December 16, 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Yesterday, Linden Ruth was born at 11:05am, 7 lbs 4 oz, 19 3/4 inches. For the back up story, Linden and I have been in the hospital trying to keep her incubating...several times...since I was 26 weeks. Saturday, I woke up from a nap with a flushed face and I could hear my heartbeat in my ears...so I ran up to the store to take my blood pressure, called the doc and he sent me to the hospital. Of course, while I was there my blood pressure was fine, for hours!! But, upon examination, I was dilated 3-4 cm...that is a NO WAY your are going home number!

So, my doctor was not on call, yet he was involved all weekend! We managed to keep Saige in until the doctor came in at 6am Monday. We collectively decided to break my water, to manage the birth, a controlled environment at one day shy of 35 weeks. She was coming anyway!!! Most doctors would have let her come last Monday when I was in the hospital, because protocol at 34 weeks is to let the baby come, yet I had mag sulfate again to make it a few more days. I would not change a thing...

So, yesterday after she was born, we were able to spend time with her for 20+ minutes before the NICU. She was pink and beautiful and showed no signs of distress. But, as the minutes ticked away she needed more oxygen, more intervention.

As with Saige, she appeared to be fine and has slowly needed more and more intervention. Last night she was on 25% oxygen, which we breathe 21%, so 4% more was no big deal. I sent Todd home thinking all was well! However, everytime I went to check on her in the night or drop off milk, her Oxygen level of support was higher and the oxygen saturation levels were struggling to be over 88% or so. By 5 this morning she was at 60% which is high. At that point the doctors decided she needed to have a breathing tube. Like Saige, she was given surfactant which is the sticky substance in our lungs that help open and close the aveoli in our lungs. There were several admissions today in the NICU and no one can be in the NICU but staff at those times. For 4 hours we were calling to check on her not knowing that she wasn't doing so well. Once we found out...can we say...mini volcano eruption??? No one told us...we just got back from seeing her and it is so sad to see her hooked up to everything like Saige, yet, we know the outcome! So, the next 24-48 hours are crucial for her. We are at a turning point. They can give her up to 4 doses of surfactant and she has only had one! She has an arterial line in her umbilical cord which can take her blood pressure and gives blood...no more sticking her with needles every few hours to get her blood gases.

So....phew....I am here until late tomorrow and will go home. I haven't seen Saige and miss both the kiddos so very much. Todd is home by dinner as to keep so sort of structure in the kids' lives.

I will use this blog to keep you all updated!

We are grateful for all the phone calls, encouragement and "love letters"!!!