Friday, February 11, 2011

Day Three update from Dad

Pippa is just over 48 hours old now.
We had a bit of a late night when we were called at about 11pm and told they we going to do a procedure where they would basically swap her life support machine for a new one (apparently a reasonable common and frequent procedure to deal with blood clotting issues). We were able to see Pippa before and after the procedure, which went smoothly. We only got back to bed at about 1am.
Overall Pippa's second day was largely uneventful, which is what we hope for. The most important thing for her now is to rest and let her body recover from the surgery.
Many of you might be wondering about the usual birth statistics. We simply don't know most of them. There was no time to weigh or measure her, so the doctors are working off an eyeball guess of three kilograms and about 50 centimeters. Her head is of normal proportions but as yet unmeasured.
We do know she has blue/grey eyes (much like Trigby had, although his have turned a little green since) and what looks like blonde hair, although it is still dark and gunky because we haven't been able to bathe her yet (and we have no idea when that will happen).
For what it is worth, we know she has O+ blood. Pippa is using a lot of blood products at the moment because her little body doesn't have enough for her and the heart/lung machine. There is probably as much blood in all the tubes as there is in her at any one moment. Of course this is all blood that people donated. Please think about donating blood. It's a fairly small inconvenience for something so important.
She has a little wound above her left ear which seems to have been caused in the delivery. It might need a stitch to close but that it the least of Pippa's worries. There is also a bit of bruising on the right side if her face, also caused during delivery. It just goes to show that Caesarian deliveries are far from a 'gentle' option (although despite being present for two I still have no idea what actually happens because I refuse to look).
We are sorting out suitable photos to post and will hopefully get them up this afternoon. The main two factors in picture selection are preserving Pippa's modesty and respecting the staff members' privacy (so no photos showing anyone's face etc). There is also the issue of getting a decent internet connection, but we are working on that. We are hoping to be able to post several from Day One showing her from birth through to post-surgery and then just update pictures for the days since. Stay tuned.
Finally (for now), thank you for all the supportive messages. There have been too many to reply to but we appreciate them all and eventually (one day) we will speak to you all.

6 comments:

  1. I have booked to give blood on 25 Feb. I am also harassing everyone I know (including step-children and friends, have drawn the line at clients!) to give blood too.

    All my love

    MCK

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  2. Haha I dont think you would want my clients!
    You have prompted me into signing up though.
    Thanks for the updates and we will keep watching this spot anxiously.
    Love Paddy, Amanda and Sarah

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  3. Great to hear the day and night was uneventful - may she have lots of rest to grow stronger and stronger. Thank you for the updates... We hope Erin is recovering well surgery-wise. Thinking lots of you guys.... Love Loz, Pete and Oli

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  4. Thank you for the update. Pippa sounds absolutely beautiful (just like the rest of her family!). Lots of love, Lil.

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  5. Dear Erin, Justin, Trigby and Pippa
    Sending you all the love and wishes in the world. Claire said that little Pippa is beautiful and a real fighter, may that spirit see her and all of you through. I hope Erin is recovering with no complications and that you all have the support and care you need right now. Much love, Jules xx

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  6. Glad to hear that Pippa is resting as comfortably as can be expected. I hope Erin is recovering well from the surgery.

    It sounds like Pippa has her mum's fighting and determined spirit.

    Love the Streats

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