Searching for hope

HI Ladies,

I guess I am looking for some glimmer of light in our current, very dark situation.

At 21.1 weeks into this pregnancy, I started to have contractions and discovered that my cervix was open to 4cm. Have been in hospital for 5 days on drugs to stop the uterus contracting which so far has been successful.

Our aim is to get to at least 23-24 weeks at a very minimun where bub will have a chance howver small it is, to survive on the outside.

Just looking for people who have been in similar circumstances who's bodies held on and delivered a bub at a later stage, or others that have been through without a positive outcome and from those I want to know how you coped losing your child.

Thanks all

Nae

Nae, I don't have any experience but just wanted to say that I am thinking of you and :pray: that bubby sticks hard for the next few weeks hun. Millions of :hug: to you... xox

there is lotsa threads and advice on this stuff in Lil Aussie Prem's. Google it hun...and good luck.

Sorry moderators if i wasnt allowed to post this...

Hi there, just wanted to say that I am thinking of you and wish you all the very best.

My lil man was born at 30wks after my membranes ruptured at 28wks, I know it's a different circumstance, but it is possible to hold on!

all the best

hun

a friend of mine delivered her little boy at 24 weeks late last year. he was tiny, but he was a fighter - and is now home and doing well.

it's a scary situation - and will be a long and trying journey for you.

hoping you are ok and that your bubba hangs about in there for a hell of a lot longer!

Just wanted to offer a :hug:

Nae "hug" I was in the NICU with a beautiful lady who delivered her bub at 29 weeks, after going into labor and dilating at 19wks. They put in a stitch and she was on complete bed rest. All the best :hug:

NaeNae, big hugs from me too hun. It must be so scary for you. A friend of mine has a healthy, thriving 2yo who was born at 24w+2, so miracles do happen. Her premmie labour was sudden and unexpected so no time for steroid shots, which I'm guessing you've had. So there is always hope. Just try to take one day at a time and hang in there. We will be thinking of you and praying for the best.

hi hun,
i was myself born at 24 weeks over 20 years iam a healthy. hope you and bubs are ok.
take care rach xxxx:pray::hug:

NaeNae :hug: :hug:

My friend went into labour at 20wks and although I don't know the full story, I do know that the Dr's were able to stop it (she was in hospital for a bit too) and then she was able to deliver at around 34weeks so still early but not as early as it could have been and her little boy is now a healthy 10mth old boy.

I wish you all the very best what a scary time for you and your partner :hug:

Nae just letting you know i am thinking of you and hoping your baby can stay inside for as long as possible. the hopsitals are so well equipt now to do everything to stop your labour progressing but to also giving your little one the best fighting chance if he/she is to come too early.
each day is going to make a huge difference so try and take each day as it comes. and as holly mentions Lil aussie prems has lots of helpful information and support in relation to premature babies if u get a chance to have a look
please keep us updated.

A friend of mine had the same thing - she had a stitch in and complete bed rest from 24 weeks as the babys foot came out! Her baby girl is now just over 1 year old and has recently started walking, and everyone in our church group dotes on her!

I know its really easy to say and NOT so easy to do, but try not to stress yourself out. Stay calm, relax your body AND mind, and try and enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy. I don't know you, so I don't know if you're normally a very active person, but when I was stuck in bed for a while - back injury, not pregnancy - I taught myself how to crochet and knit. Now I make lil outfits and blankets for friends as they add to their families, and at the time I know it saved my sanity. Even scrapbooking would be useful - we always have boxes of photos that we'll get around to 'one day'!!

And tell DH to get you a laptop so you can keep in touch, and remember that every single woman here is cheering you and Bubble on :pray::goodluck2::cheer::comfort:

wishing you lots and lots of luck :hug: hope your doing ok and we are all thinking of you :hug:

HI Everyone,

Thanks so much for all your wonderful posts, its really touching.

Still in hospital at 22.3 weeks and counting down til this weekend when I will hit 23 weeks. They will ship me off to another hosptial once I have gone 23, so that should bub come then at least she will be in a tertiary hospital and able to receive the best possible care.

There has been no change in my situation as far as we know but will have another u/s later this week to see how everythign is going. Despite the situation I have been having a great time here, feet up, in bed all day, get my meals delivered what more could a lady of leisure ask for :cryinglaugh: ok so thats just me being silly but it has helped heaps having a good attitude about everything and the midwives here are great for a laugh and often pop in just for a chat.

Bub is still moving about and has a good strong heartbeat which is such a good thing, we have picked a couple of names that seem appropriate.

They talked about a stitch but decided against it for a couple of reasons, a) its a foreign body and there is a risk of infection, b) with a bulging membrane there is a risk of rupturing it, c) they only do a stitch if it is a cervix problem (ie weak cervix) and this is not the case with me.

I am glad though because I didn't want to have a stitch, but drugs, gosh I have two antibiotics and two others one hormone progesteron? and one to help stop the contractions. If they start poking things up my nose then I can say they have been into every orafice (sp?) :cryinglaugh:

Anyway, Everyday we bake is a blessing and I am greatful for every day she stays inside. I love being pregnant with her and love all her movements. I am determined to hang on as long as I possibly can.

