Hudson Matthew

Hudson Matthew was born on Wednesday September 28 at 8:00 pm. He decided to come three weeks early just like his big sister. :) My water broke at 2:15 and he was here shortly after. Both of my kids have spoiled me with very easy labors.....I owe them. :)

His lungs were a little under developed since he was born so early which is very common with premature white little boys. His chest was retracting when he was breathing and he was breathing a little faster than the Dr's would like. After he was born he had a small dome type thing over his head that oxygen and a little humidity was pumped into. His oxygen levels ranged from 21% to 30% over the night and room air is 21% oxygen. So he wasn't needing a lot more, but just enough to help ease his breathing a little. He was under the hood until around midnight on the 29th and then the Dr's decided to move him over to Children's in Peoria. The Dr's at St. Joseph's thought they would pump some medicine into his lungs right when we got over here as that is what they do to most babies with the same condition. However, since Hudson's case wasn't very serious they still kept him under the hood for at least an hour or so after we arrived here at Children's. So Matt and I were relieved that they were taking their time with him and weren't rushing to start any new treatments....it helped us realize his condition was pretty mild.

Around 3:30 am they decided to put a CPAP mask on him instead of the dome. The CPAP would provide him a little more pressure to help keep the air sacs in his lungs open and ease his breathing. They set his oxy level at 32% and set the pressure at a 6. He seemed so much more relaxed and started doing better very quickly. We were so happy to see his little tummy start to slow down so he could get a some rest.

By around noon he was down to room air (21%) oxygen and on the lowest pressure setting on the CPAP machine. Great news!! :)

He still has the CPAP mask on today, but they plan on moving him to a nasal canula, which provides even less pressure, either today or tomorrow. Very excited to see how he does when they move him down....another step closer to bringing our little guy home! They got him dressed and swaddled today too.....so nice to see him all cozy. He's just been sleeping away. :)

Matt and I have only gotten to hold him once in the nursery at St. Joe's....so were definitely ready to hold and cuddle with him.

Just resting. His mask looks intimidating....but it was just what he needed! :)