Tuesday p.m. - Bilirubin count 9.8. Lila started phototherapy on a bili-blanket. We just had to keep the bili-blanket swaddled between her and her blanket. We were at least able to keep her in the room with us and hold her to console her whenever she cried.
Wednesday a.m. - Bilirubin count 11.8. Phototherapy transitioned to a bili-bed. This was a hard flat surface that she had to lay on 24/7. The bed was able to be moved to our room, but we could only pick her up to feed her or change her diaper. It broke my heart to see her laying on that bed.
Thursday a.m. - Bilirubin count 17.3. More aggressive phototheraphy using a combination of the bili-blanket and an overhead UV light that resembled a tanning bed. She had to wear soft goggles to protect her eyes and could not be clothed or swaddled at all. This light had to stay in the nursery for constant observation, so we only got to see and touch Lila when it was time for a feeding. I do not know how the moms that end up in the NICU for months at a time do it. My baby girl was only dealing with jaundice and it killed me to see her laying in that nursery unclothed, untouched, so innocent and helpless.
Friday a.m. - Bilirubin count 15. Same treatment as Thursday. The pediatrician said if we could get her numbers down to at least 13, then he would let us go home.
Saturday a.m. - Bilirubin count 13.2. We can finally go home! Daddy and I are so ready to start this new adventure together!
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