Day 2 Update

Day 2 (September 6)
So on Tuesday, we found out that Spencer was still having problems keeping enough oxygen in his blood stream.  So they had increased his oxygen level to 40%.  They had also converted to a different nasal cannula that helped add more moist air hoping that the increase humidity would also help his lungs.

When we went back on Day 2, the nurses asked if we wanted to help with the care of the babies.  Boy, did we ever!  So, the boys have "touch time" every two hours (Dexter on the even hours, Spencer on the odd hours).  During the touch time, they take the baby's temperature, change his diaper, measure his belly size (to make sure there isn't any bloating or intestinal complications) and listen to his heart, etc.  So, now, whenever we're there at touch time, we help with the temperature readings, change their diapers and generally get acquainted with our children.  They say that these first few months of bonding are important so we're trying to get as much time with them as possible.  Barbara got to change her first diaper and Dexter knew exactly what to do and rewarded Barbara with her first "golden shower".  She was christened as she lost her "diaper virginity".  I've had a bit more experience changing diapers, but could still use the brush-up.  We're building up slowly.  We've changed about half of the diapers (whenever we're there) and we're getting the hang of this new parent thang.

So Tuesday afternoon, Dexter was ready to start on formula.  He now gets fed every 3 hours (3, 6, 9, 12).  For his first feeding at 3pm, he was a champ and tossed down 25 ml of formula pretty easily.  The nurse handled the first feeding so that they could get some baseline readings on consumption, etc.  The staff was impressed.   They said that we could try the 6pm feeding.  Spencer on the other hand, was still having issues breathing and they didn't want him to have to try to learn to breath and eat at the same time.  So they inserted a feeding tube for him.  Although he was getting most of his nutrition from a special IV for premature babies, they were still feeding him slightly through the feeding tube (about 7 ml per feeding).  They want him to get used to food in his stomach and digesting.  Also, they've now adjusted the "touch times" to every 3 hours, basically at feeding times.

  We went back and Barbara tried to feed Dexter the 6pm feeding.  Unfortunately, he would only eat about 10 ml and the doctor had set a minimum of 20 ml.  When he wouldn't eat anymore, they added a nasal tube and fed him the rest by nasal tube (he needs to eat to get his strength up!).  Dexter is the sleepy baby.  He just wants to sleep...he wakes up for a few seconds at a time and then conks out again.  In fact, even when feeding, he tends to go back to sleep.  Other than how much he eats, Dexter is doing well.

So when we went back for Dexter's 9:00 feeding, we found that Spencer was still having problems keeping his blood gas levels up.  They raised his level to 50% oxygen and put him on a high flow nasal cannula to try to improve the flow.  Poor guy, but he's still doing okay, but just with the help of the NICU equipment.  They're trying to find a way to get him to do all this by himself.

I went back for Dexter's midnight feeding.  Due to various changes in the NICU, his time was moved back about 30 minutes, but he's still essentially on the same schedule.  At night, I was able to spend more time with Dexter.  We had a wonderful hour and a half combined cleaning, eating, cleaning again (he gave me a big present mid-feeding) and then sleeping.  Dexter sleeps through anything and everything.  We're just hoping that this lasts more than just the first few days (Ha!  Unlikely, but we can dream, can't we?).  Spencer had finally quieted down and gotten about 2-3 hours of sleep after all the fussing and tubes and equipment, so I didn't bother him.  He needs to get him strength up for the days ahead.