The day started with a sonogram with our perionatoligist. Everything was hinging on that sono. So the good news is that they estimated his weight at around 4.5 pounds, which was great! (However there is a margin of error of +/- .5 pounds, so...). The bad news was that his emryonic fluid was down somewhere around 3mm. They've said that if it ever dropped below 5mm, they'd do the c-section right away. Also they said the blood pressure in his brain was high because his body was sending it all there. If that continued it jeoperdized the rest of his organs.
So we finally had some direction. Today was the day. We thought that we might have some prep time, but they went ahead and scheduled it for the next available timeslot.
At around 9:20 or so, they took Amy back and administered the epidural. Fortunately the one they use for planned c-sections is a smaller needle and a single dose, so that was much better.
They brought me in around 9:30(ish) and at 9:45 Josiah was born! We thanked God as we heard a very healthy sounding cry -- meaning his lungs were in good shape. They finished the procedure and Amy did GREAT. What an ordeal after these last two weeks.
Josiah weighed in at just a LITTLE bit under 4 lbs (3 lbs 15.7 ounces) so, they just round up to 4.0 lbs. I believe he is 17.5 inches long... not too shabby for a preemie with IUGR.
The doctors and NICU nurses had been preparing us for the likely scenarios such as feeding tubes, oxygen, jaundis, low blood sugar levels, etc, etc... The nurse we spoke to last made it seem pretty likely they'd be doing a feeding tube.
Well, by the time I got to the NICU, he had already had his first feeding! He is doing amazingly well, thank you, Lord! NO feeding tube, NO special breathing tubes, and not even an IV. Just monitors, and he is in an incubator. He's been maintaining both his sugar levels (which started low) and his temperture very well. He's spit up a good bit of his first two feedings, but seems to be doing better tonight.
We are AMAZED at how responsive and alert he is, as well as how well he is feeding. I was there for the 9:00 feeding tonight and he took all 30 cc's in about 10 minutes. When William was in the NICU it would take often around 45 minutes to get just half that. Since Josiah REALLY needs the extra weight, we are very glad that he is sucking down the formula.
At the 9:00 weigh in he had dropped to around 3 lbs 14 ounces, I think...it's been a long day.
We expect him to be in the NICU for about a week or two. If he continues like he is, maybesooner, but he has to be out of the isolette for awhile and above 4 lbs before it is an option.
Amy is doing very well all things considered. Her placenta had actually started to embed itself into her uterus so they had to do a little extra 'scrapping' to get it off. Doctors with their analogies...this one was about a pancake and a skillet.... Anyways, this condition does increase the risk of excessive bleeding, so we'd appreciate prayers for recovery and for healing in her uterus (and no heavy bleeding, Lord willing).
We hope to have Amy home on Friday. Josiah, a little unsure of when exactly, but we hope within the next two weeks at the most (?).
I will get some more pictures up soon, I hope.
I am probably forgetting a million details, but it has been a LOOOONG day. :)
If you'd like to visit, remember Josiah is in the NICU and visitation is limited, and Amy is still recovering, but please give me a call and I'll work it out!
We really want to thank our friends and families for their prayers, encouragements, and you laying down your lives to serve us. We are SO grateful!!!
I'd also like to publicly thank and commend for Amy. What a demonstration of God's grace in your life. I am so encouraged by the way you've walked out this trial. Love ya, boo! Now get better and get home! Finally!!!!
Thanks again all...
Love,
-Bill, Amy, William, & Josiah
1 comment:
Bill & Amy, congratulations on the latest addition to your family! Glad to hear he is in good health.
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