Mila and Ella had their first appointment with their pediatrician Thursday. Ryan and Stacee are very pleased with their doctor...espcially since they had to choose a ped on such short notice! NICU required the girls be seen within 48 hours of being discharged to assure there were no setbacks.
The ped is pleased with how well Ella and Mila look. Each of the girls now weigh 5 lbs 4 oz. (Bad Grammie, I didn't ask R&S if they've grown any in length). Mommy and Daddy are to continue to wake the girls every 3 hours for feeds and to keep a strict chart of input and output. Unfortunately, she also said they are to remain in isolation for another 6-8 weeks. :(
Due to their prematurity, their little immune systems will not be as strong as a full term baby. In preemies, everything is measured by "adjusted age", which for them would be -3 weeks (tomorrow would mark 37 weeks gestation). We all know preemies miss some much-needed time in the womb, and that they didn't "bake" long enough to get all the necessary antibodies for fighting germs, disease, and infection. Therefore, they require extra time away from others in order to keep germs at bay as their immune systems become more fully developed.
There are many other precautions that have to be taken with premature multiples including:
minimal exposure to stimulation (which causes them to burn calories instead of utilizing those calories to "gain and grow")
the need for development to continue in the area of coordinating their entire systems to work together (still working on learning to eat efficiently so that they are not burning more calories than taking in...it's still hard work to get our little girls to eat!)
we are in the midst of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) season ~ which runs November through April. RSV can significantly impact the health of any baby, but preemies are even more susceptible to complications; with many pediatricians requiring babies to be in "RSV lockdown".
Ryan and Stacee are anxious to be able to show off their sweet little girls; but for their health and well being, they must strictly follow doctor's orders. Only visitors allowed for now are Grandma & Grandpa Walley, Grammie & Papa, and Uncle Aaron.
In the meantime, we will try to send out pictures as often as possible! Sorry, I don't have any to add today; even our time with the girls has to be limited.
"I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him" Psalm 62:5
1 comment:
I know it's hard to stay tucked away for another 6 weeks or so but, you're right, it is for the girls best and will protect them while they still are getting used to growing bigger and stronger. I'm happy to read that they are doing well and am looking forward to more pictures.
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