First post:
Nov 23, 2020 Latest post:
Sep 21, 2021
On Tuesday, November 10th, Jess went to get a COVID test due to her coworker testing positive. The COVID test came back negative, but they noticed that her blood pressure was pretty high, so they encouraged her to get an at home Blood Pressure Monitor to track it for a few days. A few days later, her blood pressure kept climbing, so wdecided that it was time for a visit to the ER to make sure everything was okay.
Jess was admitted that evening, on Thursday, November 12th, when she was 29 weeks pregnant. They diagnosed her with pre-eclampsia & started her on blood pressure medication. The Doctors decided that it was best for Jess to stay in the Hospital on bed rest until she delivered. They started monitoring Theo's heartrate 24/7 & they put Jess on magnesium for 48hrs & gave her two steroid shots 24hrs a part. This helped strengthen / develop Theo's lungs & organs in case of an early delivery, as well as giving his brain some neurological protection.
Jess spent 10 days in the Hospital on best rest until Theo decided to make his grand entrance into the world!
Theodore Merritt Dornfeld was born at 7:50pm on Saturday, November 21st. He weighed 2lbs 0oz & was 14.25 inches long.
The Doctors & Nurses were all amazed at how strong his little lungs were right from the start - he was crying & making all sorts of fun noises! His oxygen levels looked good, but they gave him a CPAP right away to make sure that he was well taken care of. They placed two lines in his umbilical cord right away. The first will help carry blood back & forth so that they don't need to poke Theo, & the other will be used as an IV to give him medicine & other things he might need. They put in a breathing tube overnight & hope to have it in for around 36hrs so that he can get some medicine to help line the inside of his lungs & strengthen them a bit more.
Theo's days are just beginning, as he'll be staying in the NICU until he's strong enough to come home. We want to thank EVERYONE who has already shown us so much love, support, & encouragement! We have the greatest family, friends, & coworkers - & are so thankful & blessed to be on this journey with all of you cheering us on!
