feeders/growers

WannaBeEvitts

I have read some of you say your multiples were in the nicu as feeders/growers... what does that mean? nothing was wrong they just had to be watched more closely? and some have said something with the abreviation letter CAPP (or something) what does that mean? Is that a breathing thing?

Im taking a class "preparing for multiples"  next week we visit the nicu. is it scary?intimidating? overwhelming?

 any and all nicu mental preparation advice you can give me is much appreciated.

thanks, MoMs! 

preheatedoven

WannaBeEvitts:

I have read some of you say your multiples were in the nicu as feeders/growers... what does that mean? that they were only there to teach them to feed and get their weight up

and some have said something with the abreviation letter CAPP (or something) what does that mean? Is that a breathing thing? CPAP -continuous positive airway pressure, yes, breathing assistance

Im taking a class "preparing for multiples"  next week we visit the nicu. is it scary?intimidating? overwhelming? all of the above, BUT, I felt more empowered that I knew what the machines were and some of the terminology

Kimmy08

Feeders and growers are typically what babies are referred to when they are only in the NICU to gain weight and learn how to eat. Most 34+ weekers are feeders/growers.

CPAP is a type of breathing assistance. Babies who need assitance breathing will start off on CPAP and graduate to a nasal cannula and then to room air.

I was familiar with my hospital's NICU because I had my rotation there for nursing, so I was comfortable with it. It might be intimidating to those that are not in the medical field, but it is an intensive care unit, so it is what it is.

Good luck and I hope your babies don't need any NICU time!

amanda31H

Ditto PP on what feeders/growers are.

Regarding visiting the NICU.....

I also took a multiples birth class and part of one session was to tour the NICU.  The hospital where we were at was a Level 3 NICU.  I chose not to take the tour.  I know the thinking behind the tour is that IF you end up delivering preemies that the NICU is not as intimidating, etc. My girls were 36 weekers and ended up in the NICU, and I can tell you that I did not feel less prepared because I skipped that tour (my girls were in a Level 2 NICU at a different hospital, FYI).

I had a lot of anxiety during my pregnancy and visiting the NICU at that stage of my pregnancy (I took the class at 21 weeks I think and it was once a week for 4 or 5 weeks) would have fueled it.  I see posters here all the time that post pictues of their preemies and saw it during my pregnancy, and I was ok, but seeing it in person is different.  So I elected not to take the tour. 

Just make the decision that's best for you!  I enjoyed the rest of the multiples class! 

chickaboo1974

I took a class and went on the tour of the NICU- it was a good experience.  It was not as "clinical" feeling as I had imagined.  It did alot to know where my boys were when they were delivered early.  I was not as stressed.   I also knew that my NICU placed the most critical babies in the front and less critical  farther back.  My guys were midway for three days and then moved to the very back- I was happy.

My boys were "feeders and growers"  Basically they just needed to learn the suck/swallow/breathe reflex.  And there really is not anything you can do to hurry it up.  My guys were there for 17 days, and on day 13 it just "clicked" and they started taking more by mouth and less by their NG tube. 

Haven1

I agree with pp about NOT seeing the NICU.  I didn't want to see it.  I'm not one of those, "seeing the worst case scenero will make me feel better" kind of people. Seeing the worst case scenero would have made me think of nothing BUT that. 

I've always been very trusting of medical professionals to do their job.  I knew of my NICU's reputation, and that was enough for me.  Mine were only there for 10 and 13 days, but there were several babies who would be there much longer.  I still remember Gracelynn down the hall who was born at 2lbs and had a million machines hooked up to her.  Had I seen her at 21w pregnant, I'd have freaked the f out. 

Only you know what will make you feel the most prepare.  I found that after the initial rush of that first night, the nurses were very available to answer all my questions about my babies.

Good luck to you!    

bsmead

I am SO glad I took the tour.   But I am one of those "plan for the worst, hope/pray for the best" kind of people.

I thought the tour actually made the NICU seem less scary for me.

caitdana

I took the NICU tour via a wheelchair the night before my 27 weekers were born. It definately was good to see what they were going to look like when they first were born before it happened.  It was nice to see a calm nicu as well. But we had an odd circumstance.