I learnt from being in there for so long was just to see things as little battles or issues to overcome and to learn how to be really flexible because otherwise you are heartbroken every time the rules get changed. I guess the longer you are there the more you get to understand the environment and how to deal and react to things too.
It sounds like she is starring to act more and more like a full termer waking for feeds etc do this is an excellent sign.
Oh and you totally took me back to my NICU visit when you me roomed about her weight loss & the wee, I use to ask Airlie not to do that before weigh in! Lol
Take care xx

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