Setbacks SUCK



If I could write the word SUCK bigger in the title of this post, I would.

I was at the hospital last night for the boys’ 11 pm and 12 am feeds.  Nate was sleepy, but he took 30 cc by breast and the rest by bottle.  While I was feeding Ace, Nate started to desat a little bit, which means his blood oxygen level was dropping below 90.

The nurse — a nurse they’ve had for the first time, as far as I know — was watching him.  She said he was doing it earlier, and she was going to give him until midnight to see what he was going to do.  It was 12:30 am at this point, so she seemed concerned.

I mentioned that his nose was congested and he was sort of slouched in his positioning, which could be cause for the desats.  But she reached for the oxygen and put a mask on him.  As soon as she did that, I knew we lost our ticket home.

He came back up and the nurse was happy.  Then she went to talk to the pediatrician.  I heard her saying she wanted to put his NG tube back in and my heart sank.  However, the doctor said they had just increased his feeds, and the first step should be to drop the feeds back down and see if that helps him.

I went home for the night and walked in my front door at 2 am.  I slept for a few hours and then started pumping.  I called Skip to let him know what was going on, and then I called the Special Care Nursery to see what had gone on through the night.

Today’s nurse said they put the NG tube back in and he took a feed that way and did fine.  I asked what happened when they dropped the feeds, and she said they never did that, which upsets me.  That was the doctor’s recommendation, so why did the nurse put the damned tube back in before dropping the feeds?  I am going to ask about that today.

Today’s nurse said that he had lost a little weight, but I would think it would stand to reason that if the higher feed amount made him work too hard, he’d lose some weight, and perhaps the lower feed that required less energy would have allowed him to continue to gain.

At any rate, we’re back in limbo, and I am feeling really discouraged.

21 Replies to “Setbacks SUCK”

  1. Bet money there was a shift change of the docs or rotation change and another doc said to put the tube back in. Or Nate’s desats got lower and the best course of action was to put the tube back in. It’s a minor setback, he’s a strong boy and will be home soon!!

  2. Oh I am so sorry. We had a stupid nurse, too. One that put in the NG tube for no reason other than she was lazy. I hope it’s a short wait.

  3. Aw, Sommer. I’m so sorry to hear this. I was so hoping they would be home this weekend! I would be really upset at the nurse! I hope you give them the what for when you go in today.

  4. I’m sorry to hear about Nate’s set back. I really hope it’s very short and he’s back on track very soon.
    I too would be questioning the nurse as to why she put the the NG tub back in/not following what the Dr. said!

    Many hugs!

  5. Hugs….Set backs do suck, I remember when Alex was all ready to go home and he had to stay 2 extra days because he wasn’t passing his carseat test.

  6. *hugs* I’m sorry things were a little rocky last night, Sommer. So often it seems like time in the NICU goes in fits and spurts–forward, back, back, forward. Sigh….I’ve had two babies there, briefly, so I can only imagine what it is like for mamas who have a longer haul. I always tried to remind myself that the docs and nurses try to do what is best, and safest, for the babies (not that I always found that comforting). So, if it seems like they are being too cautious, too slow…well, all you can do is rest assured in their *careful* opinions and care. The day you strap the boys into their carseats and head homeward will come soon. Until then, be gentle with yourself, rest when you can, and love on your babies.

  7. I’m so sorry Sommer!!! I hope this is just a very temporary setback and they’ll be back on track! I’ll be thinking of you guys!

  8. Sommer, I so feel your pain. I was told that bryce would come home the next day if all went well.

    so I went home and to bed and then got up early the next morning all excited and rush back to the hospital only to be told that he wasn’t taking enough at each feeding and that they were thinking about puttin him on an NG tube…which he hadn’t ever needed before.

    I was sobbing, out of control, crying. the hormones, just wanting your baby home and then a set back.

    Well they didn’t put the tube in…his feedings picked back up and he came home two days later!

    Hang in there. It’s tough…I know. Your little men will be home soon!

    HUGS!

  9. I understand how discouraging this is for you, but be glad that his issues are being addressed at the hospital, and not developing at home. I know it may not feel like it, but the nurses and doc’s have the babies best interest at heart, as disappointing as they decisions mat be.

    Hugs!

  10. Congratulations on the birth of your twins. They are adorable!I remember the stress of the NICU and not knowing what would happen next, and the relief of bringing them home. I wish that day to be very soon for you.

  11. Hang in there Sommer, NICU is *sometimes* one step forward and 2 steps back. But the boys will be home before you know it, even though right now it seems like the light at the end of the tunnel is just barely out of reach.

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