Thanks again

Nae x

awww best of luck nae, you have such a positive attitude so keep that up!!!

Glad to hear that things are well Nae. If I was down there I would be visiting you to keep you company.
I will be praying every chance I get that your little one stays put.
Take care xx

Just wanted to say we will be thinking of you, stay strong and positive.I had different circumstances and had baby at 32 weeks and she is 18mths now and doing well.

Oh wow. You guys are amazing.
I've looked after plenty of little tinies, but I'm hoping upon hope that your little tiny stays put.

You are amazing Nae, really amazing.

Heres to the protection of all orifices until further notice, enjoy the room service - bubby is!

Hi Nae,
You and bubs are in my prayers. Which hospital are you in? I grew up in Gipps. and worked in Bairnsdale Hosp in 1990.
Anyway, I look forward to following your journey. It is a scary time, and you sound very stong which your bubs is going to need. You will be a great mummy!!!

Hi Nae

Delighted all is ok so far wishing you lots and of luck your little princess stays put and grows a little more :hug::hug:

I have a good feeling all is ok though :dance:

I just saw your post. I wanted to give you a MEGA HUGE :hug: and tell you that I am thinking of you and your bubba.

I am glad you sound positive, try staying that way. I know the wait in hospital is excrusiating and you can go down right bonkers, but it's for the best, for you and little lady.

Ps. Enjoy the pampering (breakfast in bed) while it last :p It will be a very faded memory about three months after your dd comes :)

Hi everyone,

been a little while since I have posted in here so time for an update. Now at 23 +1 days and have been here for two weeks. my next goal to reach is 28 weeks so will do the best i can to reach that :pray:

Had another u/s last thursday and the interpretation that came back said membrane has bulged further and was at 6cm but the cervix had slightly closed. I get so confused by what the radiologist says and what comes back through the drs I wish there was just one straight forward thing and thats it. :rolleyes:

still not closer to a melbourne hospital but hoping that a bed will be available by next weekend when i hit 24 weeks. I guess while I am stable then its not as high priority but its all good still have my own room with lovely views;)

feeling a bit drugged up - each day i get 3 doses of keflex and flagil (sp??) 2 nephedipine tablets, 2 100gm progesterin pesseries, a daily injection of a blood thinner that starts with C and to top it all off have had one of two steriod injections (last one is tomorrow)
:cryinglaugh: can kiss my olympic dreams goodbye now i am using performance enhancing drugs :lol:

bub is still doing well and baking away nicely, keeping everything crossed especially my legs, doing my darndest to keep my spirits high and a positive frame of mind.

a friend wrote a great quote which i would like to share:

Christopher Reeves once said " Once you choose HOPE anything is possible" and really, who can argue with Superman :)

I am keeping everything crossed that the little one stays put mate. You sound in great spirit for what you are going through. You are an inspiration.
Take care of yourself and your little bubba. xx

Thinking of you! And keep up that awesome attitude, you are an inspiration

Nae, just checking in to see how you're going :D Each day is a day closer to the next milestone and I'm keeping everything crossed for you and the impatient missy! :pray:
No wonder you're feeling a bit drugged up on that regimen but it's working and that's brilliant! Give bubba a tummy rub for me for being a good girl and staying put :dance:
Glad that you've got a room to yourself (and one that has views!) while you're waiting for the transfer to Monash and I'm thrilled to bits that you're stable. Thinking of you and full of admiration for your attitude and spirit!
:D

Oooh how stressful to be stuck in the hospital with your legs crossed tight. I have my fingers crossed for you as well. A girl in one of my mom and baby classes has a beautiful healthy 4 year old daughter that was born between her 23rd and 24th week so even if baby does come early I'm sure she will be just fine. Still have my fingers crossed though that she stays put for a bit longer.

So glad you have made it this far, enjoy all the rest. Do they have cable TV LOL??? We have a girl at school who was born at 26 weeks and she is now 7 and fine.

Good luck Nae, I'll be thinking of you too :D

Hi Nae, thought I would see if there was more news, getting to Monash would be good but like you say while you are stable things are good. I guess a move could mess with that. :lol:at your olympic dreams up in smoke, with those performance enhancing drugs. You are doing a great job and getting closer and closer to getting your precious bundle here. You are amazing, I wish I had a fraction of your innner strength. :hug:

THinking of you Nae.

I spent 6w in Monash before Alex was born at 34w so I know first hand that they're awesome. You will be just fine.

Wishing you the bestest "stay put" vibes I can muster.

Nae, wishing you all the best. Hang on!

Dear Friends,



Firstly an apology, I would love to have had this out earlier but given the circumstances I simply have not been in the headspace to have done this any sooner.. and will not be on for a while to come...... BTW this will be long so grab a cuppa.



We have a baby girl.



Nikita Louise Staben was born Sunday 25th May at 11.24am via Caesar, a mere 577 grams in weight.



Her name means - Nikita (unconquerable) Louise (famous warrior) nice and strong.



