Preemie/NICU Moms Check-In - Let's See Those Not-So-Tiny-Anymore Babies!

gutsymama · November 2013

I thought it would be fun to do a follow-up Preemie/NICU check-in, and I know several of us are still dealing with some things, so this can also be a place to seek support or vent if you'd like.

GA at birth:

Weight/Length at birth:

Complications/Challenges at birth:

Length of NICU Stay:

Current Age:

Current Weight/Length:

Recent Triumphs/Milestones:

Recent Frustrations:

Anything else you'd like to share?

PIP!

sdtchica13 · November 2013

Can I join in, even though my preemie is nearly 4?

gutsymama · November 2013

GA at birth: 34w0d

Weight/Length at birth: 5#12oz, 18.75in

Complications/Challenges at birth: Gastroschisis

Length of NICU Stay: 131 days

Current Age: 6 months and 2 days! (4.5m adjusted) So grown up….

Current Weight/Length: Around 14# and 25-26in - at his last hospital admission, they listed him at 2'2" and I thought that was adorable

Recent Triumphs/Milestones: We have started overnight drip feeds and are up to 12-14oz/day of milk! And we now have two bottom teeth!

Recent Frustrations: I won't rehash all of our recent issues, but my biggest day-to-day frustration is that so many of the details of his feedings and ventings are judgment calls, and I feel like I'm always making the wrong decisions, and then I feel guilty when he pukes. And he hasn't really gained weight in the last month.

gutsymama · November 2013

@KittenD I love the photos! That boy is getting so big!

@sdtchica13 Absolutely you can join in!

KikiCohen · November 2013

GA at birth: 37 weeks

Weight/Length at birth:3lbs 7.8oz/ 17 1/4 in

Complications/Challenges at birth: IUGR; P was born with hypospadias which he will have corrected through surgery on January 7th

Length of NICU Stay: 11 days though we weren't technically in the NICU. He just needed to stay in the hospital until he was able to gain weight and keep it on.

Current Age: 5 1/2 months

Current Weight/Length: We haven't had official measurements since his 4 month appt, but I'm estimating him about 15 lbs and 26 inches.

Recent Triumphs/Milestones: He has found his feet! I'm waiting for him to start putting them in his mouth! And he is SOOOO close to rolling back to belly. He gets 99.9% of the way there and then it's like he decides to stop lol

Recent Frustrations: We've been dealing with plagiocephaly since about 1 month. He still doesn't have great head support when he's upright.

Anything else you'd like to share? P amazes me every day. Although sometimes I am sad about his head shape and his gross motor physical delays, P's cognitive and fine motor abilities are far ahead of his age. I know all the issues that he could have had with his low birth weight and I'm thankful that this is the only thing we're dealing with.

P at 5 days old:

P at 5 months!

KikiCohen · November 2013

@mimi4347- After I was discharged, I got food trays in P's name. They listed his "height" in feet and inches in the info section. I cried for a half an hour after I saw it and even kept the paper! Oh hormones!

sdtchica13 · November 2013

Ok, so here goes:

GA at birth: 29.6

Weight/Length at birth: 3lbs, 16 inches long (massive for an almost 30 weeker!)

Complications/Challenges at birth: We actually dodged almost every bullet with Corri; no brain bleeds, no gut issues, and only a minor PDA (murmur). Our biggest challenge was getting her to "suck, swallow and breathe", which kept us in the NICU an extra 2 weeks.

Length of NICU Stay: 63 days

Current Age: 3 years, 8.5 months!

Current Weight/Length: She's tall and skinny; 38.5 inches tall and only 30lbs.

Recent Triumphs/Milestones: Hitting 30lbs was huge for us, lol! Also, she is extremely advanced for her age at this point and has started writing well and sight reading!

Recent Frustrations: She's 3...nuff said, lol!

Anything else you'd like to share? Corri amazes us every day. One of our biggest worries was cognitive issues and delays since they are extremely common in 30 weekers, and she managed to avoid all of them. She was completely caught up by two years old, her speech was great, all gross and fine motor were perfect, and she walked into her 2 year developmental follow up completely potty trained!

PIP!

It's amazing how they grow...my teeny preemie went from this:

to this:

gutsymama · November 2013

@KikiCohen I love the comparison! @KittenD, do you have a good set of then-and-now photos?

