FAQ's

We have been so blessed to have people asking great questions about Elora's progress and trying to understand her care. So, we wanted to update everyone and answer some frequently asked questions!

Question 1 - How much does Elora have to weigh before she can come home?
It's not so much her weight as it is her stability that will determine when she comes home. She needs to be breathing on her own and not be having any spells. She needs to be able to eat like a regular newborn (suck/swallow/breath pattern) and continue to be growing and gaining weight.

Question 2 - Will she still be on breathing support or monitors when she comes home?
We hope she will not be on any breathing support or monitors when she comes home, but we still do not know for certain. Most likely she will not, but that is something the doctors will determine once it gets closer to her coming home.

Question 3 - How often do you get to hold her?
Right now we typically hold her once a day for an hour or more. Typically we rotate and Peter holds her one day and I hold her the next and so on.  Eventually, once she moves out of the NICU and is no longer in a heated incubator - she will be in a normal crib.  This will mean that she is doing better holding her own body temperature. At that point, we can pick her up and hold her any time we want to without nurse assistance. This may happen in the next 1-2 weeks.

Question 4 - Can she wear clothes?
Elora just started fitting into preemie clothes!  We are able to change her clothes daily and love doing it.  Once she gains 2-4 more pounds she most likely will fit into newborn sizes. We are able to bring in our own clothes (washed) or the hospital has ones we can use as well.  We are able to put socks, bows, and headbands on her too.

Question 5 - When is Sarah going back to work?
I will go back to work 3 months after Elora comes home from the hospital, so approximately mid-November.

Question 6 - Have you met a lot of other families in the NICU?
For the most part, we have not met a lot of other families in the NICU.  You would think with everyone going though similar experiences that we would. But, with everyone having individual rooms and it being such a tremendously emotional experience, most families keep to themselves. We have, however, formed a relationship with one other family who used to be across the hall from us. They also had a micro-preemie (1 lb, 1 oz) born 6 weeks before Elora. They have been such an encouragement and wealth of knowledge since they are that much more ahead of us in the process.

Question 7 - Will Elora develop according to her birthday (May 10) or her due date (Aug 13)?
She will grow and develop according to her due date. For instance, most babies start walking around 1 year of age. Elora will more likely start walking next year August vs. when she is one year old in May.

Hopefully this helps!  Please feel free to leave a 'comment' below and ask any questions you would you have!