Preemie Mommies

Re: Preemie Mommies

• janat1717 member

  June 2015

  No preemie. Just wanted to give you kudos for dealing with all that

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• bosleyb member

  June 2015

  My DD was born at 34 weeks and 3 days. My water ruptured at 30 weeks and 3 days. I was hospitalized for 3 weeks and a c-section was scheduled for 34 weeks and one day (34 weeks exactly was mothers day). My water resealed so I was sent home at 33 weeks and 3 days. One week later it was already leaking again so I was rushed into an emergency c-section. My DD did phenomenal with no NICU stay (likely because of the steroids I received to mature her lungs). So she was able to come home with me. Even though I did bot experience the NICU I was completely prepared to and had met with a neonatologist, toured the NICU in preparation for a stay. I even had scheduled a stay at the hospitality house as I live 2 hours from the hospital/NICU. I feel for you. How is your little one doing? CPAP? Oxygen? How is feedings going? My preemie has pretty severe reflux and that seems to be common in preemies.

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• bosleyb member

  June 2015

  As for being prepared for the baby.....trust me at 30 1/2 weeks I was completely unprepared for the baby and then was hospitalized and then for the week I wasn't I was on modified bed rest.

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• OnWayto3 member

  June 2015

  I'm not a premie mama, but want you to know that I'm thinking of you and your LO. Although this isn't at all what you expected, I hope you have a strong support system-- not only for Baby but also for you. 

  

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• seesea member

  June 2015

  Hi there! I have a preemie that was born at 32 weeks 6 days. I was due June 12 but he came in April. It wasn't totally unexpected but no matter how much I tried to prepare, it was still a surprise.
  
  I was high risk and went through PTL in February. Ended up on bed rest until I had the baby. I was hoping to make it to term but I had a placental abruption and ended up delivering early.
  
  As for the NICU stay, most of the nurses were on point, super informative and helpful. Ask questions when something comes up that you're unsure of and they'll usually let you be involved in caring for the baby as much as possible. For me I was able to hold the baby and do kangaroo care, feed, change and give a sponge bath. At my hospital they allowed parents to bring things in to make the baby's isolette more like home. Things like blankets, crib mobiles, their own clothes and pictures. They also gave us an audio recorder so DH and I can record songs, stories, etc so the LO can hear our voice if we're not around.
  
  It's really overwhelming at first but once you know the ins and outs of the NICU you're in it'll start to feel like a second home.

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• mjschenk member

  June 2015

  No preemie here but did have my 41 week term baby end up in the nicu all the people kept saying bet you didn't imagine you'd end up here. Of course not I don't think anyone really plans on it. I was able to help with a lot while he was there but they kept them on such a tight schedule it made it really difficult to try to breastfeed and I had some frustrations with that. Longest week of my life and I just wanna say any mom that has to go through a nicu stay is a rockstar talk about mentally/emotionally draining. So glad to be home now and breastfeeding like a champ.

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• kezdk member

  July 2015

  He was on and off the cpap yesterday and was able to stay off all day today. Also going on and off the jaundice lights. He is doing well with breast milk but still getting fluids and lipids in addition. I am pumping like Betsy the cow and ahead of his needs for now. Not sure if I am allowed to bring anything from home just yet because of his age, but they are trying their best to make me feel welcome

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• magono20 member

  July 2015

  Our little peanut was actually 9 days late and we spent 10 days in the nicu. It was an emotional roller coaster. Nothing we expected. My advise is to ask questions, spend as much time w your LO and go outside. We were allowed to stay at the hospital but I had to make an effort to get some air and a small walk in. It's good for your mental health even when you don't want to, GO!! And most importantly take it day by day. Our LOs health changed hourly so that's what we did, hour by hour. Hang in there!! It gets better!!!

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• beckyk9109 member

  July 2015

  My twins were born at 35 weeks. Although we didn't have nicu time it was stressful. Neither had a strong enough suck for breastfeeding, and even bottle feeding was tough. They would suck a little and fall asleep instantly, so we knew they weren't eating enough. We stayed an extra 2 days in the hospital and even when we were discharged, it was tough getting them to eat a full feeding for probably the first 2 weeks. A lot of stress and tears! They were born small (4lbs7oz and 5lbs14oz) so they couldn't afford to lose a lot of their birth weights.
  Fast forward to now, 6.5weeks later and they are eating likes champs and gaining weight like crazy! We still can't breastfeed, but I'm pumping and they do awesome with bottles! It does get better so hang in there, momma! You're doing great!

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