Here's Luke at 6 days old, and now 6m in the same hat:

sdtchica13 · November 2013

OMG all of these preemies are freaking precious! I want to snuggle every last one of them!

gutsymama · November 2013

sdtchica13 said:

Ok, so here goes:

GA at birth: 29.6
Weight/Length at birth: 3lbs, 16 inches long (massive for an almost 30 weeker!)
Complications/Challenges at birth: We actually dodged almost every bullet with Corri; no brain bleeds, no gut issues, and only a minor PDA (murmur). Our biggest challenge was getting her to "suck, swallow and breathe", which kept us in the NICU an extra 2 weeks.
Length of NICU Stay: 63 days
Current Age: 3 years, 8.5 months!
Current Weight/Length: She's tall and skinny; 38.5 inches tall and only 30lbs.
Recent Triumphs/Milestones: Hitting 30lbs was huge for us, lol! Also, she is extremely advanced for her age at this point and has started writing well and sight reading!
Recent Frustrations: She's 3...nuff said, lol!
Anything else you'd like to share? Corri amazes us every day. One of our biggest worries was cognitive issues and delays since they are extremely common in 30 weekers, and she managed to avoid all of them. She was completely caught up by two years old, her speech was great, all gross and fine motor were perfect, and she walked into her 2 year developmental follow up completely potty trained!
PIP!
It's amazing how they grow...my teeny preemie went from this:

to this:

Love love love everything about this. All the love tits!

sdtchica13 · November 2013

mimi4347 said:

sdtchica13 said:

Ok, so here goes:

GA at birth: 29.6
Weight/Length at birth: 3lbs, 16 inches long (massive for an almost 30 weeker!)
Complications/Challenges at birth: We actually dodged almost every bullet with Corri; no brain bleeds, no gut issues, and only a minor PDA (murmur). Our biggest challenge was getting her to "suck, swallow and breathe", which kept us in the NICU an extra 2 weeks.
Length of NICU Stay: 63 days
Current Age: 3 years, 8.5 months!
Current Weight/Length: She's tall and skinny; 38.5 inches tall and only 30lbs.
Recent Triumphs/Milestones: Hitting 30lbs was huge for us, lol! Also, she is extremely advanced for her age at this point and has started writing well and sight reading!
Recent Frustrations: She's 3...nuff said, lol!
Anything else you'd like to share? Corri amazes us every day. One of our biggest worries was cognitive issues and delays since they are extremely common in 30 weekers, and she managed to avoid all of them. She was completely caught up by two years old, her speech was great, all gross and fine motor were perfect, and she walked into her 2 year developmental follow up completely potty trained!
PIP!
It's amazing how they grow...my teeny preemie went from this:

to this:

Love love love everything about this. All the love tits!

Ha, I love that we call them love tits!

KikiCohen · November 2013

sdtchica13 said:

Ok, so here goes:

GA at birth: 29.6
Weight/Length at birth: 3lbs, 16 inches long (massive for an almost 30 weeker!)
Complications/Challenges at birth: We actually dodged almost every bullet with Corri; no brain bleeds, no gut issues, and only a minor PDA (murmur). Our biggest challenge was getting her to "suck, swallow and breathe", which kept us in the NICU an extra 2 weeks.
Length of NICU Stay: 63 days
Current Age: 3 years, 8.5 months!
Current Weight/Length: She's tall and skinny; 38.5 inches tall and only 30lbs.
Recent Triumphs/Milestones: Hitting 30lbs was huge for us, lol! Also, she is extremely advanced for her age at this point and has started writing well and sight reading!
Recent Frustrations: She's 3...nuff said, lol!
Anything else you'd like to share? Corri amazes us every day. One of our biggest worries was cognitive issues and delays since they are extremely common in 30 weekers, and she managed to avoid all of them. She was completely caught up by two years old, her speech was great, all gross and fine motor were perfect, and she walked into her 2 year developmental follow up completely potty trained!
PIP!
It's amazing how they grow...my teeny preemie went from this:

to this:

I'm so glad your DD is doing so well

I needed this positive story today!

sdtchica13 · November 2013

I promise it gets better ladies! The NICU was stressful as hell without having what they consider a "sick baby", and I think I spent the majority of those 9 weeks crying. The first few months she was home were scary as well, with follow up appointments out the yin yang (cardiologist, feeding specialist, pediatrician, etc.), not to mention the millions of extra doctor's appointments for shots because she got Synagis in addition to her vaccines, which meant we were going to the doc monthly to catch up! It definitely got easier and less scary around the one year mark, so hang in there!

