May have to deliver at 32w. **update pg2-arrived at 29+4**

[Foxybabyhg3]

Basically the flow from placenta is showing signs of change. Still lots if movement and good heart. Bubs measuring a little small, currently at 800g at 26+2. If slows or stops I'm going on steroids and goal is to get to 32w and be delivered. I'm so scared. It was just a routine growth scan as I'm diabetic (pre-preg).

Will baby be ok? What should I expect?

 

[Cheska]

I'm sure your baby will be fine. The steroids work wonders x keep calm for baby she will sense mummy is worried x

My lo was delivered at 33 week measuring small, he was just perfectly small. Spent 16 days in hospital and then came home small and vulnerable but healthy and well we just had to protect him a little more.

 

[jandksmommy]

My twins were 32 +4 and are absolutely perfect. They were tiny perfect babies that spent a few weeks in the NICU growing and learning to eat. I'm sure your little one will just fine

My second daughter was born at 23 weeks... lots of issues there but she too is just fine now. Keep your sweetie in there as long as possible but have faith that all will be fine

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Thanks ladies. I'm hoping I can make it to 34w as she said 32 is target if flow stops but 34 if deteriorates

 

[katy1310]

My LO was born at 27 weeks and is absolutely fine now. I remember being exactly where you are now, I got told at 25 weeks that they'd try to get me to 30 weeks, and I was absolutely terrified and devastated. But then I found all the ladies on here and I wouldn't have got through it without them!

By 32 weeks your LO will have had a few more weeks to develop inside you, and the steroids really do work wonders for their lungs. I know it's a scary scary time for you, especially just not knowing what's going to happen or when but the ladies on here are such a fantastic support xxx

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Thanks ladies. Currently admitted as fluid level down to 8cm which is pretty bizarre to me as 5 days earlier there was plenty and I've not been leaking. Now they're umming & ahhing over my ctg as apparently not variable enough. Seen 5 consultants and all told me different things I'm so confused scared and angry at the sane time. I don't know who to listen to

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Ella was born at 33 weeks - nearly 29 but they managed to keep her inside me for 4 weeks. I spent 4 weeks in Wishaw before she was born. She was 3lb 15oz and in hospital for 4 weeks. She's a fit and healthy 5 months old now, weighing about 11lb and absolutely perfect in every way.

I see you're in Carfin - are you in Wishaw too? I found the care to be excellent but yes when the shifts change you can be dealing with a new consultant with a totally different approach. We were all set to go to theatre 5 times between 29 weeks and 33 weeks - then a shift change would mean someone new coming in and saying - hey let's just wait and see for now. Just don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. I was under the care of Dr McMurray who is very good. I also know Dr Kellison very well as she's family and if you have her looking after you you'll be in excellent hands.

Laura x

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Thanks Laura. Yes I'm at Wishaw under Dr McLellan as I'm diabetic. I was admitted again on Saturday due to a high BP but not dangerously high. Had a weird time of it with lots of differing information from 6 different consultants/registrars. My latest update (copy n paste from my 3rd tri thread)

Right, saw another consultant (6th one!) today who said there's nothing there to say they have to intervene right now but there are some markers and we have to be prepared which is what Dr Mc had said 3 weeks ago. Dr Mc also came round and said my BP hadn't increased although a couple of readings were borderline but she was putting it down to all the conflicting info I'd been given ( she read through notes I didn't have to mention it) she took me off the BP meds as it caused one reading to drop to 113/73 which bordered on low which can cause issues with flow in placenta where I have issues anyway plus my bottom number wasn't over 100 before which is the marker she'd left in my notes to introduce the meds. She said we can plod along and go back to being an out patient 3x a week for scans and ctg's. my ctg's are ok for my gestation but the midwives were comparing it to 30-odd weeks and were worried at not enough variability, but the felt plenty of movement and was picked up on ctg. still have 2 ++ of protein but has been from the start. So she said make sure my bag is ready get to 32w then when flow stops or really deteriorates, I'm in, on steroids then delivery. So although 32w is very early, it's better than 28/9. And I'm home but resting. So sofa and entire series of Angel for me. DH to step up and be a housekeeper

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

That's me admitted to the ward for steroids. Look like they'll deliver within 7 days

I'm absolutely terrified.

 

[jandksmommy]

It's super-scary to be anticipating such an early arrival but the best thing you can do right now is try and relax, find a peaceful head-space... it's best for you and baby. You are passed the magic 28 week marker so your little one should do just fine It is absolutely amazing what medical science can do these days... my 23 weeker is living smiling proof. Keep us updated, I will be thinking of you.

