Cal was born on Sunday, July 19th at 7:30pm. It was a fun, exciting 3 hour homebirth. Midwives stayed about 5 hours, Cal looked great. Throughout the night however, I noticed his breathing became more labored. He never nursed (although I offered many times), and kept spitting up yellow/green mucus. In the morning he didn't sound right to me, and his coloring was a little dusky. I called my midwife and she could hear his breathing over the phone. She said to hang up and call an ambulance immediately. We got to the hospital around 10am Monday. Cal was intubated, and later that day diagnosed with Persistent Fetal Circulation and Pulmonary Hypertension. He didn't have a traumatic birth or aspirate meconium, but for some reason the blood wasn't flowing properly to his lungs.
Since Monday Cal has made amazing progress. Yesterday morning he was extubated, and his arterial catheter was removed. He's very swollen and is having a little trouble urinating. Yesterday I got to hold him for the first time since Monday! Today we're going to attempt nursing for the first time!
I've been pumping since Monday night, and my milk has come in full force. I'm so engorged that my breasts are holding the milk. It's counterproductive! But I'm working with an awesome LC. Hopefully we can get Cal to latch today to help relieve some of the pressure! I'm trying to be hopeful but not overly excited, since it might take some time to get him to latch, especially since he had the vent tube for 5 days.
Anyway, I'm on my way to the hospital to see my little guy!
Since Monday Cal has made amazing progress. Yesterday morning he was extubated, and his arterial catheter was removed. He's very swollen and is having a little trouble urinating. Yesterday I got to hold him for the first time since Monday! Today we're going to attempt nursing for the first time!
I've been pumping since Monday night, and my milk has come in full force. I'm so engorged that my breasts are holding the milk. It's counterproductive! But I'm working with an awesome LC. Hopefully we can get Cal to latch today to help relieve some of the pressure! I'm trying to be hopeful but not overly excited, since it might take some time to get him to latch, especially since he had the vent tube for 5 days.
Anyway, I'm on my way to the hospital to see my little guy!
: and some good latch 
I hope Cal can come home soon.
I am glad he is doing better!!
:
I am sorry his first week has been so full of unexpected challenges, but he seems to be progressing well and I hope he continues to do so! I hope you have lots of support and can care for yourself during this time, and that Caldwell is home very soon. Keep us posted! 
