Saturday, August 22, 2009

First Impressions

Now that I have officially been an inpatient of The Hospital, a few notes and happenings:

My room is NICE! Nicer than many motels and hotels I stayed in as a young traveler, in fact. I have lots of light from two big windows, a fridge, a (teeny, tiny) television and DVD player, a table and chairs for guests and a day bed for someone to sleep on. The last item, however, my husband describes as less comfortable than a hard wood floor. When I offered to switch places with him, he quieted down. Honestly, he was awesome yesterday. He spent the whole time, from check-in to bed time with me, which was infinitely comforting. I see why some of my fellow hospital-bed-resters cry when family leave. It was so sad to know he was going home to our house, bed and family and I'd been here. They also brought in an art table and chairs, paints, paper and crayons for A. She left me several masterpieces on my bulletin board.

The awesome Dr. L, one of the neonatologists here, come to speak with us. Let me just say: I ADORED him. My mom, husband and A were all here getting ready for dinner, so our talk was cut a bit short, but he was amazing. He said, "I love to see when they bring people in at risk of preterm labor but NOT in labor as we can buy those babies more time." I reminded him about a thousand times of my negative fFN so we just focused on what the babies would face if born two weeks from now and beyond. He was so unbelievably positive and gave us SO much hope.

Because I asked about some of the scarier statistics, he said triplets born at 24 weeks usually have about a 46% chance of survival. Not at all what we want for the babies, of course. Between 24-28 weeks with triplets in particular, we go from about a 46% - 95% chance of survival! These next weeks are critical: each day buys them so much! While we continue to shoot for 34 weeks, it is awesome to have an idea of what to expect should things take a turn. He reiterated that he would come speak with us anytime, and answer any question we had. I kind of wanted to hug him, but I would've tripped over the toco monitor and probably given myself a concussion.

He said what we expect from babies born 27-28 weeks is that they will need some immediate respiratory assistance (intubabion, CPAP, etc) and temperature control. Those are first addressed in the delivery room and they are QUICKLY taken to the NICU. Then, they are checking blood gas levels and administering meds through and umbilical line.

We talked briefly about some of the more major problems: PDA's (problem with the heart valve), intestinal issues and feeding issues. He said all babies, up until 33-35 weeks are fed through a tube and they can start colostrum right away if they can tolerate feeds. I told him I am a huge breast feeding advocate and nursed A forEVER... he said it is the most important thing we can do for them, provide Mommy's milk. I will be the best pumper ever. :) He asked me twice if I was a nurse or physician since I was familiar with the terms and what to expect, and I said, "I am just on bed rest and read compulsively."

Today the doctor on call, Dr. W, came and chatted with me. He felt very confident we'd get past 27-28 weeks when viability is good since I have "so much cervix left" and a negative fFN. This kind of news really makes my day and the more docs who say it, the better. :) We do not want our babies born anytime soon, but very reassuring stuff to hear about 28 weekers. Again: October or BUST!

31 comments:

  1. October or Bust! October or Bust! October or Bust!

    XOXO A,T,C & J

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  2. Great news all around. Sounds like one nice room that you've got there. It'd better be nice if you'll be staring at the walls for (hopefully) a few more weeks. It's all in a great cause.
    PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) is actually a problem with the pre-birth connection between the aorta and pulmonary artery remaining open, rather than closing down after birth like it usually does. (Yes, I'm a know-it-all, but I like knowing what terms to look up on Dr Google if necessary). Often it can be forced to close by an infusion of a medicine that causes it to contract shut, otherwise it can be closed in a not-so-major operation to tie it off. It's definitely not like needing major surgery on a heart valve, though I know the neonatologist can explain it all way better than me (and knows way more than I do).
    Hopefully you'll make it even as far as 30weeks, after which the risks to the babies are even lower still. You're doing a great job so far!

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  3. Just getting caught up, but sad to hear you are in the hospital. Is there any chance of heading home or are you in until the babies arrive?
    Thinking good thoughts!!!

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  4. I'm sorry you're in the hospital, but I have to say, I really admire your attitude. You seem to be dealing with everything with a lot of grace.

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed that these kids don't make an appearance until they're good and cooked.

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  5. That is such a great update! It ofcourse is reassuring to here all these words from the docs! You seem to have a great team! Your babies are fighters just like you are! Keep up with the superb job! {HUGS}

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  6. October, here they come!

    I'm so glad the neonatologist is nice and reassuring.

    I'm totally pulling for you!

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  7. great news from the docs and great to hear your room sounds so nice (sounds bigger than most NY apartments!). Hope you are resting well and tomorrow brings you one step closer to October.

