SIL 28 weeks and in labor

RusticBrideNH

Hi,

Just posting for more information. I just found out that my SIL went into labor last night at 28 weeks. Doctors are trying to slow down labor and they are giving the baby steroids to strengthen the lungs. Just wondering of any of you has this experience and how it turned out. I know every situation is different. Any advice, information, stories would be good. TIA. 

mommamorris

my daughter was born at 27w4d by emergency c/s due to pre-e and hellp. so my situation was really different... but she made it through the nicu without NEC (a possibly deadly intestinal problem), didn't need surgery for her PDA (an open duct in the heart), no ROP (where the retinas detach due to oxygen fluctuations. ROP is why stevie wonder was blind.) she breast fed pretty early in the nicu, and also took bottles really well. she's a great eater! she did end up having BPD, which is lasting lung damage, because she was on a ventilator for 2 weeks. she needed extra vent time after getting an infection. we brought her home on oxygen in september after 98 days in the nicu. (you can expect them to go home 2wks=/- their due date usually.) she was on oxygen at home until feb. or so. and is off now and doing great! she's still a little small (only the 5th percentile for her actual age.) overall we made it out without any major problems that we know of yet. most preemies will have trouble eating, gaining weight, will need physical therapy and possibly occupational therapy... they'll have trouble at first breathing and regulating body temperature, they'll get overstimulated very easily... it's good to talk to the neonatologists... even a few days change the outcome and expected hurdles... i was in the hospital for a week and a half and they came and talked to us 3 times- because with every little milestone inside the belly, it makes outside so much easier. 

i would recommend the book:the essential guide to preemies. (if you haven't already gotten it.) the ladies here recommended it, and someone in my nicu gave it to me. it was really helpful. i think the whole family needs a copy.... so they know what to expect and it can save some of the questions. it also made me feel like our family was more involved when they knew the terminology etc.

you're so awesome for asking and doing research... my blog link "new to the nicu" has some information as well.

i hope that mommy does well, and that baby comes out as healthy as can be!  

 

RusticBrideNH

thank you so much. sounds like your little one (and your family) has been through a lot. it is encouraging to know that in this age of technology we can hope for a more positive outcome. right now it is just a waiting game so maybe she will make it longer.

tarapaige1

I went into labor at 29 weeks for an unknown reason. I was given magnesium to try to slow things down and also got two steroid shots, one at the start and one 12 hours later. I lasted about 15 hours in the hospital but they eventually broke my water because I was bleeding too much. DS had a breathing tube for one day, but had other forms of oxygen until just a few days before he came home. He had some issues with jaundice and had a lot of bradys while he was there - his breathing would get too shallow and his heart rate would drop below 80. He was 3lb 1oz when born and never had a problem with weight gain. Had a feeding tube up to about a week before discharge, but one day the oral feeding just clicked and he started taking bottles for every feeding. I gave up breast feeding to get him home faster because it was harder for him than bottles so he didn't do as well. He got my breastmilk from very early on, as soon as he was able to have actual milk instead of the food he started off getting through his IV. A couple times he was put on antibiotics due to suspected infections, and he also got a cold that lasted about a month. That slowed things down by probably a couple weeks because he was congested, making it harder for him to breathe. He also had to have a blood transfusion which is pretty normal because of his prematurity and how many blood draws they do. He came home about a week and a half before my due date and was diagnosed with anemia, but other than that he's great. My milk has to be fortified with Similac Neosure to add calories and help with faster weight gain. He also gets a daily vitamin with extra iron to help the anemia, which will eventually go away. He also started having reflux issues about a week after coming home so now he's on Prilosec. I hope that she's able to last awhile. But if not, the NICU will take good care of her LO, and even though it will be a long, hard road, she'll get through it and it will be a joyous day when her LO gets to come home.

kkh2002

I delivered at 27w3d after my water broke at 23w1d.  We had steroids at 24wks.  DD was in the NICU until three weeks past her due date (should have been home earlier but she had H1N1) but is doing GREAT now.  The only thing we're currently battling is reflux, and even that has improved significantly.

Prayers for your family...

FutureMrsDenman

DD was born at 28 weeks exactly due to sudden and severe pre-e (I had a seizure with it).  Anyway ... she was in the hospitqal for 88 days.  I had two steroid shots, but the second one didn't really have much time to help.  The steroids in general are great and even though we didn't get the full benefit of them DD did really well.  She was on the vent a little over a day, C-PAP a week or so, plus a relapse week later on.  She had a few bumps on her NICU rollercoaster, but nothing horribly serious (though it never feels that way at the time).  She is now 29 months and doing very well.

Good kluck to your SIL and her baby!  I hope they can hold off long enough to give the steroids some time.  Please let her know that this board is a fantastic place to come for advice and support during the NICU and beyond!

lemen99

Prayers to your SIL and her baby!  My son was born at 26w2d and had a long NICU stay, but is doing great!