So I’ve just found out that my baby will have to be delivered early, 29 weeks hopefully might be able to hold off I’m praying to keep baby in
I’m terrified and I swore I wouldn’t google but I did and now I’m so scared of all the things that can happen.
Has any one has a premmie baby and can tell me about your little one? The doctors are talking in percentages and things and they have mentioned things that could be wrong and I’m so worry
I probably sound silly, but I don’t know what to expect at all, this is my first baby, I’m a high risk pregnancy and all I want to do is do right by baby,
I’m sorry if I’m not making sense I’m just so scared
7 Replies
My bestie works in a NICU. She considers any bub after 28 weeks a dream (barring rare exceprions). If you are on bed rest, start asking people to cook and freeze meals and buy a decent double breast pump. You can expect bubs to be in a NICU for a while so you will need easily accessible good nutrition so you can be there and bringing your milk in. It won't be easy. It will probably be one of the hardest things you ever need to manage. But at the end of the day, 29 weeks is outside of the really high risk things in terms of expecting them to happen. Also, investigate parking costs now and put some money aside so you can actually be there. Finally... and this may be the hardest thing actually... accept now that you won't need to be at the hospital every day as you will need the odd break to care for your own physical and mental wellbeing.
Oh... and try not to be too cranky at everyone else. Literally everything they say will have the capacity to be the wrong thing depending on your emotional roller coaster. Look for their intent rather than reacting.
I'm sorry this is the card you've been dealt... It's crappy. But like I said... a NICU nurse would view this amount of time in utero as great lol.
As a mum of a premmie that is (in a months time) turning 8... this comment is so on point. Every point I can think of has been touched on. If you can visit the NICU I suggest you do. Even in the public system my girl was given such amazing care. It is the hardest thing you’ll ever do but at 29 weeks you’ll make it and when your “baby” is turning 8 I promise you would go through it all again for them ❤️
Where are you located? Speak to your local NICU and they can give you some support places. My girlfriend has written and published a book called “Ready or not out I come”. She also works as a support person in our local NICU. I’ll post the FB page and you can PM her. She’s not a dr or nurse, just a person who has lived it and helps others through it.
https://www.facebook.com/ReadyOrNotOutICome/
You're not silly and you don't sound silly. Becoming a mum is scary, and that's even when things are going well. Of course you're feeling overwhelmed, of course you're feeling worried. And it's impossible to 100% know what to expect.
Find some premmie groups on Facebook, see if you can tour the NICU and talk to some nurses or even some of the parents with babies in there. Ask lots of questions. See if there's a social worker or counsellor at the hospital you can talk to. Rally your trusted friends and family around, this is the time to accept any and all offers of help.
I'm crossing everything for a few more weeks inside for your little one, but I am sure you will both have the best care.
My second started having heart issues (SVT) at 28 weeks. We prepared for him to have to come early.
My doctor was amazing and told me this
At 28 weeks, every day in the womb is a huge benefit.
At 30 weeks, to get the same benefit takes 2 days.
At 35 weeks, to get the same benefit takes a week.
After 36 weeks, it takes 10 days for the same benefit.
I was lucky and we kept bubs in until 37 + 5.
Take every day at a time. Look after yourself. I know how stressful this is. View every day as a blessing but know that outcomes from 28 weeks are very very good. My niece was born at 28 weeks and is now almost two. Apart from still working on her walking, she has caught up, not EXCEEDED her peers. She is in the 73 percentile for height and weight, after starting at the 3rd!!
My daughter was born at 26weeks in a helicopter on the way to the hospital. She is 9 years old now and no issues at all. It was very unexpected for us and a very stressful first few months but she was a fighter. NICU staff at Townsville hospital were amazing!