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Preemies
Joining you ladies...
At 4pm PST, when I went to the bathroom I noticed a pressure in my vagina and something was bulging out. Within 5 min I started having moderate contractions that were about 5 min apart. DH and I went to the nearest ER where we only waited for like 5min before being admitted and taken back. We had an emergency u/s done after whic hthe doc went into straight panic mode. They had found I had cervical incompetence and had dialated to 5cm w/o knowing it. My amniotic sac was hanging down into my vagina.
We took an ambulance to the nearest maternity ward where they essentially said that bc I was so early and the delivery was so high risk that they couldn't do anything. They gave me some medication to slow down the contractions and put me in a bed with my feet above my head to take the pressure off of my cervix. After doing so, they called another ambulance to take us 45 min away to the nearest high-risk birthing unit.
When we got to the main hospital in Sac, they started me on more medication to stop the contractions. They also started me on magnesium sulfate. Iwas also given a steroid to advance her lung development. Within the hour my contractions were one on top of the other and the dr said that we were having our baby girl that night. I rcvd an epidural and then waited in a surgery room. By 10pm I was 7cm, 90% effaced. They broke my water so that Emily would have a chance to get further down than the umbilical chord and prevent that damage. At 2am, 10 Apr they said was ready to go and told me to start pushing. After 3 good pushes, Emily slid out in all of her 1lb 9oz, 12.5in glory. We even heard her cry! But then the NICU whisked her away to get her started on her meds and hook ups.
Right now, Emily is in the NICU w her IVs and a ventilator. She is breathing really well for her age, they have the ventilator turned to 30, meaning she is doing most of the breathing on her own and the ventilator supplements when she gets tired. Her hb is great and not going down at all. We are in what they are calling the honeymoon phase though. They have warned us that after the first 48hrs is when things can start to get a little wonky. But she will most likely be in there until her original due date in July.
I look forward to being able to talk with you ladies. Thank you.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Joining you ladies...
While I am sorry that you are joining us, welcome! I hope Emily's progress continues and that this is not simply the honeymoon phase.
Congrats on your little one!!!!
So sorry it's happened so early - what a traumatic experience...it was very similar to mine, and it will take a while to come to terms with it. You must feel like you're in shock! Try to get as much rest as you can. Pump as soon as you can and keep it up. Talk/sing/read to your little one. Ask for kangaroo care when possible. Take lots of pics, even if you don't feel like it - you will appreciate seeing how far your little one has come!
Hoping for an uneventful stay!
btw, my LO was born at 27w (2lbs 5 oz), and is now 11 months, 17lbs. Good luck!
Congratulations on the birth of your daughter. I'm sorry that it was a traumatic experience and that you have joined the NICU rollercoaster ride.
My DD was born at 28 weeks, but was measuring more like 25. She was 1 lb 11 oz at birth and 12.25 inches long so her stats were similar to Emily's. My DD is now almost 3.5 years old and has no lasting effects of her prematurity and small birthweight that we are aware of. It will be hard at times to see the light at the end of the tunnel while you are on the rollercoaster, but know that there are LOTS of really positive outcomes for little ones your Emily's age/size!
Good luck to you and Emily!
I am so sorry that you had to go through this! It is very similar to my situation. I went for a growth US and they saw that I was 3 cm dilated. I was sent straight to the hospital( thankfully I was right across the street from Duke Medical Center) They gave me mag, and steroids and did manage to keep me pregnant for another 2 weeks on hospital bed rest. I gave birth at 29W6D and my little boy was a whopper for that early at 4lbs 4oz. We spent 48 days in the NICU and he is now 4.5 months old and is perfect! It will be tough, but you can get through it. Just know that there is an end, and you will bring her home.
One of the hardest things for me was believing that my body could dilate and I never feel anything ( I got to 8 CM without one pain). I also had a bulging bag the whole time. They did an US every couple of days in the hospital to make sure that he was still head down and noticed that his cord was under him . I was then taken into a rushed CS. Turns out the CS was the easiest part of the whole experience.
It was also hard for me not to have a firm date when we could take him home. We ended up getting home 3 weeks before his due date and it was such a relief. Good Luck and keep pumping!
FAQ: My Friend Just Had a Preemie, How Can I Help?
Congrats and I'm sorry that you are going through this!
My story is very similar to yours - somehow we managed to hold off labor for 2 wks and my son was born at 26w2d. He had a fairly long (17 week) NICU stay but is 2 years old and is fun, running around, and getting into trouble
Thoughts and prayers to you!
My due date was in July as well! My babies were born March 25 at 24w1d. The NICU rollercoaster is exhausting and stressful but there are so many good spots in there too.
Best of luck to you and your precious baby!