2. NICU (and Progress Report)

As a premature baby, or "premie," as they are frequently called, Lucy was admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) almost immediately upon her arrival.  The NICU provides support to these babies by creating an environment that is as "womb-like" as possible by which regulating breathing, temperature, feedings, excretions, etc. according to the needs of the baby.  I have outlined the big events here, beginning with her birth:

Day 1 (Wednesday, Oct 3):
Weight - 4 lbs, 14 oz
-born 11:47 AM
-admitted to NICU, placed in an incubator to regulate her body temperature and put on a c-pap to help regulate her breathing

Day 2 (Thursday, Oct 4):
-removed from c-pap and placed on hi-flow - one step down from c-pap in terms of respiratory support
-began breast milk feedings via tube in her mouth

Day 3 (Friday, Oct 5):
Weight - 4 lbs, 10 oz
-placed back on c-pap during the night as her breathing was irregular - did MUCH better
-pooped for first time and continued to pee

Day 4 (Saturday, Oct 6):
Weight - 4 lbs, 10 oz
-began to cry when she was hungry - a GREAT sign :)
- began increasing feedings by 2 mL/feeding, which she tolerated well

Day 5 (Sunday, Oct 7):
Weight - 4 lbs, 9 oz
-moved to full feedings (almost 1.5 oz)
-spit up a few times

Day 6 (Monday, Oct 8)
Weight - 4 lbs, 9 oz
-removed the c-pap and brought back the hi-flow, which went VERY well
-spit up a few times

Day 7 (Tuesday, Oct 9)
Weight (they weigh in the evenings, so we don't know yet)
-in a CRIB, which means she is maintaining her body temperature on her own!
-continues to spit up, so they spread her feedings out over a longer period of time

I spoke with the nurse practitioner in charge of Lucy this morning and she is very pleased with Lucy's progress.  She gave me the criteria Lucy must master before going home.  I have arranged it, along with Lucy's progress on each, in the chart below:

So we are making progress!  We can't work on the feeding stuff until the breathing is mastered, but we are well on our way.  She hardly needed any oxygen today, so we are hoping that will be the next thing we can cross off :)