I'm writing this blog post from the neo-natal intensive care unit where my new baby girl, Maggie Mabee Colwell is resting. It's a bit of a long story, but I'll share what I can remember.
The doctors induced labor and Joy started pushing a little after 8 p.m. last night. By 8:52 p.m. we had a new baby girl who measures 4 lbs. 9 oz. and 16 1/4 inches long. She wasn't breathing at delivery so the doctors had to intubate, a process that is NOT fun to see, but they were able to get her breathing with assistance.
Her lungs are working, and she is breathing some, but she doesn't have the strength yet in her underdeveloped lungs to breathe completely on her own. The ventilator they are using allows her to breathe for herself until she can't do it anymore, then it takes over.
The doctors used the following words today: viable, fighter, feisty and resilient. I'm encouraged, and the doctors say that they are too. She is doing better than we expected.
There are other physical issues that I simply don't feel like typing out right now, but once I sleep, eat, and spend time with my new daughter I'll get back to y'all. I love the support you have given us, and we appreciate everything that has been done on our behalf, but my posts may slow down a bit for a day of two. There are very important daddy duties for me to attend to.
The other major issue on the table is the fact that Maggie was born without an anus. This means there will be a surgery necessary tomorrow. This is not a fun fact, but the doctor say it isn't too big of a deal. Please pray about this.
The doctors induced labor and Joy started pushing a little after 8 p.m. last night. By 8:52 p.m. we had a new baby girl who measures 4 lbs. 9 oz. and 16 1/4 inches long. She wasn't breathing at delivery so the doctors had to intubate, a process that is NOT fun to see, but they were able to get her breathing with assistance.
Her lungs are working, and she is breathing some, but she doesn't have the strength yet in her underdeveloped lungs to breathe completely on her own. The ventilator they are using allows her to breathe for herself until she can't do it anymore, then it takes over.
The doctors used the following words today: viable, fighter, feisty and resilient. I'm encouraged, and the doctors say that they are too. She is doing better than we expected.
There are other physical issues that I simply don't feel like typing out right now, but once I sleep, eat, and spend time with my new daughter I'll get back to y'all. I love the support you have given us, and we appreciate everything that has been done on our behalf, but my posts may slow down a bit for a day of two. There are very important daddy duties for me to attend to.
The other major issue on the table is the fact that Maggie was born without an anus. This means there will be a surgery necessary tomorrow. This is not a fun fact, but the doctor say it isn't too big of a deal. Please pray about this.