Bradycardia

Connor is doing well.  We are so thankful that his ultrasounds went well.  What a relief that he will not have brain damage.  It is great how strong he his to be put back onto room air already.  However, he has been having some issues with his breathing now that he has been taken off of the ventilator.  His heart rate has been dropping randomly and down to under 100 beats per minute at times.

Here is what Wikipedia has to say about infant bradycardia: [it] is defined as a heart rate of less than 100 beats per minute. (Normal is around 120-160 beats per minute.) Premature babies are more likely than full-term babies to have bradycardia spells; their cause is not clearly understood. Some researchers think the spells are related to centers inside the brain that regulate breathing and that may not be fully developed. Touching the baby gently or rocking the incubator slightly will almost always get the baby to start breathing again, which increases the heart rate.

Sara and her mother stayed in Grand Rapids with Connor all day yesterday.  He "brady-ed" only a couple of times that day but they were able to stop it.  During the night he "brady-ed" a couple of times as well, but he was able to correct it on his own. 

This baby is such a prayer hog and I feel like Moses praying for Joshua when the Israelites were fighting the Amalekites.  Whenever he had his arms raised they would be winning the battle, and whenever he lowered his arms they would be losing.  I'd like to thank everyone who is praying for my baby and a special thanks to the grandparents for helping me hold my arms up.  Please pray for Connor, not merely that he will win this fight for life, but that he will grow up to be a strong and fearless lover and follower of Jesus.


Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His loving-kindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.  - Deuteronomy 7:9