so anxious for my baby boys

[first time x]

I had my boys at 34 weeks and 2 days via c section sue to slight iugr of one of my boys. They were in NICU for 16 days with feeding tubes and one of my boys had oxygen for a week. they have now been home for nearly 2 weeks. Both boys are gaining weight well and nurses are happy with how they are doing when they visit. I ALWAYS worry about them and am so antisocial and protective over them. I haven't invited anyone to come see them and when relatives do visit i hate it when they hold them because i'm convinced they are covered in germs. Every time they sneeze or sound snuffly i end up checking their temp every 5 mins and i just cant relax. My boys are 4 weeks old now (38+2 weeks GA). i still wont take them into public places and even taking them on a walk round the park for fresh air makes me anxious. Anyone else feel the same? all advice appreciated

 

[Fleur29]

I think its very very normal to feel the way you do. My dd was born at 34+4 and i was super concerned about her, I remember not really getting any sleep at all for the first couple of months after she came home. Normal - right?! - if you have a newborn you expect to be up all night; but the thing was that she was asleep, I was just awake checking she was breathing!!!!

My dd is now 20 months old and I'd say I am still cautious (probably moreso than if she'd been born on time, I think it just gets built into you when you have babies in scbu/nicu) but I have relaxed a lot - and it didnt take long for me to chill out after she came home after those first few weeks and I could see that she is thriving. It is very scary having preemie babies and although they grow up and eventually stop being teeny tiny and if you saw them you would have no idea they were a preemie baby to start with; they will always be preemie babies to us.

Just be kind to yourself and take it one day at a time - if you are really struggling then maybe you should talk to your hv or midwife and see if they can offer you any extra support. These early days are tough but it does get easier! Hugs XXX