After all we've been through I guess it's fitting that we're having a little more drama.
When Bubble Baby was born we were told to expect her to be in the NICU until around her original due date (Nov. 7th.) But she had been doing so well that we were told that she might come home a little earlier, perhaps in mid-October. Then we started getting hints that she'd go home by the end of this week. And on Sunday we were told that if all went well, she'd be discharged on Tuesday or Wednesday. We were thrilled, though a bit panicked too, as we still have so much to do to get ready for Bubble Baby's arrival.
Monday morning we were told that if all went well for the next 24 hours, she'd be coming home on Tuesday. My wife and I had lunch in the hospital cafe with our heads spinning. We couldn't believe it was happening so soon. But when we returned to the NICU from lunch, Bubble Baby's nurse informed us that she just had a couple of what they call "episodes." She had a "Brady" (short for Bradycardia) in which her heart rate goes way down, and she stops breathing for several seconds. And she also had a "Desat" (short for Desaturation) in which the oxygen level in her blood dips way below what it should be. This would likely keep her there an extra day for observation. Then later that night she had more episodes, including a Brady in which Bubble Baby had to be revived by her nurse. So now her discharge date is completely up in the air.
We are told that these episodes are common for a preemie. She is still only at a gestational age of 35-1/2 weeks, so it could just be a sign of her immaturity. They just removed the feeding tube, and she's now feeding orally for all her feedings. She is still so small and has to work so hard every feeding, and perhaps it's a bit much for her. It could also be reflux, so they've propped her bed up at an angle to see if that will help. Or it could be that she's having problems generating hemoglobin in her blood, which is another common preemie issue. In that event, they may need to do a blood transfusion. Shortly after Bubble Baby's birth, I donated blood designated directly for her in case of such a scenario. (They have yet to find out if Bubble Baby is a match for my blood first, and Bubble Mommy can't do the direct donor transfer because she recently had a c-section.)
So we're in limbo once again. During the seven weeks of my wife's hospitalization we were told that the baby could arrive any day. And now we are in a somewhat similar situation. Resolution to Bubble Baby's current issues could come quickly, or it could take a week or more. But though we are anxious to get her home, we want to make absolutely sure that she is truly ready before she is discharged. We've waited this long, and we can wait a little longer if we need to....
Bubble Baby no longer has a feeding tube
