Leo’s eye exam and my view today

Leo is 33 weeks and 2 days adjusted gestational age (Jan 25). Today was his second eye exam to follow up from the first one at 31 weeks.

A baby’s retinal blood vessels begin to grow at 16 weeks and don’t finish growing until after the baby is born.  So an early birth can disrupt this growth or cause abnormal growth leading to a potentially blinding disease called Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).  Leo's blood vessels are developing normally and have looked good in both of his exams.  They will continue biweekly follow up exams until the blood vessels are fully grown.

Leo was uncomfortable and didn't like the exam.  Luckily it was very short.  Leo was alone for his first exam.  I'm glad I got to observe today.  I'd say it took 3-4 minutes.

Next I held Leo for skin-to-skin and to practice non-nutritive sucking.  Leo was too tired and just wanted to sleep today.  After that Leo got a bath.  (Tuesday and Saturday are bath days in the NICU.  This is only the second bath I've seen.  They usually do them early in the morning before we get there, but they were delayed today waiting for his eye exam)