Day 9 - August 22, 2014
LoLa's bowels still aren't moving like they need to. Her bilirubin is back up and she probably needs phototherapy again. We are informed that an x-ray is being ordered of her lower abdomen to rule out obstruction. While out running some errands at the pharmacy I run into LoLa's future pediatrician, a good friend who will become a huge support and advocate for us. He tells me the X-ray is likely to rule out "NEC". Necrotizing enterocolitis predominantly affects infants born 32 weeks or earlier and it occurs when the bowel tissue becomes infected and inflamed causing the bowel wall to break down and the tissue to die. It is a very serious condition. So the fact that they are looking for this based on her symptoms of constipation, belly distention, apnea and bradycardia, or decreased heart rate, is pretty scary. We know it's probably just a precaution but it's one more thing to worry about.
Her AM nurse changed her feeding tube from her mouth to her nose because she worried that the tube was irritating her throat and causing her to gag and regurgitate more of her breast milk. Her PM nurse switched it back to her mouth and inserted a larger gauge tube to allow more air out of her belly. I am not present for either tube switch today....
On a good note, LoLa has finally started gaining weight. She's up to 3 lbs 7.75 oz.
Please start pooping, baby girl....but first, a nap.
