Cuddles again my friend.

Yes, if the baby is born now it will have quite different needs to a 34 weeker. Most markedly breathing issues. Most babies born this early will require CPAP (Continuous Postive Airway Pressure) or ventilation. It can be confronting to see this. with CPAP the baby has tape on it's face and a "snorkel" with tubing attatched to the machine. I will find some information and post it. This machine basically takes the pressure off the baby's lungs that are not meant to be functioning yet. So the baby will still breath but it gets that positive pressure to make the job a bit easier.

The baby will be in a incubator or some people once called it a humidi crib. The environ is warm and constant - trying to be womb like. Initially minimal handling is done - as each movement uses the baby's much needed energy. Parents and siblings can visit the cot side of course and parents are encouraged to lay their hands on their baby. I made a very conscious effort of sending energy to my baby when I did this. Directing love and positivity to the baby. I also asked for photos of my kids to be brought to the hospital and they were taped to her cot. I also put positive affirmations on her cot. Any toys etc will be encased in a plastic bag and kept outside the cot. You will be encouraged to help with yoir baby's cares - changing nappy, wiping with cotton wool etc... It is scary at first as they are so tiny - but in time it becomes more doable.

The alarms are difficult to get used to. Of course there are oximeters, ECG's etc and when the baby's heart rate falls below a specific level the baby will alarm. These are called bradycardias... Or colloquially brady's. Most preterm bubs have some of these. (Imogen had them constantly and it was so damn tough...). Also this can happen if one of the probes comes off your baby's chest.
So along with your baby there is likely to be another 8-10 baby's in the same bay. Each high risk baby has it's own nurse. Your baby if it is born in the next week will have it's own nurse until he/she is stable. Then one day you will notice your baby is being nursed with another baby (cared for by the same nurse)... You know things are improving when this happens!

Handwashing is a religion in NICU. You will gown up and remove all jeewellery and scrub up. You don't touch your face or hair or anyone's whilst you are gowned and scrubbed. Just your baby. Prems like a firm touch - no stroking. I read to Imogen every day. I also played music to her with a cD player and cd's that I asked to be brought up. I would recommend this. It concerned me when some parents played JJJ to their bubbies...

If anyone has a cold sore or any sign of an illness they need to stay away. If these babies catch an infection it can be fatal. A common cold can kill in NICU.

You will be encouraged to express regularly. I expressed 2-3 hourly every 24 hours for 15 weeks. It is very bery important for prems. Prems that have formula don't have as good outcomes as those that have breast milk. Largely gut problems.

I was very very militant and told them she was under no circumstances to have formula. I had some donated EBM but my body decided to co-operate and she was fed my milk through a naso gastric tube at 4 days post birth I think it was...

Your baby will have an umbilical line which is where they will put iv fluids and any meds he/seh may need.

If he/seh is born at 34 weeks the treatment is quite different. It is possible that he/she will just need the sCN - though possibly after spending a little time in NICU. He/she may not need ventilation but again probably a little cpap initially. But of course not always.

I recommend talking to your baby a LOT. I read stories, I cried, I laughed and I cried some more. It for me was a desperately lonely and difficult time. I lived a distance from family and friends... Abnd I had a very unsupportive partner. Your situation is going to be different. Also your baby is bigger and you are well.

I would choose some books and have them ready. Get some music and a cd player. Start playing the music now...

I will BBL