Could any of you out there who had premies anywhere near as early as Robbie email me?
I'd just really like to hear your success stories.
I feel so overwhelmed about trying to figure out how to drive this new road we just found ourselves on.
When did you touch him? Hold him? If you pumped, how long did it take for your colostrum & milk to come in?
How much time did you spend with him in the NICU?
Our NICU is open 24 hours for parents and if I had my way, I'd probably be sleeping on the floor next to him, but I suspect I might be in the way a little bit.
They tell me I can't drive for 2 weeks. David says when he goes back to work, he could drop me off at the hospital and pick me up on the way home. I know they have some family rooms for us to visit in. Would I just come to the hospital and maybe read in one of the rooms and visit with him every few hours?
Mostly, I guess, I'm looking for some sort of semblance of what is going to be my new "normal."
My email is:
triciajoy@yahoo.com
Thank you so much,
--Trish
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8 comments:
I did not have a preemie, but I was induced early and it really took a good 5-7 days for my milk to come in and that was with pumping. I remember crying because it hurt so much to pump and I could barely get a drop.
Did the LC mention drinking Mother's Milk Tea or taking Fenugreek? Both increase milk supply, but I wonder if they can also give you a jump start. Otherwise, I think that all you can really do is pump on the same schedule that he would be eating, even overnight. I'm sure that you're still on IV fluids, so it's good that you're staying hydrated - that helps with milk production also.
I think their biggest concern with driving is that you'll somehow tear open your stitches or staples. After the first week, I really think you'll be okay driving short distances alone - especially since you won't be doing any carseat/baby lifting. I remember feeling dramatically 'back to normal' after the first week (which royally sucked). I'm not sure how far away you live, though. I'm sure that the hospital is used to accomodating parents and will do whatever they can to make you comfortable.
Don't worry about getting in the way, he needs your love just as much as he needs their care. They're used to situations like this, you're not. So just worry about you and not bothering anyone.
Still thinking of you all!
Hi Trish,
I commented on one of your posts the other day--I have a daughter who was born at 25 weeks and 6 days this past February. She just came home from the NICU three weeks ago and is doing beautifully now. I am leaving my blog address, but you should feel free to email me as well. The memories are all very fresh (as are the medical aspects), so I would be happy to answer questions or just hold your hand a bit along the way. It is hard, where you are, but you will get through this.
Don't worry too much about your milk just yet. The mag DRASTICALLY effects milk production, or at least it did for me, so just keep pumping and be kind to yourself. As for when you will be able to hold Robbie, don't be afraid to ask the nurses about that. I was able to touch Simone right away the first day, but not hold her (I can't remember when I first held her, I will have to look back in my notes). If Robbie is still having problems regulating his temperature they will want to get that under control before taking him out of the isolette.
I seem to have completely hijacked your comment section, so I will stop now, but I am thinking of you and your brand new son.
My email: alexaflotsam@gmail.com
MY website: http://flotsamblog.com
Hi
I had a baby boy preemie at 29.5 weeks and I know how very scary it is. Keep up the pumping and buy mothers milk herbal tea it is at the health food store it is a wonder tastes terrible but really helps with supply. It is amazing how strong these little guys can be. Our miracle stayed in the NICU for 60 days. I did my best to hold him skin to skin whenever I could. He is now 4.5 and doing great no issues at all. He is such a joy. Please e-mail me I would love to tell you our story. You will get through this I promise. It is a tough long road but it sounds already like he is doing great and being a normal preemie. Be strong and remember you are Mom and he needs you. Please contact me I would love to answer any of your questions and be of any support. I beleive that we go through experiences like this to be there for others in their time of need. I have been there and we are now on the other side. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Lauren Radich
Hi Trish
I am praying for Robbie and your recovery, congratulations on your beautiful son!
I am a survivor of Pre-E/PIH and there is a wonderful place where women who have had very premature babies due to this terrible disease support eachother through the delivery and NICU struggles - it's at the Preeclampsia Foundation and there is a "Parents of Preemies" section
http://www.preeclampsia.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=23
I highly encourage you to go over there and tell your story and you will hear from many women who have had very similar experiences with 26 weekers and MANY survival stories - these little babies are so strong!
Much Love & Prayer
Jennifer
I don't know if either of these blogs are exactly what you are looking for but they may help. Check them out.
http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/
and
http://ourbabykennedy.blogspot.com/
Hopefully at least one of them helps!
Hi Trish,
I will email you as well, but I wanted to cover my bases. My daughter was born this past November at 28 weeks 6 days. I'm sure everyone has told you the NICU is a roller coaster, and it is. You WILL get through it! The doctors told us to expect to bring her home around her due date, and that was true. I know it seems impossibly far away now, but take it one day at a time.
You can email me ANYTIME, and you can look at my blog for my daily entries from her time in the NICU. Things were really dicey at first, but we brought her home.
Heather
thespohrs@gmail.com
www.thespohrsaremultiplying.com
First and most importantly, congratulations! It's easy to loose site of the fact that there is much to be happy about when you're a new NICU parent.
My wife and I have been there--we had a 24 weeker in September, and it's a brutal ride that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Hopefully your honeymoon period (all the "micro preemies" have them) will last longer than ours--we went from being thrilled at how well our daughter was doing in her first week to baptising her because the doctors weren't sure she'd survive the night two short weeks later.
But she did survive, and has thrived. You can see so for yourself on our blog; http://cailinhope.blogspot.com.
No matter how low the lows get (and they got lower for us than I ever could have imagined), realize that these babies are stronger than any of us, and they can fight through and triumph.
As for your questions... Touch--their skin is super-sensitive, so follow the nurses advice on that one (obviously no stroking, which is a lot of people's first instinct).
Keep pumping if you possibly can. It's the only thing you can do for your baby right now (and we dads can do nothing but comfort our wives). Buy a big freezer or find friends with empty space. You'll accumulate lots of milk--more than your son can eat by far (he can eat it later, or if he's nursing, you can donate it).
As for the time in the NICU--that's a tough one. Our first NICU (we had to transfer for specialized testing at a children's hospital) kicked us out at 10 PM each night which was a blessing and a curse. But, my advice would be to spend as much time as you can emotionally and physically stand. Our NICU--in an urban setting with lots of very sick babies--was a horrible place to spend time, and looking back I don't know how my wife did it. She was there every day from 10AM when we were allowed in to close to 10 PM. At the end of weekends there I would feel emotionally exhausted--it's amazing that she did it day after day with no breaks. But she was our daughter's greatest advocate--the person most on top of her care, of her cues and little signs, etc. I have no doubt that my daughter is doing as well as she is in large part due to the fact that my wife continued to pump through 5.5 months of hospitlization (my daugher is no nursing!) and that she was always there, with her. All that being said, you need to stay healthy. Sick adults don't belong in NICU's, so you MUST get enough rest, and do everything you can to take care of yourselves. There is nothing worse than having to stay home because you're sick when your child is in the hospital.
Anyway, my wife has contacted you privately--feel free to reach out to either of us at will. As others have said, you will get through this, and it will be well worth it the day you bring your little boy home.
Best wishes; you'll be in our thoughts and prayers.
Cheers,
Tim
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