Talk to me about your experience with CPAP

BabyBebe1

My DS was born Sunday right at 37 weeks. Even though he was full term, his lungs weren't quite ready and he wasn't able to flush all the fluid out when he was born. They took him to the NICU because his oxygenation levels were low and his respiratory rate was too high. After 24 hours on the cannula, they decided to move to CPAP because he was requiring too much oxygen. He's now been on CPAP since Monday night (so almost 48 hours). Currently the flow is on level 5 (if that makes sense...not sure the terminology) and 34% oxygen and they plan to start weening him down. Does weening typically happen quickly or is this a several day process? They keep saying "it's up to him" so I know it can vary, but can you tell me about your experience?

As an intro BTW, my name is Cindy and this is my second son in the NICU unfortunately. DS 1 had posterior urethral valves so he had surgery at 4 days old and then spent a week recovering from the surgery / learning to eat. We sure didn't expect to be back in the NICU with a full term baby so we're having a bit of a hard time coping emotionally, but we do remember from last time that things will get better. 

krwys10

My babies, (who had the steroid shots in utero) were born @ 3w5d and were on Cpap for 24 hours, so obviously it can go quickly.  But I also know of a baby born at 36w that was on it for 4-5 days.  I hope your lo makes his NICU stay go quickly.  And I hope you and YH can destress quickly and easily as well!  GL  HTH

sail123

Congratulations on the birth of your son!

My twins were born at 33 weeks.  

One of my sons was on CPAP on and off for 10 days. He was on 35% for about 24 hours and then on room air for the rest of the time. They would take him off and then he would have a brady or dsat, so they would put him back on. Eventually they trialled him off it so it was 8 hours on 8 hours off and then 8 hours on 16 hours off. He is three months now and totally fine, no issues that we are aware of. They kept saying "its up to him" so I know how you feel. 

My other son was on CPAP for 12 hours. They were going to trial him off but he never dsated or bradied so he stayed off it.

So in my experience it really can vary.

I'm sorry, I know how stressful CPAP is and I hope your son is able to get off it soon but try not to worry if he takes a little longer. 

Kate621

Congratulations! My 25 weeker was on CPAP for over a month so I'm not sure that I'm much help. Things change so quickly though. I hope your LO is off the CPAP and home soon. Hang in there!

shanlubey

My 26 weeker was on CPAP for almost two months, so I am no help, but keep us posted. I'll be doing the "get off CPAP" dance for your LO.

BabyBebe1

Thanks for all the replies ladies. I came in this morning to them taking him off CPAP and putting him back to the cannula. I was so excited! So far he's handled it great - no desats - so we're hoping that things will stay this way.

lemen99

Honestly it just depends.

 

My son (26weeker) was on a vent, then a oscillator, then vent, then cpap, then cannula, then cpap, then cannula, then high flo cannula, then cannula, then nothing :-0

his weaning process was obviously very slow and he almost had to go back to a vent from cpap.  Every kid is different!