tell me about your baby - expect to deliver at 34 weeks

[mrscricket]

I agree with OnelittePrincess - we LOVED our younger scn nurses. They seemed more willing to listen (and didn't mind me breaking down on a few occasions), and allowed me to try things where as some of the older ones were pretty set in their own ways. One thing I found hard was the guilt when the nurses went me off to sleep - I felt like I should be with the babies like I would be at home. I realise now that it is their job and you do need the rest.

Our twins were born at 35weeks 2 days but they were tiny little things, so we spent 3 weeks in the special care nursery fattening them up. They had nasal feeding tubes for about 2 weeks, but we did breastfeed from a few days in. The tubes were used for top ups and for when they were too tired to breastfeed. I spent 1 night in our local hospital (they were transfered to a larger hospital about an hour away), and one night in the same hospital as them. Then I was discharged. It was extremly hard - I stayed with a family member closer to their hospital but leaving DS at home with DH was the hardest thing I have ever done. I was extremly torn between wanting to be with the babies, but also wanting to be with my DS who had been my world for 3 years (getting teary thinking of it now!). It is a super hard thing to do, but the SC nursery was the best place for the girls, and 3 weeks felt like forever, but 20 months later, it all seems like a blur. Good luck with everything honey!

** Clothes - the special care nursery provided all clothes for us. Apparently it makes it easier than worrying about things getting lost or bub's running out of clothes if mum's not there. I'd buy a few 00000 things, and if you have any family or friends around, send them out to get stuff for you once bubba has arrived.

[Onelittleprincess]

I agree with OnelittePrincess - we LOVED our younger scn nurses. They seemed more willing to listen (and didn't mind me breaking down on a few occasions), and allowed me to try things where as some of the older ones were pretty set in their own ways. .

DEFINATLY!!!! I had one night (my first rooming in night before taking her home) Where she wouldnt wake at the 3 hourly mark for a feed - it was 10pm at night. THe Student Nurse asked what I'd do at hime to which i replied "its night time, id let her sleep. If it was during the day id push waking her". Her response was fine we will do that, its up to you now. (I will add my girl was a great size). The older nurse said no she cant do that we have to wake her in an hour or we will need to look at tube feeding her. Thankfully she woke up half hour later - just as i got in the shower of course lol

[mrscricket]

My lovely young nurse let me co-sleep with the twinnies when I roomed in - I loved her for it. We had a brilliant night's sleep before we got to go home. The nurse on duty in the morning said "Do NOT tell the doctors or you'll have to stay another night!". I have no idea why but I guess she was very set on doing things 'properly'.

[buliej]

So much great information - thank you!! It is so helpful to know what to expect and the little tips to make it somewhat better.

[smallmum]

Baby 1 labor at 32 weeks emergency c setion, baby born just under 2kg, 19 days hospital, Jaundice, regulating body temps and fatten up.

Baby 2 labor at 35 weeks 4 day stay plus back for another 3 for jaundice, she was emergency c section and weighed around 2.2 kg.

Baby 3 labor at 34 weeks emergency c section, hospital 5 days jaundice and low bsl. (my only NG fed baby and only for 24 hrs)

Baby 4 labor at 34 weeks emervency c section, hospital 4 days. My only baby I got to hold straite after delivery and no complications. (baby 3 and 4 where both around the 2 kg mark

baby 5 labour at33 weeks, cpap for 24 hours iv anti B's for TTN, baby had trouble keeping warm and had A&B Spells so had to stay in hdu for monitering. 2 days NICU, 1 day NICU 2, 7 days HDU. Transfered to local hospital for another 5 days mainly jaundice and fattning up.

Apart from the 24 hrs baby 3 had a NGT for loww bsl and the 24 hrs baby 5 was on cpap, I BF every 2-3 hrs. I really really really had to push hard for this for baby 5 as they couldnt calculate how much milk baby was having! I live 500 odd kms away from our major hospital (KEMH) And was discharged after 3 days with baby 5 and was able to stay in agnes walsh witch was part of the hospital.
I really recomend being polite but firm for BF.

Your bubby will probally fit 00000 but by about 6 weeks will be in 0000 or smaller 000.

All the best for you and baby.

ps I had steriod shot 1with baby 3 and 5 none with 1 and 2 and 2 with baby 4.

[chody47]

Buliej - how did you find things? I'm staring down the barrel of a possible premmie too. I got admitted to hospital on Friday. My ob is trying to decide whether bubs will be better kept in or out.

[buliej]

I am in hospital now -10 days down and 4 to go until c-section on thurs. so far, hardest part has been being away from my 2 year old other than twice a week visits. It has been hard on me, him and dh. I asked for a tour of special care and asked a lot of questions. That helped - see if you can do the same. They also gave me a brochure on what I need to do if I plan on bf'ing - info on how often I will need to pump etc. I've already reserved a hospital grade pump from the ABA for when I am released. How far along are you?