New NICU parent (need prayers and support)

fothwk1

We delivered our son on Wed at 26 weeks. 1lb 8oz. He seems to be doing okay. But we are really scared and over-whellmed. Looking at 90 days in NICU, which seems like an eternity. Not sure what to expect. Looking for reassurance/ advice. Thanks.

wendy

Tasa_chan

Expect ups and downs. They're really hard, but they happen. Just keep your head up and try not to get overwhelmed with stress and worry.

You have lots of support here

TriciaJoy

Congratulations on your bundle..

I know you're terrified now.. and it's going to be a long road. You'll get tiredof hearing it, but the NICU life is really a roller coaster. Actually,I'm not sure it's really a roller coaster. Sometimes I think it's more like bungee jumping.

 Get yourself a copy of "Preemies: the essential Guide" and as your questions come up, look them up (and ask here!) Just don't read it cover to cover because you'll only scare yourself.

 My Robbie was a 26 weeker born at 1lb 7oz.. If you have any questions, let me know..

njkaren

Expect a lot of ups and downs. It is a long road but in the end it is well worth it. Try to be as involved as you want to be. Brandon was born at 26 weeks and after spending 12 weeks in the NICU he came home 3 weeks ago. If you need anything please email me. karenjacobs@optonline.net

KellyMichelle

Welcme to the board and congratulations on the birth of your baby.  My DS was also born at 26 weeks.  He spent 11 weeks in the hospital with few problems and is now a happy healthy 3 year old.  My first advice is not not focus on the "coming home day" take everything one day at a time and celebrate the little milestones.  Ask questions until you understand what is goingon with your baby.  Often doctors and nurses give short answers, leaving parents confused.  Accept help from others, if someone asks what they can do then give them something to do, don't try to do everything yourself. 

Feel free to email me at kellymichellepayne@yahoo.com or post any questions here.  Everyone here is very nice and helpful and it often helps to talk to someone who understands.

april062604

i'm so sorry that you're going through this...i too had 26 weekers. ?my daughter and son were born at 26+1 and weighed 1 lb 13 oz and 1 lb 13.5 oz. ?DD was in the nicu for 88 days and DS was in for 80 days. ?they had the "typical" ups and downs of nicu life. ?the hardest day for me by far was the day i had to leave the hospital without them. ?it just felt so unnatural. ?i don't know if you want more details of our ups and downs...i'm sure your overwhelmed enough. ?dylan weighs 20 lbs now and cassidy is 16 lbs. ?they're are ahead of their adjusted milestones and are crawling, pulling to stand, and are all over my house! ?i never thought we'd get to this point. ?they have no chronic lung issues, no heart issues...they're healthy happy babies. please page me or email me at aprilquartell at hotmail dot com if you'd like to know more. ?my thoughts and prayers are with you, your husband and your son. ?stay strong...it's going to be a rough road, but you'll get there...and you'll be amazed by the miracle that is your son every single day.

-april?

daNrr

Congrats on your new little one!!  This board is wonderful!!!  Tons of support!!

My son was born the same weight but was 28 weeks.   He came home at his due date. 

Ditto what all the pp have said.  The "Essential" preemie book is super.  The NICU is a rollercoaster.  As hard as it is, don't get too up or too down.  I know easier said than done.  Take a day at a time.  Enjoy the little moments... holding/touching, watching him grow, kangeroo care, etc.

Some advice... set up a blog or website for family and friends.  It was soooo amazing for us.  We didn't have to field a million calls every day to see how our ds was doing.  I updated his website every day w/pictures, news, events, etc.  When people did call, they asked about us & I didn't need to rehash all the NICU stuff cuz it was on the website.  totally worth it!

Keep a journal while you are there.  Write down his weight, things the drs./nurses told you, special things, etc.  Keep a throw away camera at his bedside.  Write a note on it... "nurses, please use this to take pictures of me"  It was sooo great to get it developed and see some things while we weren't there.

Remember to take care of you!  Get some rest.  Get a manicure or pedicure.  Enjoy your family and friends. 

If you'd like to see our website or have any questions, feel free to send me an email at daustinvb at msn dot com

take care!

baby_garcia

Congratulations on your new baby boy! My DD was further along when she was born, but I just want to say that you should remember to take care of yourself too. Thankfully my DD was only in the NICU for 8 days, but I spent those 8 days going to every feeding and spent day and night with her. By the time she came home, I was exhausted. The hardest day was when I was discharged and she wasn't. It will break your heart to leave without her, but just be strong and take the time to ask questions and get advice from the nurses, they are a great resource.

teeveegirl

I'm sure you'll hear this a lot but it's going to be a roller coaster.  My advice would be to take care of yourself and try to take it day by day.  The ladies here are a wonderful support system so feel free to ask questions or just vent whenever you need to! 

nictel

Just wanted to send my support and thoughts!  My son was born at 34 weeks, and only spent a few weeks in the NICU, but I remember how scary it was.  I found this board after he was home, but everyone here has been amazingly supportive!  Hang in there and know that we're thinking of you!

nanakwaz

Congrats on your new baby!

I'm sorry you have to go through the NICU roller coaster.  The best advice I can give is make sure you ask questions and voice your concerns!  The doctors and nurses will tell you everything you need to know but not so much that you can't handle it so make sure you get all the info you need. 

Oh, and enjoy your baby!   

MrsKatieH

Welcome and CONGRATS on your new addition!? ?

First like the others said it is a roller coaster. Please don't focus on the expected coming home date. I made this mistake and it made the experience all the more harder.? We were expected to have Brendan in the NCU until my due date, so 11 weeks, he actually only did 8 weeks.? ?Doesn't that seem a lot less!?!??

Get to know your nurses, write down everything and lean on your friends and family. We are here too when you need a shoulder to cry on or just a quick pick me up.? ?All the babies on the board are? success stories of? a NICU somewhere in this world...? ?

lstaylor73

Lots of ups and downs but in the end he will be home and you will have your little one to cuddle all day and night.  Hang in there, visit here often, we're here for you!!!

mhop

Welcome and congratulations on your little one.  My primary piece of advice is to find out if your NICU does primary nursing which is when you find nurses you click with to be your primaries and they work with your child every shift they work.  Our primaries are a part of our family now and I don't know how I would have made it without them!  They loved Campbell and took care of her like she was their own.  They even bought her good smelling lotion and soap and took pride in making sure her isolette was the cutest in the NICU...