Sophie's Photos
and Progress Report
Sophie Elaine
Born:  March 26, 2003
Weight:  1 lb 12 oz
Length:  12 1/2"

Mom:  Holly   Dad:  Jimmy
March 23, 2003 Holly had labor pains 3 months early.  After going to Burlington Hospital, she was transferred to Sinai Medical Center in Milwaukee.  They have a well-known neonatal intensive care unit.  The baby was only 25 weeks.  The neonatal specialist said at the properly equipped hospital, the chances of survival was 70-90%.  Her water was broke so labor could not be stopped with medication.  Labor did stop on its own.  For 2 days Holly was given injections to help the baby's lungs develop.  After 2 days with no labor she was allowed to go home.  This was Tuesday, March 25.  The evening of March 26, labor began again.  This time very strong with the desire to push.  The Milwaukee hospital was about 40 miles away.  About 1 mile from home they decided they could not make it.  911 was called and an ambulance was sent to intercept.  The EMTs decided they could not make it to Milwaukee and transported her to Burlington.  Within a half hour of arrival the baby was born.
The baby was only 1 lb 12 oz and needed to be "bagged" (Using an Ambu bag to force air into the lungs.  The staff were also doing chest compressions.  I saw the baby and my first thought was "She will never make it"  The unit at Sinai was called and a team of neonatal specialists arrived and interbated the baby and readied her for transport yo the intensive are unit in Milwaukee.
Here she was put on a ventilator and IV's were inserted into her naval for meds including antibiotics.  The doctors said she was stable. 
On the 3rd day after birth, Sophie pulled out her ventilator tube and was breathing on her own.  The nurses say it may have to go back in because she will get so tired from the breathing effort.  It is like you or me running a mile.  She hung onto Daddy's finger.  Her tiny little hand could not reach around his pinkie finger.  Her diapers in the NNICU are 3" by 6"  - Can you imagine?
I want to thank all my internet friends, especially the girls from QCOF and Divas for all the prayers and positive energy sent her way.  She still needs all the prayers she can get.  Thank you also to the Prayer Circle at my church, St. Catherine's of Mapleton, Wisconsin.  Thanks also to all my friends in Oak Creek.
April 12, 2003
Update:  April 27, 2003

Sophie is now 2 lbs 2 oz.  She is getting 17 cc of formula every 3 hrs through a tube in her nose.  She can't suck good yet.  They give her a tiny tiny pacifier called a thumbkin.  She will suck about 3 times then just hold it in her mouth.  They say that's a start.  She gets oxygen by nasal cannula for 3 hrs. then 3 hrs on the C-Pap.  When she is awake her eyes are wide open.  Hope to get some new pics soon.  The doctors are really pleased with her progress.  Thanks for your prayers and positive energy.  Please keep it up.
Here are 2 pics taken by the nurses at the hospital.
May 11, 2003, Mother's Day

I went with Holly to the hospital to visit Sophie today.  I got to hold her for about 30 minutes.  Mommy got to give her a bath.  She is getting 23 cc of formula every 3 hrs.  She is now 14-1/2 inches long and weighs 2 lb 15.4 oz.
Whoopie - almost 3 lbs.

Just look at those long fingers.  As of today she has the feeding tube in her nose and get oxygen with a plastic bubble over her head.
Now it will be a matter of time to watch her gain weight and get stronger.  Doctors project her going home the last week in June or the first week in July.  Holly's due date was July 4.
(May 31, 2003)  Holly went to visit today.  Sophie is in an open crib.  She is eating from a nipple.  She will be coming home in 7-10 days.  She weighs about 4.5 lbs.  We are all excited about her coming home.
(June 6, 2003)  I am so estatic.  Sophie is coming home Thursday.  Tomorrow night Holly, Jimmy and I have to go to the hospital and take an infant CPR class.  I am already certified in adult and child CPR but not infant.  It is good that they offer this to parents.  She is coming home on oxygen and an apnea mattress.  Holly is really scared because of the other babies.  She is afraid they might get at the oxygen and try turning dials.  I hope it has a lock like some I've seen at the hospital I worked at.  I even went shopping today and got some receiving blankets, tiny sleepers, onesies, and bassinet sheets.  Sophie will be in the bassinet that my husband slept in 63 years ago.  Almost all of the grandkids used the same bassinet. 

I really thank everyone for their prayers.  It was the power of prayer that brough about this happy event.  I will be staying by them for some time and help with the little ones, in between my doctors appts and taking care of other members of the family.
(June 30, 2003)  Sophie is home and doing well.  The oxygen has been discontinued.  We still have to worry about her eye sight.  One doctor said she has level 3 Retinopathy of Prematurity.  Holly wants another opinion.
(July 25, 2003)  Well, tomorrow Sophie will be 4 months old.  She is doing really great.  The visiting nurse came today and she weighs 8lbs 2oz.  She saw the eye specialist Tuesday and he said her eyes are improving but has to be watched closely.  Her vision could improve or decline rapidly.  We are totally blessed with this little angel.  Everyone's prayers helped her to improve.

July 22, 2003
(August 7, 2003)  Well Sophie has been home for 2 months.  She now weighs a whopping 8lbs 15 ozs.  Wow almost 9 lbs.  After many visits to eye doctors, it was determined that there was some irregular blood vessel growth on the back of her retina (Retinopathy of Prematurity).  If laser surgery was not done as soon as possible she could be blind in 6 months.  She had the laser surgery on August 5th and stayed overnight in the hospital.  The specialist said the surgery went very well and we would know for sure in about 6 months how effective it was, but he is very confident she will have close to normal vision.

She has had some problems with gastric reflux.  She was vomitting large amounts of formula, sometimes very projectile.  She was placed on Zantac and we have to keep the head of the bassinet elevated at all times.  She must eat in an almost sitting position.  She has been fine since starting the medication.
Stop back often for updates.  I have more pics to develop.