what to expect/tips/ any info appreciated....

[crumpet]

hi everyone....

well a quick run down to start with...

im currently 28w2d preg with our bbay girl.... i also have cervical imcompetance which caused us to loose our first bub at 22w1d...

so i had a stitch put in at 15w and up until now we have had smooth sailing, and expected to hit 37w when they would remove the stitch.

but now it looks like we wont be getting that far and are basically preparing ourselfs for a premmie....

my OB seems to think we will hit 30 to 34 weeks but has said that if i dont rest enough it could be sooner....

so im just looking for tips/advice/info/ anything you think will help prepare us for what could be a NICU stay if not a SCU stay....

im hoping to hold her in for another 4 weeks min but as we all know u cant predict these things....

please feel free to PM me if u dont want to share anything on the open forum, any info is much appreciated!!

[Tegam]

Hun! As you know i have worked in a NICU but never faced one as a mum! If there is practical questions you have id be happy to give it a go but i also hope that there are some mums on here that can help you too!

[jesses_girl]

Well DS was a full- term but he was in there for 18 days so i now a little, your health is just as important as bubs. Your need to look after yourself aswell, rest, drink pleanty of water (hospitals drain you). Ask lots of questions, hold bub as much as you can well that goes without saying lol. Will post more later, ds just woke up.

[black_rose]

Hope you get to 37 weeks crumpet.

Dd was a 34 weeker, she was on the humidicrib for 24 hours and had phototherapy for 48. The nicu and scn were in the same room. She then spent 2 and a half weeks learning to do all suck feeds and gain weight.

The unexpected thing for us was that visitors were not supposed to hold her as it stressed her out and she lost weight.(didn't find this out until a bit later).

Make sure you talk to the midwives about what doing as much as you can, nappy changes, temperatures etc as part of the bonding process since you can't be with them 24/7.
Leaving dd was always hard, but the MW's were all fantastic with her.

Can't think of much right now too tired but will come back later I'd I think of anything else.

[kitten2b]

My experience was the same with Black rose with both my premmies. I have a premmie breastfeeding booklet here somewhere that I could post to you from the ABA. I would make sure the nurses on the post natal ward help you with expressing asap, I was ignored at first as they were all busy with the mums with the bubs with them ans wasted 24hours when I could have been expressing the precious colostrum for dd1.

[Early Kids]

I have all my fingers crossed that you have at least 9 weeks left.

My advice comes from having Brendan at 30+1 and Tristan 34+3.
* Ask to be shown the NICU, it will make it slightly less of a shock to you.
* Investigate the pump options NOW, see if and how much it costs to hire one or look into buying one, go electric too!
* Keep a diary and take lots of photos.
* Don't be afraid of asking questions, you are your child advocate!
* My rule was; when in NICU and still in humidircrib special moments such as cuddles, are left to Mum and Dad ONLY no exceptions.
* Speak to one of the neonatologists (NICU Dr) or at very least a NICU Nurse, about what is likely to happen at certain gestations, I had one visit me when my waters broke and explained the chances of survival, some of the equipment and what to expect.
* Have your hospital bag packed now, one thing most prem mums have in common is no personal items after birth (simple things like a hair brush can make a difference!)

I have more, will be back soon

[Early Kids]

Ok a bit more about my boys journey...
Brendan 30+1
Was ventilated at birth and moved to CPAP at around 2days old
I didn't get to cuddle him until 5 days old, he wasn't even placed on my chest at birth.
He spent 3 weeks in an isolette, for 4 days I wasn't allowed to even touch him at all.
He was tube fed for 39 days. He had an IV in for a few weeks.
His journey was very much a one step forward two steps back for the first 2-3 weeks.
He was in NICU for 6 days and SCN for 35 days and was discharged at 5wk6d (36 weeks gestation)

Tristan 34+3
Was ventilated at birth and then cpap by 8 hours old.
Was placed on my chest at birth and first real cuddle was on day 2, along with breastfeed attempt.
He spent 1-2days in an isolette.
He was tube fed for 3 days and had an IV for 3 days too.
His journey was on the up and up from day 2.
He was in NICU for just over 24 hours and SCN for 5 days then on ward with me for 2 days. discharged at 8 days old (35+4 weeks gestation)

Both my boys were discharged earlier than the Drs in SCN wanted them to be, I put up a very strong fight to get them home when I did. Trust your gut instinct, it's usually right.

Every single day/week you give bub the better, you can hang on you do have the strength and will power to do this. I believe in you.

All the best xx

[crumpet]

Hun! As you know i have worked in a NICU but never faced one as a mum! If there is practical questions you have id be happy to give it a go but i also hope that there are some mums on here that can help you too!

totally forgot about that!!!

thank you everyone all of ur stories have helped me realise what we could be in for and when with certain gestations.....

i had no idea of what would happen if she came at certain points so u have all helped grately!!

we have spoke to a NICU dr in my last preg but that was when i delivered at 22w so the focus was on 24weeker not 28plus....

im not booked into the public hospy at this point, my OB has delivery rights there so i know ill be accepted, but do i call them and explain my stituation and ask to be shown around or do i speak to my OB to help me organise it??

its not going to be a fun trip as its in the hospital i delivered G at so im kinda avoiding it at all costs atm, well until i know i HAVE to go there....