Also, I know I did it as well, but try not to stress about milestones. Corri didn't crawl until 10 months actual and I was worried, but then walked on time (the average is 13-14 months). I also freaked about her not having enough words at 18 months and by two she was speaking full sentences and has not shut up since, lol! Keep in mind that even non preemies do things on their own schedule.

karen0477 · November 2013

These are amazing and inspiring stories to read, thanks for sharing.....

Married071709 · November 2013

Karen0477 said:

These are amazing and inspiring stories to read, thanks for sharing.....

This! J13 has amazing babies!!

[Deleted User] · November 2013

You all make beautiful children

chiboo9 · November 2013

Oh my goodness. What beautiful babies you have! Ya'll are strong and courageous mamas!

sparkymcgeee · November 2013

I'm totally crying reading all of this.

elyse05 · November 2013

Wow, so amazing! And can I just say that all of your little babies weigh more than my almost 5-month old? Ya'll are doing a great job

I think I'm gonna donate to march of dimes for my Christmas gift.

Stina2012 · November 2013

What beautiful babies! Riley spent an hour in the NICU after birth and it was the longest hour of my life since I couldn't be with her.

dliz87 · November 2013

Crying happy tears!!!

gutsymama · November 2013

@mermomo5 Would you mind sharing your preemies then and now? I love seeing these photos and hearing the stories!

[Deleted User] · November 2013

The user and all related content has been deleted.

[Deleted User] · November 2013

I love this thread! Thanks for sharing ladies!

NKF312 · November 2013

All your gorgeous babies are making me smile and tear up!!

Hilaboo86 · November 2013

PRECIOUS!!!

KTZ17 · November 2013

mimi4347 said:

I thought it would be fun to do a follow-up Preemie/NICU check-in, and I know several of us are still dealing with some things, so this can also be a place to seek support or vent if you'd like.

GA at birth: 31 weeks 3 days
Weight/Length at birth: 3lbs 11oz, 16.5 inches
Complications/Challenges at birth: I had high BP/HELLP Syndrome - she was breathing on her own at birth because I was able to get both steroid shots, but she was on CPAP for a week, under the bili lights for 2 days, and then she was a feeder and a grower.
Length of NICU Stay: 30 days

Current Age: 6 months & 1 week!
Current Weight/Length: Last week at her appointment she was 12lbs 12.5oz and 25 inches, so 25th% for height but not on the charts for weight yet. We're hoping tomorrow when she is weighed for her synagis shot she'll be over 13lbs!
Recent Triumphs/Milestones: Luna is rolling like a crazy woman all over the living room. She also smiles so much, laughs, and makes lots of cute cooing and babbling noises.
Recent Frustrations: Sleep regression! She is waking up almost every hour during the night and today has been fighting naps, too. Also we started trying solids and she is not interested.
Anything else you'd like to share? I'm still so disappointed that I didn't have a full term pregnancy and that I couldn't fully BF her. I feel like my body failed me. I am so appreciative though that she hasn't had any issues as a result of being premature. I know we're so fortunate, sometimes it's just hard to get past her early arrival and my supply issues.
PIP!

ETA: I love reading about all the other preemies and seeing the then and now photos! We don't really post photos, but times like these I want to!

KTZ17 · November 2013

I

KittenD said:

@Ktz17 I could have written your comments myself. I know that exact feeling and it's beyond horrible and so hard to cope with. Disappointment is a good word for it and I think we should be allowed to feel that sometimes. Often DH pooh-poohs that feeling of mine saying look how good he's doing. It's not that I'm not a grateful mama, but sometimes I just feel like I let him down. Hugs, mama.

@kittend That's exactly what my DH says - look how perfect she is! But he doesn't get that I wanted to get big and pregnant and go into labor or that I wanted my baby in my hospital room. Or how sad I am that we canceled my shower. Only other preemie moms get it!

yelyah4826 · November 2013

This thread is just full of so much positivity! Way to go LOs and momma bears- keep on growing strong and looking adorably cute!

gutsymama · November 2013

KTZ17 said:
I

KittenD said:

@Ktz17
I could have written your comments myself. I know that exact feeling and it's beyond horrible and so hard to cope with. Disappointment is a good word for it and I think we should be allowed to feel that sometimes. Often DH pooh-poohs that feeling of mine saying look how good he's doing. It's not that I'm not a grateful mama, but sometimes I just feel like I let him down.
Hugs, mama.

