Dd is here! And jaundice question

[dulcemariamar]

Congrats! We had the same issue and was very close to getting a blood transfusion so it is good that they are taking precautions.

We relied heavily on formula the first few weeks.

[Willis Jackson]

Aug 13, 2015 14:41:53 GMT -5 Maud said:

@merida yep. Conveniently, I delivered at the hospital my pedi works out of so it was actually her that sent DD for phototherapy.

Off to feed her again now. It's SO weird not having her with me.

Willis Jackson and undecidedowl, thank you! It sucks but it's reassuring to see others have had this issue. How long were your babies kept in for? They said to expect DD's levels to keep rising for a few days but I hope we won't be here too long.

DS1 was in the light box for 4 days. He was too tired to nurse well so he ended up getting mostly pumped colostrom + formula. I was heartbroken because I was sure it would doom him to bottles forever but he did learn to nurse well after the jaundice was gone.

Here's my scrawny little alien who's now a strapping first-grader:

[karinothing]

What is the advantage over the light box vs holding them under lights? I feel bad when momma and baby can't be together.

[pooh8402]

Aug 13, 2015 15:42:44 GMT -5 karinothing said:

What is the advantage over the light box vs holding them under lights? I feel bad when momma and baby can't be together.

More of the body is exposed --> bilirubin goes down faster

[karinothing]

Aug 13, 2015 15:52:08 GMT -5 pooh8402 said:

Aug 13, 2015 15:42:44 GMT -5 karinothing said:

What is the advantage over the light box vs holding them under lights? I feel bad when momma and baby can't be together.

More of the body is exposed --> bilirubin goes down faster

Ah ok that makes sense. Still sucks. Too bad they can't least have it in the same room as mom

[irish]

Congrats! I love the name.

Hope you get to take her home soon. Hugs...

[undecidedowl]

Maud DS2 was under the lights for 3 days. By the end, I was negotiating with the pedi for what level would be needed to go home. I was sooo nervous to get each bili result back because we kept waiting for one that would let us go home. The pedi wanted to see the bili stop increasing before we could leave.


karinothing At my hospital they were able to set all the lights up in my room. You could always ask if they are capable, Maud.

Definitely take some pictures! While it was stressful at the time, I do look back at the cute pictures and smile.

Attachments:

[Velar Fricative]

Congratulations! I hope her stay is smooth.

[kkfeb04]

Aug 13, 2015 11:08:55 GMT -5 Maud said:

karinothing, thanks. I thought it was really soon/her level was pretty low for light therapy too and I'm a little stressed about how fast it all
moved. I'm assuming the protocol might be different because she was born with it and we have the blood incompatibility issue so they're being extra cautious? I'm not sure.

DD was jaundice due to positive Coombs and ABO incompatibility.  She was holding her own for 3 days with levels 11 or below and they were discharging me did a final bili test and it was 15, then two hours later it was 29.  Now she was a late pre-term but she spent 6 days in special care with 3 full days under 3 different lights.  I was able to stay with her (hence why they didn't put her in NICU). She wasn't able to come home until she had several hours at 12 and then they wanted a bili blanket, I think she was at a 11 and didn't need the blanket as they weaned her down from 3 lights to one.  We had bili checks for an entire month.  She didn't return to a normal color for about 6 weeks.

Good luck and congrats! I know how much of a suck not being able to hold and snuggle your little one.  

[t]

Congrats!
DD2 is Coombs positive as well and had phototherapy for a little more than a day in the hospital and then we took a bili blanket home with us for a few days. They said we could stay an extra day in the hospital but they recommend going home with the bili blanket as people generally do better in their own home. We had a nurse come and draw her blood a day after discharge.

[laurenh]

Congratulations! Q and I have different blood types and she did need phototherapy in the nursery but only for about 36 hours or so, and that was on day 3/4 or so. She basically stayed for one extra night and had no issues thereafter. Hoping she's home with you soon!

[yellowbrkrd]

Congrats!

[cece]

Aww congrats!

[flgirl]

My 4th one was born Coombs positive as well. Hers was caused by the rho-gam shot I was given for my rh negative blood type. Her jaundice was controlled by spending time in front of the window and because my milk came in by day two.

We had amazing doctors and nurses that kept us calm and well informed. The third day we were supposed to be heading home so the nurses had her numbers all figured out and we cheered when her level was under the maximum.

[rxbeth]

Congratulations. I hope her levels normalize quickly for you.

[Deleted]

Congratulations and holy cow! I hope your recovery goes well. I have nothing to add on the jaundice. But I hope Nora recovers quickly.

[Marmee]

Congrats!!  How exciting!  Cant wait for a picture

Anyway, all my kids were somewhat jaundiced but DD4 was pretty bad.  My experience was different that yours.  I was sent home as normal (I think around 24 hours after delivery) though she was very RED, like crazy red.  She also was technically fullterm (I was induced right at 37wks for a pg complication) but she "acted" like a late term preemie according to the Docs/Nurses.  My insurance does home nurse visits so the nurse came the next day.  And her levels were rising.  We had a ABO HDN which sounds somewhat similar to your situation.  Luckily they just ordered a bili light table (it's like a suitcase that opens & you put your baby in it) & it was delivered right to my door a few hours later & the guy showed us how to use it.  The nurse came every day and took her blood & then reported back the levels a few hours later.  I won't lie, it was rough having her in there instead of being held or swaddled.  She cried a lot & I laid next to her & let her hold my finger much of the first few days.  It took an unusually long time for her levels to turn around & start going down.  I think she spent a better part of a week in there.  I had to supplement with formula too in order to get things moving.  Soon as she finally pooped her levels started going down.  We came very close to having to go in for a hospital stay probably 3 of those days.  Luckily my DH was there with me & helped motivate me to stay on the nursing, pumping, feed pumped milk, formula schedule every 3 hours. Hope your baby recovers quickly & you are home snuggling as soon as possible. 

[pooh8402]

Aug 14, 2015 11:53:56 GMT -5 Maud said:

We are very unexpectedly heading home this afternoon!!

DD was so upset and just wanted to be held last night that I decided to supplement with formula overnight to see if we could speed things along, and this morning her bili was 7.2 so they're letting us go home. I'll keep feeding/pumping/supplementing and we need to come back for a check first thing tomorrow morning. The pedi said not to be surprised if her level is higher tomorrow morning but they want to give us a chance to see how we do at home.

Thank you guys so much for the good thoughts. I really appreciate it.

Excellent news! Sounds like a great plan, don't forget sunlight too!