Pink Bows and Pigtails: Neonatal Visit

Overall, the twin's Neonatology appointment went well. The had an overall developmental assessment with a physical therapist. Hannah is right on track according to her adjusted age and Hailee is Miss Superstar. She is ahead of where she should be. The PT did a lot of exercises with the girls and tested many things. For example, when an arm is pulled over do they pull their leg to follow? Do they move their head from side to side to follow sound? Do they get mad when a blanket is placed over their face? How long can they keep their head up during tummy time? Is their head in midline or does it favor one side over the other? This part of the appointment was very reassuring.

Hannah now weighs 11lbs 4oz and Hailee weighs 13lbs. Hannah is not gaining as much weight as they want her to be. I now have to fortify her breastmilk with more Neosure. I will be putting 1 1/3 tsp in each 4 1/2 oz bottle. Hopefully she can catch up a little by our next appointment.

In the past two weeks or so, I have noticed these small red spots on the girl's legs. Hannah has a few more than Hailee. I brought it to the doctor's attention and they are called Petechial. It could be caused from a virus one of the girls had and gave it to the other, pressure that was put on their legs, or a possible blood disorder. We went and had a CBC to rule out the blood disorder. Everything came back fine with that, except that both girls are now a little bit anemic. Hailee was anemic (pretty bad) at the end of her NICU stay, but then got better. Their anemia is caused by a combination of being premature and being breast fed. We now have to give them an iron supplement each day and have another CBC in a month. Hopefully we are all clear at that time. I hate the girl's having to get blood drawn :( As far as the Petechial, the anemia could be a contributing factor. They don't think it was a virus because neither of the girls ever had a fever and they both look great and are so active. We just have to watch and make sure the rash doesn't get worse. It should start getting better soon.