@kittend That's exactly what my DH says - look how perfect she is! But he doesn't get that I wanted to get big and pregnant and go into labor or that I wanted my baby in my hospital room. Or how sad I am that we canceled my shower. Only other preemie moms get it!

Big hugs to both of you! My situation was a little different, but I know what you mean. I feel like I was robbed of the end of my pregnancy and of a normal, happy birth experience and of BFing; I feel like I *need* to have another child so I can experience those things, but then I feel terribly guilty about that, too, because I love Luke so so much and I don't want to make it seem like his pregnancy and infancy weren't good enough for me.

There's a lot of unspoken (and spoken) pity, in a situation like this, and a lot of people who essentially feel sorry for us because we got stuck with a broken baby, although they wouldn't phrase it that way, or who are so glad they didn't get handed a broken baby; but when it's your child, it's not like that at all - there was no resentment toward him, no wishing he was different, I was just heartbroken that my perfect little boy had to go through all this pain. I've been told many times that there was nothing I could've done to prevent Luke's defect, but I still can't help but feel like it's my fault that he's going through all this - and it's something that he's going to be dealing with for a long time. I had massive guilt about eating for awhile, when my baby couldn't eat. So much guilt, always.

KTZ17 · November 2013

@mimi4347 Seeing our baby in the NICU with all the wires & tubes was so hard for the same reason, we don't want to see our little ones go through that! It sounds like Luke has made such strides though & I have so much respect for you! You"re so strong! I also feel the same as you, that I need to have another one. Hopefully it can happen! I worry about my BP.

KTZ17 · November 2013

Where's @laurendag?

[Deleted User] · November 2013

The user and all related content has been deleted.

KTZ17 · November 2013

Wow, @mermomo5! 4/5 babies with NICU time!! You are truly super mom! I've often worried what if our next baby has to come early too and we face NICU time again, how would I handle it, but you have done it 4 times. I commend you! Which two cuties are in that photo? How did you handle visiting a baby in the NICU with your other kids at home? How are they doing now? Wow, just wow! ETA: you should come over to the preemie board sometime! You have so much to share!

[Deleted User] · November 2013

The user and all related content has been deleted.

JTA2426 · November 2013

GA at birth- 34 weeks 1 day
Weight/Length at birth: A was 5 lbs 9 oz and 18.5 inches, J was 4 lbs 10 oz and 17.5 inches. Big for twins!
Complications/Challenges at birth: They were preterm due to twin gestation and sharing a placenta. It was my third time with PTL, the first at 28 weeks. Both had some respiratory difficulty initially (wimpy white boys) but were off oxygen by 3 days old and just feeder-growers.
Length of NICU Stay: 10 days

Current Age: 5 months actual, nearly 4 months corrected.
Current Weight/Length: at their last appointment A was 12 lbs 6 oz, 24 inches and J was 11 lbs 4 oz 22.5 inches
Recent Triumphs/Milestones: Both are laughing out loud and have found their feet. Both of them prop sit (with assistance). I have not stopped swaddling or started solids. They have their developmental clinic follow up appointment in early January and I'm a little nervous!
Recent Frustrations: insurance denied my claim for synagis, despite approving it for my friend with the same insurance and virtually the same baby (34 weeks, born 3 weeks before mine). I am also hoping they show interest in rolling back to belly soon. They don't even try.

First pic is the first time I held them together. A reached out for his brother. Second pic is a week ago.

MyLittleSweetPea · November 2013

KikiCohen I send you a message... or posted on your wall... we have walls? I don't know but I sent you something, somewhere!

KikiCohen · November 2013

MyLittleSweetPea said:

KikiCohen I send you a message... or posted on your wall... we have walls? I don't know but I sent you something, somewhere!

I didn't realize we had walls either, but I got your msg and replied!

Dani428 · November 2013

My heart is melting. Such beautiful strong babies !!!!!!

shara3333 · November 2013

Love this thread. You women are so strong and have beautiful babies. My brother was born 8 weeks early and he's the smartest person I know....straight A's, valedictorian, dean's list, etc...

Pink724 · November 2013

You women (and your babies) are all amazing! Thanks for sharing your great stories.

Want a personalized experience?

Preemie/NICU Moms Check-In - Let's See Those Not-So-Tiny-Anymore Babies!

Re: Preemie/NICU Moms Check-In - Let's See Those Not-So-Tiny-Anymore Babies!

Choose Another Board

Search Boards