Aerin is doing well on the cannula. She's hovering between 40% and 50% oxygen, which is great for her first full day on 0.5 liter. Her weight is holding steady at 3 pounds, 1 ounce. She had a blood gas yesterday and everything was perfect. Her sodium has been a little low for the past couple of days, so they're giving her a supplement. It's making her a little puffy, which is great - she almost looks chubby. Her eyes are turning newborn blue and they're beautiful. We won't know her true eye color until she's at least term.
My friend Tracy asked what are the target weights/conditions we need to take her home and I know a lot of people are wondering the same thing. She has to be at least 4 pounds, but that is the most basic condition. She has to be breathing on her own without any supplemental oxygen and no apnea or brady episodes for at least 2 weeks. Her blood gases and electrolytes have to be perfect. She has to be eating on her own - bottle or breast (hopefully breast). Basically, she has to be completely stable.
However, there is a step-up nursery she'll go to before coming home. It's call the PCN - Progressive Care Nursery. It's the nursery for babies who no longer need intensive care, but aren't ready to go home. We're hoping she'll get there in the next month.
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