A lot of people have asked, how much does he have to weigh before coming home? Well, actually, it is not the weight so much as the following:
1-Maintain his body temperature without an incubator
2-Take and digest all his feeds (OH and our little man pooped 6 times the other day....and he does not have any residuals from any of his feeds...so he is doing great on the digesting! Now, it is just a volume thing.)
3-Go several days without any As, Bs or Ds, (As=Apnea...forgetting to breath; Bs=Brady Cardia...lowered heart rate; Ds=Desaturation...not taking deep enough breaths so therefore not getting enough oxygen. He has pretty much moved past the bradys and apnea...now, the biggest problem (which is very normal for preemies) is the Dsats and it is a direct result of the Reflux which is also very normal for preemies. Since he has a tube going directly to his belly, the flap on the esophogus is always open...meaning it is very easy for the milk to come back up and out causing the reflux. So, hopefully soon, he will outgrow it...especially when he is able to bottle or breast feed which means the tube feeding (called gavage) will be done. Amazing how much we have learned about stuff we never thought about before...
So, there you have it...the criteria for our little baby boy to come home. They don't give you a date because every baby is different and ultimately, it is up to him. They do say to expect your original due date (mine was June 4th) with 2 weeks leeway on either side. According to that time table, we have at least 6 weeks-8 weeks to go, the 6 being 2 weeks before my due date, 8 being 'full term'. BUT, we just know that he is coming home early...we are HOPING for mid May...but, again it is up to him and we are here to cheer him on and give him all the love we've got.
Heart Beams from all of us...
GO CLARK GO!!! GROW CLARK GROW!
ReplyDeleteYou are very informative experts now and I know, for me and Grampa anyway, we have felt like such a part of this amazing experience because of it. I HATE, HATE, HATE living so far away and not being able to see my little grandson up close and personal any time I want BUT I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, that both you and Jason keep me right up to speed, along with this wonderful Chronicle....take care of each other and remember I love you guys always & always mommaLinda XOXOXO ~:o)
ReplyDeleteHe will be home and all will be happy very soon, I just feel it. He is strong and he has so much love surrounding him. Heart beams are always there, too, in abundance. :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like your little guy is making slow but steady progress, which is exactly what you want. Having patience is tough and you're right, he will come home on his own schedule. But the news is really good and I'm very happy for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info- and the answers- I know Clark will do it HIS way. for the rest of your life LOL and it will be perfect. xoxxoxo
ReplyDelete