One Twin Leaving NICU Before the Other

nblondheim

I need your advice/opinions:

We have been informed that one of our twins may be discharged tomorrow at 34 weeks 5 days from the NICU. I have been just staying right there with the twins and they told us if one gets discharged first we could still continue to stay but the twin that is discharged is our complete responsibility which I understand and get. We all thought it would be great to be able to stay but this morning as I paid attention I realized it may be a little difficult! I have to use the bathroom (a walk from our room), go get food, (in the family room or cafeteria), eat (can't eat in our room), etc which requires me to leave the room and I would have to take our twin with me into the possibility of germs and how do I use the bathroom with her?! I know this would be the same at home but I could leave the twin in her bed, in a bouncy chair, etc and I don't have those options here. I truly can't see myself being able to leave one twin at the NICU and take the other home either. We live 75 minutes away and going back and forth with a preemie would be crazy too. Has anyone else dealt with this? What did you do? What is your advice/opinions for us?

[Deleted User]

You are in a really tough position. Can your DH or family members go with you? That was you can leave them by bedside and run to the bathroom/caf. Alternative would be to keep the twin home while visiting the NICU. It's tough either way. Hugs.

PurpleIris30

I responded on the multiples board, but wanted to add that's great one is getting discharged soon and I hope the second is close behind!

gault530

My twins came home two weeks apart and I always brought the baby that was out with me.  They left the open crib up so I had somewhere to put him when I came to visit.  The nurses would help change his diaper or feed him (it was a slow time around the NICU).  Can you ask them to keep the crib in the room?  My NICU was really into make sure I was taking care of me because they knew it would help me take care of the babies better.  Ask them to help you by providing a place for the baby to be (or allow you to go to the bathroom or heat up food) while you're there.

nblondheim

Thank you to each of you for your advice/opinions! It really means a lot and definitely helped! The verdict is we will be staying after Karley is discharged in the room. My in-laws will be coming for the weekend and then my husband will be here Sunday for a week. We are bringing a RNP and I will be looking for a wrap tomorrow! Thank you all again!