Processing

Well, my little guy is now four days old, and I am finally beginning (please note, I am only just beginning) to process what is going on.  These past few days have been a whirlwind of hospital visits, lack of sleep, recovering from child birth, pumping non-stop, failing miserably to return messages, chatting with nurses, finding time for my girl, running errands, and then starting all over again.  I have heard all the words of the doctors, smiled and nodded politely, asked questions when I understood enough of what they were saying to be able to even have a question, but I do not believe I was actually processing anything.  I have been in a complete fog, seemingly going through the motions.  I have felt numb at times, sobbed at times, but been thankful always.

Now, I am beginning to read and study up on premature birth and all the contraptions the doctors use, the possible complications that could arise, and talk to other parents about their stories.  The more I learn, and the more people I talk to, the more I am able to put things in perspective. 

Babies this small are not fully developed, and this applies even more so to baby boys.  For whatever reason, boys usually develop and mature more slowly than baby girls, especially their lungs, and often suffer from Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in the first few days of life.  This makes it even more amazing that our son has been breathing on his own since he was born, and has such strong lungs.  The precious little boy in the bed next to our son was also born at 28 weeks, but his lungs were only as developed as a baby at 23 weeks gestation.  He has been here in the NICU for seven weeks today, yet is still on a ventilator to breathe.  My son never suffered from RDS, and has never been placed on a ventilator!  This is truly remarkable!  

Because they have such immature immune systems, preemies are also very susceptible to infections, but so far our son does not have any, and is not on any antibiotics (he was at first until they were able to determine that he did not have any infections).  It is also common for babies to not be able to eat for a while, but be solely on IV fluids.  Our little boy, however, began to receive feedings the day he was born (although for now they are through a feeding tube in his mouth), and these feedings have been steadily increased ever since.  

There are a whole host of other complications that he could be struggling with (but is not), or that could arise later (of which I am aware, and try to be prepared for), but for right now, considering how early he was, he is doing remarkably well.  So I will continue to try and process what is happening, continue to pray for my son's health as well as all the other precious babies in the NICU, and continue to adjust to the new "normal" that is our life right now.