Day 1 – Saturday 15th December
5.56am Born
Skin to skin with mum
Skin to skin with dad
7.00am Hep B and Vitamin K injection – comforted by dad
10.00am Notice rash on head, groin and armpit
11.00am Visit from paediatrician re: rash
11.30am Blood sample taken from heel, CRP will test his virus levels.
3.00pm Second blood sample taken as first one clotted
6.00pm Results from CRP blood test = 27
We were told Xavier needed antibiotics as acceptable number is <8-9
6.30pm Blood test to check growth culture (24-48 hours)Catheter inserted in arm, splint and tape. Tried both hands and feet before finding a vein in arm.
8.30pm Antibiotics given through catheter Penicillin and Gentomyacin
10.00pm Xavier moved to nurses station for observation. Arcris had to leave hospital
Day 2 – Sunday 16th December
Midnight Paediatrician observed him. Sugar low, breathing rapid but not exhertive. Informed Xavier needed special care.
2.00am Expressed milk and took to Xavier. He was on a drip IV fluid (dextrose and electrolytes)
4.00am Expressed milk and took to Xavier (1mL). He had sicked up a lot of blood and mucous from delivery. He had been moved to another room for patients who required less care, but connected to a heart rate and respiration monitor.
6.00am Expressed and fed. Breathing normalised.
8.00am Expressed and fed 3mL
8.30am X-Ray taken. Paediatrician to do lumbar puncture to test for meningitis. CRP = 44
9.00am 1st attempt at lumbar puncture failed. Xavier should not feel pain at puncture but docs need to roll him into a very tight foetal position (ball) which babies hate and get distressed.
10.00am Expressed and fed 1mL. Second lumbar successful though cloudy with blood.
1.00pm Expressed and fed. Initial lumbar results come back negative = phew! Stayed in special care and was on expressed milk 3 hourly plus 45mL formula and IV drip.
Day 3 – Monday 17th December
Special care as above. Drip IV removed and heart rate monitor removed in the morning. CRP = 27.
4.00pm Xavier is returned to my room! Still requires penicillin 12 hourly and gentomyacin 36 hourly through catheter
Day 4 – Tuesday 18th December
Milk came in and had enough to stop formula. Fed and expressed as he was too sleepy tofeed for long. Arcris fed him approx 45mL expressed milk each feed (4 hourly). Continued antibiotics12 hourly through catheter. Catheter leaked and taken out at 11pm and given intramuscularly (thigh).
Day 5 – Wednesday 19th December
Feeding going well, can we go home? CRP = 27. Antibiotics at 11am. Stay at hospital and antibiotics given all day.
Day 6 – Thursday 20th December
6am CRP taken
8am CRP = 8, which is great. We can go home! Discontinued antibiotics (no 11am needle)
