Update

After three very rough days little Delia had a great night last night and with some peace and rest she improved so dramatically that she has been taken off of the ventilator and put back on C-PAP respitory aid. This wonderful news means that although she is still getting some help, she is now breathing on her own and her blood is retaining oxygen. She ate this morning for the first real time since she was born and tonight Susanna may get to hold her. She just came to Earth a little too early. She's not quite out of the woods yet but she is well on her way. We consider ourselves very humbly blessed and fortunate. We are grateful for trained medical professionals who care, friends and family who bring congratulations, kind words, food, prayers, flowers, and more (especially those who watched Van for two days!). I wish we could return to your home the love and strength that you have brought to ours. Thank you.

Here is a simple explanation of her situation from the March of Dimes website (a group and event we will be supporting more actively):

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS): Babies born before 34 weeks of pregnancy often develop this serious breathing problem. RDS is sometimes called hyaline membrane disease. Babies with RDS lack a chemical mixture called surfactant, which keeps the small air sacs in the lungs from collapsing. Treatment with surfactant helps affected babies breathe more easily.


Babies with RDS also may receive a treatment called C-PAP (continuous positive airway pressure). The air may be delivered through small tubes in the baby's nose, or through a tube that has been inserted into his windpipe. As with surfactant treatment, C-PAP helps keep small air sacs from collapsing. C-PAP helps your baby breathe, but does not breathe for him. The sickest babies may temporarily need the help of a ventilator to breathe for them while their lungs recover.