New first time mum with prem baby

[thomasthetank]

Hi Mums

I'm seeking comfort as my little fella Dylan Blake was born last Friday evening (exactly a week ago to the hour today!) He was 31+5 delivered by C section - after several hours of inducing drip.

Consequently he is now in SCBU on a ventilator and doesn't seem to be strong enough to come off and on to CPAC just yet. I'm up and down with emotion, frustration and heartbreak as the road seems so long ahead and with no certainty.

Any guidance or real stories and experiences to help me through this difficult time would be appreciated. I just want him home

 

[Srrme]

Hi. Congratulations on your little man.

I have had two premature babies -- one born at 28.6 weeks, and the other born at 35 weeks. My first baby was in the NICU for 60 long days.

The NICU is a roller coaster, and at times, especially in the early days, it seems like a never-ending one. You both will have your good days, and your bad days. It won't last forever. Just take one day at a time, and you will have your baby home with you in no time.

 

[Welshgem81]

hi hun. my baby girl was born last Monday at 34 weeks after an emergency c section cos of a ruptured placenta. she was already measuring 3 weeks behind and was 3lb7. My emotions are all over place too. i can't stop crying but got to be strong for her. these forums have lots of positive outcomes tho so that's helping.

 

[WantsALittle1]

Our little girl was born at 31+3 via emergency C-section caused by a cord accident. She was initially breathing on her own with Apgars of 6 and 8. Within a few hours she was desatting so much that they had to put her on CPAP. Within only one day she was onto nasal cannula and three days after that she was on room air! We had a pretty uneventful NICU stay--one NEC scare and a couple of large bradys not associated with feedings. She also needed 3 bili light treatments--she was as yellow as a banana for a couple weeks!

The biggest hurdle for us was feeding. Our LO would not bottle feed with the gavage tube in and they would NOT pull her tube! They insisted that she was not able to bottle feed. I tried to explain to them that they were committing a major logical fallacy: if you gavage her automatically every 4 hours, she never gets a hunger signal that would motivate her to bottle feed. We got lots of flack from the nurses about how she wasn't ready. Finally, we got a nurse who was at least willing to try pulling the tube. She pulled the tube and two days later, we were home. She just needed to get a little hungry to want to bottle feed and they just weren't letting her!

All in all, 35 day NICU stay. Birth weight was 4 lb 3 oz and she was 5lb 8oz when we left. She is a tub-a-lub now: 15 lbs of laughs and wiggles.

Just take it one day at a time and remember that you are the parent. You can still be a parent even though your son is in the care of nurses. Also, one major regret I have is not pushing BFing with our LO. She got bottle-addicted as soon as she got her first bottle feeding and BFing became impossible. I ended up pumping exclusively for 6 months! If you can BF, please do. That contact with your baby will be priceless, and will help you through the long nights until he's home. Also, do kangaroo care. It's so amazing!

Wish you the best and please keep us posted on your little man's progress!

 

[Foogirl]

Congratulations. Is your LO doing better today?

Its hard, its a difficult time, and just remember that any emotion you feel is the right one. You will go through so much in the next few weeks, months and even years, but right now just concentrate on looking after you.

There will be ups and downs, steps forward and back. You will learn to appreciate the tiniest little milestone, trips to the hospital will become part of the daily routine and you'll find your world is ruled by monitors and medical terminology. It's a different start to your life as a mum, but its the start you've been given and coming to terms with that is difficult but it will get better.

Where are you based? There is an organisation called Bliss in the uk. Their website is www.bliss.org.uk They have loads and loads of support from people who have been through it, as well as lots of leaflets and stuff to help. If there is a Bliss champion or support group near you, give them a call. If there isn't, let me know and we can set something up by phone/email for you.

And the ladies here are absolutely wonderful. Whatever you go through, we've all been through and will totally understand whatever you need to talk about.

Take Care xxx

 

[thomasthetank]

Thank you for your kind words. xx