Morgan Kate

Happy 6th week, Morgan Kate!

Today was yet an another eventful day for Morgan Kate. Even after the lasix and blood transfusion Morgan Kate's oxygen needs were still not decreasing. They weren't increasing which was great, but the oxygen levels were not where the doctors wanted them. Therefore, Dr. C decided to try something different - an oxygen hood.

When most preemies are born they immediately require the ventilator. The ventilator is a machine that breathes for babies. Morgan Kate was an exception and did not require the vent. God surely did bless us! She was able to breathe on her own, but needed a little assistance in keeping her lungs open. Therefore, the doctors put Morgan Kate on the CPAP (CPAP stands for continuous positive airway pressure and can be seen in Morgan Kate's earliest photos). When they believed she was ready for even less assistance they put her on the nasal cannula which you may have seen in almost all of her pictures. It's the small clear tube that runs into her nose. I know there is a difference between the CPAP and the cannula, but I don't know the exact information and I don't want to misinform anyone. The nasal cannula sends a constant air flow directly into her nose. This causes her nose to dry out and become irritated. It causes a lot of congestion and just yucky stuff in her nose (aka-lots of boogers). This yucky stuff interferes with her breathing, therefore, requiring more oxygen. Earlier today when the respiratory therapist came to suction her there was lots of yucky stuff in her nose. Due to this Dr. C wanted to try something different - the oxygen hood. The best way to describe the oxygen hood is a cookie jar without a bottom and an opening for her little neck. Under the hood she doesn't have to have the cannula which provides some great relief for her nose. The hood also provides humidity which will help with all the yucky stuff in her nose. It looked quite scary at first and I thought I might have a bit of a break down, but after I saw how content she was I was relieved some. They are going to try the hood for a little while to see if it helps, if not then they might go back to the CPAP. Dr. C said that she is still really tiny and young and that her lungs just need time to mature. Please pray that Morgan Kate's lung continue to mature.

Morgan Kate slept much of the day. She seemed very content under the oxygen hood. Tonight she had wonderful nurses who were so gentle and kind with her. Sunday nights are bath night in the NICU and I was a little worried about how that would all work out with the oxygen hood. The nurses took their time and it worked out perfectly. She only fussed a little bit. Travis and I got to see her for the first time without anything on her face. Our baby has been here for six weeks now and we have never seen her face without tubes or bandages. We already knew she was beautiful, but tonight we got to see that she is absolutely gorgeous. I got to hold her for a few minutes with nothing attached to her and it was amazing!