We had yet another setback during the night, as Erin's oxygen levels continued to dip to the mid-70's. When I left her last night around 9:30, they were hovering in the low 80's, which is the minimal level that the doctors have set as tolerable. As a result of the lowered oxygen levels, the decision was made to put her back on the prostagladins (or "PGE" as I have learned) at around 4 am. Hopefully, this will re-open the duct, allowing her lungs to get enough oxygenated blood to get her oxygen saturation levels back up to the high 90's. Unfortunately, this means that she won't be able to start eating any time soon. She is being nourished intravenously, so she is getting plenty of nutrition, but her little tummy is empty and she knows it.
They noticed during yesterday afternoon's ultra sound that the pulmonary hyper tension that babies have has elevated again, and the thought is that if they can get oxygenated blood flowing through the duct for a period of time, the pulmonary hypertension will do what it does for all newborns and lower on its own, making the work of the artery much more efficient.
Through it all, she continues to be just an amazing baby. She fusses very, very little. During the night, the nurses tell me that she was awake and alert for awhile, looking around and just taking things in. She spent quite a bit of time studying one of her bears...we will take that as a very positive sign. :-)
We shall see what today brings.
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