XP: C-section scheduled for 32 wks

nino770 · September 2012

I have been admitted into L&D because of IUGR and cord blood flow issues with baby B. The MFM physician has scheduled me for a c-section (both babies are transverse) next thursday at which point I will be 32 weeks. I would appreciate some words of wisdom fom ladies who have delivered around this time and what I should expect. I know everyone has different experiences but would still appreciate some feedback. Thank you

vsalt31 · September 2012

Hi, I'm saying prayers for you & your LOs. My DS was born at 31w, 3days. I had PROM. The doctors were able to give 2 steriod shots to help lung development, then I immediately went into labor. I had an emergency c-section. DS was 3lbs, 11oz (bigger than what they were thinking). He was in the NICU for 44 days. Honestly, I don't want to scare you, but the NICU is one big emotional rollercoaster. The day I was discharged to go home, but had to leave DS at the hospital was the hardest day of my life. DS had problems with apnea and dropped heart rates. He was only on a ventilator for about 1 hour after birth & was able to breath on his own after that. His brain scan came back completely normal. DS was discharged with both an apnea monitor and oxygen. But, to have him home, nothing could compare. He did have issues with hernias - double inguinal (groin area) and imbilical - which had to be repaired during a 90 min surgery when he was about 2-3 months old. He is now 7 months- completely happy & healthy.

vsalt31 · September 2012

Oh & someone updates this blog which is soo helpful

https://www.preemiemomblog.blogspot.com/

pathfindermon · September 2012

My lo was born at 31 weeks 4 days due to PROM. I was in the hospital 4 days before he was born so I was able to get the steriod shots. We were in the NICU 25 days. He was on room air CPAP for a couple days and then he was breathing on his own. Our biggest things was just waiting until he was old enough to try and eat. I know that it is a scary time for you- please turn to us here anytime you need anything. We've all been there. T&P to you and your lo!

mom2elijah · September 2012

I had Preeclampsia and my body went into labor at the 32 weeks to the day. He was small for his age, as he was only 3 lbs 3 oz. I had the steroid shots a week before I went into labor. He was born vaginally and he was born breathing all on his own, no breathing assistance at all. He had some jaundice, but the main thing was for him to learn to suck, swallow and breathe, control his own body temperature and to gain some weight. Other than that he had what they called an "uneventful" NICU stay. My son is now 3 years old and you cannot tell he was born premature at all He is extremely bright and quite the character. He has had 3 preemie evaluations and he scores above his actual age in all areas especially cognitive. Therefore, he is healthy and fine. Good luck and I hope your babies have an "uneventful" NICU stay as well.

PhillyGal34 · September 2012

T&P for you all!

I had my son at 31w5d due to severe pre-e with neurological issues. We were able to get the 2 steroid shots. He was born at 3 lbs 5 oz and only on oxygen for a few hours as a precaution. He was in nicu for 26 days to grow and learn to eat. We were lucky bc he had no complications. But pp is right it is a rollercoaster. If you can go visit the nicu before you have the babies you may want to. It's overwhelming. Also be prepared that you may not see them or hold them immediately after birth bc they may have to be rushed to nicu. If you have a c section you may not be able to see them for 24 hours due to being bed ridden ( other moms may be able to tell you. I didn't have a c section but was on bed rest for 24 hrs after so after the 20 seconds I held him in the delivery room I didn't see him for 26 more hours. It was horrible) and like pp said, leaving the hospital is the hardest thing in the world but looking back it was a huge step in feeling a bit better about things. Coming home that night I cried non stop but I got my first real night of sleep in over a week. I also got a real shower and saw my dog. All things that made me feel a bit more normal. I can say it gets easier and it does but it often gets harder before it gets easier. Then it gets easier and stays that way hopefully. The nicu changes you, at least it changed us.... But that's part of our history now and we are trying to embrace it.

This board is amazing. No one ever lurks here (at least not unless they have a reason to) and everyone is more than willing to reach out and help and offer advice. A few organizations we used were the Graham's foundation (send a care package to nicu) pictures of hope (free photo shoot by a professional photog in nicu- despite how hard it was we wanted to remember that part of his story) and hand to hold (discovered this post nicu but they will match you up with a. Judy who has been there and has one through it all to help you. Sometimes , most times, non nicu parents just don't get it)

Please keep us posted and take care of yourself!

DrRx · September 2012

CurlingRocks:
I had my CS at 31w 3d. Expect to be in pain from the surgery. I did it on Tylenol and Ibuprofen with a couple doses of narcotics the first day, which I just didn't take well to. And expect to be forced to move around a lot more than you are comfortable doing.
As far as your babies, expect to be in the NICU for at least a month, likely 2. If you have your steroid shots, you can alleviate a lot of lung development issues, though the shots won't necessarily eliminate lung problems. DS had 2 rounds of the shots (I was in the hospital for 6 weeks before birth) and still had BPD to contend with. Expect there to be ups and downs, progressions and regressions, and a lot of days when you just can't deal with other people. People who haven't been through your experience will have a lot of trouble understanding what you are going through and will probably say and do insensitive things. I found it best to imagine them saying/doing the right thing and ignore the insensitivity unless I had to deal with them a lot in which case, I corrected them. Also be prepared to seek support. We are happy to support you here.
GL!

All of this! However, I used the narcotics after my C-section for about 8 or 9 days. I needed them around the clock for the first 4 or 5 days and started weaning down after that. Also, one thing that no one ever told me, was the shakes. I would wake up and just be so incredibly cold that I was shivering. It was painful because it was my whole body and my incision hurt. That was when I learned that I needed to have the percocet on board at all times to help with that pain.

GL!

PhillyGal34 · September 2012

runningmommy519:
DS was born at 35 weeks due to IUGR. One thing my doctor told me is that your body realizes something is wrong so things with baby develop quicker. DS was 3 lbs 4.5 oz at birth. He was breathing on his own in less than 24 hours. His main issue was needing to feed and grow.
The NICU experience is an emotional one. In addition to what others have said you will also likely experience sadness because you weren't able to carry to term. You will see other pregnant women and it will make you sad. You will also likely get upset when really pregnant women complain about how uncomfortable they are and how they just wish the baby would arrive. People will tell you that you should "look on the bright side" and "look how well they are doing" and "that you should focus on the positive" while still having this sadness of mourning the loss of your third trimester. Know that those feelings are normal and reach out to this group or other preemie support groups.

She is right on the money. I can't believe I forgot this. It has been my biggest struggle it gets a bit easier after your due date passes but it's still tough!

jcsntms06 · September 2012

I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for your two little one's. Both my girls were born early, A at 33w 4d, and C at 34w 5d. Both spent 13/14 days in the NICU. A was mainly a feeder/grower, but C my youngest had a little bit more trouble w/A's and B's and jaundice. She finally figured out eating after about a week in the NICU. Please keep us posted.

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