My son was born on 12/23. His bilirubin levels were around 10. The hospital said he was still below the levels of concern and sent us home. They told us to go do labs the next day just to be sure he was going down and to nurse as often as possible. Fast forward, Doctor calls and says levels went up... repeat tests the next day. Doctor calls next day after labs and said levels were still rising and to repeat test again. I asked what the levels were and he said 16.6! He said it was nothing to be too concerned about yet. But I could've sworn in the hospital they said at 13 you get a bili blanket! But I'm a FTM and this man is a doctor... so what do I know!? In the meantime, friends come over to meet the baby. I tell friends that the pediatrician I chose can't fit us in until late next week. Friend recommends a different pediatrician and suggests I call to schedule with them. So I take her advice. During the call they ask about problems, and I tell them about his bili levels being 16.6.

"Did you say 16.6?"

Yes"

"The doctor recommends you go to the ER immediately. Those levels are high!"

*Insert terrified new mom meltdown!!*

So dad gets baby in the car seat... and friends pray with me for our baby to be okay! Then off we go!

They retest and levels are slightly smaller. Hospital sends us home with a bili blanket. We go do labs again the next day and the doctor we chose squeezes us In (during her holiday, no less) just to look him over since his levels are so high. She looks him over and says she thinks he really needs to be admitted into the hospital. So we go to the hospital and here we are! He's getting phototherapy and we are hoping his levels drop drastically!

Being an oblivious, new parent is nerve racking! I am so angry that the doctor ordering his labs just kept suggesting repeat labs instead of ordering us a bili blanket! 16.6 is high for those that don't know... anything 13 or higher should require a bili blanket according to the pediatrician. That dumbass doctor put my son at risk and I'm so disappointed and upset with him! Thankfully we found a really great ped doctor who seems to really know her shit and cares for my son's well-being!

This little boy is my world and I will do whatever it takes to make him better. Even if that means sitting in the hospital, eating shitty hospital food and watching a small, bitty TV all day... for my birthday. I told him all I wanted for my birthday is for him to get better! I hope he delivers! 💙 I told him in my womb that all i wantwd for Christmas was to hold himin my arms and he delivered that wish... I hope hes 2 for 2!

He looks sooo yellow in this pic. But it seemed like the yellow color came and went. Some days he looked much better than others. Now that I'm more informed I feel like a complete idiot for not noticing his coloring was so terrible! It has taken me some time to not blame myself for putting him so at risk and not getting him the medical attention he needed. I have learned not to put all your trust into a doctor you dont even know!

He's pretty content in the phototherapy light! Even with the aviator goggles (as I call them) covering his eyes. He's just working on his tan! 💙💙

This boy is my whole world!! 🌏💙