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Preemies
Expecting a preemie- what can I expect?
Hi all! I'm 31 weeks pregnant and being heavily monitored for absent end diastolic flow- I've been in the hospital for a week and I'll be here until LO makes his appearance.
My doctors are telling me that they don't know when they'll need to take him- I could have another couple weeks, or we could need to do it tomorrow. We don't know. My MFM told me today that she would be suprised if I made it past 34 weeks. I got steroid shots for his lungs at the beginning of last week, around 30 weeks.
I'm wondering from y'all- what should I expect in the nicu? Are there certain things I should be asking my ob or the neonatologist before baby comes? Is there a book or something I could read to help guide me through the nicu journey?
Thank you!!
My doctors are telling me that they don't know when they'll need to take him- I could have another couple weeks, or we could need to do it tomorrow. We don't know. My MFM told me today that she would be suprised if I made it past 34 weeks. I got steroid shots for his lungs at the beginning of last week, around 30 weeks.
I'm wondering from y'all- what should I expect in the nicu? Are there certain things I should be asking my ob or the neonatologist before baby comes? Is there a book or something I could read to help guide me through the nicu journey?
Thank you!!
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Re: Expecting a preemie- what can I expect?
In all honesty, I think knowing ahead of time you will have a preemie is the best advantage you can have to prepare. Just mentally wrap your mind around it and know your LO could possibly be in there until your actual due date.
We thought we were having a preemie ASAP on day 1 of labour, by day 4 we had time to ask questions, do the NICU tour, and really wrap our heads around what was happening.
Goodluck and know that every baby is different! Yours could come out a little superstar and be in the NICU for no time! Best advice though is to remain realistic and keep in mind the outcome of a few weeks possible stay. Take each day one at a time and you'll be fine! And ask as many questions as you want!
Hope your LO stays cooking
One mistake I made was telling people they could come visit him without making sure they've had their flu shots before bringing it up. So I've been on a lot of damage control, and have made some people mad, and I'm a very non-confrontational person. I should have kept my mouth shut. So hopefully you don't have to go through that.
The other thing, is that the standard answer i've received from his doctors is that he will be there through his due date of Feb 15. He's been making awesome progress and it's hard to believe that he will truly be there that long. I've had to change my perspective that at the end of every day when I leave, that it is "one less day" for him to be there than it was when I arrived that morning, instead of trying to wrap my mind around "how many total more days" is a bit overwhelming.
Best wishes to you and I hope you can continue your pregnancy as long as possible. Every day truly does make a difference!
Peanut Butter and Jelly!
<a href="http://s568.photobucket.com/albums/ss122/AliceNP/?action=view
https://www.amazon.com/Preemies-Second-Essential-Parents-Premature-ebook/dp/B00APJ7KXG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1388436454&sr=1-1&keywords=preemies
It's packed full of anything you could possibly want (and not want) to know about preemies. Your NICU may have copies to loan out, as well. It's one of those things that you don't want to read cover to cover, but by the topical index in the back according to what specific concern you may have. Like I said, DON'T read it cover to cover or it could really freak you out. It does a great job of explaining basics, as well. Especially when the drs or nurses start throwing out medical terminology you may not be familiar with....
This board has already been very helpful to me, in just glancing over various threads.
Also- check out the first thread on this board that will take you to a Preemie Resource Blog. It's been very informative to me, as well.
Again, prayers and hugs through your journey!
I had my daughter at 29w6d due to preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome. She was also measuring behind and was born at 2lb 3oz and 3%ile. We had a nine week NICU stay and came home about a week before due date, still on oxygen. Didn't get a chance to so steroid shots and I think it had a huge impact on her need for o2.
The pps have covered most things, but wanted to add, don't ever hesitate to ask questions. I learned so much during our stay and it was because I always asked questions to get more info. Some neos and nurses were so helpful and informative, others weren't. It seemed so daunting and overwhelming to think we had a two and a half month hospital stay, but we fell into a routine and it eventually came to an end. It was our normal. Once she came home, we made a new normal and enjoy every second. Utilize your supports and don't hesitate to ask for help.
Hang in there, I hope things go smooth and uneventful!
Peanut Butter and Jelly!
<a href="http://s568.photobucket.com/albums/ss122/AliceNP/?action=view
Yeah, they're lookng into it for me. I would love to, but I know their hands may be tied. They may be wanting to "play it safe" even if it isn't a hippa violation, which I understand.