One born every minute..

[chetnaz]

Did anyone watch it last night??

It was sooo sad - last night's episode was about premature babies and had twins born at 23 weeks and triplets before 30 weeks. Shouldnt have watched it really - it even got my hubby crying his eyes out!

 

[Lindyloo]

I watched it too... I found it a real struggle and it really got to me a couple of times but it does show that even at 23 weeks although hard that they can work wonders.

 

[chetnaz]

Yeah i know what you mean, it was sad, but also inspirational. The staff were great - i dont know how they can do that job, think i'd be a wreck if i had to deal with sickly babies. x

 

[Lindyloo]

mmm, does take a special kind of person to do that job. I did find it nicer to watch than the normal one born every minute because the nurses were alot friendlier and understanding and looked like they actually enjoyed their jobs and wanted to help.

Since watching the series I have found myself worrying about what the midwives will be saying about me etc while I am in labour.. I am a paranoid worrier though!

 

[midori1999]

I have to say, although it was sad, I did find it absolutely uplifting to see what they can do for babies born so early.

However, it was a double edged sword for me, as I was told yesterday that if my babies are born at 23+ weeks, they will not resuscitate or try to keep them alive, unless I have them after 24 weeks, as that is policy here.

 

[littleblonde]

some hospitals are 23 weeks and some are 24 weeks. I think most are 24 as that is peiople on here celebrate visbility at 24 weeks. I watched a sad thing on i think gmtv once where a girl had a baby at 23 weeks. She had suffered losses before and for medical reasons this was her last. The hospital wouldnt do anything to help her baby. The baby was born alive as well. They even had spare incubators outside but as baby was 23 weeks wouldnt use them. she was campaining to get law changed as any baby born alive deserves a chance.

 

[mumof1+1]

Im about to watch it now on 4OD so will probably end up bawling my eyes out - not that that would be anything new while watching that program, shame next week is last one though

 

[babybel]

some hospitals are 23 weeks and some are 24 weeks. I think most are 24 as that is peiople on here celebrate visbility at 24 weeks. I watched a sad thing on i think gmtv once where a girl had a baby at 23 weeks. She had suffered losses before and for medical reasons this was her last. The hospital wouldnt do anything to help her baby. The baby was born alive as well. They even had spare incubators outside but as baby was 23 weeks wouldnt use them. she was campaining to get law changed as any baby born alive deserves a chance.

That is absolutely awful, I dont know how they can have strict rules on something like this, if a baby is in with a fighting chance one week shouldnt matter at all. Poor lady x

 

[_Vicky_]

I just watched it on 4od and omg I was bawling my eyes out cuddling my little Fynn (who was in NICU for 3.5 weeks) the triplet mum hit the nail on the head with the pram as I refused to use the buggy for just sam when Fynn was in hospital for exactly the same reason and lugged Sam around in his car seat for weeks lol.

I really feel for you ladies though as I would have hated watching that programm before I had the boys - double edged sword really isnt it. xxx

 

[TwoBumps]

I really struggled watching it because it brought back so many memories. However it really did make me appreciate (even more so than I already did) how lucky we are to have both of our boys and that they came through with no lasting problems. I cannot imagine how you would even start to deal with losing one twin

 

[midori1999]

some hospitals are 23 weeks and some are 24 weeks. I think most are 24 as that is peiople on here celebrate visbility at 24 weeks. I watched a sad thing on i think gmtv once where a girl had a baby at 23 weeks. She had suffered losses before and for medical reasons this was her last. The hospital wouldnt do anything to help her baby. The baby was born alive as well. They even had spare incubators outside but as baby was 23 weeks wouldnt use them. she was campaining to get law changed as any baby born alive deserves a chance.

Most babies born at 23 weeks are alive at birth, even from 18 weeks they can be born alive and have heartbeat, be breathing etc.

Guidelines published by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine say that babies born after 23 weeks should have a consultant present at birth and be assessed before a decision is made whether to resusctiate. (keep alive) I have been told that there will not even be a doctor present if my babies are born prior to 24 weeks, and that even at 24 weeks they are reluctant to resuscitate. Very hard to accept, but I will argue all the way!

