Tuesday, January 3, 2012

The Birth Story- Part 3- Hunter

On Saturday morning after spending the night in the room with us, Hunter was taken to the nursery for his morning exam. After being gone for a while the nurse finally came back and told us that he had some issues with his temperature being low and also some breathing problems and they had taken him to the NICU for further evaluation. After what felt like forever a doctor from NICU finally came back to tell us that he was having some breathing problems and they wanted to keep him in the NICU for more observation.

The first time going to the NICU and seeing our little boy with a bunch of wires coming out of him was incredibly hard. It's not something any parent wants to see. We were both so scared but the doctors and nurses in the NICU are incredible and were very reassuring about Hunter's prognosis.

To make a long story short Hunter has been having issues with coordinating his breathing with his sucking reflex. Basically, there are times when he will be sucking on a pacifier, or a bottle or even when he cries really hard and he'll just forget to breathe. It's a coordination thing that all babies develop (preferably right away) but for some, like Hunter, it takes a bit longer. They ran tests, did Xrays and even another Echo and everything is perfect. The doctor keeps stressing that he's not a sick baby, he's perfectly healthy, it comes down to a developmental issue with his breathing.

They have no doubt that he will be fine and eventually won't have any issues with his breathing at all but it may take some time. Everyday he has progressively gotten better and has now had all of his wires and tubes removed other than the few they have attached to him for monitoring. He's been eating like a champ which is also a great sign. I've been able to breast feed him as well as pump and give him some formula to help supplement while waiting for my milk to come in. He's done very well at breast feeding so far and we were able to spend a lot of time with him in the hospital.

Unfortunately when we were discharged today Hunter was not able to come home with us. They decided to keep him for another day or two for observation and then hopefully he'll be able to come home, most likely with a monitor so that we can keep a better eye on his breathing. I can't tell you how hard it is to leave the hospital without your baby, again it's something no parent should have to experience. But we know he's in great hands and want to make sure he's 100% ready before bringing him home.

We are trying to look at the positives, which are that it gives me a few extra days to recover and get everything put away at home and focus solely on bringing him on whatever day that may be. We will be going to the hospital everyday he's there, multiple times a day to continue to help with his feedings and just to visit. I'm praying he'll be home by this weekend.

So needless to say the delivery and recovery are far from what I expected, even going in with a pretty open mind. It's been tough but completely worth it in the end to get our sweet baby boy and it really has brought Kristian and I even closer together which I didn't think was possible.

10 comments:

Stephanie said...

I am so sorry to hear that your little man is stuck in the NICU. Ours was too, and for the same reason. It's most certainly the hardest thing you will have to do, but it is better to have professionals with him in case he has a problem. I was also discharged while my son stayed for a few days, and it was really hard to leave him, but I'm glad I was able to get a few extra nights of sleep in. When they send him home, it will be because they're sure he's ok and it will be so much better because you won't have that extra worry hanging over your head. Stay strong. I'm thinking of you and your family.

Unknown said...

You are a very strong lady. You and K have such a good foundation that you will get through this and Hunter will be home in no time. Promise. Take the time to get well. Rest, recover. csections are incredibly hard on your body, but in a week or so, you will forget all about it when you are at home feeding your precious baby boy. Much love.

Nicole-Lynn said...

Aw sweetie, so sorry you had to leave him at the hospital! I hope he'll be able to come home soon! You're such a positive, strong momma!

princessapr said...

My sister-in-law was told to enjoy the time before he comes home if possible and squeeze in one last date night. They did have a wonderful night out the night before my nephew came home, but it was very difficult. Because of her reaction to the anesthesia and drugs, she couldn't see her baby for 3 days which was very hard especially because she let us all see him in the meantime.

Take care of yourself! We found it nice that Laura nursed and had supplemental formula because she knew how to eat from the breast and bottle easily.

Lastly, it's better for your baby to stay in the hospital than having to rush back. Laura was in the ER her 3rd day home which is just as stressful because it was like we broke her though truthfully, it wasn't a surprise because she saw the pediatrician every day that week because of her jaundice, but it was still scary.

You'll be so glad you wrote all of this down.

melifaif said...

Well, bless HIS heart! I know this is hard....and I'll pray for you....for when the milk DOES come in! Lord!!!! I woke up at 3 a.m. - huge breasts galore - and just started crying. My nurse was a savior that morning....ugh!!!!

http://sweetcanadian.blogspot.com/ said...

awwww it must have been so hard. You may have depression over this for a while. If you do please get help asap so that you can feel better. He will be an awesome baby i am sure.

while it was hard you have to look at the bright side, it could have been worse. I know a mother who had a baby in july & only got to bring him home in november.

I know it is hard to remember someone always has it worse but sometimes that helps cheer me up.

Work on getting your rest before he comes home & getting stronger.

beka said...

I hope you are able to get some good recovery in while little Hunter is still at the hospital - and I really really hope that he gets to come home soon. I imagine you really want your whole family home together!

I don't know if this helps but after each of my sister's c-sections, she started feeling a lot less pain once the first week was over. Hopefully you're nearing that point soon!

Saying a prayer for you all!

Mrs. Pancakes said...

Hope everything is going much better! Happy new year!

AmyJean {Relentless Bride®} said...

Reading your birth story makes my heart reach out to yours. You are not a bad mother in any way and I hope you no longer feel that way. My friend also had similar situation where she's healed a lot through her 2nd birth, but it sounds like this is not uncommon to feel. I think ICAN has resources and meetings that could help. I hope hunter is home in your arms soon!

Heather said...

I'm so sorry to hear that things have been hard on all of you, but I'm so glad he's OK and hope that he'll be able to come home to you very, very soon. Still sending tons of warm thoughts and wishes your way!