Austin's 1st Doctor's Visit

(I started this post yesterday but got distracted so I am resuming as if I finished writing it yesterday.)

This morning was Austin's first visit at Parkside Pediatrics. We met 2 of the 4 pediatricians at this practice in the hospital and visited with the third one today. So far we are very impressed and really like all three doctors a lot.

Well, our sweet little boy decided to make a poopy diaper right as we went back to our room at which time we had to change it in front of the watchful nurse. I didn't realize how nervous it would be to have a medical professional watch you undress your child and change his diaper! Anyway, we went to weigh Austin and he weighed in at 7lbs. 7.2oz. They said he is gaining weight back very well and should reach his birthweight soon. His temp. was fine and heartbeat was strong. Austin measured 20 inches at this visit which is 2 whole inches taller than at birth!! We hope this growth spurt continues so he has a chance to be tall like his daddy!

Austin was very good during this visit and impressed the doctors and nurses. However, since he left the hospital with a little jaundice, they had to stick his heel and draw some blood. He didn't mind the stick so much but really hated the nurse squeezing on his foot to collect the blood. He screamed bloody murder for about 5 minutes, but as soon as she was done he immediately quieted down and was calm again.

After we left the doctor's office, Ryan dropped me and Austin off at the house and he went into work. They doctors called about an hour later to give us the result of his tests. I missed the call because I was in the middle of feeding Austin and when I called back they said Ryan was on the other line scheduling an appointment. I waited anxiously for a minute and called Ryan at work to get the news. Much to our dismay, his bilirubins had gone up to 16.5 which is considered high-intermediate risk. It is still too soon to start phototheraphy, but they suggested we expose him to direct sunlight for 15 minutes at a time, three times a day and try to get him as much indirect sunlight as possible. We have also been timing his feedings to exactly 3 hours apart to encourage bowel movements which dispels the bilirubins from his body. We have another appointment tomorrow at 1:30 to do a re-check. Please keep your fingers crossed that Austin's jaundice goes down and he gets back to normal as soon as possible!!