oh oh kayshablake you are going through exactly the same thing that I did. At 25 weeks I was hospitalized because the baby was very small and the blood flow in the placenta was low and dropping. They told me I wouldn't go another 3 weeks before they took the baby out. Like you I had regular scans - every day towards the end. I lasted another 10 days or so. At 27 weeks they decided his odds were now better outside the womb so I had a c section.
But to encourage you he was still going strong, kicking and moving all the time. I know this sounds impossible right now, but keep confident and strong. The blood flow won't suddenly stop - the decrease is quite gradual. They'll take him out before there's a *chance* he might grow weaker. They won't wail until the birth is too much strain. At that point he really is better outside.
So baby vincent was born at 27 weeks weighing a whole 570 grams. That's the weight of a 23 weeker. He was in the bottom 2 percentile for growth - 98 percent of babies are bigger at that stage - which classifies as a severe growth delay. They gave us the odds of a 24 weeker, which weren't encouraging - I can send them to you in pm if you wish. Essentially we had 50% odds of bringing home a healthy baby, or with mild or medium health problems. Keep in mind hospitals tend to give pessimistic odds. But really he was a 27 weeker despite the small size. Those extra weeks make a huge difference. Even as a foetus our bodies are amazing. The blood flow he does receive will go towards his brain and lungs, which are the most important obviously - the brain to command the lungs to work and the lungs to breathe. They're getting ready to live outside the womb. The rest can be smaller.
He'll be fine *huuugs*. Nowadays they save over 90% of babies born at just 25 weeks. Every day you can go beyond that will just make his journey easier. His lungs and intestines are what will need to mature as longest as possible. They are what will need a bit of help in the first days. He won't receive milk for a week or two - that's perfectly normal. They'll give his intestines time to develop and prepare to digest milk before they give him any. He'll be fed by IV, a super mix of calories, vitamines, fat and everything else he needs. He'll be on ventilators for quite some time - probably until your due date. There are multiple ones that all operate differently, and help in different ways. Ask the doctors, don't be shy with questions. We can help you with all the terms. I can talk neonatal lingo with the best of the nurses now
My baby is in a room with 3 babies all born at 24 weeks. Two months later, even though he's much smaller than them due to the growth delay, he's actually growing and healing better than them, because his organs had those extra weeks to mature. He needs far less oxygen, digests more milk and is generally more stable. He's now at 35 weeks and now at the 8th percentile of weight - he's catching up! A whole 1800 grams now. His weight has tripled in 8 weeks!!
I hope these words encourage you - these little guys are so strong. They amaze me every day. We're in a children's hospital, the neonatal ward is specialized in these small guys. I know the other parents, I hear the stories, see the other babies every day. They're all doing well.
Every day will bring ups and down - I know how very hard it is, but try to keep positive. Ask to visit the neonatal ward. They'll provide diapers, he'll be in a heated incubator so he won't need clothes. You should be able to rent a very good milk pump from them. They'll take care of all such details. Leave it in their hands. Just focus on yourself, get plenty of rest. *huuuugs*
edit - sorry my reply is chaotic, trying to give too much info at once
If you have specific questions I'll happily reply. I'm off to see bubbah as I do every day - I'll check back tonight.
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. Hope all goes well for you and your baby hun. xx
been a very long and miserable weekend my way xx
