PDA

Clara Elyse Murphy

Day of Life 26

Imagine to my disbelief when I walk into Clara's room today that I saw a new IV line running through her head. It wasn't the shock that one was in her head, because she has had one before there, it was the shock of what is going on now? 

We have known since Clara was born that she had a PDA. Patent ductus arteriosus. In utero all babies have one. It is a blood vessel that connects the two main arteries for blood flow. It is necessary for circulation  when baby is a fetus. It is meant to close after birth, then disappear. But in many preemies it does not. 65% under 28 weeks of gestation. If it does not close it can make it more difficult for a baby to recover from respiratory distress syndrome and other complications, anemia and infection. Check, Check, check, she is having problems with all of them. 

Clara's has not closed and is getting louder (it causes a heart murmur). It is complicating things on the vent, as well as retaining fluid in her lungs and around heart. If you are in her room, you can see how her O2 number swings and dips low and then back up. They are not able to ween her off the vent anymore, so it is time to fix it. Up until this morning when I saw a new IV line, I didn't know today was the day to try. 

They will give her three doses (a round)of  indomethacin . Two doses today and one tomorrow. We should know over weekend if it is working, if it is closing up all, or part, a little. Monday with Dr., team will decide if she will need surgery, if this doesn't work. They are optimistic it will. It works better with babies under 14 weeks, and less effective with older babies. Clara is almost four weeks old. 

Take a big breathe.......................and pray for positive results. 

As I looked at my baby today I counted all the tubes that are running in her, or attached. I thought that I could probably tell anyone now what they each are. She is constantly pulling them and licking her feeding tube (the one coming out of her mouth). I just sit and watch it all. 

 I also thought that one day I would tell her all bout this, and how she had so many accessories even though she was so little. I long for that day when the breathing tube comes out and that tape can come off so I can see her pretty face.