New mom of a preemie

[ch3lsea]

Update: Kayleigh seems to still be doing ok and holding her own. They have still been measuring her belly daily and it is nice and soft. She is still on the vent, but her settings are pretty low. She is still not being fed...but she will be off the antibiotics on the 26th and they are talking about trying to feed her again once those are done with. I'm very nervous about feeding again...I am terrified her intestines will perforate again =/ and she will need surgery. Please pray that she does well with her second attempt at feeding <3 Oh and she is so close to hitting 2 pounds which is really good news :)

[jenmatt1]

so happy she is going well- come on 2 lbs Kayleigh! Hope you are doing ok as well

[sarah0381]

Yay!!! Hang in there it sounds like she's doing well!

[ch3lsea]

Kayleigh weighed in at 2lbs1oz yesterday...on her one month birthday! She just got off the antibiotics yesterday as well...still not feeding yet though..but hopefully within the next couple days! She also had an eye exam today, no signs of ROP yet! (and we're hoping there will be no sign of it at her next exam either!) She's proving to be one tough cookie <3

[jenmatt1]

sounds like you got a little fighter there- glad she is doing better. Sounds like mom is doing a little better too :)

[ch3lsea]

I am doing a little better, still worried...they decided they want to close her PDA before they try feeding again. So tomorrow she will probably have surgery to correct it. I know it's a very common procedure in the NICU, so I'm trying not to be too stressed, but I'm still scared. I just want things to start looking up for her so she can start to eat and really gain some weight.

[aundapenner]

(((hug))) prayers for both of you for strength and courage.

I think as moms we forget to give ourselves credit and tend to dismiss our emotions.

It is OK to feel afraid, worried, sad, angry, and in love with your daughter. Her birth came so much sooner than expected. It is a huge burden to deal with the comings and goings in the NICU, to see our little ones so helpless and feel so unneeded.

But trust me - you are needed. She needs you. And she loves you, with all of your fears and flaws and imperfections, your daughter loves you.

This board is an amazing source of strength and wisdom. And mostly, in my experience, is a wonderful resource of shoulders to lean on.

Thinking of you ...

[ch3lsea]

Thanks. She is getting surgery today to close her PDA...I'm nervous, but I know it's the best thing for her. Wish us luck!

[jenmatt1]

It is completely normal for you to be nervous for something like this, especially after what you have been through- that's what moms are supposed to do. My mom once said to me that if you worry about your kids, you are likely doing your job right as a mom. I think from your posts you have already shown what a tremendous mom you are and how much you love her already. Praying that everything goes smoothly today- let us know and know our thoughts are with you.

[ch3lsea]

Thanks! The surgery went good...her nurse was very impressed how well she did, they didn't need to use any extra blood or medication on her. She was completely sedated when I left her tonight, a little scary seeing her SO still (she's usually VERY wiggly) but the nurse said she will slowly start coming out of it and hopefully they will be able to slowly lower her vent settings a little bit. So now we're just hoping for a speedy recovery and hopefully, with her PDA closed, she will start improving each day :) Thank you all for thinking about us during this time...means a lot to me :)