The case of the yellow baby

(Jonah not really enjoying a flash in the face.)

So, two weeks later I finally have some answers to why Jonah was under such high intensity lights so soon and why the pediatrician was so worried.

When I went in for my original prenatal lab work they discovered I have an antibody in my blood that I'd never heard of before. It must have developed when I delivered Hyrum, which was why he was so jaundiced, but wasn't detected. I was told that my particular antibody was not usually an issue and we didn't need to do anything about it. So, before Jonah was born they did some more lab work and found I had developed another antibody. They are developed when the babies blood crosses into my blood.

Ok, so, because of my antibodies the pediatrician did a bilirubin test as early as possible as well as what is called a Coombs test. Jonah was Coombs positive, which meant that my blood had crossed into the babies blood as well and was piggybacking on his red blood cells and causing them to rupture. The liver then has to filter out the ruptured RBCs and it can't do it fast enough, causing a high bilirubin count. The ruptured RBCs are what causes jaundice anyway, but having my antibodies attacking his blood cells made it so his bili levels would spike fast, and high bili levels can lead to brain damage.

Therefore, the need for the heavy-duty, super intensity lights. I am really grateful that it was possible. I admit that I really wanted to go home and didn't understand the importance of why they were keeping us, but now I finally do. It was hard to be torn between home and the hospital. Brandon did a fantastic job with Sterling and Hyrum and my wonderful parents helped out incredibly, but little boys need their mama and I was in the hospital. Whereas, the baby needed me and I couldn't be away from him either. It was really hard on me. But, we all survived and we are all home and doing great.

You can kind of tell how yellow Jonah is here.

Jonah's two week appointment was today and he is growing like a weed. He is 9 lbs 8 oz and 21.5 inches. Good Golly!

One of the rare moments Hyrum is being sweet. My two-year-old is definitely two.

And life still keeps going. Sterling's kindergarten screening was today :( and Hyrum had a temp of 106 yesterday, but has recovered fully today, and who knows what tomorrow will bring!! But we'll take it. Whatever comes will only help us draw closer to our Heavenly Father, so bring it on!

I'll find a picture of Sterling to post. Oh, yeah, no one believes Hyrum is ours. I can't tell you how many people assume I am babysitting him!