Oh Happy Day!
Finally, after 11 long days of waiting, I was able to hold Emma for the first time today!!!
We hadn't realized she could even be removed from the isolette, let alone held, so, of course, we jumped at the opportunity when the nurse offered us "a little cuddle". The NICU advocates "Kangaroo Care" (aka "skin-to-skin care" in which the baby is placed on the parent's chest clad only in diaper and cap). It probably took 10 minutes for the nurse and the respiratory technician to get Emma (and her tubes & wires) moved out of her incubator and positioned properly, but I was able to hold her for more than a half hour. At first, I was worried by the ringing of the monitors/alarms (signifying that Emma's oxygen saturation levels or heart rate had changed) but she soon settled in and got comfy. It was so wonderful to hold her and feel her movements against me... I'll remember those special, precious moments for the rest of my days.
Afterwards, I was able to feed Emma again and change her diaper. It is amazing how much I look forward these routine baby-care tasks :)
The NICU nurse also gave us this card with Emma's footprints on it...Given that she seems to have very long feet (like her parents :), it will give you a sense of how very tiny she is...
While the results of the echocardiogram hadn't returned when we left the NICU today, the neonatologists were 95% certain that Emma will require surgery to close the PDA. We should know more tomorrow.
We hadn't realized she could even be removed from the isolette, let alone held, so, of course, we jumped at the opportunity when the nurse offered us "a little cuddle". The NICU advocates "Kangaroo Care" (aka "skin-to-skin care" in which the baby is placed on the parent's chest clad only in diaper and cap). It probably took 10 minutes for the nurse and the respiratory technician to get Emma (and her tubes & wires) moved out of her incubator and positioned properly, but I was able to hold her for more than a half hour. At first, I was worried by the ringing of the monitors/alarms (signifying that Emma's oxygen saturation levels or heart rate had changed) but she soon settled in and got comfy. It was so wonderful to hold her and feel her movements against me... I'll remember those special, precious moments for the rest of my days.
Afterwards, I was able to feed Emma again and change her diaper. It is amazing how much I look forward these routine baby-care tasks :)

While the results of the echocardiogram hadn't returned when we left the NICU today, the neonatologists were 95% certain that Emma will require surgery to close the PDA. We should know more tomorrow.
6 Comments:
How wonderfully sweet that you finally got to feel your little Emma up against you...I am certain she loved it as much as her Mommy. I can just sense the elation you are feeling from readng your post. Thank you so much for sharing this most tender moment with us.
Just reading the happiness oozing out of this post is tearing me up. I'm so happy you finally got to hold your little princess. Thanks for sharing!
Donna
Laurie,
The power of body contact that helps strenghten a person I'm sure was felt both by you and Emma last night! Cuddling your baby is a wonderful way to end your day and I am so happy that you were able to do that!
Here's hoping there is many, many more cuddles!
Oh Laurie,
My heart was in my throat reading this one. I second Nancy's comments that I'm sure little Emma enjoyed it just as much as you.
Shannon
OH YEAaaaaaa!..Babies always do better with they are on Mommy's skin. I'm so glad you got to hold her.
I'm sure it's there is gonna be alot of cuddle time now.
Love, Sharon
Yes,yes,yes, you finally have that darling to hold. Nothing like the feel of a baby in your arms. They make you feel so good and you love them so. Love to each and every one of you so much.......You are so dear to us.
Grandma, Opa,
Mum and Dad.....
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