Although we have not been in to see Dr. Placencia since last November, we are very well-known around the office. The nurses were asking where Nathan was, saying that he is very special to them. I know that the doctor and the nurses will never forget that day in January of 2009, where it was discovered that Nathan had a congenital heart defect.
All of the staff acted so excited to find that we had another little baby boy. I feel so fortunate to have found such a wonderful pediatrician and staff that I absolutely love and trust with my babies!
Dr. Placencia examined Benjamn thoroughly and listened to us tell her about his birth events. She even asked about what Texas Children's Cardiology had told me about the likeliness of Nathan's sibling having a heart defect. I explained that we had an echo cardiogram at 20 weeks gestation, but that I would like to have another one now that Benjamin is here. So, she is going to conference with the cardiologists downtown to see what needs to be done for me. She's so great!
Unfortunately, Benjamin was looking a little yellow at this visit. So, Dr. Placencia checked his bilirubin level. The level was slightly elevated. Therefore, we were asked to return the following day for another check. We did take him back in on Friday. Again, his bilirubin level had gone up. So, we were asked to return on Saturday.
CHris and I took action on Friday. We took Nathan and Benjamin to a park, where Nathan could play and Benjamin could get some sunshine. We also became more aware of Benjamin's feeding and sleeping habits so that we could ensure that he was eating every 2-3 hours. Apparently, babies rid themselves of the bilirubin through waste elimination. In other words, the more he poops, the better!
On Saturday, we went into the office. We had to see a doctor that I did not know. Also, the appointment was early in the morning. We are not quite ready for early morning appointments yet because we are still working out our nighttime nursing schedule. Needless to say, I was tired, grumpy, and afraid during this appointment!
Happily, Benjamin's level of bilirubin decreased! He is still jaundiced, but on the road to recovery. At this time, we do not have to give him photo therapy. We continue to monitor his feeding and also to take him outside. I have opened all of the blinds in our home to make it lighter, as I was keeping it dark since it's been so hot. We return to the doctor on Thursday for Benjamin's 2 week check-up. I am sure they will want to check his bilirubin again. We hope and pray that it will be considerably lower and also that Benjamin's weight will have increased (he is 5 ounces lighter than at birth right now).
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