Aww hun, just starting with a big and you have done an amazing job to bring your little one this far, and I feel tht you have a few more weeks of baking to go.

I am sorry to hear that your pregnancy isn't going how you had wished, and hoped for. There is quite a marked difference between a 30 weeker and a 34 weeker. DD was born at 33 weeks and had a reasonably smooth rider the SCBU, she was a good size and didn't have any breathing issues. A close friend had her little girl on the same day, and she was a 34 weeker and ended up requiring the vent and CPAP dues to respiratory distress syndrome, both bubs were delivered via VB and were average size.

Have they given you steroids to help develop your precious one's lungs, is it something that your OB has mentioned?

The monitoring is a good thing a friend was monitored every 2 days from 30 weeks then they went to daily at 35 weeks as her DD was SGA, they ended up delivering her at 36 weeks @ 2kg. The extra time in Utero made a huge difference. I really hope you can gat a few more weeks.

Innana has covered most of the NICU terms, I dearly hope that you don't need to go down that path and the few extra weeks will make the difference.

One thing I would really like to recommend is writing in a journal, a blog, or where ever you need to, I found that it was a really good way to record what happened each day, I started my during my pregnancy, and have continued it through, what it gave me was an outlet, somewhere I could write all of my fears, concerns, stressful moments, but most importantly every moment to celebrate and be proud of. I know so many people who wish they had recorded there little one's journey, especially those who have been through the prem experience. At the time things can be a bit of a blur, the wizzing on information in fromt Dr's and Nurses can be quite overwhealming.

Have you had the opportunity to do a tour of a NICU and SCBU (SCN)? Where they would be able to show you bubs that are of a similar size to your little one, it will help in gaining perspective, and and idea on what to expect. I just recently went through our NICU and was honoured to have the opportunity to meet a wee little bubba at 380grams, and a few at 700grams, a friend has just recently has a 25 weeker and at the time of my visit he was the same size as the bubba's I met and it really helped me gain perspective on how bit that actually is.

When I'd had DD I didn't get that opportunity so it was quite confronting, and it was all a bit of a blur and I didn't know "where I stood" as such. Where as now I have a much greater understanding and actually going these makes it a lot easier to understand and comprehend what it will be like rather than just looking at pictures and talking to people.

I hope that your little one keeps on baking and growing to stay inside that bit longer.

Take care and I am more than happy to chat more
*Can you empty out some PM's too your inbox is full!
xxoo