Need quick help re: preemie

silliestbunny

Hi... I am guessing that many of you have experience w/preemies.

Here's our situation.  We are struggling to adopt, and we've just received information regarding a preemie-  3 lb, 4 oz little girl.  Gestation 33 weeks.  C-section due to placenta previa.  Baby was born on Wednesday.

She's on O2 right now.  Her Apgar was as low as 1 at birth but at five minutes it was up to 4 and at 10 minutes it was 8.   Baby was intubated initially but is now just on 02.

 My chosen pediatrician who has been great on our adoption journey is on vacation and her office won't have the covering MD call me.  Argh!!

We have a call into a friend who's an ER doc... but I'd love to hear from moms w/preemies.

What questions should we ask? What should be our main concerns?

Thanks for letting me barge in here... I am just desperate to find some help.

 

 

 

preheatedoven

I would ask why the baby is so small for 33 wks (was there no prenatal care, smoking mom, interuterine growth restriction, etc.), and ask what (if any) meds the mom got before delivery (steroids for lungs, mag sulfate to stop contractions -and also decreases the risks of cerebral palsy). Ask to speak with the neonatologist to give you an idea what problems (if any) they think the baby will have long term (for instance, if they did the brain ultrasound, did they see anything). Though, maybe b/c of HIPPA they wouldn't tell you....

Babies born at 33 wks usually do well, but each case is so different....good luck to you!

GiGi1221

Ditto all of that!

There is a preemie board on here as well that may help.  Marchofdimes.com is also super helpful.

 

Best of luck to you on your adoption journey!

Leigh71

Hi.... I'm an Adoptive mom and a Preemie mom.....

(btw, I would also put your post on the Preemie board.)  My girls were born at 32 weeks this July.  Lauren was 4# and Kate was 3#..  Lauren came home on Oxygen for 3 months..... I'm a nurse...but no one told me their apgars...so I don't have that info to share.... it was all a blur.... I had a vag delivery AND a c-section...and girls went to the NICU.

My girls are healthy and they are doing great.  Currently.... L is 11 pounds and K is 8#.   

Questions to ask?.... maybe any bio parent medical history?  (i.e. was the mom healthy, etc.)  As for the baby.... I would ask what are her medical needs....her diagnosis... for example... Respiratory distress.... etc.  My adopted son has a heart defect, but i was OK with that.  (He is now age 12)...

Not sure if I helped at all?  GL to you!  Adoption is exciting.

Leigh71

preheatedoven:

I would ask why the baby is so small for 33 wks (was there no prenatal care, smoking mom, interuterine growth restriction, etc.), and ask what (if any) meds the mom got before delivery (steroids for lungs, mag sulfate to stop contractions -and also decreases the risks of cerebral palsy). Ask to speak with the neonatologist to give you an idea what problems (if any) they think the baby will have long term (for instance, if they did the brain ultrasound, did they see anything). Though, maybe b/c of HIPPA they wouldn't tell you....

Babies born at 33 wks usually do well, but each case is so different....good luck to you!

Please don't worry about the baby's weight.... I guess this post makes me a bit defensive because my Kate was 3# 4oz.  and I had EXCELLENT prenatal care.  I took prenatal vitamins for a year before I got pregnant, and all thru my pregnancy..... I was followed by an OB, and a high risk OB.  (for twins and my age, etc). 

Temp159135562506975

i had no advice- i was lucky enough not to have preemies- but wanted to say that you will be in my prayers... best of luck with whatever you decide, and to have a successful adoption soon!!!!!!

IAM4UK

My 33 weeker is pictures in my siggy and about to turn 3 in January. She was only 2lbs. 15oz.

I agree with some of the questions that the PP stated above, however, you can never forecast what a child is going to have and the docs really can only give you their percentage of risk.

We didn't have any issues in the beginning expect for some delays in gross motor skills. Now we are dealing with some speech delays in regards to articulation. She is very smart for her age.

 

Temp6313048411121614

No advice.  Just wanted to say good luck.  I've seen a few of your posts on the adoption board, I know it's been a long road for you and I'm hoping this is they baby that's been waiting for you.

silliestbunny

Thanks so much.  I love that the Bump is such a wealth of first hand experiences.  I did find the preemie board (didn't know it existed).