Special Care Nursery and Reagan Update

Reagan has not been progressing along quite like her brother. She is still on oxygen support and has not even started to try and feed from a bottle. The doctors discovered that she is pretty anemic, so they suggested a blood transfusion. She had been on Lasix (a diuretic) for a couple days, which they were hoping would be enough, but her red blood cell count stayed low. They tell you going into this that having preemies in the NICU is a rollercoaster ride, because they will take two steps forward and then a step back. Aaron and I have been incredibly blessed that the babies haven't needed too many procedures done and they have been progressing steadily, so hearing Reagan needed a blood transfusion was pretty hard to swallow. It sounds like a scary procedure and I was terrified at first, but the doctors and nurses assured me that there was nothing to worry about and the procedure is a pretty normal thing for a premature baby. They also explained what a difference it would make for her energy levels and that it would help get her off of her oxygen, so the decision was made to go forward with the transfusion. The procedure was done overnight and when I went to visit her the next morning, she already looked so much better. She had pulled her feeding tube and nasal prongs out (again), but the nurse noticed that her vitals looked fine with out the oxygen, so they removed her prongs. I couldn't believe that results like that could happen so quickly. She even started bottle feeding and has done extremely well (maybe even better than her big brother). She breathed room air for the majority of the day, but unfortunately had to go back on a little support that night. I am still optimistic, because the amount of oxygen support is less than she needed before and the fact that she is nippling so well is a good sign.

 

 

Some pictures I took of Reagan while her nasal prongs were out



In other news, the babies were moved out of the NICU and into the Special Care Nursery. We knew this was a possibility, because the babies have been doing so well and they were first on the list to move if sicker babies needed their rooms. Moving to the SCN is a step in the right direction, but it will take some getting used to. The NICU consisted of individual rooms, each with it's own bathroom, tv, monitors, etc. It was so nice to have privacy when visiting the babies. The SCN is a giant space with many babies hooked up and no privacy. If a nurse requires the light on for one baby, then the lights go on for all of the babies, which is pretty annoying when your babies are trying to sleep. At least we know they will not be affected by noise when they come home. Overall, we are so thankful that they continue to do well and each day we are closer to having them home with us. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support, it means so much to us!

Our New Home (At least we get to be next to each other now)



Moving Right Along

This past week has brought even more firsts to our family. Jackson came out of the incubator and is now in a crib. He also started bottle feeding for the first time. He is still getting used to it and has a ways to go until we can remove his feeding tube, but he is moving in the right direction and this is one more obstacle he will need to overcome before he can come home. He is also trying to breastfeed once per day and he is doing really well. Premature babies have trouble coordinating their suck, swallow, and breathe reflexes, so it is really encouraging that he is doing so well.

Jackson also got to be held by G-Ron (Grandma Ronee) for the first time. So far in the NICU, Dad and I have been the only ones to hold the babies, so it was quite special for my mom to get to hold her Grandson for the first time. She loved every second of it and so did he.

Our babies also hit big milestones in their weight this week. Jackson is now over 5 lbs and Reagan is over 4 lbs. They have come a long way in the past 4 weeks and are really doing well. We are so thankful that they are progressing this well. We can't wait to have them home!

Catching Up

On July 23, I was admitted to the hospital for signs of preterm labor. At just shy of 28 weeks, it was too early to be having our babies. They gave me a round of steroids just in case the babies decided they weren't ready to wait. The steroids help to develop the lungs and brain of the babies and consists of two shots given 24 hours apart. It looked like they would be releasing me to bed rest at home, but my water ruptured and it meant I was stuck in the hospital on bed rest until the babies arrived.

27 weeks pregnant, a week before being admitted to the hospital

My friends came from all over to celebrate my baby shower while I was in the hospital.

I have the greatest friends!

 

The plan was to watch for infection and monitor me and the babes until 34 weeks, at which point they would deliver via csection. Yup, it looked like I was going to be in the hospital for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, while in the hospital, I developed HELLP Syndrome which is a complication of pre-eclampsia and after monitoring me for 2 weeks in the hospital, the syndrome had progressed to a point where it was safer for me to deliver the babies, then to wait any longer.

So at 29 weeks and 3 days, we gave birth to our beautiful babies. Jackson Aaron McCann was born at 8:05 PM on August 5, 2012 weighing in at 3 lbs 6 oz and 16.5 inches long. His sister, Reagan Blake McCann was born at 8:07 PM and weighed in at 2 lbs 14 oz and 14.5 inches long. Jackson came out breathing just fine and we were able to see him and hold him right after birth. However, since his sister's water had ruptured, she required immediate attention and we were only able to see her from a distance. They were taken immediately to the NICU for evaluation and treatment.

Mommy seeing Jackson for the first time

Reagan's diaper size

Thankfully, our babies have progressed wonderfully in the NICU. They were intubated for a couple days, then went to cpap machines for a couple days and within the week they were getting oxygen through nasal prongs. Jackson is now breathing with out assistance and weighs in at 4 lbs 7 oz. His sister, Reagan, is still receiving breathing assistance from the nasal prongs and weighs 3 lbs 8 oz. They get fed breastmilk/formula through a feeding tube in their nose, but it looks like Jackson may be able to learn to bottle feed soon. Mommy visits them every day during their feeding time and holds them for a couple hours and Daddy stops by before and after work and then on the weekends. They will most likely be in the NICU for another 4 weeks or so. Daddy and Mommy can't wait to have them home, but we know they are in the best place possible for them right now and we are so thankful that they are doing well. They are the sweetest little things.

 Jackson

 

Reagan

 

The nurses leave cute little messages on the boards in each of their rooms! It's nice to get these updates.

 

Mommy and Daddy giving Reagan a bath for the first time

After her bath :)

 

Mommy changing Jackson's diaper (the nurses put us to work in the NICU)

Holding both of my babes for the first time together! Simply amazing

And the second