I hope you ladies don't mind this thread. After my visit with OB, yesterday, I've been looking for successful NICU stories to keep my hopes up. Does anyone have any that they would like to share? Thank you in advance!
ETA: Sorry ladies, I should have been more specific. For those who don't know, short story.... asthma is severe and uncontrolled. OB is very concerned, talked about if this continues, I'll most likely need to be hospitalized later, preeclampsia, induced around 34 weeks, probably NICU for the baby, low birth weight, etc. I'm seeing MFM tomorrow. But just trying to prepare mentally as OB advised. Thank you!
Re: NICU Success Stories? *Possible TW*
@DuchessOfCambridge Yes! I definitely consider your son's story a success! Im so glad he's doing so well!
@megsb615 your story probably closest to what I could be facing. That's amazing he was only there for 5 days!
@imrachellea and all the others, I would have never figured babies could potentially be calm due to having been in the NICU!
Im so relieved by all of your stories! Thank you so much! Im very grateful that I live in America where we have access to the latest medicines and technology. And of course the NICU nurses ecifically! I've heard some amazing tales of those pros.
ETA: In case anyone missed it, I added more details in the title.
It is very tough to have to leave your baby in the NICU if you get discharged first, especially if you don’t live close to the hospital. However, everyone I know who had long NICU stays have said that the upside is how much you learn from the incredible nurses (and seriously they are all incredible).
@expandcontract and others... Maybe we can start a high-risk check-in once we reach end of 2nd tri/beginning of 3rd tri?
I’d like to have a high risk check in. I think that’s a good idea!
Again, I'm so glad you ladies have such positive experiences to share!
I was also thinking about the high risk thread. Some of us are already in the 2nd tri so i think we could go ahead and start it.
A lot of carseats are approved for a minimum of 4 pounds and some are for a minimum of 5 pounds. We specifically got ones suitable for 4 pounders bc we were expecting preemies.
I don't mean this to argue with you! Just sharing where the criticisms may come from.
https://www.npr.org/series/543928389/lost-mothers
I agree with @DuchessOfCambridge and @knarlytaurus... amongst industrialized countries we do have the highest maternal mortality rate which makes me sad. Just add that to the list of women related issues this country needs to fix.
Side note: I did not have pre e in my second pregnancy but I have to monitor my blood pressure starting at 19 weeks just in case.
I’m sorry you are going through this. Please lean on us often to get your worries out. Your mental health is just as important as a healthy baby @expandcontract
A few things though that were kind of difficult for me (and I'm just telling you in case it helps you prepare for what to expect):
- having the staff take DD away from me within minutes after delivering her. It was so not like what you picture after giving birth, cradling your newborn on your chest and having a sweet moment together. The staff wanted to get her to the NICU immediately.
- having the NICU staff know more about my baby than me. I mean, obviously they're going to know more because they are professionals who basically live in the NICU, but it is still kind of sad when someone else is telling you what your baby needs or likes or whatever.
- probably the hardest, going home before your baby. Again, so not what you picture when leaving the hospital after having a baby. Going home solo was super sad. Everyone you know is asking if they can come visit you and you're like nope, no baby here guys. You go back into the hospital any chance you get but you're a freaking visitor, just hoping that today is the day you can actually take your baby home. I won't sugar coat it - it sucks.
@expandcontract I wonder if it would help at all to tour your hospital's NICU and meet some of the nurses there? If you are planning to breastfeed, you may also want to look into pumping stuff early so that you're all prepared at home to pump when you're not at the NICU nursing. I know this isn't easy but like @maggieg183 said, you should definitely feel free to share your concerns with us!
Married: Oct 2015
TTC #1: Sept 2016
BFP: 10/19/16 ~ blighted ovum ~ D&C 11/23/16
BFP: 3/24/17 DD1 born 12/2/17
TTC #2: July 2018
BFP: 8/26/18 DD2 born 5/16/19
I also didn't even think that the nurses would know more about my baby than I would.... thank you for sparing me that shock. Reading that part certainly made me emotional.
Im so glad your daughter was only there for 4 days but I'm sure it was agonizing.
I am a Respiratory Therapist that works with adults and NICU, plus I am the mom of a former 25 weeker. I am by no means offering medical advice, but would like to offer you information that could provoke questions so that you can be an informed patient advocate for yourself and your baby. Ultimately, the goal should always be to get you to full term. Obviously, if you or your baby’s life is in danger then the benefits of delivery outweigh the risks. I apologize if you already asked your provider these questions or do have a regiment. I hope I am not being redundant.
Are you on a maintenance inhaler like Advair, Symbicort, Breo, etc. These meds offer an inhaler steroid and long acting bronchodilator that has been proven to decrease symptoms of asthma. Do you have access to quick acting bronchodilators, such as albuterol.? Are you already on a regiment that could decrease or prevent your symptoms? You might benefit from seeing a pulmonologist during this time to manage your symptoms and possibly medications.
From a NICU standpoint, 34 weeks and above generally do well in the NICU. They are still early, so they could still have issues with breathing, blood sugar control, eating, jaundice, and temp regulation. This is why I stress it’s important to get to term or as close to term as possible. I really think you would benefit from the utilization of a MFM and pulmonologist during your pregnancy.
I have worked with many moms with asthma and have seen lots of positive outcomes and full term deliveries. I am optimistic your healthcare providers can do that for you, too.
Especially since they're watching out for you, I'd expect everything to be fine. They'll keep a close eye on you and the baby and make the best call. Everyone I know who went early, it was a surprise, one even saw her OB that day, not expecting her water to break that night! While it can be scary to go home without your baby if they have to stay in the NICU for extended time, know that medical advances have made it possible for very pre-term babies to have a extremely high rate of survival. Almost any hospital is equipped to deal with 32 weeks. If your baby arrives sooner, you can find out if your hospital can accommodate or which hospital your baby might be transferred to.
Yes, I am on Symbicort, Atrovent, Singular, Albuterol nebulizer, and Prednisone. I am under the care of MFM and pulmonary. Even with all these meds, though, asthma is still not under control (have to use rescue about three times a day). That's why my OB sent me to see MFM right away instead of waiting until 20 weeks as previously had discussed with me.
@nnewman4 it's seriously so good to know that there have been good outcomes for NICU babies! Reading all these stories has really helped. It was an initial shock when my OB mentioned it and I'm so glad that she did because I feel better prepared. Honestly, I don't know anyone who has had a NICU baby recently and that was the most frightening part. My cousin was a NICU baby for a heart defect but I was like 7 yrs old at the time. And her mother NEVER talks about it so it's not like I can ask her. Again, I love this community! You guys are also like my therapist in some ways. Hehe. My husband should be very grateful for you because otherwise I'd be unloading all this crap on him. 😝😝