For my stay in hospital for the past two weeks, I've been keeping a journal of Patrick's progress since being born five weeks early. Patrick John, born Friday 22nd February 2013 at 16:46.
Initially on a drip, in humidity crib, with oxygen. Required prong oxygen during the night by nine am breathing on his own and in normal crib, holding own body temperature.
Mum had first cuddle in own room (couldn't move because of c-section at this stage) on Saturday morning. Also first skin to skin contact with Mum. Poppy, Nanna, Dad and James visit, everyone has a hold. Dad changes first nappy gets peed on! More skin to skin and Mum starts hand expressing with syringe. Initially getting 0.3ml, then 0.5ml and then 1ml on Saturday.
Another visit from Patrick into Mum's room on Sunday morning. Poppy visits before heading back home. Patrick tries boobfeeding latches on the left and sucks for a few minutes. Tries on right no success. Nappy change finally have poo coming through, Mum gets poo all over herself and Patrick. And Mum also gets peed on! Another attempt at breast feeding at midday no success on Sunday. Hand express 3.5ml! Dad and James come for a visit in the afternoon. Another attempt at breast feeding at 4pm told to come back at 5pm after heel prick test. Come back at 5pm no luck again with latching on. Patrick will open mouth but won't suck yet. Asked how sure I am on my dates, might be younger than 35+2 days. First try at breast pump (love the Medala!!!) get approx. 40ml. Patrick has 5ml then the rest is put into syringes and chilled. Another attempt at breast feeding at 9pm - success!!! Patrick feeds well from both sides, no pumping required! Has excellent attachment for small guy no pain for Mum. Just like riding a bike!
On Monday morning Patrick has another 5ml at 3am, doesn't wake up enough for feed so nurse doesn't wake Mum. Mum wakes at 4:15am and pumps another 35ml. Patrick will receive another 5ml at 6am and Mum can attempt more breast feeding at nine.
Dr R advises to only try breast feeding every third feed so Patrick isn't tiring out instead of sleeping and gaining weight. Mum is now pumping every three hours (and once overnight) gradually getting up to 50ml. Tube is inserted into Patrick's stomach so he can be tube feed. Looks terrible. Feeds are put up to 15ml every three hours.
Patrick is weighed at 9am Tuesday morning, has lost 230g since birth, not bad, less than 10% so happy about that. Feeds are increased to 25ml. Mum is now averaging 70ml pumping! Cannula removed this morning after weighing!!! No more IV, only lead left is the monitor and feeding tube. What a relief, the cords and tubes are awful.
Mum is discharged on Wednesday but is staying on as a Boarder Mum since she is main food source for Patrick. Medical insurance is picking up the bill thank goodness! Feeds are increased to 35ml. Patrick seems to be handling the increases well. Breast feeding is going well. Patrick can latch after a bit of work but only sucks for twenty minutes before getting tired. Hopefully this gets better soon. Ask Dr R about expressing and bottle feeding (maybe making going home a possibility sooner rather than later). Last option as far as he's concerned. May interfere with breast feeding in the future plus even more work for me if I have to express at home and then bottle feed. See how we go in a few days. Hoping to heading home early to mid next week. Fingers are crossed this is the case. First bath for Patrick! First time Patrick pulled his tube out. James and Patrick spent a bit of time together until James spied a biscuit!
Thursday is the first full day as a Boarder Mum. Feeds are increased to 45ml!! Pumping still going well, now averaging 100ml each three hours. Breast feeding going well as well, trying the football hold seems to be working and Patrick is still latching on after a bit of mucking around but will suck for twenty minutes before getting too tired. Dr R is happy with his progress. Patrick is weighed again but has lost another 24g, a bit disappointing until Dr R notes the cannula has been removed since last weigh in, so would be responsible for the majority of the weight loss. Patrick may have even gained a little weight. Weigh again in two days. Second time Patrick has pulled his tube out. The tube is taped all over. First day that James hasn't visited me. Mum's been staying with him so Dad could sleep at the hospital with Patrick and I. And James had woken up during the night with a temp and runny nose. Hopefully he's feeling better tomorrow so I can get a visit from my big boy.
Patrick is one week old! Patrick pulls his tube out again! James visits and has runny nose. Feeds continue on at 45ml. Dr R is away until Monday so Patrick is being checked by Dr Jenny. Dr Jenny is happy with Patrick's progress wants us to continue with the feeds at 45ml for now. Patrick will be weighed again tomorrow morning and Dr Jenny will check feed amount after weigh-in. First time in a week that I feel like we are getting no where. Still breast feeding every third feed and for around 20mins will a top up through the tube. Going to ask tomorrow if we can increase the breast feeding if Patrick's weight improves.
Patrick has gained 40g and grown a centimetre! Patrick is now 47cm long!!! Dad gave Patrick a bath this morning after we dropped Nanna off at the airport. Grandma and Grandad drove back to Tsv this morning are staying until Monday. Dad and James visit in the morning and another visit in the afternoon with Grandma and Grandad. Dr Jenny is happy with weight gain and growth. At this stage we aren't going to increase breast feeds unless Patrick becomes more alert. Which will happen more as he approaches his "full term" day, Wednesday. Dr Jenny admits that to go home we will have to top up after feeds with a bottle of expressed milk. Will bring this up again with Dr R once he is back next week. Not really the solution we are looking for but just looking at what we are going to do long term to get home. Feeling pretty lonely tonight since BJ can't stay the night with Nanna gone.
Feeds have increased to 48ml and we have breast fed four times today with 20-25ml top ups after each feed. Patrick becoming more alert for feeds.
Another weight gain of 90g!!! Dr R happy with the increase of breast feeds to four a day and Patrick has done well without a top up after a breast feed. Monitor has been taken off, finally! Now just the tube to go. Hopefully home by Friday. Plus with the monitor gone, Patrick can spend more time in my room!
Still going well with the alternate breast feed and tube feeds. Still expressing at the tube feeds and getting around 200ml. Have plenty in the freezer for emergencies or Mumma's night off. Weigh-in again tomorrow morning at 6am, going to be pushing for the tube to be removed and full on breast feeding. If that can happen, Friday should look good for Patrick to be discharged. Fingers crossed.
Another weight gain of 35g. Patrick pulled his tube out again. Met with Dr R, spoke about maybe bottle or tube feeding Patrick for a bit longer. I was happy with a bottle feed sometime during the day but would prefer if the tube was left out. Dr R agreed to leave the tube out and have suck feeds (either boob or bottle) for a day and see if Patrick gains weight. Fingers crossed!
Another weight gain of 25g overnight, good work Patrick!!! Dr R is impressed with the amount and asked if we want to leave today. Yes please. We say some good byes to the nurses that have joined us on our journey and have been a terrific source of knowledge and support through our stay. Fill out our paperwork and head off!!! Back to reality of life with a toddler and newborn.
