Echo Results

So, the doctor heard heart mur murs on Sandra, Samantha and Hannah. Therefore they had echo cardiograms. Sandra's showed to be normal but Samantha and Hannah have PDA (a common Preemie issue).

patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

The ductus arteriosus is a blood vessel that connects a baby's aorta and pulmonary artery while the baby is in the womb. This connection allows blood to be pumped from the right side of the heart straight to the aorta without stopping at the lungs for oxygen. In the womb, only a small amount of a baby's blood needs to go to the lungs because the baby gets oxygen from the mother's bloodstream. The baby's pulmonary artery, which carries blood to the lungs, is not needed at this time.

After birth, the baby is no longer connected to the mother's bloodstream. The baby's blood must now go to his or her own lungs to get oxygen. Normally, as the baby begins to breathe on his or her own, the pulmonary artery opens to allow blood into the lungs, and the ductus arteriosus closes. Once the ductus arteriosus closes, blood leaving the right side of the heart no longer goes straight to the aorta. First, it goes through the pulmonary arteries and stops at the lungs to pick up oxygen. Then, blood carrying oxygen returns to the left side of the heart and is pumped out to the rest of the body.

If the ductus arteriosus does not close after birth as it should, it is called a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). A PDA allows blood to flow directly from the aorta into the pulmonary artery and from there to the lungs. This extra amount of blood flowing into the lungs strains the heart and increases the blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.

They used to do heart surgery to close it but recent research shows that is not necessary. If no symptoms arise they will retest the echos prior to going home. This vessel can close on its own and that is our hope.

Other than that, the doctor decided to do a 7 day IV antibiotic for Makaila since her WBC is high. I begged to try to do oral so we can get rid of her IV, but didn't get far. Oh by the way, they had to shave her head to get the last IV in her head. And yes, we saved her hair. She gets a bottle once a day to try. She had been taking about 5 of her 27 ccs by bottle.

Hannah got her IV's removed ans is back up to full feedings. I tried her on her first bottle yesterday and she had about 5 ccs also.

No change with Samantha. But, Sandra now weighs a whole 2 lbs.

Josh and I are going to the Navy Ball tomorrow night. That's just mean, I have to dress up 3 weeks after delivery and try to look good. Wish me luck! It'll be our first (but hopefully not last) night out in a very long time. It should be fun.