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Expecting Preemie Pumpkin

Happybunchof8Happybunchof8
in Preemies
I am currently 21 weeks and due to various factors, we are praying to keep baby in until week 24.  If God has it planned and we make it to week 34, my doctor insists on delivering then.  I'm using my bed rest time to try to be as pro active as possible to be "ready" for our Preemie Pumpkin. Besides lots of reading, been looking into things we might need at the NICU (I live overseas with the Army so if I need to order anything, it takes at least a week to get here).  I've been knitting small hats, found smock patterns and positioning snake patterns online.  I admire all of you and your precious wee ones currently battling each and every day.  I was wondering if there was any advice or tips anyone may have to pass on to help us prepare-as much as one can.  Please know that I am sending daily prayers for every Preemie baby and family.


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Re: Expecting Preemie Pumpkin

  • urbanflowerpoturbanflowerpot
    Sure - if you check my siggy you'll find links to the blog a bunch of us preemie moms put together! Good luck with everything and if you have any specific questions just ask :)
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  • kelkel09kelkel09 member
    Best of luck to you! I hope that baby stays in until 34 weeks!
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  • njdcgirlnjdcgirl member

    I hope you can keep your LO in and safe for as long as possible before delivery.  Every day makes a difference!

    I'm not sure if you can really prepare for a NICU stay, and depending on how early your baby is, their course will be very different.  In fact, the twin mommies on here can attest that even twins usually have very different NICU stays!  I'd say if it is possible (and you haven't) you may want to visit the NICU or speak with a neonatologist.  They can give you the best perspecitve of what you might face if you deliver at different gestational ages.

    Good luck, and I hope you are on bedrest for many, many more weeks (as challenging as I'm sure that will be)!

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  • adrielegorburuadrielegorburu member

    definitely check the preemie blog... there is a lot of good info on there. I agree with PP that you really cant prepare too much for a NICU stay, especially since every baby and every situation is so different - I'm sure the moms on here can agree that no matter what you babies GA or what NICU you are in - the journey is hard and rocky - they dont call it a "rollercoaster" for no reason! I can tell you that while DD was there (we were in 117 days, she was born at 22w5d) I was very glad to have a journal to write in, I wrote to her, I wrote down everything the doctors and nurses said, what I was feeling etc.  I ended up with three volumes before she was discharged.... also since you are overseas and have to order things you may want to think about making sure you have everything you need to pump BM if you are expecting to provide milk to baby - depending on how long you can keep them inside (which I hope you can until 34) you may have to pump exclusively for a while, so you want to have a good double pump and all the supplies for it.  if you can visit the NICU where you will be thats a good idea also - GL and I hope you spend a nice long time on bed rest cooking up babies!

     

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  • katie4253katie4253 member
    Fingers crossed and tons of thoughts to you that you can keep your LO in as long as possible.  Thinking of you!
    Born at 31w3d due to severe IUGR & Placental Insufficiency--2lbs 3ounces
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  • sedge1sedge1 member
    Check out the blog! T&Ps that you keep that LO in until 34 weeks!
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  • Happybunchof8Happybunchof8
    Thank you very much for your suggestions!  We have already with the NICU doctor and they will be working with us week by week-taking us through each step. We were supposed to get a tour-but my bed rest promptly ended that!  I too, am hoping for many, many more weeks of un-fun bed rest!


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  • Happybunchof8Happybunchof8
    Thank you so much for the ideas!  I am so encouraged that your little daughter was born at 22w5d-that is the earliest I have come across so far. The NICU doctor told me they would not resuscitate until 24 weeks...which I would gladly insist them trying earlier. I do need to look into the breast pump-I have never been successful with the pump with my other 7 children (and I tried a hospital grade pump)-so hopefully this time I'll get it to work!


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  • Happybunchof8Happybunchof8
    Thank you so much!


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  • Happybunchof8Happybunchof8
    Thank you everyone for the great tips and well wishes...I cannot tell you how much they are appreciated!  I also found the "Share" site on the March of Dimes website very helpful too...I'm going to go check out that blog!


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