Pre-Term Labor/NICU

BourbonBiscuits

Hoping none of us will need this thread - but this is the place to share your preterm labor and NICU stories, experiences, support or strategies. What do you wish you had known?

disneybaby84

My NICU experience was a surprise. I had 33 hours of labor and gave birth to a 9 pound baby. When you think of NICU babies you think of the small, itty bitty babies. My child was the biggest one in the NICU. Because I had 33 hours of labor, there was meconium in his lungs and shortly after he was born, the nurses said he was struggling to breathe, (this was while I was still be stitched up, so I was unable to know what was happening). After they stitched me up, I crashed and fell asleep hard. When I woke up, I was confused as to where my baby was. DH then told me that the nurses took him to the NICU. I saw my son for maybe a few minutes after he was born. My son was kept in the NICU for his first 6 days because they were evaluating him for some rare illness, that after the 6 days they determined he did not have. However, the NICU doctors would give me updates of testing for all sorts of randoms things, never giving me an estimated timeline of his release. Honestly seeing my son in the NICU attached to all the wires, freaked me out and I was scared to touch him. I went home from the hospital before he did, because I was feeling well enough to go home and he was born before we were completely ready for him. Coming home without a baby and not even having any pictures of him, was for me the most emotional experience of it all. I didn't even want to announce his birth to everyone because I didn't have the pictures of holding him in the hospital after he was born. I waited several days before even posting anything publicly.  Because he was a NICU baby, I was first pumping breastmilk. When he was supposed to be released, a nurse tried one time to teach me how to breastfeed. I did not feel that was enough. I came home with him, clueless how to breastfeed.  Hence, after two weeks I switched to formula.

cali1710

Thank you for starting this thread. My little ladies will be here at 35 weeks and will most likely need NICU time so I’m curious to hear everyone’s stories! 

cali1710

@disneybaby84 33 hours, youre A champ! I couldnt imagine going home wth no photos of him, that would have been super hard. But glad everything turned out ok! Breastfeeding for me was super stressful so after 2 weeks I formula fed as well. 

smallbutmighty77

@cali1710 the NICU can be super scary, but I will say, they gave us so much more info and help than the general floor. Bc there was a nurse assigned to my baby, not just me.
And our NICU nurses knew all the tricks-feeding, diapers, best swaddle, keeping them asleep while putting down, holding her while pumping, so I asked them about everything. 
I had brought a few swaddles to the hospital anyway, so that made me feel better seeing her in a cheerful swaddle vs hospital. 

wifemomme

I agree that the NICU nurses are stellar. 

DD2 was in the NICU for a pretty short time -only about a week- but it was a really hard week. Seriously the moms that do it for months deserve a special place in heaven. It is stressful and scary and disappointing every time you leave the hospital without your baby. Best advice: accept any and all help that is offered. Make you and your baby your priority and do your best to let all other concerns take a back seat. 

dogmom1118

I’ve been a bit absent from the bump because I’m just coming to terms with my experience. I was browsing through and saw this message board....

 My due date was 2/12/19. On 11/29/18, while I was 29 weeks pregnant, I was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with severe preclampsia HELLP syndrome. I had a completely healthy pregnancy up to the point I was brought to the hospital. The only cure was to deliver my baby girl via c-section in order to save mine and my daughters life- and that’s just what happened. I delivered a 2 pound 6 ounce, 14 inch little girl. My daughter went straight to the NICU and will remain there until late January most likely. Although she is doing well given her age, life in the NICU is a terrifying place to be. I spend hours in the NICU everyday and have cried more than I thought humanly possible. The doctors and nurses are absolutely fantastic, which puts me somewhat at ease knowing she’s in such great hands. 

I wish you all healthy, full term pregnancies. If any of you unexpectedly find yourself in the NICU during this pregnancy, just know you are not alone

etnyah

Oh my gosh, @dogmom1118!! Congratulations on your little girl! I'm so sorry she has to stay in the NICU for that long, but I'm so happy she's doing well considering! Thank goodness for modern medicine, and babies are amazingly resilient despite looking so fragile. I'm glad the doctors and nurses are taking good care of her, and I hope someone can take care of you too while you're going through this. I can't even imagine what it must be like. 

changadee

Omg @dogmom1118 wow I am so sorry but so glad to hear you both are doing ok! I wish you and your baby girl all the best for your hospital stay. Friends of my husband's delivered their baby at 28 weeks a while ago, their baby girl is almost ready to go home! You will get there too!

bellebaby221

Congratulations on your little girl @dogmom1118. I hope she has an uneventful NICU stay. Take care of yourself over the coming weeks. All the best to both of you! 

riatortillaxo

Wow! Thanks for sharing @dogmom1118 !! I’m happy that she is in good hands and doing well! We will be thinking of you and anxious to hear about her progress! Congratulations on your baby girl! 

sjnsjnsjn

@dogmom1118- OMG!! I am sorry it happened that way and sooner than ideal, but congratulations!!  I am sorry your little girl has to be in the NICU for so long but glad to hear she is in wonderful hands.  I spent last week in the hospital and thought the same might happen to me, and the NICU folks who talked me about preemie delivery at that 29/30 week stage said the outcomes are “excellent,” generally, so I hope she grows and develops swiftfully toward that excellent outcome!!

