Intro and FTM vent *long*

Mystisai

My little miracle was born at 34+1, healthier than expected. I had been admitted into the hospital 8/10 when my blood pressure was suddenly high at my normal NST appointment. I was diagnosed with pre-e and then had pPROM on 8/15 at 33+3, and my medical team decided to induce at 34weeks. So I was given steroids and a lot of antibiotics, then Sunday at midnight they took me to L&D, started a magnesium drip and gave me cervidil. Sun at 2 pm, I was only dilated to 1, so they gave me misoprostol every 4 hours and 8am Mon, I was not advancing at all. That's when they were thinking of using the foley catheter and pitocin, but told me that method would take at least 7 more hours, had an increased risk of infection, and that the pitocin could cause the baby distress. Because of my health problems (I am also type 1 diabetic) I talked it over with my SO, and we decided it would be better to have a c/s where both my child and I would get the care we needed, without my health and stress continuing to put my baby at risk.

So 4:14pm Monday August 20th Bodie Alexander W. was born 5lbs 1 oz. He got a 9 on the Apgar test after 1 minute, and a 10 After 5min. The surgeons told me that preemies never get a 10 in our hospital, and they were all very thrilled. Bodie has been in the NICU for two weeks now, he never needed any help breathing but he did have a feeding tube in for 12 days, they just turned off his heat lamp today, and they're talking about sending him home Wednesday, and that's when reality set in...

I have found plenty of resources about what to expect when bringing home a newborn, but my boy was 6 weeks early. While he hasn't been as needy as some preemies, he's not going to need the same care as a baby who was born at full term either, and being a first timer, I have been freaking out mentally. I don't know what to expect the first day, or any day for that matter. I know he will sleep a lot a first, but when does that change? I have a lot of questions, and google can answer quite a bit of them, but sometimes I just feel so lost, and he's not even home yet. I'm glad there are forums like this one, with people going through the same things I am.

jennifer1w

Congrats on LO! I would be careful about exposing him to anyone who is sick. Preemie immune systems are not like Full term babies. Also remember to judge his milestones and such to his adjusted age not his actual. Best of  luck!

jcsntms06

Congratulations on the birth of your LO. Pretty much the first month or so baby just tends to sleep a lot. My DD#2 was born at 34w5d so most of my leave was spent with her napping during the day and up at night. She didn't start to STTN until 3 months old, but each child is different. My almost 3 year old doesn't sleep that great (I say the baby sleeps better).

jennbent

We just brought our 28 weeker home last week after 85 days in the NICU.  Being a FTM + having a preemie meant I was freaking out too.  But it's not that bad.  I found that the NICU nurses really prepared me to take care of him.  You're right in your assumption that he will mostly sleep a lot at first.  Our's sleeps probably 80% of the day...and wakes up a lot throughout the night to eat.  It's exhausting but we are so thrilled to have him home!  You will do great!  Good luck!