The boys test results came back and it looks like Mason is anemic and Maddox is anemic has acid reflux and apnea. All of these things will get fixed with time. Here is information on Apea in premature infants
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/lungs/aop.html
As the article states, apnea in preemies born before 35 weeks is almost expected. It is not uncommon for the babies heart rate to drop for 15-20 seconds when they sleep. Once the infant gets passed apnea it does not return, but it is very scary when it is happening. To manage the apnea Maddox will receive caffeine orally and this will stimulate him enough to not happen. This will remind his brain to continue breathing.
Acid reflux wil be managed by zantac and should go away on its own.
The anemia that both boys have pretty much means that they lack red blood cells. The red blood cells carry oxygen and this is the reason their o2 is dropping. They are recieving injections to boost the red blood cells and they will have blood drawn again on Sunday to see if the red blood cells have increased. If the medicine does not work they will recieve a blood transfusion. That sounds pretty scary, but the doctor said almost all babies in the NICU recieve a blood transfusion at one point or another. She said our boys are in the minority that they have not needed one already.
With all that said, it sounds scary, but these are all pretty common in the preemie world and they will all correct themselves with time. Mason, if the meds work and he shows no more signs of Bradycardia, could come home next week. Maddox might be there for a couple more weeks, but might come home sooner on a monitor. We will def keep you all in the loop. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers... As of last night, the boys are 5 pounds 2 and 5 pounds 3 oz :)
Pic 1- Mason
Pic 2- Maddox
Thank you,
shannon and Mike
They are both beautiful Shannon! so happy for you. Caitlin had to stay in the NICU for 5 months! But I took everything in and learned so much from the nurses. I had all the confidence I needed by the time I took her home at 4 lbs 1 ounce. A little hint about getting them to take their fortifiers, meds, vitamins etc. Take a baby bottle top with a baby nipple in it, put everything they need to take in the nipple and give it them like a pacifier. Have their bottle ready to go and when they suck down the meds, give them the bottle before they even know what just happened! lol Believe me it works wonders! Hope I explained it right. Caitlin had both apnea and bradicardia(spelling?) when we took her home. They will quickly grow out of it, trust me. You will get used to how they breath and you will breath easier! Cait was on a monitor for it for about 6 weeks and I had oxygen ready if she needed it. Never had to use it. The monitor makes a piercing noise when it goes off which wakes you and the baby up, so the baby automatically starts to breath normal when he wakes up. Cait also had to have her patent ductus closed by a little surgery which is very common for preemies also. If you get nervous with the whole thing, you can get a nurse to come over once a day to check on things. Wasn't very expensive but it will ease your mind and you can steal a nap while she is there. Enjoy those little bundles! They won't stay little for long! If you ever need an ear or have any questions, email me at rosemary1710@comcast.net. Cait is 25 now, and medicine for preemies has come a long way, but if you have anxieties or questions in general, I am sure I went through it! Ro Smith
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