Our little Ben is progressing slowly but steadily. He still needs the nasal c-pap to keep his airways open, and he still requires supplemental oxygen. The docs were getting concerned about his labored breathing, so they did a whole battery of tests on Thursday (including x-rays of his chest and abdomen, and ultrasounds of his brain and heart). Everything looked just fine, so they determined that he's just a "weenie white boy"--Caucasian males are slowest to develop lung function--who simply needs more time to mature.
They were able to remove Ben's umbilical cord arterial and venous lines, so he can now sleep on his belly--much happier. He does not need a PIC line at this time, so he'll receive supplemental fluids through a normal IV line in his hand. Almost all of his nutrition is coming from milk via the feeding tube. He's tolerating his feeds very well and has maintained his weight at 2 lbs. 14 oz.
I'm continually amazed by how strong our little Ben is. The other day, his nurse had to postpone a procedure because Ben was fighting her so adamantly. She said it was the first time that she has wrangled with a preemie and lost! He's our Mighty Mouse!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
We're Home!
Sorry that we've been lax in updating everyone on our move home. We've been a little busy!
We came home from the hospital late Monday night. Yesterday, we spent the day running errands and putting the house back together, and we enjoyed a wonderful visit with Benjamin. We held him for the first time wrapped up in a mountain of blankets--all we could see were his little eyes. He was rather uncomfortable the whole time we were there because the docs kept having to adjust things on him. His breathing was somewhat labored, so he's back on the nasal c-pap for a few days.
Today, we spent some restful time at home with Jack, then we went to see Ben this evening. He had a much better day today--more comfortable--and I was able to hold him "kangaroo style," skin-to-skin! I finally felt like his mother, since I could comfort him. He slept on me for an hour or so before he had to return to his incubator. I spent most of that time praying over him and felt so much peace about the state of our little guy.
For those of you who want details: Ben is on the nasal c-pap (blowing positive pressure to keep his breathing passages open), and his oxygen needs vary anywhere from 21% (room air) to about 50%. His lungs still show a couple of slightly cloudy spots, indicating possible pneumonia, but his blood culture and spinal tap show no infection. He's receiving 10 cc's of milk every three hours through his feeding tube and is tolerating it fairly well. They hope to remove his umbilical arterial and venous lines in a few days and insert a PIC line (inserted into a peripheral vein, leading all the way to the heart) so that he can receive more concentrated nutritional fluids through a more secure line. He has not lost much weight and is now 2 lbs. 13 oz.
That's all for now! We'll post recent pics ASAP. Keep praying!
We came home from the hospital late Monday night. Yesterday, we spent the day running errands and putting the house back together, and we enjoyed a wonderful visit with Benjamin. We held him for the first time wrapped up in a mountain of blankets--all we could see were his little eyes. He was rather uncomfortable the whole time we were there because the docs kept having to adjust things on him. His breathing was somewhat labored, so he's back on the nasal c-pap for a few days.
Today, we spent some restful time at home with Jack, then we went to see Ben this evening. He had a much better day today--more comfortable--and I was able to hold him "kangaroo style," skin-to-skin! I finally felt like his mother, since I could comfort him. He slept on me for an hour or so before he had to return to his incubator. I spent most of that time praying over him and felt so much peace about the state of our little guy.
For those of you who want details: Ben is on the nasal c-pap (blowing positive pressure to keep his breathing passages open), and his oxygen needs vary anywhere from 21% (room air) to about 50%. His lungs still show a couple of slightly cloudy spots, indicating possible pneumonia, but his blood culture and spinal tap show no infection. He's receiving 10 cc's of milk every three hours through his feeding tube and is tolerating it fairly well. They hope to remove his umbilical arterial and venous lines in a few days and insert a PIC line (inserted into a peripheral vein, leading all the way to the heart) so that he can receive more concentrated nutritional fluids through a more secure line. He has not lost much weight and is now 2 lbs. 13 oz.
That's all for now! We'll post recent pics ASAP. Keep praying!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Ben starts tanning
Benjamin coninues to progress and is now taking small amounts of milk through his feeding tube with no problems. He is under a UV light for the next day or so to treat jaundice.