 

[chetnaz]

some hospitals are 23 weeks and some are 24 weeks. I think most are 24 as that is peiople on here celebrate visbility at 24 weeks. I watched a sad thing on i think gmtv once where a girl had a baby at 23 weeks. She had suffered losses before and for medical reasons this was her last. The hospital wouldnt do anything to help her baby. The baby was born alive as well. They even had spare incubators outside but as baby was 23 weeks wouldnt use them. she was campaining to get law changed as any baby born alive deserves a chance.

Most babies born at 23 weeks are alive at birth, even from 18 weeks they can be born alive and have heartbeat, be breathing etc.

Guidelines published by the British Association of Perinatal Medicine say that babies born after 23 weeks should have a consultant present at birth and be assessed before a decision is made whether to resusctiate. (keep alive) I have been told that there will not even be a doctor present if my babies are born prior to 24 weeks, and that even at 24 weeks they are reluctant to resuscitate. Very hard to accept, but I will argue all the way!

How many weeks are you now midori? I hope you wont have to face this situation in the first place. I have been keeping track of your thread and you've come so far already. Keep positive, you'll get to 24 weeks and hopefully beyond!

 

[lizziedripping]

I have to say, although it was sad, I did find it absolutely uplifting to see what they can do for babies born so early.

However, it was a double edged sword for me, as I was told yesterday that if my babies are born at 23+ weeks, they will not resuscitate or try to keep them alive, unless I have them after 24 weeks, as that is policy here.

That's the official line Midori, and what we were told when my daughter began to put in an appearance at 23wks. When emergency stitch was going in, I insisted that if she were to be born there and then, they should try to save her. They said if she looked good for 23wks they would. Always push for intervention - no matter what they say.

For all you ladies firghtened by last night's programme, and disillusioned if you are facing a similar situation, here is my darling 24weeker now at 5yrs old. It is horrific, but things CAN work out - keep fighting!

 

[midori1999]

[
That's the official line Midori, and what we were told when my daughter began to put in an appearance at 23wks. When emergency stitch was going in, I insisted that if she were to be born there and then, they should try to save her. They said if she looked good for 23wks they would. Always push for intervention - no matter what they say.

For all you ladies firghtened by last night's programme, and disillusioned if you are facing a similar situation, here is my darling 24weeker now at 5yrs old. It is horrific, but things CAN work out - keep fighting!

Thanks. The problem I have is that I have been told in no uncertan terms that it is not at all flexible and a consultant will not even be at the delivery if I go into labour before 24 weeks. They have also said they will not consider steroids prior to 24 weeks. I am pushing though and am currently in the process of trying to change my booked hospital so I be more proactive. Currently I would only be transferred over at 24 weeks, so prior to that my babies would be born at a hospital that can't care for babies under 28 weeks.

Did you manage to get steroids prior to your daughter being born?

 

[lizziedripping]

[
That's the official line Midori, and what we were told when my daughter began to put in an appearance at 23wks. When emergency stitch was going in, I insisted that if she were to be born there and then, they should try to save her. They said if she looked good for 23wks they would. Always push for intervention - no matter what they say.

For all you ladies firghtened by last night's programme, and disillusioned if you are facing a similar situation, here is my darling 24weeker now at 5yrs old. It is horrific, but things CAN work out - keep fighting!

Thanks. The problem I have is that I have been told in no uncertan terms that it is not at all flexible and a consultant will not even be at the delivery if I go into labour before 24 weeks. They have also said they will not consider steroids prior to 24 weeks. I am pushing though and am currently in the process of trying to change my booked hospital so I be more proactive. Currently I would only be transferred over at 24 weeks, so prior to that my babies would be born at a hospital that can't care for babies under 28 weeks.

Did you manage to get steroids prior to your daughter being born?

Hi Midori. Yes I did get the steroids. The stitch went in at 23wks, but 4 days later I actually began to contract probably due to infection which by then had worked it's way north into my dilated cervix.

That was a Monday - I kept my contracting quiet because i didn't want them to remove the stitch. By Wednesday they were too strong to disguise and I was bleeding. They gave me steroid shot one. THe next morning my waters broke, so that night I was given steroid shot two. Friday morning my daughter actually pushed her foot right thru the stitch - she had to come out at that point.