ETA:  I remember spending just a few days in the NICU with my DS, sitting there in that dark curtained room, and I remember sooo many tears and dread and fear.  Sending so much love for that space you are in. I hope you start to see some light down there.  She’ll be home with you before you know it.

JamieH2000

@dogmom1118-  thanks for sharing, so glad baby is doing good but that is so scary! I have not been through this but I know the NICU journey isn’t easy and I’ll be thinking and praying for you guys! I have been dealing with potential pre-e the last two weeks and I’m glad they caught yours before it became even worse. Sending lots of love your way!

Venessa88

@dogmom1118 congrats on your baby girl. Glad she is doing well, I can imagine this is a scary time.  We are here if you need us. Thanks for sharing. 

smallbutmighty77

@dogmom1118 congratulations on your little girl. 
The NICU is scary but amazing support. As I told @sjnsjnsjn I was just over 2 1/2mos early, spent 2mos in the NICU and have had no delay issues or anything.
 My own daughter was also in the NICU and we learned so much, when it was time to go home, we felt so much more prepared than my friends who didn't stay in the NICU. It was my bright spot I guess. 
your girl sounds like a fighter and will amaze you everyday how far she comes. 

danixbanani24

Oh wow @dogmom1118 congrats on your beautiful little bundle! I’m sorry she’s in the NICU and that you had that ordeal but glad she’s in good hands.  

allthingsgo

@dogmom1118 I’m so sorry your birth had to be such a scary and stressful one but I’m so glad you and your little girl are doing well. Congrats on your little fighter and I hope she continues to grow and flourish and that you can bring her home soon! Our hearts are with you!

disneybaby84

@dogmom1118 thank you for feeling comfortable enough sharing. I'm sure it has been emotionally so difficult facing all of these things with your baby. 

BourbonBiscuits

@dogmom1118 congratulations! Thank you for sharing sending you hugs and light and love - I can't imagine the stress you must be feeling, but I hope you can feel our support. 

kdrn913

@dogmom1118 congratulations! Thanks for sharing your story with us! I’m sure it’s a scary place to be but she’s in good hands!! Hoping she keeps growing and you guys aren’t there for too long! 

thechickendance

Congratulations @dogmom1118 ! I'm glad you're both doing well, take care of yourself.

cali1710

@dogmom1118 wow congratulations on your baby girl!! I’m glad you’re both doing well and have such amazing doctors around you. That sounds like a terrifying experience, I cant imagine what you’re going through. Please keep us posted on the progress. And keep your chin up, I’m sure its going to be a very difficult few months for you but know you have all of us as support. 

becks_726

@dogmom1118 congratulations! I'm so glad you are both well despite stressful circumstances. I will be thinking of you as you navigate it all. Take care and keep us posted! 

conni0205

@dogmom1118 congratulations! Happy to hear you are both doing well!! She sounds like a such a strong girl! We are here to support you. Keep us updated 💕

eggsandwich2019

@dogmom1118 congrats on your little baby girl, but so sorry that it is a stressful situation. We are thinking of you here and wishing you and your baby the best ❤️

ohsunnydays

Congrats @dogmom1118 It sounds so scary and I bet you can’t wait to be home with her. Hang in there!!! Please keep us updated!

megpants209

@dogmom1118 wow how terrifying... so glad you are both doing as well as you can given the circumstances and I hope she continues to get stronger every day. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. 

okayestmom12

@dogmom1118 - What a roller coaster! Congrats on your little lady! Please keep us posted on her 😀

jgrodo

@dogmom1118 congrats on your baby girl! Glad that you are both doing well! That must be so scary and hard to be dealing with but it sounds like you are both strong and in good hands. Sending hugs and support

MrsCaliRN

What a rollercoaster @dogmom1118 ! Hoping you and baby girl have an uneventful recovery and a sooner-rather-than-later transition home! We really appreciate you sharing your story, I'm sure it will help a lot of moms with LOs facing NICU time. I hope you can keep us updated on your DD's progress!

cas060

Oh my @dogmom1118 , stay strong and congratulations!  Thinking of you and your little girl. 

lmaplejc

@dogmom1118 I’m glad to hear you and LO are in good hands, and that she is doing well.  Congratulations on your baby girl!  Sending you strength during this NICU period, and keep us posted.

dogmom1118

Wow, I am overwhelmed by all of your kind words and support! It brought tears of happiness to my eyes. It means so much to us. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Here is our little Irish fighter, Emma Clare

etnyah

@dogmom1118 she’s perfect!! Oh my god look at those little toes! Congrats again, we’re all rooting for you both and hope you can take her home as soon as possible

sjnsjnsjn

@dogmom1118- Look at that little beauty!! Thx for sharing.  Loooove her name.  

cas060

@dogmom1118 aww shes so sweet, beautiful!!

BourbonBiscuits

@dogmom1118 she's so gorgeous! Go Emma go!

episcowitch

@dogmom1118

Sláinte chugat. 

Wishing good health to you, Emma Clare. 

katamca

@dogmom1118 she is beautiful! Congrats and praying for her to get stronger each day 

lmaplejc

@dogmom1118 She’s beautiful, and I love her name!!  She’s a fighter, just like her mom.

becks_726

I can't stop coming back to this thread to look at the little fighter @dogmom1118! She is incredibly precious. I hope everything is smooth and as normal as possible for you both from here on out.