How Noah is doing

A report of our son's progress so far.

Before even being born the doctors drained half a liter of fluid from his belly to allow some flexibility in his body. At birth, he got a tracheostomy and then was whisked away to the neo-natal intensive care unit, where he was installed in an open incubator and hooked up to a computer which monitors all his vital signs and a mechanical ventilater. Things that are monitored are blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, body temperature, pulse and resparation.
After an hour his daddy could visit and see his son for the first time. Oma, Opa and Tante Anneke also visited, Mummy came later to visit in the afternoon once she was a bit recovered from the operation.

Since day one, the doctors have been impressed with Noah's development. His lungs matured well and he only needed additional oxygen for 3 days (each day the concentration of oxygen was reduced). His mechanical ventilation pressure has also been reduced which means that he is breathing more and more for himself.
We were waiting with baited breath for Noah's first poo. However after 2 days this didn't appear and so the specialists were send for and they found that there was a thin seal preventing him from pooing. Once this was pierced, Noah was rapidly able to evacuate for himself. They continue to monitor that this seal doesn't reform, and that Noah is comfortable. (No build up of uncomfortable gass etc.).
Noah's tummy was very swollen and extended with fluid, even after removing the initial 0.5litres of fluid. The doctors decided that the body was not able to drain the fluid on his own and so on Tuesday they started a catheter / drain from his tummy. Mainly because he had stopped improving with his breathing; the tummy was pressing on his lungs and causing him some discomfort.
800ml in total was drained, this relieved the pressure but then Noah had some problems with trapped wind. His tummy was suctioned, and some left over mucus was removed, he was given an ennema which helped relieve some constipation and released the trapped wind, and finally he is now comfortable.
He now has an elastic bandage corset around his tummy, to give him some support as his muscles are very weak and increadibly stretched. Because he had an uncomfortable night, he is only getting fluids today, no mummy's milk. But tommorrow they will start him on his milk again.
Mummy and Daddy visit often, and are able to sooth him while he's getting all his treatments. He has stories read to him, his little hand or foot is held, and a hand is laid gently on his head. Hearing familiar voices really seems to help him relax and he is almost always deeply asleep by the time Mummy and Daddy leave.
He has a personal masseuse which focuses on his body but pays particular attention to keeping his feet flexible in order to prevent his foot (which is slightly turned inwards) from fixing in that position. This will help later on in his development, but for now prevents additional problems occuring in the future.

Noah is a very strong little man, and even though he's going through all of this he's not a fussy or crying baby. He is always responsive to his parents voice, and wiggles and clasps your finger. The doctor say that he may be able to be moved to the Netherlands (into a new hospital, not home yet) in a week or so. They are waiting until the wound from his Trachaeostomy is healed so that any breathing problems that could possibly occur during transportation are prevented.
As soon as his transportation date is known, we will of course inform you all via this blog.

It's time for another visit to Noah, so I hope you are all reassured that Noah is getting the very best of attention and care and is a strong little fighter who takes everything in his stride.

Bye for now,
Mum and Dad