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  8. Cheering for you and those little babies! Sounds like you are in good hands!

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  9. October or bust!!! I'm glad to hear good news from the docs and glad to hear that you are so upbeat. Keep that positive attitude! Thinking of you!

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  10. So glad for good news! You are totally going to make it to October! TOTALLY!!! And if we could get you into the first days of November, I'd be thrilled (although your belly might explode, LOL!)

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  11. Fabo news!
    Wishing you palatable hospital food, warm showers, and some decent daytime tv:)

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  12. I am SO glad that things are going as good as they can. You have such a positive attitude--- it makes things so much better. Rest and cook those boys... of course I'm praying. :)

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  13. Great news! I'm glad that they doctors are all so positive! And I absolutely love that they brought in an art table for A. Your room sounds great.

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  14. So glad you got great news! I wish my hospital room was as nice as what you have - it would have made my stay much better! Good luck over the next few weeks. You can do it!

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  15. That's amazing that you have internet access and can skype with your daughter from your hospital bed. Hopefully you can still read her some bedtime stories.
    My father chats with my brother and his kids every weekend via skype too. I don't know what the world did back in the days before the internet - waiting a couple months to exchange letters sure wouldn't have been too much fun!
    Hope they find the right med combo soon to stop those contractions.
    And if you ever need non-med speak translation, ask away. I did that in my first year of residency training for this one fantastic family whose 3 year old I looked after on the peds ward when she was diagnosed with leukemia. I ended up chatting a bit with them every day on my rounds, and really bonded with their little girl. When the oncologists finally came up with the diagnosis (a rare form of leukemia I'd never heard of in med school), they actually asked me to come and sit in on the family meetings with them, so that I could help explain things to them in a way they could understand.
    In fact, you'll probably have to tell me if I get annoying, clarifying stuff that you've been told! I was originally going to go into OB/GYN and was completely fascinated by the RE field, long before my infertility came up. Then I spent some time in anesthesia, and decided that'd be a better choice for me.

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  16. It sounds like everything is going pretty much as well as it could!! That's wonderful, I'm so glad you are getting good news from all the docs. October here we come! :D

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  17. I'm so glad you're settling in a good environment -- not as good as home, of course. Your doctor sounds awesome -- so important to be surrounded by all of the positivity. I am thinking of all of you!!

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  18. Oh happy day! I mean, if you've got to be in the hospital, at least it should have a mini-fridge and artwork :) Go, go go!!

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  19. Praying for more days and weeks before your litttle ones arrive.

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  20. The reassuring news about 28-weekers is also reassuring for me, so thanks.

    Of course, it won't apply to either of us anyway. Right? RIGHT?

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  21. Cheering you on all the way to October...have i mentioned that October is my favorite month? :-)

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  22. Such great news! I'll be thinking of you and your little October babies.

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  23. Sounds like an awesome doctor!! Great news;) Love that you are being so positive!!! ((HUGS))

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  24. Don't you love good doctors? I think it's fantastic he thought you were a nurse or doctor yourself! What a compliment to your research skills. :) Wemberly is a pain in the neck, but she does make us smarter.

    I'm glad you are as comfortable as can be in your new digs and you are surrounded by people who love, support and care about you.

    We are with you too in the blogoshpere. You just can't see us. :)

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  25. Your story sounds somewhat similiar to mine. I had an easy pregnancy and was very active (probably too much) and landed myself on hospital bed rest at 24 weeks. My triplet boys were born at 30w 1d back in Feb. They are healthy and doing great now. I'll be following your journey.

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  26. So glad to hear from you that things are going well. We're thinking about ya! Keep your chin up! :-D HUGS!

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  27. Got my fingers crossed for you!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  28. Found this Blog while searching the Net while looking for info/blogs that may bring hope and a feeling of not being alone to a young couple in my family.And I'm glad I did! Not only does it promote help and hope to others your upbeat personality is also a blessing.Please know I amj now a faithful reader and pray for you and your darling little ones.God be with you.....(just started my own blog....whatnestandwhy-karen....but darn if I can get it working right....LOL)

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  29. Everything sounds really promising, Carrie! You have every reason to be upbeat and optimistic. I know the hospital stay isn't fun, but it sounds like you have a posh room--by hospital standards--and excellent docs. October is just around the corner!

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  30. Thinking of you and the boys. Hang in there!

    If you get a moment, can you shoot me an email at lellowg at gmail dot com? I want to ask you about your OB/MFM here in Seattle. Thanks :)

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  31. Loving how positive the neonatologist was with you!

    You are surrounded by good docs and your family, Carrie :)

    Thinking LOTS of positive thoughts for you and the boys!

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