Yesterday, big brother Jack came to the hospital to meet Ben. He read a book to "Ba'y Ben" and smooshed his nose up to the incubator--VERY cute! It was a short visit but quite memorable.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Good Day for Baby Ben
Today was a very good day for our little man. He was taken off the respirator and put back on the nasal c-pap (just a little positive pressure to keep his airways open). He's on 23% oxygen (21% is room air), so he's breathing almost entirely on his own. He's no longer on dopamine for his blood pressure, so they removed his arterial line--giving us one little hand to hold. X-rays show that he probably has a little pneumonia, so he's on antibiotics. But a spinal tap and blood work showed no signs of infection. He may need a little light therapy to fight jaundice, but that's not unusual. He's doing very well for a baby his age and size.
The best part of the day was when Bryant and I visited Ben late this afternoon. I touched Ben's little hand, and he held onto my finger for a long time. It was my first real touch with my sweet boy--a very special moment.
The best part of the day was when Bryant and I visited Ben late this afternoon. I touched Ben's little hand, and he held onto my finger for a long time. It was my first real touch with my sweet boy--a very special moment.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Baby Ben has Arrived!
New Contact Info (I'll probably be here until Tuesday)
St. Luke's Rm. 2535
832-355-4668
Wow...yesterday was a whirlwind. I woke up at 3:15 a.m. with a really strong contraction lasting about 10 minutes. That settled into an hour of the sharp pain in my lower left side, followed by 1.5 hours of regular contractions. Then it all stopped! My perinatologist did an ultrasound and said that Ben was fine, and there was still no sign of the source of the original bleeding. I was told to lay still and avoid contractions (of course!). :)
A little later, the contractions started again--intermittent and not very painful. But since Ben was breech and delicate, my docs decided that letting me go into full labor would be a bad idea. So they scheduled me for an immediate c-section.
Benjamin Allen Adkins was born at 10:49 a.m., 2 lbs. 15 oz., 15.5 inches long. He did not breathe immediately, but once they took him to the little NICU area next to the operating room, he cried, kicked, and peed on a nurse. They said he almost kicked himself right off the table! I was able to see him for a few seconds before he was whisked off to the NICU. He has dark, curly hair (like Bryant's), a round face like Jack's, and long limbs. I haven't seen him since, but I've seen some pics.
My surgery experience was less than fun. My spinal/epidural combo wasn't placed quite right, so I felt way too much of the surgery. I received 6 injections of pain meds during the surgery, to no avail. Because Ben was breech, and because the placenta covered the entire front part of my uterus, my doc had to do a long U incision through the placenta, and I lost a lot of blood. Yesterday was pretty painful, but thanks to the miracle of medicine, I'm in a lot less pain this morning!
Ben is doing well. At first, he only needed a nasal c-pap to push a little air into his nostrils and keep his breathing passages open. Then yesterday afternoon, they decided that he needed a respirator, and before long, he required 80% oxygen. (Fairly normal for a preemie his age.) Praise God, he's down to 21% oxygen (same as room air) and less pressure on the respirator. This bodes very well for his ability to get off the respirator altogether. He's also been given artificial surfactant for his lungs, dopamine to raise his blood pressure, and antibiotics to fight infection. All-in-all his prognosis is good. We'll know more today.
I'm enjoying real food again and will spend the day trying to move around so that I can get to the NICU to see Ben as soon as possible. We probably don't have the energy for visitors today, since Bryant is running back and forth to the NICU--perhaps tomorrow. Calls are welcome!
Keep praying! I'll post pics of Ben ASAP.
St. Luke's Rm. 2535
832-355-4668
Wow...yesterday was a whirlwind. I woke up at 3:15 a.m. with a really strong contraction lasting about 10 minutes. That settled into an hour of the sharp pain in my lower left side, followed by 1.5 hours of regular contractions. Then it all stopped! My perinatologist did an ultrasound and said that Ben was fine, and there was still no sign of the source of the original bleeding. I was told to lay still and avoid contractions (of course!). :)
A little later, the contractions started again--intermittent and not very painful. But since Ben was breech and delicate, my docs decided that letting me go into full labor would be a bad idea. So they scheduled me for an immediate c-section.
Benjamin Allen Adkins was born at 10:49 a.m., 2 lbs. 15 oz., 15.5 inches long. He did not breathe immediately, but once they took him to the little NICU area next to the operating room, he cried, kicked, and peed on a nurse. They said he almost kicked himself right off the table! I was able to see him for a few seconds before he was whisked off to the NICU. He has dark, curly hair (like Bryant's), a round face like Jack's, and long limbs. I haven't seen him since, but I've seen some pics.
