Our Extended Stay

July 3 - July 9

If you Google the word jaundice you'll find that every site mentions a rare but serious case: Blood Group Incompatibility. Because my blood type is 0-, and Brysen's isn't, my body produced antibodies that destroyed his red blood cells during delivery, which then caused a large buildup of bilirubin in his blood. 

Brysen had to go under phototherapy around 9:00 am on the morning after he was born. The lights helped his liver flush the bilirubin out of his blood stream. He laid under overhead lamps and on top of a biliblanket from early Friday morning until late Tuesday night. He was only allowed to be taken from the lights every 3 hours for his feeding. Thank goodness he handled it like a champ and barely ever fussed. We were also lucky enough to keep him in the room with us the entire time.

We removed and re-added a light here and there to see how his body would react. Finally, around 10:00 Tuesday night, his numbers were low enough for both overhead lights to be removed. We were allowed to wrap him up and hold him while he was only using the biliblanket. Second best day ever. 

 

Brysen had his blood checked at 4:00 am and 5:00 pm every day we were at the hospital. Poor little guy. After getting his numbers Wednesday morning, the doctor let us take him completely off the phototherapy. We were so happy to be able to dress and really love on our boy. Finally. 

They drew his blood earlier than normal Wednesday afternoon. He went back around 1:30, and we got the best news ever a couple of hours later. His numbers stayed under the max number, and WE WERE GOING HOME. I don't know that I've ever been that happy! :)