15.9.2010
The babies are 35 weeks today! I should be 35 weeks pregnant. I can’t wait to be pregnant again, I want to know what the third trimester is like.
First things first, both babies have gained weight! 10 grams for Esther (1.84kg) and 5 grams for William making him 2.1kg. So they now weigh 4lb 1oz and 4lb 10oz respectively. Anything static or upward is okay for their weights in this transitional/experimental feeding period.
We arrived at the hospital just before 9am. Esther was awake, waiting for us. David did her cares, then despite her having been tube fed at 7am she had a good feed with me at 9.15am! Because she is demand feeding I now just wait for her to wake up and then feed her again. If she feeds well at the breast she will not be topped up and as long as she can settle we will just wait again for her to wake.
After Esther’s feed I did William’s care and then put him to the breast. He did very well and had a half top up.
Esther will now be put to the breast at or before 1.15pm, depending on when she wakes and William is also due at 1pm. I will then express at 2pm. It is hard to know what to do about expressing with demand feeds but I do need to do it at least once or twice in a day.
The doctors’ round is going on at the moment. Seems to be taking a long time today but there are a few discharges. Two babies should go home today, then two or three more tomorrow which means that we will be getting some new playmates! I am also hoping to room in soon to establish night time feeding. As soon as a room becomes available, which could be this weekend!!
It is Rohan’s birthday this weekend so we are hoping to go to his party tea on Sunday, at least for a couple of hours. I can’t believe that he is going to be two!
The doctors are taking a long time today. I want to see my babies! I thought that Esther might have woken up by now.
I woke Esther at 12.45pm. She fed well and settled to a peaceful sleep afterwards. I then fed William at 1.30pm. He had quite a good feed and a 25ml top up.
Both babies now have a 4 hourly limit but really are demand feeding, William with top ups.
Tina came to see us and as long as Room 1 is free David and I can room in this weekend to try and establish night feeding! How exciting! If it goes well we might be able to extend our stay to early next week and then maybe bring them home!
They have to have 48 hours of only breastfeeding before their NG tube is removed and they then have to be gaining weight before they can be discharged. We are making progress!
I need to pack a bag!