Due to my medical problems my little boy is going to be born on October 20th at 28 weeks. Although I knew that I would have to deliver prematurely I had hoped to make it to 30-32 weeks. I am reaching out to other mothers of preemies that can tell me how there babys did being born this early. I have to have major surgery immediately after the birth and my not be able to see the baby for several days. My husband will be on his own during this time. Any advise or words you can offer are greatly appreciated.
I have a good friend who delivered quadruplets at 26 weeks... the littlest one was 1 lb something...
They are 2 yrs old now, and all PERFECTLY HEALTHY.
Blessings to you...
One of my greatest friends delivered their little boy at just 25 weeks, her water just broke in the middle of the night, needless to say about 5 nights later she delivered a little 2lb pound. There were a lot of complications (gangrene on his appendix), multiple surgeries it was a very scary time for her.....
Jump a head 2 1/2 years, she has the biggest little boy ever, we nicked name him Dennis (Dennis the menace), and he ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong with him!!!
I am sure your doctors will do everything possible for you and you baby, and I don't know if this has helped at all, but I wish you the best of luck....
Many prayers and hugs coming your way!!!!
Our daughter was on the cusp of preemie and was in the NICU for a week..
The Nurses and Doctors were amazing.. It was heartbreaking not to be with her every moment, and not to be able to hold her or BF her but they had set times and limit the number of visitors.. I just wanted what was best for her no matter what..
Do have your husband take lots of digital photos and video, so he can at least show you the babies on his phone or a laptop.. .. We did not have that at the time and spent a ton of money on photo processing..
Be sure to take care of yourself and ask for what you need and want.. Do not try to be strong for others.. If you want privacy ask for it.. If you want your mom, get her there.. If you just want your husband give him the heads up that you may want him to stay with you.. Your hormones are going to be crazy and all over the place.. Make an agreement with everyone,. you may seem like a crazy Bitc#, but to just give you the benefit of the doubt.. ..
If you want, our Cape Cod Breastfeeding Moms group can get you milk (free) if you want. Preemies do a lot better on breastmilk than formula - it is much easier on their tummy and contains stem cells to help them thrive.
Let me know!
Best wishes!
HT,
I've walked a mile in your shoes! It will be the biggest emotional roller coaster ride for you and your family. Just remember (and you will hear it plenty) these babies are sooo resilient. My baby boys, who are now 6 were 26 weekers. I wasn't fortunate enough to have the steroids prior to their birth, and my boys were very sick. We spent 3 months in the NICU and brought the second baby home on Thanksgiving Day!
It's still very difficult for me to talk about because we had lots of complications, lots of surgeries and plenty of tears. We were told that my boys would have CP and that one of them would probably never walk or talk. I'm hear to tell you that is NOT true! I have 2 very happy, healthy miracles. They started kindergarten this year and are doing wonderfully.
If I could give you any advice I would tell you to try to love everyday with your baby boy (even if there are rough ones) and not worry about what "could be". I second what someone said earlier about not researching the internet. It will be hard, but every baby is different. We saw plenty of 28 weekers that were simply "feeder/growers" and I pray your little guy is one of the same. But if he isn't, cherish those moments too. You will want to be able to hold onto those when he's 5 and driving you crazy!!
One of my little guys has hydrocephalus as a result of a brain bleed. We had plenty of doctors tell us "wait and see", but I had one dr that told me to raise him with love and care and compassion and give him everything I could because all the medicine in the world wouldn't compare to that. I hung on to that and even still to this day. My same baby boy was reading before he started kindergarten and has a passion for learning and books and music. He is also a little sports star.
Take lots of pictures too, and with something that you can relate his size too when you are looking back in time. I have a picture of my son with my husbands wedding band around his arm up to his shoulder. I was there and I lived it, but it is still so hard to believe they were ever really only a 1lb.
I would also suggest setting up a caringbridge site to update frineds and family. I was so overwhelmed with people who wanted to talk to me or my husband, and we didn't want to talk (or rehash every day!) - we wanted to be with the babies
I'm happy to answer any questions you have if you want to pm me. Happy days to you all and Congrats!!
L.:)
3 years ago my son was born at 27 weeks. I'm so sorry, and I completely understand what you're going through. My son is doing fine, after weighing 1 lb 1 oz. He has chronic lung disease from being on the ventilator. Between now and his delivery, try not to look up statistics on line. They told us in the NICU not to look things up on the internet, because each baby is different, and the best thing you can do for your little one is to remain positive. I couldn't see our son until 3 days after his birth, and it was very hard. My husband took lots of pics and brought them in to me. I also pumped breast milk, and knew that even though I couldn't be there with him, I was helping him. During our stay at the NICU, some babies came in that were even smaller than our little guy, and they seemed to be doing fine. Our NICU has a micro-preemie party every year, and I want you to know that I see hundreds of micro's that are doing wonderfully! Yes, the road ahead may be difficult, but medical science is amazing, and it sounds like this delivery has been well planned by your dr. Have faith and trust the dr's - they work miracles every day!
My suggestion to you join ____@____.com tell them Lee sent you. My son now10 was born at 26 weeks. What hospital are you using? Get a couple of beenie babies you sleep with them each day you can not see your baby have someone change out the beenie baby that is sented like mom. I have so much to say I do not want to overwhelm you. Please contact me directly ____@____.com with any questions
I'm so sorry for what you are going through. I can't imagine how it must feel; as moms we feel responsible for everything that happens to our kids in and out of the womb, but please know that your son being born early is NOT your fault. I'll be praying for you both.
As far as the preemie question, I just want you to know that I know of three people who had preemies at 25 - 28 weeks. One was a student I had who is a twin, and both he and his sister have no major medical or learning issues (he has mild CP but he is high functioning, just not a gym star!). The other is an acquaintance who I believe is bringing her daughter home this week at over 7 lbs - she was born at 26 weeks and has been in the NICU since July. The last is a co-worker who had her son at 25 weeks in August, so he is still in the NICU, but he is gaining weight and doing well, getting off machines and using a pacifier on his own now. Your reality will be yours alone and your experience as well, but please know that medical advances will help immensely for both of you, and everything is going to be okay! I'm so sorry you will not be able to see your son right after the birth, but the bond you share will be strong when you do see him regardless. Stay strong, you can do it.
