hi,

All the best for your coming arrival. My apologies for the long post.

I will share with you what i know and hope some of it helps. I had an energency c-section at 29 weeks 6 days so unfortunately had no time to prepare.

At my hospital they will take a photo or two of the baby for you pretty quickly. I saw my baby photo's as soon as I came to from the anaesthetic an hour or two later.

When you are well enough from the c-section (i had a sleep for a few hours) you will get wheeled in to check on your precious darling. Depending on their health they will need Intensive Care or Special Care. NICU has more constant observations and more specially trained nurses. Sometimes they will have breathing apparatus to assist in breathing but that does not sound likely for your gestation.

It is a very scary thing the first sight of the machines so definately ask for a tour. I spoke to a mum-to-be on a tour and it helped her to see our baby and see what was happening.

They will not allow a special blanky or toy in the babies cot but i suggest YOU having a special blanky or toy. I slept with a little knitted toy and carried it when feeling really sad as my emotional rod. ESpecially on lonely nights expressing at 3am or something, have photo's of your baby around you as well.

The midwives in the ward will help you get started on expressing and it is important to do it every 3 hours during the day (or there abouts do not get so stressed like i did if it was not exact), and at least once over night. This increases your supply for when you commence breast feeding.

KANGAROO cuddles are GREAT. They place your little one on your chest inside your clothes. Really good for both of you.

They will go through breastfeeding with you but you start with breast contact and see if your little one has the suckling reflex yet. From 32 - 34 weeks from memory. Then you have the wonderful experience of learning to breast feed. I did contact one feed a day then when she was getting more interested, at every day feed. Depends on your baby as it is very tiring for them.

C-section - take it easy with bending. stepping into baths etc and move slowly for a while. Don't rush things physically.

Any more questions just ask as i realise i should stop this post is so long.

My baby is now a health 6 months old and she only had to be in hospital 6.5 weeks. We got home fullly bf.

all the best and will be thinking of you