New here - had baby on Monday @36 weeks (in NICU)

eSynergy

Hi everyone - I was a semi-regular poster on the trimester boards up until Monday when I went into labor at 36 weeks. Our little guy (Oliver) was put on the CPAP and was doing well, but his lung collapsed on Tuesday afternoon. So now he's on an oscillator to breathe and a bunch of other scary-looking machines. We're praying/waiting for the hole in his lung to heal and for the rest of the air to be drained out. He is a good weight (6 lbs, 8 oz) and this problem is supposedly common in late pre-term babies. Is anyone else going through this?

I'd love any words of encouragement. This has been the toughest week. Doctors think he will be fine, but it's still hard since we haven't had much good news (or seen much progress) yet. We're just dying for good news and to be able to hold him.

The things we *thought* we would be worried about (like sleeping, having enough diapers, putting the crib together) mean absolutely nothing right now - and all seem so trivial now!

E&RMommy

I don't have a preemie.  But I want to say that I am really sorry you are going through this.  Just remember that he knows your voice and he can smell you, so all the time you spend with him is very helpful and healing.  I hope this is temporary and that you get to see your healthy baby at home soon.

lona.hunn@gmail.com

Congratulations on your baby boy! I know this didn't start off the way you wanted but you'll get through it. Just take it day to day and you'll be amazed at how quickly he'll heal.

Don't be afraid to ask the doctors and nurses plenty of questions and ask them to repeat what you don't understand. That's what they are there for, to take care of LO and teach you..GL

At1stsight

Welcome and congrats on your baby boy. I'm so sorry he has a collapsed lung. I know that must be very scary. DS had RDS and was on CPAP at first but then took a turn for the worse and needed to be intubated. We were so distressed at seeing steps backward. It's a rollercoaster in the NICU. I hope you start feeling the upswing soon and he makes some great progress for you.

I remember that the thing I was most worried about before DS was born was taking care of the umbilical stump. It's weird how silly/ignorant our pg concerns are, right? Hang in there. We're here if you need to vent. I hope your recovery is going smoothly and that you get great news about Oliver very soon.

mrstarawalsh

First of all Congats on your little man! DD was born at 34 weeks along and had some breathig problems initially. I didn't get a good nights sleep until I knew she was going to be ok. I've just been trying too give it to God because he is the only one who can really heal her. It is scary at first, the limbo waiting game is horrid, but it does get better. I promise it does! Its not easy to see your baby struggling, and at first there may not be much progress. But in time even the smallest things will feel like victories. Just keep your chin up and know that he will get better in his own time.

adelepickle

It's been 2 weeks since my DS was born at 32 weeks. My son has already been placed in a open bed and weaned off of oxygen. My son was also a good weight: 5lbs, 9 oz (at 32 weeks!!) when he was born.  He is taking a bottle but not well yet.That's our last obstacle.

 Your son will be fine. I can't say how long he will be in there, the nurses tell me that boys are always slower to recover. But don't lose hope. It is tiring going back and forth and your house will end up being a mess b/c you have other things to worry about. Just remember that he won't be there forever and he will be home with you in no time. He is in the best place possible and the nurses are taking the best care of him!

 

 

msalinardi@live.com

Congrats on the birth of your son! NICU sucks and I know from experience how scary the ocillator is. My DD was on it for a few days after she was first born and one of her lungs collapsed. Just to let you know she has no residual aeffects from her lung collapsing. Good luck and let us know if you need anything!

eSynergy

Thanks girls, for the encouragement. It's nice to know other who have gone (or are going) through the same thing.

The nurses/doctors have been great at our hospital, and always willing to sit and talk with us as long as we need which is great. We're just taking it one day at a time -- hopefully I'll be posting on here more often and with good news.

Temp422773312507524

Hey Esyn!

I see you found this board too.  I just found it today.  It's unfortunate that we are both going through similar things at the same time, but it's nice to have someone to talk to about it.  You know where to find me. ;-)

I'm sorry to hear about Oliver's setback with his lungs.  I hope he is doing better.  Emma is excited to meet him.  

eSynergy

LandD052006:

Hey Esyn!

I see you found this board too.  I just found it today.  It's unfortunate that we are both going through similar things at the same time, but it's nice to have someone to talk to about it.  You know where to find me. ;-)

I'm sorry to hear about Oliver's setback with his lungs.  I hope he is doing better.  Emma is excited to meet him.  

 

Hey Lando! I didn't realize Emma was also in the NICU. If you need anything or want to talk feel free to e-mail me (I posted it on the philly board). Hopefully Emma and Oliver will be home before we know it!