Hi ladies. I apologize in advance if this isn't a coherent post but I had my little guy yesterday at 34 weeks. I was on bed rest for 5 weeks because of placenta previa and I was just told on Tuesday that if I start bleeding after 34 weeks they won't wait for my scheduled c on August 25th, they will just take him. So what happens two days later at exactly 34 weeks? I start bleeding!
They did my c-section yesterday morning. My little Bennett weighted 4lbs 5oz and was 17 inches. They were right on the money with my ultrasound on Tuesday- they said he was 4lbs 4oz. He was breathing on his own yesterday With the help of the cpap but after monitoring him all day and seeing his blood work they decided to intubate him and give him karosurf (sp?) to help his lungs. It's so hard to see him intubated. They are rechecking his bloodwork this morning and should hopefully be able to extubate him. It's so hard seeing him intubated.
Our other son wants to meet his baby brother so bad but he's only 3 and isn't allowed to visit the nicu so it will be a while before he gets to meet his baby brother. They gave Me the general timeline of plus or minus 2 weeks of my September 13th due date as when he could be coming home. It's going to be really hard leaving him here and traveling back and forth to the hospital to see him, especially since we have a little guy at home. We are very overwhelmed with the whole nicu experience right now. I'm sure I have so much more to say but I can't think right now. Thanks for reading, any words of wisdom are appreciated!!
Re: Had my 34 weeker yesterday
First of all, congrats on your new little boy!
The NICU is a really scary and overwhelming place at first, and I found the first week to be the roughest as I adjusted. It is insanely hard seeing your baby hooked up to all kinds of monitors. It DOES get easier though, especially if you have some great nurses. Don't be afraid to ask the nurses questions! And if your hospital is pro-kangaroo care, I highly rec doing it as soon as you can...my most special NICU memories were when I was doing k-care.
Our DS came home 16 days before his due date (and he was 2 weeks earlier and almost 2 lbs. smaller than your LO) for reference, so I hope your NICU stay is as short as possible!
I'm sorry you have to join us but we'll help you along the way. PTL is a scary thing - and then meeting NICU is a shock. I hope things go smoothly for you. I think it's good that you're listening to the DD as a guideline for when he'll come home...it's really impossible for them to say and of course that's everyone's big question.
Feel free to ask any questions - nothing is small or insignificant.
There is a link in my siggy to a FAQ that would be good to send to family and friends so they know how to help you along the way. NICU can be overwhelming and people want to help, but it gets hard to think with what...
Hang in there.
First off Congratulations on the birth of your little guy. Love the name Bennett!
I agree with the other ladies, don't be afraid to ask question, request to do kangaroo time and pump at the bed side (this helped out my supply). My second was born at 34w5d and spent 14 days in the NICU. Praying that your LO is home with you soon.
Welcome... congratulations again on your son!!! this board is great and everyone is really helpful.
Like PP said, it does get better but beware... it may get better and then worse and then better again. The NICU is a rollercoaster but in the end he will be home and healthy.
Also, this may just be me personally but I found it really hard to be on our BMB after I had my son. You may have noticed that because it is hard to hear all the stories of things going "right" and wondering why I didn't get that. That too is normal and I've heard it passes... it is getting easier for me now but I know that's only because my due date is almost here... please ask any questions that you have, these ladies are great!
Me: PCOS DH: Low everything (MFI)
Clomid with TI x 3 2010 BFN
Clomid+IUI+Ovidrel 2010 BFN
IVF w/ICSI #1 2011
9/8/11 Beta #1: 2082!! 9/19/11 Beta#2 34,689!! U/S 9/22/11 HR 127! 11/8/11 HR 150! 12/6/11 HR 136! 12/14/11 HR 139! Born at 26w2d on 2/4/2012! After 83 days in the NICU, Adalyn came home on 4/26/12!
FET 1 3/2013 BFN
FET 2 5/2013 BFN
Congrats on your son's birth!
I know the NICU is scary. Like others said, it does get easier as you come to understand what all the wires and number mean. In addition to asking questions about the "whats" and "whys" I would ask the following because they helped me feel more like a mom and less like a spectator:
-can you change his diapers, take his temps, help move him when he is rotated?
-can you bring blankets, hats, and eventually clothes for him?
-can you decorate the isolette with pictures, maybe drawings from your older son?
-can you read stories to him while you sit at his bedside? (This was particularly helpful for my husband because he was afraid to touch her for a few weeks and reading bedtime stories is still one of his special things to do with her 17 months later)
-can you leave a disposable camera for the nurses to take pics of cute moments you miss?
-can you give him a bath?
The more hands-on things you can do, the less intimidating all the wires and things seem. The nurses will help you. I hope your stay is short and simple!
Our precious girl, born at 27 weeks.
Great tips. Definitely leave a camera. Some of my favorite pictures were taken by the nurses at night when we were home in bed.
We also had a nicu journal and put details of each day in it. It will be nic's to look back on. We even got a pair of his "sunglasses" to put in it so we can remember how tiny they were!
Congrats on Bennett! Believe it or not the NICU went by quicker then I expected. We were there 25 days. It's tough but you will make it through and when you bring you little guy home the joy will be amplified! Please keep us posted on how you and Bennett are doing and I will pray for a fast and uneventful NICU stay!
Congratulations on the birth of your son! I know it's hard, but it's so excellent that you he made it to 34 weeks and over 4 pounds. As scary as it can be, that is a great starting point! He will just keep getting bigger and stronger.
Something that should help is to become as comfortable as you can in the NICU. Get to know your favorite nurses and the other NICU parents, be as involved as you can in your son's care (kangaroo care is amazing if your hospital does that), be familiar with the amenities that are available to you (the snack area/fridge that may be available to parents, the breastfeeding/pumping room if you care to use it, etc.).
My daughter has been in NICU for 37 days and there are some times where I feel like taking her home is so far away, but many others where I feel like time has flown by.
Wishing you, your new son, and your family all the best in your journey!
BFP#2 3/16/11, beta 138; 4/12 Baby/HB DS born 9/10/11 at 29w4d due to partial abruption and PTL
BFP#3 8/19/13 Another boy! 17P, modified bedrest and Nifedipine helped us have a termie! DS2 born 4/19/14 at 38w5d.
Congratulations!
My twins were born at 33 weeks and were in the NICU for just under a month. They told us to expect that they would go home around their due date, but they came home 3 weeks sooner. There were plenty of ups and downs during that time though, even with babies they considered to be "feeders/growers". Your little guy is a great weight and they are taking great care of him. Like PP said, ask lots of questions and try to be as involved as you can...the hardest part for me in the beginning was feeling like I didn't belong there and that the nurses were better moms than I was. You need to get out of that mindset and throw yourself into the situation...you'll feel better in the end.
Best of luck hun...and be sure to find the time to take care of yourself as you heal. You need your rest too.