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Scared for LO one to come home....

crystaleyes39crystaleyes39 member
in Preemies

Our girls have been in the NICU for a little over 3 weeks and our little one Kendall, may get discharged tomorrow. Don't get me wrong I'm beyond excited, but i'm super nervous and scared to have her home and not have nurses and doctors watching her 24/7 and no Apnea monitor at home to know if she were dropping her heart rate or not breathing right. Did anyone else feel this way? Any words of encouragement? I'm feel paranoid but can't shake this feeling. :(

OH and to make matters harder...I have a soar throat that just started today.

 

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Re: Scared for LO one to come home....

  • HJOHNSTON411HJOHNSTON411

    It's scary, and I think all preemie Moms empathize with this! It's unique that we despise the alarms, etc but they end up being a comfort in ways.  All I can say is that your instinct will kick in, and you will be fine.  

    Find what makes you the most comfortable - for us we kept him in our room until almost 5 months.  He had reflux and was a tummy sleeper, which is what extended his stay somewhat.  

    I will tell you that, as a NICU Mom, you've seen and been through a lot.  I worry every day (even now, at 7 months) about LO's weight, how many ozs he eats etc.  I just have to take a step back though and remind myself that I've seen him when he was truly tiny and weak.  Because of that, I think preemie Moms really KNOW when their LO is not well.  

    Don't be afraid to ask the Drs lots of questions after you come home, keep in touch with your primary NICU nurses (a great resource!), and enjoy your LO's!  

    Hugs!! 

     

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  • haziedazehaziedaze member
    It was definitely hard at first. I felt like I wanted to watch his breathing 24x7 which meant no sleep for me. I now miss when he would only wake up every 3 hrs at night- now it's more like every 1.5-2. Try to focus on the fact that the NICU staff believes your LO is ready and mommy "spidey" sense are pretty powerful- you'll know if something's up. Congrats! Homecoming is the best time! ((HUGS))
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  • IrishsapphireIrishsapphire member
    I was scared.  Luckily, I roomed in with my son--I had a mini meltdown and cried while trying to take care of my son.  But I survived the night, and then the next day that he was being discharged, we got some newborn pictures taken without his wires.  It is just different not have the wires and looking up to see that your baby still has a heartbeat on the monitor.  I would say that it is good to ask as many questions to the nurse before your baby is discharged.  As well the first day home, my son had 3 reflux episodes which really scrared the bleep out of me.  I had to learn to hold him at an angle to feed him, and then keep him at an angle for 30 minutes after.  As well, we put him a lot in his Baby Einstein bouncer, and eventually got a wedge to put him for his reflux--this was lifesaver for his 1st year.  Being a parent is a learning experience--I actually was okay with the grunting during the night--I knew he was alive and just played lullaby music during the night.  As well, we just learned to use a flashlight to check on him if it got too quiet, and if he started to cry or make weird sounds.  We survived--he is almost 20 months now. 
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  • Mrs. AliceMrs. Alice member
    It is kind of scary going from 24/7 nursing care with a monitor on to just you and nothing!  My boys did come home on apnea monitors which were a blessing and curse.  We had them for 3 months and I was about ready to throw them out the window at that point...  Honestly, after 10 weeks I was sooo excited and ready for mine to come home.  I don't think I could have gotten out of that hospital fast enough!  They offered to let me stay the night with them in a pedi room just so I felt comfortable with the monitors.  I quickly and politely declined. LOL.  Everyone is a little nervous at first but once you get into a routine, it will be just like second nature.  Good luck with your homecoming and I hope you feel better soon!
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  • adrielegorburuadrielegorburu member
    imageHJOHNSTON411:

    It's scary, and I think all preemie Moms empathize with this! It's unique that we despise the alarms, etc but they end up being a comfort in ways.  All I can say is that your instinct will kick in, and you will be fine.  

    Find what makes you the most comfortable - for us we kept him in our room until almost 5 months.  He had reflux and was a tummy sleeper, which is what extended his stay somewhat.  

    I will tell you that, as a NICU Mom, you've seen and been through a lot.  I worry every day (even now, at 7 months) about LO's weight, how many ozs he eats etc.  I just have to take a step back though and remind myself that I've seen him when he was truly tiny and weak.  Because of that, I think preemie Moms really KNOW when their LO is not well.  

    Don't be afraid to ask the Drs lots of questions after you come home, keep in touch with your primary NICU nurses (a great resource!), and enjoy your LO's!  

    Hugs!! 

     

     

    all of this!

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  • crystaleyes39crystaleyes39 member
    Thanks so much everyone. Kendall is on her 3rd day home now..and as scared as I was I'm FINALLY feeling comfortable and my excitement has kicked in over the nerves. It's amazing to have her home, now we just gotta get her sister out of the NICU next! :)
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  • damabo80damabo80 member

    Totally normal. And congratulations!

    A few days before DD came home, I wrote a VERY similar post. I was thinking that the hospital, if they were in their right mind, would never let me bring home such a small and helpless little being (dd was 4lb6oz at discharge).

     


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