This weekend has been all about breathing. We know a family at the same NICU who had a baby admitted one week prior to Baker. She was a little bit older then him when she was born, but was on a ventilator like Baker is now. They have been going through a roller coaster ride with trying to wean their baby off of the vent. From my limited perspective this is what happens. The RT gets a blood gas which tells the Doctor how well Baker is absorbing oxygen and expelling CO2. If everything looks good they lower the rates that the ventilator is supporting Baker. (I'm oversimplifying) After the rates are lowered Baker has to work a little harder because if he forgets to breathe then the Ventilator is going to deliver less breaths then before which can lower the amount of O2 that is carried in his blood and raise the amount of CO2 in the blood. (Whew! Please stay with me) Baker has been forgetting to breathe every once in awhile. It looks like to his mom and I that when he goes into a deep sleep he forgets to breathe. When he is active, awake he breathes way over the support of the ventilator. When he is still, asleep he lets the vent take over and breathe for him. We had a scare on Sunday because he decided to do this when he was on a very low rate (for him). He was not receiving enough breaths for him to get any use from breathing and his oxygen dropped really low twice. He scared the heck out of Mom and Dad.They adjusted everything back up to provide more support and he's been pretty good since. Of course our goal is to ultimately get him off of the breathing assistance as soon as possible. The longer he is on the ventilator the greater his odds in having lung problems. But why not conservatively wean him little by little even when he has an excellent blood gas. It just seems the process is long and hard with many ups and downs and isn't as exact as you would want. This is one of the big milestones that will be overcome by little Baker and he will conquer this on his schedule; he just has to remember to breathe…
3 comments:
oh yes, ye ole: "....remember to breathe…"
Hi Leah,
Of course you know by the name used that this is family,and I'm so very glad to hear from all of you. Thank God that little Baker is doing sooo well,and I see that he is a real fighter. I just got the pictures today ,and I must say that the family portrait is gorgeous. Parenthood seems to bring out things and emotions that we sometimes don't realize we have. You guys hang on in there, because every day gets better and better.We have you in our thoughts and prayers and we are soooo very proud that you belong to us. Give both of your men a kiss ans hug for me til I can do it in person for my self and don't you forget to Thank God for his gift to you and remind Baker to BREATHE!!!!!!!!!!
LUV YA Aunt Pat
Slow and steady wins the day...isn't that what they say? Stay strong Mommy and Daddy, Baker certainly is a beautiful gift!
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