My surgery experience was less than fun. My spinal/epidural combo wasn't placed quite right, so I felt way too much of the surgery. I received 6 injections of pain meds during the surgery, to no avail. Because Ben was breech, and because the placenta covered the entire front part of my uterus, my doc had to do a long U incision through the placenta, and I lost a lot of blood. Yesterday was pretty painful, but thanks to the miracle of medicine, I'm in a lot less pain this morning!
Ben is doing well. At first, he only needed a nasal c-pap to push a little air into his nostrils and keep his breathing passages open. Then yesterday afternoon, they decided that he needed a respirator, and before long, he required 80% oxygen. (Fairly normal for a preemie his age.) Praise God, he's down to 21% oxygen (same as room air) and less pressure on the respirator. This bodes very well for his ability to get off the respirator altogether. He's also been given artificial surfactant for his lungs, dopamine to raise his blood pressure, and antibiotics to fight infection. All-in-all his prognosis is good. We'll know more today.
I'm enjoying real food again and will spend the day trying to move around so that I can get to the NICU to see Ben as soon as possible. We probably don't have the energy for visitors today, since Bryant is running back and forth to the NICU--perhaps tomorrow. Calls are welcome!
Keep praying! I'll post pics of Ben ASAP.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Interesting Day
We had some complications this morning which may or may not be related to last night's pain. I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say that I spent the day head down, feet up, with no food or drink, praying that Benjamin would stay put another day. And once again, our prayers were answered! I'm sitting up in bed, eating dinner, and feeling very well. Woo hoo!
And for those of you who've been asking, I passed my 3-hour glucose tolerance test with flying colors. Turns out, I failed the first test because the nurse gave me too much sugar solution to drink. Ah well...good to be safe.
Lastly, THANK YOU to all of you ladies from church who purchased a gorgeous set of preemie clothes for Benjamin!! What a lovely surprise! It will be such a treat to dress little Ben up in those outfits.
And for those of you who've been asking, I passed my 3-hour glucose tolerance test with flying colors. Turns out, I failed the first test because the nurse gave me too much sugar solution to drink. Ah well...good to be safe.
Lastly, THANK YOU to all of you ladies from church who purchased a gorgeous set of preemie clothes for Benjamin!! What a lovely surprise! It will be such a treat to dress little Ben up in those outfits.
No Pain, No Gain
We had a bit of excitement yesterday. After a nice day of visiting with friends (including precious little William Riffe, born 7 weeks early in this very hospital!), I was resting comfortably. Around 8:15 p.m., I experienced sharp stabbing pain in my lower left abdomen and was soon undergoing IV's, exams, ultrasounds, etc. An hour later, just before they were going to give me Morphine to take the edge off, the pain started to subside and eventually went away! Praise God!
At this point, we don't know the cause of the pain. There's no sign of uterin rupture or placental abruption. Benjamin has been on continuous monitoring and looks perfect. I should see my perinatologist today to see if he can shed some light on the situation. Either way, I'm just thrilled that the pain is gone and that we didn't have to deliver Ben last night!
Thanks for your continued prayers. They're working! Please pray especially for Bryant who is extremely stressed right now. He's trying to keep up with work, school, and taking care of Jack and me--while getting very little sleep or time to study. He rushed out of class last night when my pain started and made it to my hospital room in 16 minutes! (So pray for his safety as well...) Thank you to all of you who are helping him out in so many ways.
At this point, we don't know the cause of the pain. There's no sign of uterin rupture or placental abruption. Benjamin has been on continuous monitoring and looks perfect. I should see my perinatologist today to see if he can shed some light on the situation. Either way, I'm just thrilled that the pain is gone and that we didn't have to deliver Ben last night!
Thanks for your continued prayers. They're working! Please pray especially for Bryant who is extremely stressed right now. He's trying to keep up with work, school, and taking care of Jack and me--while getting very little sleep or time to study. He rushed out of class last night when my pain started and made it to my hospital room in 16 minutes! (So pray for his safety as well...) Thank you to all of you who are helping him out in so many ways.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Good News
The heavy bleeding has continued all day, but to a lesser degree. My doc did an exam and ultrasound, and most likely, Benjamin just moved and released a new pocket of fluids that were trapped around him. (He has turned completely sideways--transverse--so she said he's "challenging" her to do a more difficult c-section.)