Steroids obviously helped her - but as I understand their effects are short lived, so if given they only benefit an unborn baby for up to a week after being administered. That's why they don't just give them to all ladies at risk of possible preterm labour. It is best to give it when labour looks imminent - it works best within 2-3 days.

Where are you now with your little ones? As for thier policy on 23weekers, that makes me so angry Who are they to make such decisions? Keep fighting hun, remember no one cares for your bubbas as much as you do. And you know, you might actually be ok and make it thru the 24 week mark anyway

 

[midori1999]

Thanks Lizziedripping!

I am 18+4 now. Had a scare last night as went to toilet and found some blood, so I rang the hospital, they told me to come in and I really thought that was it!

Steroids are routine in ladies who's membranes have ruptured here, (and most places, I think, as risk of early labour is extremely high) so providing I have no infection I will get them routinely, it's just the timing I might not be happy with. I assume if I do have an infection they will hold off until the last possible minute, but they have told me to expect a very fast labour when it happens, due to everything combined in mysituation, and my previous 'normal' labours weren't long.

I have been told that steroids are most effective if given for up to 10 days prior to delivery, but paticularly effective if given just before delivery (so in cases like yours, I guess). However, they do have some benefit even after that and it is thought that repeated doses can cause neurological problems and not necessarily be of any benefit, hence some practitioners do not give them more than once. However, some will repeat the steroids between 28-30 weeks apparently, or even give doses at 24, 28 and 32 weeks.

Thanks again.

 

[lizziedripping]

I do hope things are ok for you Midori - you must be so stressed out hun

Do you live in the states? In the UK they just will not give medication unless absolutely forced - and what makes me angry is that it's all about money I wouldn't mind, but we are prepared to pay if necessary, but we're not allowed to.

I got edgy at 28wks and would have loved to have had steroids as a precuation, but it just wasn't an option. I know that giving them too frequently can have a negative effect, but I do believe that all high risk women would benefit from a routine shot at 24 and 28 wks.

Anyway hun, hope things have settled down for you this morning. It is awful when you dread going to the loo in case there is bleeding. I monitor my discharge (TMI) constantly, fretting that there is too much. That was the only symptom I had with my daughter I know I'm past the danger zone now, but somehow you just can't help worrying.

THe lady on here who has just had 34wk twins is testament to the fact that until you reach full term, there are no gaurantees. It is so unfair that we can't just relax and enjoy our pregnancies.

Thinking about you love x

 

[greenie]

ok, this thread has got me worrying!!
Firstly, i'm gathering that the chance of premature labour is obviously greater with twins. I think I knew that. How much greater? And what are the signs? What causes it - membrane rupture?
Also, someone mentioned cervical mucus/discharge. Is this some sort of indicator?

thanks again x

 

[lizziedripping]

Greenie - fret not my sweet.

There is a higher chance of prem labour with twins, but the majority of these births fall between 34 and 37 wks, which is by no means disasterous.

THe extreme prematurity we are discussing here, and that I have had experience of is for very specific reasons, not necessarily related to twins. My daughter was a singleton and came early due to incompetent cervix. The fact I am now carrying twins makes my IC more of a problem due to the extra weight on it, but for most women this isn't an issue.

It was me who mentioned vaginal discharge because when my daughter came at 24wks I didn't go into labour, but did have lots of milky discharge. It was my only symptom, and one typical of an incompetent cervix which is dilating. This has made me paranoid about discharge in this pregnancy. However, with my first, full-term baby I ironically had more of the stuff to the point it would run down my legs (sorry) and I thought nothing of it. My son was born at term and healthy. Again, discharge is usually a normal, healthy part of pregnancy and it increases naturally as the pregnancy progresses - it is only if there is an abrupt change in its amount that you should be checked out. I have had it in this pregnancy, and it has meant absoultely nothing, but naturally with my previous experience I can't help but worry.

Premature rupture of membranes and preterm labour can happen in any kind of pregnancy for a whole host of reasons, but is still rare. Twins are usually born earlier than singletons, but still mainly after the 34wk mark. Remember the average for twins delivery is 37wks anyway - which is considered a good gestation.

Relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Us ladies with complications share details because it helps us to get thru after previous/current traumatic experiences, but we are by no means the norm

 

[greenie]

Thank you for replying, you've really put my mind at rest! I really hope you all go on to have happy and healthy pregnancies and babies!
xxx