Our little wombat decided I had hung on long enough and an internal inspection revealed an arm and foot were 'dangling out' of the area where the cervix should have still been.



We were whisked upstairs to the labour ward where we were told the only option safe enough for her arrival was via Emergency Caesarean Section. At that stage it was also said the only cutting option would be a 'Classic Cut' which is across the belly but zipper style internally, meaning I would never be able to give birth the normal way in the future. They also said that I would have to be completely knocked out rather than having a spinal block which would mean a longer recovery and I would not see her for sometime and that Chris would not be present for her birth.



So there I was scared out of my wits, my baby?s life in the hands of everyone else without my man beside me.



I go into theatre (not the type of show I was hoping to see) then the surgeons asked if I would like to be conscious for the birth so of course that was a big yes from me they also explain it is better for Bub. Chris was also invited into the procedure and stayed with me and kept telling me I was doing a good job and kept telling me how much he loved me.

They start prepping me for the surgery and do the spinal block which is the weirdest sensation I have ever had. They gave me more than what was necessary because they usually go by tummy size but due to the early arrival date they drug me up good and proper. It basically makes you go all pins and needles and you cannot move a muscle at all. I was like this pretty much from the boobs down. I could feel tugging and movement of their hands etc but the sensation was unlike anything I could explain.



There was a huge team of people in the room about 6 just for Bub, once they had me open they were talking me through various things like ?there?s a foot? There is her bottom? etc. Then they got her out and she made the faintest little cry (squeak) and I was told it was a girl, all I could do was cry. I could see where they were working on her but couldn?t see her. I remember talking to her telling her she was ok and calling her Niki and pumpkin. Chris went over and took some piccies. Of course I was very concerned about Niki but everyone seemed calm.



Before they took her away they tried to show her to me in her crib but I couldn?t see her. They also told me they were able to do both cuts across my belly so I could possibly have a normal birth in the future. I was so relieved.



Chris followed them out and went up to NICU while I sat in recovery, it was the longest time. They kept me down longer because I was sick a few times. Then I came back up to the ward and had to sit while the spinal block drugs wore off. They gave me a whole heap of other stuff so I was pretty out of it all day on the Sunday. I couldn?t wait to see my little girl but knew I was in no state to do that.



Because she is so early the first 3 weeks are the most dangerous but the first 3-4 days are the most critical. I barely slept Sunday night and Monday was feeling very agitated by the things they had in me, I was extremely tired and wanted nothing more than to see my daughter. One of the midwives who is just fabulous bore the brunt of my emotions a few times. She was so very nice about it all, she got me into the shower and was getting me ready to go up to NICU when I had a spell and nearly fainted. I was so peeved because I knew it would be longer again. A few hours later, we got me into a wheelchair and I saw Niki for the first time. I was completely over come by emotions and not prepared to see such a little baby. When I say little I mean she is a miniature, miniature baby but is perfectly formed.



I have been able to touch her and she responds well to me. She has a strong grip when she holds my finger and moves around a lot more than they would like her too. They have helped her breathing somewhat though she has been doing most of the work herself. Her only main problem so far has been jaundice and her electrolytes keep going up really high but they are keeping close watch over her. We are still in the honeymoon phase and there are so many things that can go wrong at anytime but know she is in the best place in the hands of a highly specialized Drs.



It?s hard as a mother to not be able to hold her or kiss her, but just having the ability to touch her is unbelievable. I never imagined that I could love someone one so much.


I will be discharged on Thursday but have no idea where I will be staying yet. I cannot drive for 6 weeks so I am hoping there will be a space in the emergency accom over the road by then as I don?t have anywhere else a short walk away.



Anyway, I need to get some mummy juice for my little one then head back up to her crib side.



Take care all

Nae, Chris and Nikita

Nae - just wanted to congratulate you on the birth of your little girl Nikita. you're going to have a long journey ahead of you both - but it sounds like Niki is already showing her fighting spirit!

may your journey to bringing your little girl home be as smooth as possible - good luck hun!

Nae,

congratulations on the arrival of little Nikita. I hope she continues to fight it out, and that you get to hold her properly really soon. Thanks for taking the time to share your story, you're doing an amazing job. Take care of yourself.

congrats nae i have tears for you and niki, im sure everything will be ok!

Oh Nae. I was only thinking of you today and came looking for this thread....

Congratulations to both of you! A little girl with a beautiful name! SO glad you got to be awake, and that the surgery went better than you had hoped.

Sending plenty of love and support for that tiny little angel and her mum. :hug:

OMG Nae, I am shaking after reading this.
Congrats on your little girl. I just adore her name, it's absolutely beautiful.
I will be praying every day for your bub's, she's definately sounds like a fighter. Take good care of yourself. :hug: xx

Congratulations on the birth of your little fighter! I hope she continues to keep growing stronger and stronger and that you are all out of the hospital as soon as possible.

Oh Nae :hug:

Sending you so many well wishes for you and bub.
You are strong and amazing and Niki will get through this.

What a beautiful meaning for her name too.