We were relieved to hear that this is probably just a continuation of the original problem--not a new problem. My doc said that statistically, if I can make it one more week (to Sunday), then I will likely be able to make it to 32 weeks! And just for the record, Bryant offered to buy me a diamond if I can make it to 32 weeks. Now that's motivating!! :)
I barely "failed" my blood glucose tolerance test today, which determines whether I'm developing gestational diabetes. So I'll take the more-detailed 3-hour test tomorrow morning. My doc joked that, since women with gestational diabetes tend to have larger babies who produce more amniotic fluid, perhaps she should allow me to be diabetic! But she was just joking....
We were relieved to hear that this is probably just a continuation of the original problem--not a new problem. My doc said that statistically, if I can make it one more week (to Sunday), then I will likely be able to make it to 32 weeks! And just for the record, Bryant offered to buy me a diamond if I can make it to 32 weeks. Now that's motivating!! :)
I barely "failed" my blood glucose tolerance test today, which determines whether I'm developing gestational diabetes. So I'll take the more-detailed 3-hour test tomorrow morning. My doc joked that, since women with gestational diabetes tend to have larger babies who produce more amniotic fluid, perhaps she should allow me to be diabetic! But she was just joking....
More Bleeding--Please Keep Praying
29 weeks and counting!!! Praise God!
Yesterday was great for most of the day. I felt so good that I dressed in my own clothes for the first time since arriving here, and I was so glad I did. A whole slew of visitors came by, including a group of my girlfriends from church who threw me a surprise party! (By the way ladies, everyone here has really enjoyed all the goodies you baked.)
I had almost no bleeding or leaking all day and was feeling great. Then around 6:15 p.m., I started bleeding heavily again. We've monitored the situation all night, and the doctors aren't worried yet. They're monitoring my blood counts to make sure I don't lose too much blood, and Benjamin still appears to be in fine form. I'm having small, painless, occasional contractions, but I'm not going into labor.
Please keep praying! If we can make it to the two week mark, then odds go way up that we can stay here much longer before Ben is born.
Yesterday was great for most of the day. I felt so good that I dressed in my own clothes for the first time since arriving here, and I was so glad I did. A whole slew of visitors came by, including a group of my girlfriends from church who threw me a surprise party! (By the way ladies, everyone here has really enjoyed all the goodies you baked.)
I had almost no bleeding or leaking all day and was feeling great. Then around 6:15 p.m., I started bleeding heavily again. We've monitored the situation all night, and the doctors aren't worried yet. They're monitoring my blood counts to make sure I don't lose too much blood, and Benjamin still appears to be in fine form. I'm having small, painless, occasional contractions, but I'm not going into labor.
Please keep praying! If we can make it to the two week mark, then odds go way up that we can stay here much longer before Ben is born.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Still here!
No major changes today. My doc did some tests to check for infection, and so far, everything looks OK. Ben still looks great! Please continue to pray against infection, as that's our biggest worry at this point.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Another good day....
Today has gone well. Leaking is at a minimum. My IV is out for a little while, and I can take my meds by mouth and avoid the painful drip antibiotics. (I got to take a shower with no strings attached--literally!) Ben still looks great, and my doc mentioned a test she'd like to have done on Monday, meaning she's optimistic we could still be here on Monday.
I met with the neonatologist today about Ben's prospects. We talked worst-case scenario, but it wasn't too scary. Our conversation was very motivating--makes me want to lay flat, cross my legs, and not sneeze! Ben might face some serious challenges, but on the other hand, he could do very well. I find myself praying over ever little bit of his body--his brain, eyes, heart, lungs, GI tract, etc. I know that God is carefully knitting him together according to His will and plan.
Please continue to pray for our little family. Bryant is working hard to keep up with work, school, and this whole situation. Jack is having a wonderful time bouncing from place to place with all of his favorite people, but I think it's starting to set in that Mommy's not coming home. He's a little clingier every time he comes to visit.
That's all for now! Thanks for your prayers, calls, emails, and visits. They are really helping.
I met with the neonatologist today about Ben's prospects. We talked worst-case scenario, but it wasn't too scary. Our conversation was very motivating--makes me want to lay flat, cross my legs, and not sneeze! Ben might face some serious challenges, but on the other hand, he could do very well. I find myself praying over ever little bit of his body--his brain, eyes, heart, lungs, GI tract, etc. I know that God is carefully knitting him together according to His will and plan.
