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Adjusted Age: n/a
Gestational Age: 36 weeks
Weight: 5lbs 7oz (<3%)
Length: 18.5 in (<3%)
What a month!!! Our little guy arrived so unexpectedly, 8 weeks early to be exact, that it threw the Burchette clan for a loop, but we adjusted gracefully!
Joey has spent the last 5 weeks in the NICU. There are 4 major milestones that he would have to meet before he could come home with us: 1.) Breathe on his own; no apnea or bradycardia episodes for 5 days straight, 2.) Feed on his own; Take a whole bottle in less than 30 minutes per feeding for 2 days straight, 3.) Gain Weight, 4.) Maintain his temperature without help from a heater/incubator/isolette
Initially, our biggest concern was having Joey learn to breath on his own. Due to Joey prematurity, he wasn't able to produce a surfactant that would prevent his lungs from sticking together. He was given supplemental oxygen and had a nasal cannula for the first week. By week 2, he was on room air (21% oxygen, which is what we breathe). By week 3, Joey was off the cannula and completely breathing on his own.
Joey was maintaining his own temp and out of the incubator/isollette by week 2.
After birth, Joey last half an ounce in the first 5 days. He quickly gained it back and then some. By week 3, Joey was up to 5 lbs. Keeping him warm via room temp or swaddle will prevent Joey from burning too many calories, thus gaining weight at a steady pace.
Lastly, Joey has been able to take a steady increase in milk volume. He started with a feeding tube during week 1 and only 5 ml of milk. By the end of week 2, Joey was consuming 30 ml (1 oz). As of today, he is up to 45 ml (1.5 oz) and all his feedings from a bottle.
Although his arrival was full of drama, Joey has found his groove and we will soon be on our way out of the NICU. Scott, Jacob and I can't wait to have him join us at home and finally be the family of four!!!
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