Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Hospital Stay: Day 5

Late Monday night, Jolynn was diagnosed with jaundice. So they put her on a Bili Light and I was told to get as much sleep as I could because she could not be removed from the light for more than 30 min. If I happened to wake up I would pump and bring whatever I had down to the NICU. I woke up around 2 or 3, pumped and then looked with astonishment. I had some in the actual container! I ran it down there and they got a dropper to suck it up. I was so happy. I went back to bed, but woke up at 4:45. Waking up several times is normal for me anyway with going to the bathroom. Now, instead of going back to sleep, I pump. So I went at it again. Again, getting some into the container. I brought it down and this time they gave me a kit of smaller containers and some syringes to suck up the milk and bring down. Each time I have pumped today I have gotten more than the last. I am hoping that by tomorrow night my supply will have come in.

Jolynn is still on the bili light. Getting a nice tan. Her bilirubin levels went up again so they added a Bili Blanket (looks like a blue glowing pad). Since she can be off the light for 30 min at a time, they have me breastfeed at her scheduled feeding times and then put her back on the light to get the supplemental formula. My last pumping I had 12ml so eventually she will be feeding only on my breast milk. Goal now is to get her to take it from the breast, otherwise we will have to bottle feed.

I was discharged today. We moved our stuff into a "boarding" room that is a little ways away-but free and still in the birthing wing of the hospital. Jon and I went home and gathered a few things then headed back to the hospital. They really want to promote breastfeeding if that is your choice. I was worried once I was discharged that I would have to go home and leave her here.

Hearing test results came in yesterday also. Forgot to add that to last post. Despite shooting handguns and shotguns at BOW, Jolynn's hearing passed.

Maple Grove Hospital had their 1000 baby born today. We found out Jolynn was #987.

2 comments:

GML said...

Honestly

How does it feel to be a mommy? Has it even sunk in yet?

Keeping pumping lady. Funny how women end up being machines once babies are born. You're pumping and producing milk etc.

A well oiled machine if you ask me.

Later

Unknown said...

It feels fantastic! I just want to hold her all the time. I feel bad because I am nursing and want to get that established, but my husband wants to feed her too. He eventually will because I will go back to work, but our lactation consultant told him he will have his time (skin to skin/belly to belly).