Update on Kyleigh

**Taken from my email update on 3/7/13** She's here!! Kyleigh Christine Taylor born 3/6/13 at 2:26pm weighing 6 lbs 5 oz, 18 inches long. For the most part, Kyleigh is doing great. There were no major complications during labor and delivery. There was muconium (sp?)or baby poop in the amniotic fluid so a neo-natologist was involved. The cord was wrapped around her neck but it was not restricting in any way. After a few minutes of oxygen and poking etc. Kyleigh was awake and very alert.

 When it came time to breast feed, she would not latch on and we noticed her chin was very small and recessed. By 9:00pm Kyleigh still hadn't eaten but the nurses were able to get her to drink from a bottle by stimulating her mouth to suck/drink. Her blood sugars and body temperatures were all over the board and by 2:30 am her blood sugar was just too low and she needed to be placed in the Special Care Nursery (NICU).  The NICU doctors told us that a geneticist would be coming to look at Kyleigh to check for any chromosomal abnormalities or syndromes. I guess the recessed jaw is a trigger for concern. However, just like everything else in medicine...could also be nothing.

Due to not swallowing and sucking correctly, Kyleigh swallowed a lot of air so a tube was placed down her nose into her stomach (NG tube)to release the air and could also be used to feed her. This was a big success as it relieved a great deal of discomfort and she was able to rest peacefully. Earlier today, Kyleigh was not digesting the food placed in her stomach which was a big concern. Fortunately though, that has progressed and she is now digesting more than 90% of what goes in. She still won't take a bottle or the breast.

 The geneticist spoke with us and said overall Kyleigh looks great. The reason chromosomal abnormalities is even a question is because Kyleigh has 3 or more abnormalities. 1) the small recessed jaw 2)shorter upper arms than lower arms ( we don't see this at all) 3) Hypotonia ( she's pretty floppy but this has already improved) and 4) hydronephrosis (which was added to the list only because we mentioned it.) So they will do the chromosomal tests to hopefully rule out any syndromes or chromosomal abnormalities. We should have those test results in a few days. The focus for now is to get Kyleigh to eat!! She will start Physical Therapy and Speech therapy to help with the low tone and swallowing issues. We can order OT but the nurses don't think it is necessary yet....I agree. So we don't have answers and continue to have more questions but we are told she is doing well and pray that it continues. Any prayers and positive thoughts you can offer are greatly appreciated! By the way, Bridgette is doing very well. Will hopefully be discharged tomorrow or the day after but Kyleigh will stay in the hospital.