MORE FEEDINGS

Things are good at the hospital today! Ava tolerated all of her nightly feedings! Her weight is up 10 grams. She had a head scan this morning, something that is pretty routine for all preemies. They typically do them when they are about a week old. They worry about brain bleeds with babies that are really really early (23-26 weeks gestation) but they check them all just to be safe. Justin had the same tests. The radiologist had not read the results when I talked to Ava's nurse this morning but she said "unofficially" everything looks great!! We are increasing feedings today since she tolerated them last night. She got 1 ml at her 11am feeding this morning. She will get 2 mls at the next two feedings (2pm and 5pm) and then 3 mls for the rest of them until tomorrow. The ultimate goal for her current weight is 24 mls every three hours. Seems like a lot! And, that number will increase as her weight increases. We also need to take her umbilical IV out today. They don't want to keep those in too long for risk of infection. They will put in a peripheral IV (a normal IV that we are all used too) until she is up to full feedings just to administer the rest of her nutrients. Her bilirubin levels have increased a bit today but we are not putting her back on phototherapy just yet. We will see how the next couple days go.

Dr. Mrozek has been on all week (she was the Dr. in the delivery room) but today is her last day. Next we will have Dr. Hustead who we just love. She took care of Justin when he was in the NICU. The following week, we will have Dr. Hoekstra, our favorite!!! He was in Justin's delivery and we are so excited to have him take care of Ava too!

That's all for today. Heading to the hospital for the afternoon. Happy Friday!