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After a 22 day (Baby A) and 23 day (Baby B) stay in the NICU, both babies have been discharged and we are preparing to return home tomorrow. Their hospitalization was about a week and a half shorter than anticipated and went as smoothly as we could have hoped. Aside from phototherapy for jaundice and PICC lines for supplemental nutrition, neither baby encountered any health problems. Both were breathing without assistance by the second day, they were able to maintain their own body temperature once they reached the appropriate weight, and they quickly learned to bottle feed with consistent growth. I had significant concerns about the babies going home before their age is considered "full term" and while they are still so small (Baby A weighs 3 pounds 13 ounces and Baby B weighs 4 pounds 15 ounces), but the doctors told us there was no medical reason to keep them any longer. I am excited to introduce them to their home and to take over full time responsibility for their care. I also look forward to bonding with them on a deeper level than has been possible with so many others sharing my role as "mom". However, I am scared about the risks that accompany caring for such fragile souls. I'm sure I would have felt these same fears even if the babies had been born full term at normal birth weights. But, I have grown used to the security of the NICU, with its team of round the clock experts to handle issues and heart/breathing monitors to constantly reassure me that the babies are alive. It is going to be scary to go it alone.
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