Happenings in the NICU

Here is the latest update on our little ones. They have made great improvements with one minor setback.

Feedings: On Monday both Austin and Kadence were upgraded to an on demand feeding schedule. This is to replace the every 3 hour feedings they have been on since birth. The nurses won't let them go more then 4 hours without eating, so they have settled into a 4 hour eating schedule and are guzzling down almost twice what they were per feeding on the 3 hour schedule. I have been able to nurse them anytime I am there for a feeding. Austin has taken to nursing longer time periods than Kadence, but it still takes her a lot of energy to nurse, so we'll give her some time.

Also on Monday, Austin changed from an Isolette to a regular nursery bassinet. This means he can hold his own temperature and still gain weight and doesn't need the extra heating of the isolette. They usually go to a bassinet and have a few days left until they go home if they are still gaining weight every day, which he is. Kadence is still in an isolette, but she is almost holding her own temperature, so she will probably soon be moved to a bassinet as well.

Monday was a big day because Austin passed the 5 lb mark and the next day Kadence passed the 4 lb mark. They had about 5 days of weight loss after their birth before they turned the corner and have been gaining every day since.

Kadence has been "talking" a lot for several days, sometimes grunting and squawking away during her whole feeding (while latched on). Austin just started making happy talking noises as well today.

Like I said, Monday was an eventful day, but not all in a good way. Monday evening Kadence had an episode where her heart rate dropped too low for a few seconds and then resolved itself. It's called a bradycardia. This happens commonly in preemies and could be due to reflux or just a premature nervous system. Due to this, though, it bought her another week of monitoring before they will let her go home. The next morning the nurse was expaining it all to me and talking about the possibility of sending Austin home and keeping Kadence for a while longer. Within a half hour of the discussion with the nurse Austin had one, too! I'm not sure if he heard he would have to leave Kadence for a while so he did the same thing or if it's some twin in-synch thing. Everyone was very surprised that he had one. Kadence had another one later that same day, so they will both be in the hospital until next Tuesday for sure, but could be there longer if they have more bradycardias.

For now they are still doing very well and are getting close to meeting all the requirements to go home, as long as they keep their heart rates up. I'll post more pictures soon. I'm also trying to get caught up on some past blogging, so be patient with me.