Oxygen and Feeding Tubes

Madelyn had a low grade fever and so the isolette was open and the heat turned off. She was given a ten day course of very strong antibiotics. When her chest tube bandage site was changed there was a smelly discharge that sent up a warning of infection. Dr. Chelsea Ruth the Medical Officer for the NICU stated that with so much plastic in her body it was almost a given that she would get some type of infection. Once again Madelyn fought back.

CPAP was removed on a Friday morning. For about a hour she was breathing without any help. But her oxygen level was falling and she couldn't keep up on her own. Nasal prongs were used to help give her extra oxygen.

Madelyn still had to many wires, so no clothing yet. It's hard to comfort a baby that is agitated by CPAP and a feeding tube. The purple blanket was the best I could do. It is very heard to see your baby uncomfortable and there is nothing you can do to help ease the situation.

The gastric tube was changed to a feeding tube and she was started on tube feedings. After having your intestinal track in your chest cavity and then moved to the right place you have to wonder if there won't be any kinks or blockages, but she handled the breast milk just fine.