Intro and a few questions (longish)

Bookwormyone

There's a link to my birth story from the Dec. board here, but to sum it up I went in for a routine non stress test, found out I had elevated BP, got steroid shots, did a 24 hour urine that came back with way too much protein, was diagnosed with pre-e and had my little girl less than a week later at 33w5d. 

We had an 8 day NICU stay and she's been doing well.  While in the NICU she had a few apnea spells the first day and none after that.  She did not come home on a monitor, and her main issues have been wicked reflux and slow weight gain. 

I had a horrific recovery with two serious infections, three hospital stays, and an incision that's still open over two months later.  But I digress. . .

I've been lurking for awhile and I have two main questions that I haven't really seen addressed anywhere.  Do any other late term preemie moms have issues with other people not considering their child a "real" preemie?  It's getting so frustrating to have to explain to friends and family that it's not ok to take her out in public places or have a ton of people around her at once.  It's not like I'm being nasty or trying to keep her from people.  It's per doctor's orders.  Their basic thought process, I guess, is that since she wasn't really early and was "only" in the NICU for about a week, now that she's out she's automatically fine.  I don't get it.

We had it great compared to some of the other babies in the NICU, and I would never even begin to compare our eight day stay with the months and months that others have, but that doesn't mean that my 33 weeker is just like a full term baby either.  I hope this comes out right.

I totally want to smack these people while I'm waking my poor baby up to eat to try to get her to gain weight and doing at least a full load of laundry a day to deal with all that she spits up.  The poor thing cries in pain constantly while we're trying to get meds ironed out, but it doesn't seem like a big deal to anyone else.  I'm not looking for anyone to cry over it or feel bad or anything, but a little understanding when I don't want to bring her to a kid's birthday party would be nice.

I've tried being calm and linking to MOD info, but short of that I suppose there's not much to do but suck it up.  I guess I'm just hoping someone can empathize?? 

My other issue is that because of my horrible recovery I had no choice but to move in with my parents so they could take care of both me and the baby while my husband works.  He's been staying nights with us.  Now that I'm feeling better we've been making trips to our own house to clean.  I'm taking it to a crazy level, airing out the entire house and scrubbing literally everything.  It's like post-baby nesting and I don't feel like I have a choice .  Please tell me I'm not crazy.

Hopefully this all makes sense since I'm working on little sleep these days.  If you've made it this far you deserve a cookie or five.  Or some celery sticks if you made a New Year's resolution.

jcsntms06

First off Congratulations on your little girl. I too had my DD at 33w 4d back in 2009. My family had a hard time wrapping their heads around the idea that we were staying inside for the entire RSV season. My doctor actually recommended it. It sounds like you may need to get a second opinion or just find a new pedi for your DD. Stick to your guns about going out, who comes over and who touches your little girl. I hope you start to feel better soon. Also welcome to the boards.

adrielegorburu

This is the place to vent - we all understand that a preemie is a preemie and a NICU stay is a NICU stay - I was there 117 days - I dont feel that your baby "is not a preemie" because you were there only 8 - Take comfort that people who know what it means to have a preemie understand your plight. As far as the reflux - it will get better! promise - there are a lot of us on here dealing with reflux issues including myself and my DD. She takes prevacid twice a day. (15mg dissolving tab, 1/2 in the morning, 1/2 in the afternoon) and has been doing really well on it. Her Spitting up has lessened but we were told the meds wont take it away completely so yes we own 23958239582398 burp cloths and I do laudry constantly! Are you thickening your feeds at all? Weve added rice cereal to her bottles since she was in the NICU and it helps. Are you seeing a Pedi GI or just your Pedi about it? Some other tips, dont feed hot/too warm bottles (the warmer milk will come up easier), feed upright and hold upright for at least 20 minutes after feeding, limit movement after feeding (we cuddle and play with a toy in my arms or we lay on her mat with her upper body propped up in her boppy pillow), use a paci after feedings (sucking helps keep stuff down) and obviously take her meds. Inclined sleeping helps and so does smaller meals more often if thats possible. Take care of yourself, baby needs a healthy mom! you have a lot on your plate right now but things will improve~ preemie moms are strong and very capable! hang in there

September2007

Oh my love, I can commiserate, although I don't consider my 33w6d preemies to be late term preemies at all.  (although a 6+ weeks NICU stay may be swaying my feelings!)  Maybe others do? 

Most importantly, congratulations on the arrival of Violet!!  Like you, I went in for an appt at 28w5d, and ended up getting myself admitted for PreE and severe IUGR (DS).  I survived 5 weeks of bedrest, and then we delivered the twins.  The goal was 34w, but our NICU was on overflow and they knew they had two spots at 33w6d.  What's one day, right?

I can't answer your second question.  I'm sorry, but I didn't have the same experience with my c-section recovery. 

And again, you already know this, but you need to do what you need to do to protect Violet from all the crazy germs and whatnot out there.  She is at a higher risk for infection or issues because of her early arrival.  Just follow your instincts on this one -- you know what is best for your LO. 

Welcome to the board!!! 

September2007

And both of my babies have reflux.  They're on Prilosec 2x a day...  Started with Zantac (useless in our situation) and have moved onto Prilosec.  They have done really well on it, but they still spit up constantly!  I probably have close to 30 bibs, and I'm always running out of them...  I promise it does get better! 

Bookwormyone

September2007:

And both of my babies have reflux.  They're on Prilosec 2x a day...  Started with Zantac (useless in our situation) and have moved onto Prilosec.  They have done really well on it, but they still spit up constantly!  I probably have close to 30 bibs, and I'm always running out of them...  I promise it does get better! 

Thanks for the warm welcome ladies.  Violet had another Gastro appointment on Friday and they switched her from Zantac (useless!) to Prilosec.  She's still spitting up a ton but already seems to be in significantly less pain. 

We also finally moved back to our own home since I've been cleared for most normal activity and am finally healing. 

Thanks for telling me the reflux gets better.  I knew it would eventually but it still helps to hear it   The spit up doesn't bother me as long as it's not hurting her.