Why has this blog recently been so heavy on the scientific lingo?

This question hasn't exactly been asked in this form, but a couple of people have noted that I'm fascinated by the technology. A little too fascinated.

There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, I'm a gadget guy. So I'm only partly saddened by the fact that my daughters have entered this world with the help of hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of kit.

Second, I'm a lawyer, which means that my only superpower is the ability to superficially understand almost anything based on one conversation and twenty minutes' worth of reading, and then pontificate with a few buzzwords thrown in, getting nearly all of the details, but only the details, wrong. Readers with an eye for detail may have noticed that a few of the labor and delivery posts were suspiciously altered after first posting to correct the names of the drugs being talked about. But I typically get my jollies by explaining complicated things to laypeople, and who cares if it's 60% wrong if the gist is correct?

I should have mentioned beforehand that this blog should only be read by people who know less about preterm delivery than I do. It's part of that sense of trust that is vital to a healthy relationship.

Perché è il titolo tradotto sbagliato?

A few of you have asked this question.  Well, only one of you, and you know who you are.  So I fixed it.  I thought it was necessary for the "al" to agree in number with the "bambine."  What do I know from Italian?

I left the web address the same, though, on the off chance that you had bookmarked it.  So the title bar will be correct, for you Italian perfectionists, and the web URL will continue to be tutti i errata.

How are you planning to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1 - Aug. 7)?

Oh, I don't know.  The shopping is a hassle, and it's all gotten so commercial.  We'll probably just have a quiet World Breastfeeding Week at home -- you know, the traditional way.  The way it's celebrated elsewhere in the world.  Every week.

What are their chances of being transferred to Peninsula's NICU?

Pretty good. Pretty darn good. We spoke with the social worker this morning. The insurance company has approved the transport. (I hereby unreservedly retract every bad thing I have ever said about Aetna.)  Now it's a problem of space. Peninsula's NICU is very small, and there are no open beds. And there's a singleton baby ahead of us on the list. Still, it's great news.

The IVs are out. Apparently I had misunderstood about the continued need for IV dextrose.

On the downside, Evelyn has about one apnea a day. Which means, after all, that she still needs the NICU. But we knew that already. Anna still has none. We're hoping Evelyn will learn something from the example of her older sister.

Anna's new hat -- Thanks, Jen!

Evelyn Kitten

Are you running out of frequently asked questions?

Thank God you asked.  The answer is "Yes."  If there's something about this story or experience that I've left out, or about which you're curious, e-mail me at my Gmail account.  If you don't have my Gmail address, send the question to whomever sent you the link, because chances are they can forward it to me, or to someone who can.

By the way, if you're reading this and think there's someone who might enjoy it, feel free to send the link.  The only thing I ask is that you only mention our last name to people who already know us.  I've been careful to avoid using people's last names in the blog because they're not particularly important to the story and because they may present a security issue for CPMC.  Thanks for your understanding.

Can I visit them? (Redux)

Yes, you can visit them.  You don't need an engraved invitation.

However, since Ginger's been released from the hospital, we're no longer there 24/7, so it will be necessary for you to coordinate your visit with us to make sure it occurs when one of us is there.  The NICU requires us to put your name on a list of permitted visitors or to be present with the visitor.  As I mentioned before, our bedside visitor maximum is four at any given moment (although there is a waiting area nearby and we can let an entire tour group in, if we do it in four-person shifts).  Sadly, kids other than siblings are not allowed.  While you can touch them, the NICU recommends that only moms and dads hold them at this point.

If you're planning a visit, call one of our cell phones or send an e-mail to my Gmail address for the most up-to-date information about when we'll be there.

Last suggestion:  Wear short sleeves, and be prepared to remove any jewelry worn below the elbow, because you'll be required to scrub up.