friend being induced at 27 weeks HELP

melsie

what can we do for her? i don't think they've even had a shower or anything for the little guy.i know they have nursery furniture and i'm sure a car seat.

she has high blood pressure and restricted blood flow thru the cord, and yesterday she started developing pre-e. So they admitted her and are telling her they will wait a max of a week before taking the baby. 

they had originally hoped for her to get to at least 33 weeks due to her other high risk issues. but it looks like her time is limited. 

 i picked up some premi clothes at the consignment shop (just 4 outfits). but what else can i do? anything i can tell her brother? (my DH's BFF and best man when we got married) he's super worried about his sister, as is the whole family.

TIA 

kkh2002

A 27-weeker is looking at a LONG road in the NICU.  What we found most helpful were gift cards we could use for gas and food since we were rarely at home.  We also appreciated help with our dogs.  As for clothes, make sure anything you get has snaps (rather than a zipper closure) for various wires and tubes.

There are quite a few 27wk success stories (DD being one of them) here and at www.thepreemiepalace.com - I found a LOT of encouragement and hope by "talking" with other moms who had been where I was at the time.

 

justme04

My LO didnt have a long round in the NICU but I know how crazy it was even for the little amount of time he spent there and how much the other parents whose babies were in much longer from what i've talked to them about. 

I agree that gas and food gift cards are one way to go.  If they have any pets someone could volunteer to make sure they are taken care of.  Maybe her family could pre-cook and freeze some microwaveable meals for your friend and her husband.  (I know I myself ended up with a week long stay in the hospital because my Pre-E turned into HELLP Syndrome so its nice to make sure people are getting feed when they go home.  I also think that they wont remeber to really do any grocery shopping.....nor will they really end up doing much while LO is in the NICU so if someone offered to go grocery shopping right before LO gets out of the NICU that could be helpful.  (My mom just kinda went out on her own and made sure our fridge and cupboards were stocked with the basics.  I cant tell you how much I appreciated that after having a C-Section and not wanting to walk around a store for like a month

SkypekWithoutAC

Ditto the PPs and one more to add, if she ends up with a C-section, she may not be allowed to drive herself to the NICU after she is discharged for a few weeks. It really depends on the doctor and the recovery, but volunteering rides to/from the NICU can be another big help. I don't know what we would have done if my MIL hadn't come down to stay with us. 

maltamom

[That was the exact same diagnosis I had. I lasted 27 weeks and 3 days. My son was in the NICU unit for 77 days. Its a roller coaster ride like everyone will tell you. Get her a couple of preemie books to read, so she is prepared with the new terminology, etc. It will help her through the next couple of months.Be supportive is the most helpful, and also possibly handle emails to friends and family, so they don't have to spend alot of time explaining what is going on each day.Good luck to all!! My son is doing fine now!!

mommamorris

i've got a few posts below in "new to the nicu" that may help... about stuff to do for parents, what to say, and what to buy for the babies, announcements, baby showers etc..

my dd was a 27 weeker... born due to pre-e and hellp from a clotting disorder- antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. 

 

you can give her my blog address or email if she wants to talk- when she's ready to even think about those sort of things. 

lemen99

26 weeker here - He was in the NICU for 117 days and is doing great now!  His biggest hurtle is really bad reflux!

T&P!

angeline1984

i dont want to be a downer i just wanted to share my experience, may 8 i had emergency c-section at 27 weeks, my baby girl weighed 13oz and she was in nicu with ups and downs, last night my baby girl past away she was just to small to fight so hard!

SushiNoMore

She's definitely in for a long road.  My son was born at 26w3d and was in the NICU for 70 days.  It's not fun, but I hope it all works out for her.

For me, I found that I mostly wanted to be left alone.  Tons of people offered their support, but I rarely took it.  I just found it too emotionally exhausting to be around other people after being in the NICU all day.  Don't be surprised if she's like that, but keep offering support for her.

I'll be keeping her in my thoughts! 

Blessed Mama & Benji + 2

I'm reading this book just in case and it's been really helpful. It's called "What to do when your baby is Premature". It's so helpful. There is a link at the bottom. Another thing would be to offer to bring them stuff from home. They will be spending a ton of time at the hospital and they will really appreciate you running to their house, picking things up and bringing things to them in the NICU. Also offer to go to their house and take care of pets, bring them mail, or take phone messages. You can also bring things like new movies (NOT sad ones involving illness, death or other tragedy) and a mini DVD player. Bring magazines too, those are always good. (Look through first though to make sure there's not any articles about child death, or happy babies, pregnancies or little kids, this may just make things worse.) Offer to deliver meals from a favorite restaurant or make some food for them. Since the baby will be in the NICU for a while, they won't be needing much for it yet, but possibly organize her shower for a later date. Also, most babies that young don't wear clothes in the NICU, so the won't need that yet. When they do come home, set up a schedule of housekeeping and meal delivery. Make sure they have two meals a day off their hands. Either have people deliver them fresh meals or frozen ones. Also make sure you have people going in every other day or so to take care of things like laundry and general cleaning. Also make sure that they have "Errand Runners". Have someone come to their house every few days and go out pick up whatever they need, then put it all away when they return. Let the parents know ahead of time so they can have a list ready. Another cool thing is to text her a daily bible verse or encouraging quote. My friend did this for me when I was hospitalized and it was so great. She would text me every morning, afternoon and night like clockwork. And most of all, offer a shoulder to cry on and tons of love and support. May God support your family and keep the baby healthy! Good luck!