 

[jandksmommy]

Oh... and don't read too much into your sweeties lack of variablity in the ctgs. When I was on hospital bedrest with my twins, one of the twins NEVER varied more then a few points and it had the nurses worried... she is a smart healthy and very cheeky 17 month old now.... VERY cheeky!

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Thanks

1st steroid shot done. Dr McLellan thought that the ctg's were looking like she was getting into a wee bit of trouble, she's been there from day 1 so I trust her judgment. She says now is the right time. Based on scan dates I'll be exactly 30w on Monday 24th. I know they do deliver normally within a week of administering steroids. I'm trying to be strong but it's so damn hard. I just want her to come out healthy and hopefully make it home

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Think c-section might be as early as tomorrow. I'm so scared

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Keep positive - you are in the best of hands. I had my steroid shots 12 hours apart as they thought I was going to be rushed to theatre - it took 4 weeks in the end.

However, if you do deliver at 30 weeks - I can tell you that Ella shared a cot room with a 30 weeker and a 32 weeker in Wishaw. All three girls are fighting fit and doing fantastically - and I'm sure your little one will too.

Laura xxx

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Thanks. You've given me hope

 

[Cheska]

Thinking of you and baba hope your both doing as well as can be xx

 

[jandksmommy]

Thinking of you and sending you positive thoughts!! Believe that all will be well. Your little one will be perfect, just a bit on the tiny side for awhile. The steroids make a super huge difference in lung function so your wee one already has a boost . Keep us posted if you can and we will keep sending you positive thought... hugs.

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

Well I was right. They took me for a section today as the scan showed further reduced flow.

Skylar Faith King was born at 1pm 21st June weighing 2lb 1oz but was born crying which helped me relax a little

She's doing well so far and I think and hope I'm prepared for the rollercoaster that is Neo Natal.

 

[080509]

Huge congratulations, thinking of you right now and your little one, just saw the update on the diabetic thread but saw this first, i hope everything is going as well as possible xxx

 

[Ice Cold Cube]

Congratulations. Your gorgeous baby girl may be tiny, but she's mighty - all the neonatal babies are

If I can help answer any questions you have about neonatal in Wishaw, just let me know.

If you are expressing, I can tell you about how it was for me and what helped etc. There is good support in Wishaw but the main thing is to relax as much as you can in the early days to help your milk come in. Don't panic if you don't get much at all at the start - it's perfectly normal and most have to supplement for a day or two like we did. If baby is able, get as much skin to skin time with her as you can. Don't be afraid to ask as it will do you both the world of good. If you can get hold of the Medela Symphony pump from the breastfeeding support people, grab it, it's really good. Also, use the yellow book they'll give you to chart all your pumping sessions. It gives you a focus and it's rewarding to see how drops of milk soon turn to litres every day.

Take care of yourself although do try and get up and about as soon as you can. It's much better if you can make it over to the ward on your own without having to wait an age for one of the midwives to take you over in a chair. You can visit the ward at any time to see your little girl.

Here is a poem I wrote for Ella and read recently at her naming ceremony. I wouldn't normally post it but I do hope it helps you to see that you won't be in NNU forever.

Poem for Ella
The twenty eighth of February - you’re expected date. Overjoyed - we couldn’t wait.
Mid December - something’s wrong. It’s too early for you to come.
Christmas. New Year. Constant fear. Weeks and weeks in hospital care.
Then finally discharged, hurray! You might just make it to your due date.

Though seven weeks early, you arrived. Nothing could keep you inside.
All the worry, suddenly gone - replaced by hope that you’d be strong.
You were so tiny - the smallest baby we’d ever seen.
All three pounds and fifteen ounces of you covered in wires, tubes and breathing machines.

Your progress was amazing! You grew stronger every day. Soon breathing on your own and gaining lots of weight.
Then of course, the setback, that everyone warns you to expect.
Neonatal snakes and ladders took you back to the start again.

But the midwives didn’t call the girls in Cot Room 5 ‘TINY, BUT MIGHTY’ for nothing!
Like those special babies around you, nurtured by parental love and amazing medical care, you bounced right back and were soon out of there.

A month after you were born, with absolute delight we brought you home.
That amazing moment when we introduced you to your brother, captured on film to cherish forever.
And look at you now, our precious little daughter. We love you so much. You are a true inspiration. Our little fighter!

ALL NNU babies are amazing, you will be astounded at the progress Skylar will make every day.

Laura x