Please continue to pray for our little family. Bryant is working hard to keep up with work, school, and this whole situation. Jack is having a wonderful time bouncing from place to place with all of his favorite people, but I think it's starting to set in that Mommy's not coming home. He's a little clingier every time he comes to visit.
That's all for now! Thanks for your prayers, calls, emails, and visits. They are really helping.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Life is good!
Life is good today because...
1. I got to take a shower!
2. I get to eat solid food!
3. My sweet Jack came for a visit and snuggled next to me in bed while we ate lunch.
4. A very well-known perinatologist did another ultrasound and said that Ben looks great right now. (more details below)
5. Today is Bryant's 34th birthday!!!
So here's the nitty gritty for those of you who like details....Ben's weight is still estimated to be 2 lbs. 9 oz. (50th percentile). All of his organs look great, including his lungs. I have almost no amniotic fluid left, although it replenishes and leaks out in batches. Despite this, Ben seems just fine. 80-85% of women whose water breaks at 28 weeks deliver within the first week. 90-95% deliver within two weeks. The remaining 5% can go much longer. (Pray that we're in the third group!) If I had the c-section today, Ben would have an 80-85% chance of survival without significant neural defects. Praise God!!
The perinatologist commented that he's very happy to see that I'm calm and in positive spirits, whereas he comes across other mothers who are climbing the walls with worry. He said that staying calm is the very best thing I can do to help Ben stay put. I started to explain that this peace comes from prayer, an understanding of God's power and grace, and the calming influence of the Holy Spirit. (Plus the prayers and support of our amazing network of friends and family!) I don't think he cared for my opinions, but it was a nice conversation! Please pray that God will use our family to minister to those around us in this hospital and at Texas Children's after Ben is born.
A neonatologist should stop by this afternoon to talk about Ben's prospects. I'll try to post an update about that conversation.
1. I got to take a shower!
2. I get to eat solid food!
3. My sweet Jack came for a visit and snuggled next to me in bed while we ate lunch.
4. A very well-known perinatologist did another ultrasound and said that Ben looks great right now. (more details below)
5. Today is Bryant's 34th birthday!!!
So here's the nitty gritty for those of you who like details....Ben's weight is still estimated to be 2 lbs. 9 oz. (50th percentile). All of his organs look great, including his lungs. I have almost no amniotic fluid left, although it replenishes and leaks out in batches. Despite this, Ben seems just fine. 80-85% of women whose water breaks at 28 weeks deliver within the first week. 90-95% deliver within two weeks. The remaining 5% can go much longer. (Pray that we're in the third group!) If I had the c-section today, Ben would have an 80-85% chance of survival without significant neural defects. Praise God!!
The perinatologist commented that he's very happy to see that I'm calm and in positive spirits, whereas he comes across other mothers who are climbing the walls with worry. He said that staying calm is the very best thing I can do to help Ben stay put. I started to explain that this peace comes from prayer, an understanding of God's power and grace, and the calming influence of the Holy Spirit. (Plus the prayers and support of our amazing network of friends and family!) I don't think he cared for my opinions, but it was a nice conversation! Please pray that God will use our family to minister to those around us in this hospital and at Texas Children's after Ben is born.
A neonatologist should stop by this afternoon to talk about Ben's prospects. I'll try to post an update about that conversation.
We've Moved!
We've moved to St. Luke's/Texas Children's.
Antepartum Unit, Room 334.
832-355-3645
Visiting hours are completely open, and children/babies are welcome!
So come on down!
Other good news for today....
--I'm allowed to get up to go to the bathroom and take short showers.
--I had another ultrasound, and Ben seems to be doing fine. He's breech with his legs crossed straight up in front of him by his face, so a c-section will be necessary.
--My amniotic fluid is still very low, and I'm still bleeding some, but now that we are past the 48-hour mark, things are looking up. If we can make it a week, then we will likely make it much longer--and every day counts!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and THANK YOU to everyone for your kind emails, calls, visits, etc. We are so blessed to have such great family and friends.
Antepartum Unit, Room 334.
832-355-3645
Visiting hours are completely open, and children/babies are welcome!
So come on down!
Other good news for today....
--I'm allowed to get up to go to the bathroom and take short showers.
--I had another ultrasound, and Ben seems to be doing fine. He's breech with his legs crossed straight up in front of him by his face, so a c-section will be necessary.
