High risk pregnancy, advice on how to prepare physically and mentally for a preemie

supermom83 · March 2011

First time posting here and wanted to introduce myself and ask if you ladies would share some advice!

My name is Sarah, I am 26w2d pregnant with #2. My first pregnancy was a breeze but ended with a c-section at 40w5d due to my sons large size. I never had any complications throughout the pregnancy. I was hoping that this time I would try for a VBAC but I guess I might not be able to. My blood pressure has been very elevated initially for the past three prenatal visits and will only go down when I lie down on my left side. My doctor ordered a 24 hour urine test and we found out that I also have elevated protein in my urine. I am now on bed rest and a low sodium/low protein diet and we're hoping my condition stabilizes.

I am a very realistic person, and I like to hope for the best but prepare for the worst. If my BP does not get better and my protein levels keep rising I will pretty much end up with pre-eclampsia and most likely have to deliver LO early. Is there anything I could do to help myself and my husband prepare for a preemie? Books to read, things to buy, plans to make? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I sure hope I can keep LO in till he's full term, but if not I want to be as prepared as possible.

TIA!

ijack · March 2011

I was admitted to the hospital at 24w and was told I would be there until I was pg. I was kind of in disbelief that I would have a preemie, even though my doctors thought I was a miracle by making it as long as I did. I tried to read books, but it was really, really hard for me. What you read about a 26 weeker is going to be different than a 28 weeker, 32, etc. and it stressed me out to not know what was going to apply. For me it was easier to read after she was born and I knew what we were up against.

For now I would try and put tentative plans in place for care for your son (though you've probably already done that if you're on bed rest) and just try to take care of yourself. Good luck!

luvdv8 · March 2011

Like PP said, definitely make plans for your DS- especially if LO is going to have an extended hospital stay and you're going to need to go back and forth. He's not going to understand much at that age, but prepare him as best you can for mommy and daddy being away.

I would also prep your families as well- let them know about the challenges preemies face and about your feeling regarding holding baby, germs, etc. Prepare them for the fact that you might not be going places or accepting guests the day LO comes home and that you might not feel like passing them around to every family member. A lot of families don't understand how fragile a preemie is.

And get a good pedi (if you don't already have one) who knows about preemies and some of the challenges.

PeridotEyes · March 2011

The advice above is good

I'd also recommend the March of Dimes website as a starting point. It's really hard to prepare, but you might want to have your hospital bag packed. That's something I wish I had had when I was admitted at 32w.

PeridotEyes · March 2011

ijack:
For me it was easier to read after she was born and I knew what we were up against.

I agree with this. Reading too much at this point will be stressful & upsetting. You might not have to worry about it at all.... there are just too many variables.

GL!

FutureMrsDenman · March 2011

I would add to the above that you might want to have a serious talk with your doctor about what he/she thinks the realistic probability is that you'll be able to carry much longer, and how they feel about giving you the steroid injections for your LOs lung maturity just in case. If they think there is a good chance that you could deliver between now and 34 weeks for instance, I would highly recommend the steroids because they do wonders as far as preparing early preemies for the demands on their little lungs once they are out of the womb. They may want to hold off for a while if they feel that things are going well ... but it is always good to have on your mind during your conversations with them.

Good luck!

hollerjeepgirl · March 2011

I ruptured at 23w1d and was told I'd go into labor within 48 hours. Luckily, I held onto DS until I was 34 weeks and had my c-section because I wasn't allowed to go any further than that because the risk of infection while leaking amniotic fluid increases past 34 weeks. I sat in the hospital on very strict bedrest for 80 days thinking to myself about my son. I had a lot of time to prepare myself for it and realize that 34 weeks was my goal. I think if you look at it that way it helps out. I feel for mom's who have to go through giving birth right away, they don't have ANY time to prepare for having a preemie. I'd rather have my little preemie than have to bury him, that's how I look at it. Be grateful for what you have and good luck!

hollerjeepgirl · March 2011

OH yah and don't read up no scary stuff!! You don't need that. I agree to ask your doctor what to expect but don't be a masochist to yourself while on bedrest

Mrs.JBW · March 2011

Good Morning! My bp began rising at about week 12. It was consistently high and finally by week 20 I was put on medication and by 30 weeks I was on hospital bedrest. Pre-e bedrest SUCKS! I keep myself entertained with knitting and cross stitch, none were possible while laying on my left side

Do not read about preemies until you know what the gestation is of your LO, literally every day that you can keep your baby inside, can change the circumstances.

Hospital prep - make sure your bag is packed and be prepared to stay. You will be able to wear street clothes for most of your stay, so pack socks, underwear, comfy clothes, pajamas, etc. Pack a bag for transporting the dirty, then clean clothes back and forth. Do you have a laptop? Prepare with skype, so you can see your son on days he can't visit. Take your pillows and whatever else to help you sleep. Make sure to pack your cell phone charger and if you have a low minute plan, research extra minutes. The hospital phone was expensive, so I relied on my cell phone. I also had an i-pod with music and relaxation tracks, so I needed a charger for that as well. Pack a journal and pen - jot down questions for your nurses and doctors.

Take a NICU tour and talk to the neonatalogist. I wanted to see what MY baby was going to look like to prepare myself, so I asked to see a 30 weeker.

Good luck!!

Want a personalized experience?

High risk pregnancy, advice on how to prepare physically and mentally for a preemie

Re: High risk pregnancy, advice on how to prepare physically and mentally for a preemie

Choose Another Board

Search Boards