Believing is Seeing

Baby Girl has her one month eye exam yesterday. They were specifically checking for Retinopathy of Prematurity - ROP.

What is retinopathy of prematurity?
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye disorder that primarily affects premature infants weighing about 2¾ pounds (1250 grams) or less that are born before 31 weeks of gestation (A full-term pregnancy has a gestation of 38–42 weeks). The smaller a baby is at birth, the more likely that baby is to develop ROP. This disorder—which usually develops in both eyes—is one of the most common causes of visual loss in childhood and can lead to lifelong vision impairment and blindness.

Several complex factors may be responsible for the development of ROP. The eye starts to develop at about 16 weeks of pregnancy, when the blood vessels of the retina begin to form at the optic nerve in the back of the eye. The blood vessels grow gradually toward the edges of the developing retina, supplying oxygen and nutrients. During the last 12 weeks of a pregnancy, the eye develops rapidly. When a baby is born full-term, the retinal blood vessel growth is mostly complete (The retina usually finishes growing a few weeks to a month after birth). But if a baby is born prematurely, before these blood vessels have reached the edges of the retina, normal vessel growth may stop. The edges of the retina—the periphery—may not get enough oxygen and nutrients.

The great news is that she does not have ROP! Woot! Her eyes are still maturing so she will need to have them checked again in two weeks but so far, so good!

Her feedings have also increased from 15ccs to 18ccs and she's tolerating it perfectly. She even weighed a whopping 2lbs 6oz this morning! :confetti:

But Wait! There's More!

We officially start daily Kangaroo Care today! Admit it... it's the best news evah, right? We are super excited about it and know it will do us all good.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 1:6