The Theory of Preemies

Before 4/12/12, Pete and I didn't have one thought or idea about a preemie or a nicu. Here are some of the things we have learned about preemies and how all of this works...

When a woman is going into labor after a typical pregnancy, it is believed that the baby is the expert on when they are READY to come out out of the womb and into the world. With premature birth, it is believed that the baby is the expert on when they NEED to come out of the womb. This is theorized because there is often an obvious reason found after the birth, such as an infection or a problem with the placenta, or in our case, a problem with lack of blood going to the babies. Sometimes we don't know the reason but we still believe there is a significant reason the baby knows about. Some of these difficulties a baby can be experiencing cannot be seen on an ultrasound and therefore the baby has to be determined to make their way out. St Joes ER tried to stop my contractions but the babies would not find the patience; they were the experts, they let us know......their time to enter the world was right then and there.

Everyday when the nurses are working with the babies, they ask the preemie questions regarding their treatment  for the day. Questions such as, "Can I ween you off your vent today?" Then they change the settings slightly, and wait and see. Within a short time, the preemie says, "Yes you can do that," or "No that is too much today" with their reaction. A few hours later they ask, "Can we increase your feedings today?" And the nurse gives them an increased feeding, and the preemie let's them know, "That was fine with me," or "Too much, too fast." Whatever their reaction is, they are listened to and their treatment is adjusted accordingly. Preemies know what they need and have a will to survive. The job of the staff is to ask the questions and notice the subtle details in their response.

The staff believe preemies react with their limbs as well. For example, they may tolerate being talked to or read to for 15 minutes, then the baby may put her hand up and toward you as if to say, "Enough for now." They are often seen putting their hands over their ears when the nicu is having a noisy day. They put their fingers in their mouth when they need comfort. Their blood pressure and oxygen levels seem to even out when moms and dads put their hands over them or talk to them. Nurses wear gloves when handling the babies, parents do not.

The staff at St. Joes have educated Pete and I on all aspects of the twin's care. They do not sugar coat anything for us. We have been told many times that this will be a roller coaster experience. There will be good days and bad days. There will be surgeries and there will be tests. Some results will be good, some not so good. We have been told by Robbie and Harper's brilliant doctor, Cristina L Mogos MD, "They may not come out of this 100% unaffected, there may be some type of challenges, if you notice some area that is a challenge for the child, don't be in denial about that." There is so much treatment available for children with difficulties from premature birth and the earlier we are able to get it treated, the better the outcome, we have learned.

All preemies are different and we do not know what those challenges will be, because we don't know everything going on in their bodies... in their brains. Some will go on to have muscle problems, some have eye sight problems, some have feeding issues, or intestine issues. Everyday we just keep asking those questions, "Do you need some of this? Have you had enough of that?" And we wait for their response. The twins have had physical therapy and occupational therapy since they were born. St. Joes is trying to find out what their challenges may be as early as possible.

It's so interesting that a person, less than 2 pounds of weight, can be such an expert of themselves. They are not helpless, they are not laying in an incubator in a sickly state, they are geniuses, teaching us what they need, and we are their treatment team.

Daddy with Harper and her new little hat. Pete asked the nurse if he could have a matching one.

Sound Asleep on daddy's chest

Robbie has the cutest profile in the world. Fingers in mouth for comfort.

Twins Alert: Late Sunday Night, Robbie bumped his breathing tube and it had to be replaced. Nurse Jeanie said Harper was going crazy in her bed and they were afraid she was going to pull her tube out. They had to watch her very closely until his new tube was back in. Their nurses said, "Your twins are very connected."