--My amniotic fluid is still very low, and I'm still bleeding some, but now that we are past the 48-hour mark, things are looking up. If we can make it a week, then we will likely make it much longer--and every day counts!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and THANK YOU to everyone for your kind emails, calls, visits, etc. We are so blessed to have such great family and friends.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Let's take this show on the road!
There's a good chance we'll move to St. Luke's Hospital/Texas Children's Hospital this afternoon. My contractions have pretty much stopped, the bleeding has slowed considerably, and Ben is doing very well. If the hospitals have beds for Ben and me, we'll be in an ambulance this afternoon. Should be an adventure! (Pray for light traffic!)
We'll keep everyone updated on new contact information, but you can always reach us on our cell phones (listed below).
Thanks for all of your prayers and support! The hospital staff has commented several times on how wonderful our support network has been. They can't believe how many phone calls and visitors we've had already!
Love,
Dawn
We'll keep everyone updated on new contact information, but you can always reach us on our cell phones (listed below).
Thanks for all of your prayers and support! The hospital staff has commented several times on how wonderful our support network has been. They can't believe how many phone calls and visitors we've had already!
Love,
Dawn
Monday, September 10, 2007
If you'd like to help ....
At this point, we'll call you if we need you. We don't know enough. Prayers are appreciated.
Contact Information
Phone number into the room: 281 477 5732
Willowbrook Methodist, room 2232. It's at 249 and 1960. You can just follow the Hospital signs off 249. Parking is free. We're taking visitors, Dawn is really doing well. Do call before you come.
Dawn's Cell: 281 468 8664
Dawn's email - expect slow turn around: pdadkins@sbcglobal.net
Bryant's Cell: 281 702 0942
Bryant's E-mail: john.b.adkins@rice.edu
Willowbrook Methodist, room 2232. It's at 249 and 1960. You can just follow the Hospital signs off 249. Parking is free. We're taking visitors, Dawn is really doing well. Do call before you come.
Dawn's Cell: 281 468 8664
Dawn's email - expect slow turn around: pdadkins@sbcglobal.net
Bryant's Cell: 281 702 0942
Bryant's E-mail: john.b.adkins@rice.edu
Status To Date - 11 a.m. Sept. 10, 2007
Last night, Dawn had some bleeding, and we went to Methodist Willowbrook at Hwy. 249 at FM 1960. Here is the short version of where we stand.
Benjamin will be here soon, probably.
The Physicians do not know what is causing Dawn to bleed, so they will not try to stop it. Dawn is having erratic contractions, but the bleeding is much less severe now.
At this point, there are two likely scenarios.
1) Dawn becomes stable in the next few days, and we will be transferred to St. Lukes / Texas Children's Hospital to have baby Ben. This is preferred.
2) We'll have Baby Ben here in the next few days, and we'll transfer to the Texas Children's Hospital NICU later.
Ben's Status
He's about 28 weeks old (full term is 40 weeks). He has a very strong heartbeat, and the nurses guess that he currently weighs 2 Lbs. 9 ounces inside Dawn. Dawn is taking a steroid to help his lungs develop. Ideally, he'll get two doses plus 24 hours before he arrives. He is breach, so we will likely end up with a C-Section. Dawn's water broke, we think. There is still an amniotic sac, but there is less fluid in there than ideal. Ben has not reacted negatively to the loss of fluid, and the doctors will not speed the process along as long as that is the case.
Little Jack is with his Grandfather.
Benjamin will be here soon, probably.
The Physicians do not know what is causing Dawn to bleed, so they will not try to stop it. Dawn is having erratic contractions, but the bleeding is much less severe now.
At this point, there are two likely scenarios.
1) Dawn becomes stable in the next few days, and we will be transferred to St. Lukes / Texas Children's Hospital to have baby Ben. This is preferred.
2) We'll have Baby Ben here in the next few days, and we'll transfer to the Texas Children's Hospital NICU later.
Ben's Status
He's about 28 weeks old (full term is 40 weeks). He has a very strong heartbeat, and the nurses guess that he currently weighs 2 Lbs. 9 ounces inside Dawn. Dawn is taking a steroid to help his lungs develop. Ideally, he'll get two doses plus 24 hours before he arrives. He is breach, so we will likely end up with a C-Section. Dawn's water broke, we think. There is still an amniotic sac, but there is less fluid in there than ideal. Ben has not reacted negatively to the loss of fluid, and the doctors will not speed the process along as long as that is the case.
Little Jack is with his Grandfather.
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