My new grandaughter born 4/12/09 was a C-Section baby and she weighed 5.3 she was not eating well so they put her in the NICU with a tube in her nose to feel her and and IV. She started with a little blood in her stool yesterday and they have taken x-rays,she has a bubble or air in her liver and intestines. They are pumping her stomach so no activity in her intestines, and they are putting in a pic line today for nurishment and fluids. She is on a course of 3 antibiotics that will continue for at least 14 days. They are taking x-rays every 6 hours and have a surgeon on call if needed. They think this may be an infection are nervous about a possible perforation. Have any of you had experience with this and any advice. Thank you
I have no idea what is causing the blood. the only bit of advice I can give you, be supportive of the parents. My son was in the hospital for a very long time, and my in laws acted like they were the patient. we had no time for that. The parents are making the right decisions, and let them vent, bring them coffee, food, do laundry, scrub the kitchen. Run errunds for them. Only offer advice if they ask. Blessings to all of you.
B.,
My son was 8 weeks preemie, 4lbs. 3oz. and I had a similar experience. For my son, the first week was the worst. The pic line, the meds and the not being able to do anything was awful. He seemed so uncomfortable and in pain, but the NICU docs and nurses were amazing. He got through it with just the infection, and no perforation. At one point, we had to do a transfusion of blood and that was really the worst of it.
Just remember, ASK questions and get answers. One of the hardest things for me was to REALLY understand what they were telling me. If for a second, your son or his wife doubt what they are being told, encourage them to ASK and ASK again.
My son made it through the whole ordeal with flying colors and was only in the NICU for 7 of the projected 9 weeks after his birth. Today, his only issues are allergies and lactose intolerance...but, he's TALL and super active.
I will add you little grandgirl to my prayers and please keep me posted.
Best wishes,
D.
B.,
I have never had any experience with this- just wanted to let you know that your little granddaughter is in our prayers. God-willing, she will get through this hopefully sooner than later.
Please let us know once you get some answers.
God Bless You,
-I.
On your darling granddaughter I have little or no info for you, just hope, NICU's have the highest demands for excellence of ANY unit in the hospital. Only the best of the best work there.
On YOU & Your son & his wife...I can tell you from working in hospitals...that the most infrequently used resource that you SHOULD take advantage of are their social workers.
They can not only provide couseling, the can also translate medical-ese into English, arrange for time off of work, insurance benefits (even to getting rooms in-hospital or across the street @ a hotel or Ronald McDonald for the parents), and gosh, about a hundred other things. A good social worker or case manager is something that EVERYONE should have.
((Just an FYI...I'd always associated social workers with CPS before I started going to school in the health sciences. Come to find, that's only one tiny little Branch of Social Work which ranges from case management, to counseling, to my goodness...too many specialities to list. My own best friend is a social worker through a cancer center whose focus is death & dying. Social Workers tend to have the letters MSW lic following their name. One HAS to have a master's degree and over 2 years of monitored practice (like Dr.'s doing their internship... practicing... but not fully licensed yet). The lic ...licenced independent clinician...comes after several years. Some social workers have their Phd, but since it usually takes 8-10 years just to become licensed (and therefore be able to bill insurance/aka get paid) many stop at their masters. mY POINT, that's I'm lumbering around to making...is that Hospitals employ highly trained and educated social workers for situations just like yours. Take every bit of advantage of them as you can.))
Best of luck, to all of you
I don't have any advice, just wanted to tell you my heart goes out to you and your family. My nephew was in the NICU for the first 4 months of his life. He weighed 2 lbs 9 oz. Today he is a healthy 5 year old. Just know that medicine has come a long way and it sounds as though the hospital is doing the best for your granddaughter. I'll keep you in my thoughts...
I don't know about the blood in the stool but I do know that you must not let them vaccinate her for anything until she is way over this and at least several months old.
She should be giving probiotics to help the intestinal track along with any nutritional supplements (vit C, magneisum).
Please make sure YOU have done the research on vaccinations for YOUR (grand)child. The AAP recommended schedule of shots for children is too many, too soon, and when they start off or develop problems it is a big warning sign not to do the shots at that time. Here are sites and books that I always recommend for people to start their research:
www.909shot.com
www.tacanow.org
Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders, by Dr. Kenneth Bock
The Vaccine Book, by Dr. Robert Sears
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Childhood Vaccinations, by Dr. Stephanie Cave
Evidence of Harm, by David Kirby
Hi,
I don't have any extra information but just wanted to add that my twins were preemies weighing in at 4.7 and 5.7 and they spent 5 days in NICU. The care there was amazing and my twins are now healthy 5 year olds. I like the words of Deanna Leigh, it sounds like she has been there and had a lot of helpful insight for you. My prayers will be with you everyday. Please keep us posted. S.
B. - if they are feeding her through a tube they are likely giving her a human milk fortifier that is bovine-based. Your family may want to request a human breast milk-based milk fortifier (instead of bovine-based). The only company that provides this is Prolacta bioscience, i believe.
For SOME babies in the NICU, the bovine-based milk fortifier causes complications.
Hope your grandaughter gets well soon!
This must be so frightening, I am so thankful they went right away to the doctor. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I wish your grand-daughter a safe and speedy recovery!
My sisters baby girl was born 5 lbs 10 oz was throwing up and also had blood in her stool. what they came to find out that she was allergic milk and also protein. They put her on a special formula no more blood in her stool and no more vomiting and she is growing like a weed. SHe had all the same test and more to find this out.
My newborn also had blood in his stool at about 3 weeks old. We found out it was a milk allergy. My doctor switched him to Nutramigen(a non-milk based formula), which immediately stopped the blood and improved the diarrhea. Good Luck!
Hi, My sister had the same problem with her newborn son. He was on Enfamil Lipil when he was born. They said he had a milk allergy so they put him on Enfamil Nutrigamin, but it did not work. Finally she put him on Similac Isomil and the bloody stools are now gone. Good Luck!
