There were a number of things that we needed to do for Elena's paperwork and shots etc. and so on Monday, we had to take her to the clinic to get her tuberculosis shot. Here in Bolivia since TB is still quite a high risk, they immunize babies right after birth. She'll have a little dimple on her arm, just like Carl and I have. After explaining to the nurse a number of times that we only have one last name and she was born at home, we finally were able to move on to the next stop. The prefectura, where you pick up the official forms to register the birth of your baby.
Tuesday we needed to take her for a blood test to measure her bilirubin levels. Our pediatrician wanted to make sure that the levels weren't high. Let me tell you, it was pretty traumatizing to hold down your two day old baby for them to draw blood from her arm. The nurse was visibly shaken afterward too. And poor Elena!
Wednesday evening the pediatrician came to visit and checked over the bilirubin results. He was quite surprised that they were so high, and so he said that she would need to go in for phototherapy. The clinic that we would be able to get into that hour may or may not have a room for me to stay there with her. The thought of admitting her into a clinic all by herself was just too upsetting, so we asked him, since we were going to see my doctor, if she could also look at Elena and give us her opinion of what to do. Off we headed to Dra. Vidal's office. She filled out the forms from the prefectura, looked over me, and then looked over Elena. Dra. Vidal recommended that we take her for another blood test to see if her levels might have dropped in the 36 hours from the last test. She called our pediatrician and gave her opinion and within 10 minutes we were on our way for another blood test. This time, I cried as well as Elena. We came home by 9:30 p.m and waited up until 11 when the results would be ready. Praise God that they went down and our pediatrician said she wouldn't have to go in, just that in 2 days we should check her levels again. Boy, we were tired that night.
Thursday, we slept in and I had a shower before noon. That afternoon we went to a notary public office to have them fill out the form for a birth certificate. Carl had tried 5 different offices with no luck of finding anyone with the forms. Apparently the government hasn't issued enough forms and so notary public offices can't fill out birth certificate applications. How frustrating! But thankfully, Carl came across a very friendly lady in one office who knew of another one that had a few forms. We picked her up, drove to the other office, waited for them to come, went in and explained 5 times how it was that we only had one last name, explained that our daughter has three given names, not two like every other Bolivian child, re-explained the whole last name thing, rewrote Elena's full name, went back home to get our marriage certificate (so that Elena could have the "legitimate" checked off on her birth certificate) and then dropped the nice lady back off at her office.
Oh, and between all this, Carl was running around to numerous textbook suppliers looking for all the books that Joel and Kezia needed for school.
Friday was back at the lab for another blood test. Carl took the baby because I just couldn't handle it. A vial of blood from the inside of one's arm is almost enough to make me burst into tears and vomit at the same time.
Saturday we received the results and they were back up. ?? How is that possible? After a number of phone calls with Dra. Toni and her consulting other doctors and our pediatrician coming over to see the baby, we came across a possible cause of why her bilirubin levels would spike. We figured that Elena was suffering from breast milk jaundice, which means there is something in my milk that is preventing the bilirubin to be rid from the body. So, we took her off breast milk for 48 hours to see if that would help. Well, Elena was celebrating one week, so I dressed her up and took a bunch of cute pictures of her. It was a beautiful distraction from all the crazy.
Sunday, we took Elena to church for the first time and she slept for the entire service. Everyone was admiring her and giving us well-wishes. I hadn't been to church in 2 months and I had really missed being with my church family.
Monday afternoon we went back to breastfeeding no problem and we took Elena for her 4th blood test. Carl took her in and I waited outside but I could still hear her screaming. She started the moment they tied her arm; she knew exactly what was happening. A few hours later, we picked up the results and Hallelujah! the levels had dropped drastically. That evening she puked all over Carl and pooped all over his hand, reminding us of the normal happenings of a newborn.
Tuesday, no word on the birth certificate. We need that for citizenship papers and a passport and a Carnet identity card. Considering everything is going to take forever and a day, this pace makes me nervous.
Wednesday was catch up day for sleeping. I ate cabbage the day before....what a night.
Thursday, the highlights of the day were going to the schools to show her off to school friends. Joel, Kezia, and Asha were all just thrilled out of their minds to have Elena come. Oh, and Elena had hiccups only 4 times that day. It's a daily occurrence where she sounds like a mouse and gets SO frustrated, but usually drops off to sleep afterward since she's so tired out.
Friday Elena and I took Joel, Kezia, and Asha to school by taxi in the cuddly wrap. She also had her first bath in the little tub which she seemed to enjoy. And that day was pretty special in that she made eye contact with me and gave a little smile. That was heart warming.
On her two week birthday, Elena celebrated by puking a river in our bed, being up for hours during the night, and then sleeping most of the day. Sigh....but Joel and Kezia changed her diaper and she wasn't even bothered by all the leg twisting and pulling. The life of a fourth child!
Well, enjoy the pictures of her first 14 days.....
5 comments:
Look at those big eyes!!! Okay, your stories are dramatic and intriguing, but it's a good thing you put these pictures at the end because I never would have read your post if the pictures came first. I just sit here staring... :) Hope you get some time to sit and stare too.
at the real thing*
thanks for sharing your stories. wow...you've had quite the past few weeks! yikes..those needles, seriously...i just am emotional when those are required at the best of times....unlike your newborn experience. She is so sweet , so loved and such a perfect fit for your family. love you!
Wow -- it's been quite the crazy couple of weeks!! So glad things have settled down and the needles are all over with!!
Kathy, I MISS YOU like crazy. So happy you'll be home in a few months....DQ is calling our names!!!
This sounds like a bit of a crazy start to life with 4 kids! Glad the jaundice has resolved. I'm curious as to why they drew blood from Elana's arm - venous blood, I'm assuming. We always do heel pokes for bilirubins (not that babies enjoy those either!) Happy that's over for all of you!
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